When Their Milestone Becomes Your Stress: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving Test Day

Picture this: You’re sitting in the waiting area at the DriveTest Centre in Mississauga, watching the clock tick forward with excruciating slowness. Your coffee has gone cold in your hands. You’ve read the same paragraph in your magazine three times without absorbing a single word. Every time a car pulls into the parking lot, your heart skips a beat—is that the examiner’s vehicle? Is the test over? Did they pass?

Meanwhile, your teenager is out there somewhere, navigating residential streets, attempting parallel parking, and executing three-point turns while a stranger with a clipboard judges their every move.

If this scenario feels familiar, you’re not alone. While the Ontario G2 or G road test is technically your teen’s challenge to face, countless parents discover that the anxiety doesn’t respect that boundary. The stress seeps right through, settling into your chest as you wait, hope, and worry.

The Ontario road test is a significant milestone in your child’s journey toward independence. For the G2 test (taken after holding a G1 licence for at least 12 months), your teen will demonstrate their ability to drive safely in everyday traffic situations over approximately 20-30 minutes. The G test (the final step, taken after holding a G2 for at least 12 months) includes highway driving and more complex scenarios, lasting about 30-40 minutes. Many parents find it helpful to familiarize themselves with common driving test routes in their area to better understand what their teen will face.

Here’s the good news: there are practical, proven strategies to reduce anxiety for both you and your teen. This isn’t about eliminating nerves entirely—some nervous energy can actually help with focus and performance. Instead, it’s about managing that anxiety so it doesn’t become overwhelming or interfere with your teen’s ability to demonstrate their skills.

Let’s explore how to make test day less stressful and more successful for everyone involved.

2. Why Parents Feel So Anxious (and It’s Completely Normal)

Before we dive into solutions, let’s acknowledge why this experience feels so emotionally charged. Understanding the roots of your anxiety can help you manage it more effectively.

Your Emotional Investment Runs Deep

This isn’t just about passing a test—it’s about your child’s safety on the roads for the rest of their life. Every parent knows that driving is one of the riskiest activities their teenager will undertake. Statistics show that new drivers aged 16-19 have crash rates nearly four times higher than drivers aged 20 and older. Your anxiety isn’t irrational; it’s a natural response to a legitimate concern.

You’ve invested countless hours preparing your teen for this moment: practice drives in parking lots, navigating rush hour traffic together, teaching them to check blind spots, and probably repeating “slow down” more times than you can count. When test day arrives, all that effort culminates in a single evaluation that you can’t control.

Your Own Driving History Resurfaces

Many parents find that their teen’s driving test triggers memories of their own experiences—sometimes decades old. Did you fail your first attempt? Experience a frightening near-miss when you were learning? Perhaps you were in an accident as a young driver, or know someone who was. These memories, stored away for years, suddenly feel fresh and relevant again.

One parent shared: “When my daughter was taking her G2 test, I kept flashing back to when I was 17 and drove through a red light because I was distracted. Thirty years later, and I was terrified she’d make the same mistake.”

The Loss of Control is Profound

For sixteen or seventeen years, you’ve been your child’s protector. You’ve kept them safe through countless challenges, guided their decisions, and intervened when necessary. But during that road test, you’re completely sidelined. You can’t correct their steering, remind them to signal, or help them parallel park. They’re alone with their skills and judgment—and that transfer of control can feel terrifying.

This anxiety is actually a sign of healthy parental attachment and care. The challenge isn’t to stop caring; it’s to channel that care in productive directions.

The Stakes Feel Enormous

In today’s world, driving represents freedom, opportunity, and independence. Without a licence, your teen may struggle to get to part-time jobs, participate in activities, or socialize with friends—especially in areas where public transit is limited. You might worry about how not passing will affect their self-esteem, their social life, or even their future opportunities.

But here’s an important reframe: while getting a driver’s licence is significant, it’s not the defining moment of your teen’s life. Many successful, capable adults didn’t pass on their first attempt. The skills and resilience they develop through the process—including handling disappointment if necessary—are actually more valuable than the plastic card itself.

3. Understanding the Ontario Driving Test Process

Knowledge is power when it comes to managing anxiety. Understanding exactly what happens during the test can demystify the process and reduce the fear of the unknown.

Ontario’s Graduated Licensing System: The Road to Full Privileges

Ontario uses a three-stage graduated licensing system designed to help new drivers build experience progressively:

G1 (Beginner’s Licence): After passing a written knowledge test, your teen receives a G1 licence. They can drive only when accompanied by a fully licensed driver with at least four years of experience. Restrictions include no highway driving (unless with a certified instructor), zero blood alcohol level, and limited night driving.

G2 (Intermediate Licence): After holding a G1 for at least 12 months (or 8 months if they complete an approved driver education course), teens can take the G2 road test. Passing allows them to drive independently, though some restrictions remain: zero blood alcohol level, and passenger limitations for the first six months (only one passenger under 20 unless accompanied by a fully licensed driver).

G (Full Licence): After holding a G2 for at least 12 months, drivers take the G road test to earn full driving privileges with no restrictions.

What Actually Happens on Test Day

Understanding the logistics can significantly reduce anxiety:

Before the Test Begins:

  • Arrive at the DriveTest Centre at your scheduled time (arriving 15-30 minutes early is recommended)
  • Bring required documents: valid G1 or G2 licence, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance
  • The vehicle must be in good working condition with valid licence plates and current insurance
  • Your teen will need to demonstrate basic vehicle knowledge (horn, signals, emergency brake, etc.)

During the G2 Road Test (approximately 20-30 minutes):

  • The examiner will direct your teen through various residential streets and potentially some busier roads
  • Common manoeuvres include: right turns, left turns, stopping at stop signs and traffic lights, lane changes, parallel parking (or reverse parking), three-point turns, and driving in reverse
  • The examiner evaluates observation skills, vehicle control, space management, and adherence to traffic laws
  • The route typically stays within the local area surrounding the test centre

During the G Road Test (approximately 30-40 minutes):

  • Everything from the G2 test, plus highway driving (merging, lane changes at higher speeds, exiting safely)
  • More complex traffic situations and decision-making scenarios
  • Higher expectations for smoothness, confidence, and defensive driving techniques

After the Test:

  • The examiner provides immediate feedback on performance
  • If successful, your teen receives a temporary licence valid for 60 days until the permanent one arrives by mail
  • If unsuccessful, the examiner explains which areas need improvement
  • Failed tests require a 10-day waiting period before rebooking (14 days for G test)

Pro Tip: Familiarize Yourself with the Test Centre

Reducing last-minute stress starts with preparation. Visit the DriveTest Centre location a few days before the test:

  • Note the parking area and entrance
  • Observe the traffic patterns around the centre
  • If possible, drive some of the surrounding streets with your teen
  • Check the centre’s website for specific requirements or temporary changes

Many parents use resources like DriveTestRoutes.com or local driving school websites to preview common test routes. While examiners vary their routes, becoming familiar with the general area builds confidence and reduces surprises.

4. Helping Your Teen Prepare (Without Becoming a Backseat Coach)

Your role as practice partner is crucial, but it’s also one of the trickiest to navigate. The goal is to help your teen build genuine skills and confidence—not to create tension or undermine their abilities.

Keep Practice Drives Positive and Constructive

The way you provide feedback during practice sessions directly impacts your teen’s confidence and skill development. Here’s how to strike the right balance:

Do:

  • Start each practice session by stating a specific skill to focus on: “Today, let’s work on lane changes” or “We’ll practice residential stop signs”
  • Acknowledge improvements, even small ones: “That turn was much smoother than yesterday”
  • Ask questions that encourage self-evaluation: “How did that parallel parking feel to you?”
  • Allow natural consequences in safe situations (like stalling at a green light) rather than constantly intervening
  • Take breaks if either of you becomes frustrated

Don’t:

  • Grab the steering wheel unless there’s genuine danger
  • Provide constant running commentary on every minor imperfection
  • Compare them to other drivers (“Your sister had no trouble with parallel parking”)
  • Practice when either of you is tired, stressed, or time-pressured
  • Focus only on mistakes without recognizing successes

One mother shared her breakthrough moment: “I realized I was narrating every upcoming hazard: ‘Watch that car,’ ‘Pedestrian ahead,’ ‘Light’s about to change.’ My son finally said, ‘Mom, I can see these things.’ I was teaching him to drive reactively to my voice instead of developing his own observation skills. When I stayed quiet and let him identify hazards first, his awareness actually improved.”

Avoid “Lecture Mode”: Use Calm, Specific Feedback

Teen brains respond differently to feedback than adult brains. Research shows that adolescents are highly sensitive to perceived criticism, especially from parents. Lengthy lectures or emotional reactions can trigger defensive responses that shut down learning.

Instead of: “You’re going way too fast! Slow down! Don’t you remember what I told you about speed limits? This is exactly why I worry about you driving!”

Try: “Let’s bring your speed down to match the limit here, which is 40.” [Pause] “Good, that’s the right speed for this zone.”

The difference is specificity, calmness, and focusing on the action rather than character judgment.

Encourage Professional Lessons for Skills and Peace of Mind

Even if your teen took driver’s education for their G1, consider investing in a few professional lessons before the road test. This isn’t about replacing your practice sessions—it’s about complementing them with expert instruction.

Benefits of professional lessons:

  • Instructors know exactly what examiners look for and can address specific weaknesses
  • Teens often accept feedback more readily from instructors than from parents
  • Professional instructors have dual-control vehicles, reducing anxiety for you and your teen
  • Many driving schools offer “test preparation packages” focused on common exam challenges
  • It removes some of the emotional intensity from parent-teen practice sessions

“My relationship with my son improved dramatically when we hired an instructor for the month before his test,” one father explained. “I stopped being the critic and became the supportive practice partner. The instructor handled the technical corrections, and I just provided driving opportunities.”

Set Realistic Expectations About Passing

One of the most helpful things you can do is normalize the possibility of not passing the first attempt. Statistics vary by location and test type, but many DriveTest Centres report first-time pass rates between 40-60% for the G2 test.

This doesn’t mean your teen won’t pass—but it does mean that many capable, safe drivers need more than one try. The reasons vary: test anxiety, a momentary lapse in judgment, weather conditions, being asked to perform a manoeuvre they hadn’t practiced enough, or simply needing more experience.

Frame it this way: “My goal isn’t just for you to pass the test. My goal is for you to become a safe, confident driver who can handle all kinds of situations. If that takes two attempts instead of one, that’s completely fine. Every professional driver you see on the road today probably made mistakes when they were learning too.”

This approach actually reduces pressure and often improves performance. When teens feel they have “permission” to be imperfect, they often drive more naturally and confidently.

5. Creating a Calm Test-Day Routine

The night before and the morning of the test set the tone for your teen’s performance. A thoughtful routine can significantly reduce anxiety for everyone.

The Night Before: Set Up Success

Prepare Everything in Advance:

  • Gather all required documents (licence, registration, insurance) and place them in a designated spot
  • Ensure the test vehicle is clean, fueled, and in good working condition
  • Check that all lights, signals, horn, and mirrors are functioning properly
  • Set out comfortable clothing for your teen (avoid new shoes or restrictive clothing)
  • Charge both phones fully in case you need to contact each other

Encourage Proper Rest:

  • Aim for 8-9 hours of sleep (teens need more than adults)
  • Avoid late-night cramming about driving rules—your teen either knows them by now or needs more practice before testing
  • Create a calm evening environment: perhaps watch a lighthearted movie together or engage in a relaxing activity
  • Limit screen time before bed, which can interfere with sleep quality

Visualize Success: Encourage your teen to spend a few minutes visualizing themselves calmly completing the test. Mental rehearsal is a proven technique used by athletes and performers. They might imagine:

  • Getting in the car feeling prepared and confident
  • Following the examiner’s directions smoothly
  • Handling unexpected situations (like a pedestrian stepping off the curb) with calm competence
  • Returning to the parking lot feeling proud of their performance

Test Day Morning: Start Strong

A Nourishing Breakfast: Nervousness can suppress appetite, but driving requires sustained focus and energy. Encourage your teen to eat something, even if it’s small:

  • Protein-rich options (eggs, yogurt, nut butter) provide steady energy
  • Complex carbohydrates (whole grain toast, oatmeal) support brain function
  • Avoid excessive caffeine, which can increase jitteriness
  • Stay hydrated, but not so much that bathroom urgency becomes a distraction

Arrive Early, But Not Too Early: Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes before the scheduled test time. This provides a buffer for unexpected traffic or parking challenges, but isn’t so early that your teen sits in the waiting area building anxiety.

Let Your Teen Drive to the Test Centre: This is one of the most valuable test-day strategies. Having your teen drive to the DriveTest Centre serves multiple purposes:

  • It’s an effective warm-up that activates their driving skills
  • It demonstrates your confidence in their abilities
  • It reduces the transition from “passenger” to “driver” mode
  • It helps them arrive feeling more prepared and less cold

Use this drive as a low-pressure practice session. Keep conversation light and supportive. Avoid last-minute coaching or corrections unless something is genuinely dangerous.

Breathing and Grounding Techniques: Before your teen gets out of the car, spend two minutes together practicing calming techniques:

The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique:

  • Breathe in through the nose for 4 counts
  • Hold for 7 counts
  • Exhale through the mouth for 8 counts
  • Repeat 3-4 times

This pattern activates the parasympathetic nervous system, counteracting the fight-or-flight response.

The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique:

  • Name 5 things you can see
  • Name 4 things you can touch
  • Name 3 things you can hear
  • Name 2 things you can smell
  • Name 1 thing you can taste

This technique brings attention back to the present moment rather than anxious future thoughts.

Parents: Manage Your Own Waiting Time

Once your teen heads into the test, you’ll face 30-45 minutes with nothing to do but worry. Plan ahead:

Consider Not Watching: Some parents find it less stressful to leave the area entirely rather than watching the test vehicle drive away. Take a walk around the neighbourhood, get coffee, or sit in a nearby park. Many parents report that not seeing their teen’s test car navigate traffic actually reduces their anxiety.

Bring Distractions: If you stay in the waiting area, bring something genuinely engaging:

  • A book or e-reader (not a magazine you can flip through mindlessly)
  • Headphones and a podcast or music
  • A simple puzzle or word game on your phone
  • Work tasks that require concentration

Connect with Other Parents: You’re not alone in that waiting room. Other parents are experiencing the same emotions. Sometimes sharing a knowing smile or brief conversation can be comforting: “First time?” “Yes, you?” “Third attempt, but she’s ready this time.”

Most Importantly: Remember Your Own Grounding Techniques When you feel anxiety rising, return to breathing exercises, go for a walk, or remind yourself: “This is one day in my child’s long life. Whatever happens, we’ll handle it together.”

6. Managing Your Own Emotions

Your anxiety isn’t just about you—it affects your teen. Research consistently shows that parental stress is contagious, particularly in parent-teen relationships. Teens are remarkably attuned to their parents’ emotional states, often picking up on anxiety even when parents try to hide it.

Recognize the Anxiety Transfer Effect

Before the test, during the waiting period, and after your teen returns, your emotional state matters. If you’re visibly anxious:

  • Your teen may interpret this as lack of confidence in their abilities
  • They may absorb your nervous energy, increasing their own stress
  • They might feel pressure to manage your emotions in addition to their own

One teen described it this way: “When my mom was super stressed about my test, I felt like I had to pass not just for me, but to make her feel better. It added this extra layer of pressure that made everything harder.”

Reframe Your Thoughts

Cognitive reframing is a powerful anxiety-management tool. When you notice catastrophic or extreme thoughts, actively challenge and replace them:

Catastrophic Thought: “If they fail, they’ll be devastated and lose all confidence.” Reframe: “If they don’t pass today, we’ll talk about what to work on, practice more, and try again. They’ll learn resilience and persistence.”

Catastrophic Thought: “They’re going to get into an accident as soon as they’re driving alone.” Reframe: “They’ve shown good judgment in practice. Like all new drivers, they’ll build experience gradually. We’ve prepared them well.”

Catastrophic Thought: “Everyone else’s kid passes the first time. What if mine doesn’t?” Reframe: “Many capable drivers need multiple attempts. This isn’t a reflection of their intelligence or my parenting.”

Perfectionist Thought: “They need to drive perfectly during the test.” Reframe: “They need to drive safely and follow traffic laws. Minor nervousness is normal and doesn’t mean failure.”

Use Grounding Exercises Throughout the Day

Physical techniques can interrupt the anxiety cycle:

Progressive Muscle Relaxation:

  • Tense your shoulders for 5 seconds, then release
  • Clench your fists for 5 seconds, then release
  • Tighten your jaw for 5 seconds, then release
  • Notice the difference between tension and relaxation

The STOP Technique:

  • Stop what you’re doing
  • Take a breath
  • Observe your thoughts, feelings, and body sensations
  • Proceed with what’s most important right now

Movement: Physical activity is one of the most effective anxiety reducers. During the waiting period, take a brisk walk. The combination of movement, fresh air, and change of scenery can significantly reduce stress hormones.

Remember: The Test Doesn’t Define Anything

This is perhaps the most important reframe of all:

  • Passing or failing doesn’t define your teen’s long-term driving ability
  • It doesn’t determine their future success in life
  • It doesn’t reflect your quality as a parent
  • It’s simply one assessment on one day

Every skilled, safe driver on the road today was once a nervous beginner. Many of them didn’t pass their first test. But they became good drivers anyway through practice, experience, and time.

7. Supporting Your Teen After the Test

The moments after your teen returns from the test are emotionally charged. How you respond—whether they pass or not—can significantly impact their confidence and your relationship.

If They Pass: Celebrate Appropriately

Acknowledge Their Achievement: Passing the road test represents months of preparation, practice, and perseverance. Celebrate genuinely:

  • “I’m so proud of how hard you worked for this!”
  • “You did it! How does it feel?”
  • Consider a special dinner, small gift, or family celebration

But Emphasize Ongoing Responsibility: The licence is a beginning, not an endpoint. Frame it this way:

  • “This licence means we trust you with serious responsibility. Now the real learning begins.”
  • “Your job is to keep building your skills and making safe choices every time you drive.”

Discuss Practical Next Steps:

  • Review any passenger or time restrictions that apply to new G2 drivers
  • Establish family rules: car borrowing procedures, fuel responsibilities, consequences for traffic violations
  • Discuss insurance implications and costs
  • Talk about gradually building experience: start with familiar daytime routes, then progress to new areas, night driving, and challenging conditions

Set Realistic Expectations: Make it clear that making mistakes is part of learning. They might still stall occasionally, misjudge parking spaces, or feel uncertain in new situations. This doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have passed—it means they’re a new driver.

One father shared his approach: “After my daughter passed, I told her, ‘For the next year, every time you drive, you’re still learning. You’ll make small mistakes. When you do, we’ll talk about them calmly and figure out how to handle that situation better next time. That’s normal and expected.’”

If They Don’t Pass: Focus on Growth and Next Steps

This moment is crucial. How you respond to failure shapes how your teen learns to handle setbacks—not just in driving, but in life.

Manage Your Own Disappointment First: Take a moment before responding. Your teen is likely already disappointed or embarrassed. They don’t need to manage your emotions too.

Lead with Empathy and Support:

  • “I know you’re disappointed. That’s completely understandable.”
  • “Tell me what happened. I want to understand your experience.”
  • “I’m here for you, and we’re going to figure this out together.”

Avoid These Unhelpful Responses:

  • “What did you do wrong?” (Sounds accusatory)
  • “I told you to practice that more!” (Not helpful in the moment)
  • “Everyone else in your class passed.” (Comparison creates shame)
  • Visible frustration, sighing, or anger
  • Immediately jumping to “When can you retest?” before processing feelings

Review the Feedback Constructively: The examiner provides specific feedback about which skills need improvement. Once your teen is ready to discuss it:

  • “Let’s look at what the examiner said needs work. These are specific things we can practice.”
  • “Which area do you think needs the most attention?”
  • “What felt challenging during the test that we haven’t practiced much?”

Create a Practice Plan:

  • Identify 2-3 specific skills to focus on before the next attempt
  • Schedule regular practice sessions targeting those skills
  • Consider booking a lesson or two with a professional instructor for targeted help
  • Set a realistic timeline for retesting (consider the mandatory 10-14 day waiting period plus adequate practice time)

Normalize the Experience: Share stories of other capable drivers who needed multiple attempts—perhaps even yourself, family members, or friends. Many teens feel alone in their “failure” when actually, retaking the test is extremely common.

Reframe It as Valuable Feedback: “The examiner just gave you extremely specific information about what to work on. That’s actually really helpful. Now we know exactly what needs more practice, rather than guessing.”

Long-Term Perspective: “Six months from now, whether you passed today or next month won’t matter at all. What matters is that you become a safe, confident driver. Let’s focus on that goal.”

Practical Steps for Rebooking:

  • Wait at least a few days before booking the next test—your teen needs time to practice improvements
  • Book during a time of day when your teen typically drives well (some people are sharper in morning; others in afternoon)
  • Consider a different test location if the first one had particularly challenging routes or traffic patterns
  • Review Ministry of Transportation resources and practice materials together

8. Turning the Experience Into a Confidence Builder

Regardless of the outcome, your teen’s driving test represents a significant milestone in their development. The skills they’re learning extend far beyond operating a vehicle.

Model Calm, Resilience, and Patience

Your teen is watching how you handle stress, uncertainty, and outcomes you can’t control. This is an opportunity to demonstrate:

Emotional Regulation: When you feel anxious but choose calming strategies instead of panic, you’re modeling crucial life skills. Your teen learns: “When I feel overwhelmed in the future, I can use these techniques.”

Resilience in the Face of Setbacks: If your teen doesn’t pass, your response teaches them about handling disappointment. Do you model that setbacks are catastrophic? Or that they’re information to learn from?

Patience with Learning Processes: Mastery takes time. Your willingness to support multiple practice sessions, additional lessons, or retaking the test demonstrates that worthwhile skills are worth patient effort.

Trust and Letting Go: Allowing your teen to take the test—to face this challenge independently—communicates trust in their abilities. This is practice for all the future moments when you’ll need to trust them to navigate life’s challenges without you.

One mother reflected: “I realized that my anxiety about my son’s driving test was really about my struggle with him growing up. Watching him drive away with the examiner, I had to accept that he’s becoming independent. That was hard, but also beautiful. Learning to manage my anxiety about his test helped me manage my anxiety about all the independence coming his way.”

Recognize This as a Step Toward Adulthood

The driving test sits at an interesting intersection of adolescence and adulthood. Your teen is:

  • Taking on adult responsibility (operating dangerous machinery)
  • Facing adult consequences (following laws with real penalties)
  • Earning adult privileges (freedom of movement)
  • Still requiring support and guidance (they’re not fully independent yet)

This in-between space is exactly where your teen lives right now. The driving test is practice for this emerging adulthood—taking on challenges with support available but not hovering.

The Long View: Every Safe Driver Started Here

When you’re in the thick of test-day anxiety, it’s hard to imagine that this will eventually feel routine. But it will. The day will come—sooner than you expect—when your teen borrowing the car is utterly normal. When you don’t hold your breath every time they leave. When they’re no longer a “new driver” but simply a driver.

Every competent, safe driver on the road today started exactly where your teen is now: nervous, inexperienced, making mistakes, and gradually building skill. The parent watching them practiced what you’re practicing: balancing protection with trust, managing anxiety while supporting growth, and slowly letting go.

Years from now, you might find yourself sharing your own story with another anxious parent in a DriveTest Centre waiting room: “Oh, I remember that feeling. It’s nerve-wracking. But they get through it, and so do we.”

9. Quick Reference: Key Takeaways

Before Test Day: ✓ Complete an approved driver education course to reduce wait time for G2 ✓ Practice regularly in varied conditions and locations ✓ Consider professional lessons for targeted skill development ✓ Visit the test centre location in advance ✓ Normalize the possibility of needing multiple attempts

Test Day Morning: ✓ Ensure 8-9 hours of sleep the night before ✓ Eat a balanced breakfast with protein ✓ Arrive 15-20 minutes early ✓ Let your teen drive to the test centre as warm-up ✓ Practice breathing and grounding techniques together

Managing Your Anxiety: ✓ Recognize that your stress affects your teen ✓ Use reframing techniques for catastrophic thoughts ✓ Consider leaving the area during the test ✓ Bring engaging distractions if you stay ✓ Practice physical grounding exercises

After the Test: ✓ If they pass: celebrate, then discuss ongoing responsibility ✓ If they don’t pass: lead with empathy, review feedback constructively, create a practice plan ✓ Either way: focus on long-term skill development rather than test outcome

G2 Test Pass Rates: Vary by location, generally 40-60% pass on first attempt

Most Common Reasons for Failure:

  • Observation errors (failing to check blind spots)
  • Speed management (too fast or significantly under speed limit)
  • Right-of-way mistakes
  • Parallel parking or reverse parking errors
  • Lane positioning and turning errors

Resources:

  • Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Available free online at ontario.ca
  • Practice Test Apps: “G1 Genius” and “DriveTest Genie” offer practice questions
  • DriveTest Centre Locations: drivetest.ca
  • Ministry of Transportation: ontario.ca/page/get-g-drivers-licence-new-drivers

Costs (2025):

  • G2 Road Test: $53.75
  • G Road Test: $88.75
  • Retest fees are the same as initial test fees

3 Actionable Tips to Get Your Teenager Started Learning to Drive

If you’re just beginning the journey toward that road test, here are three concrete steps to set your teen up for success:

1. Start in Low-Pressure Environments and Progress Gradually

Don’t begin in traffic. Your teen’s first time behind the wheel should be in an empty parking lot on a weekend morning. This allows them to:

  • Get comfortable with the vehicle’s size and controls
  • Practice basic skills (steering, accelerating, braking) without hazard pressure
  • Build confidence before introducing complex traffic situations

Progression path:

  • Week 1-2: Empty parking lots, very quiet residential streets
  • Week 3-4: Residential neighbourhoods with moderate traffic
  • Week 5-8: Busier roads, different times of day, various weather conditions
  • Month 3+: Highways (with G2 licence or instructor), night driving, challenging intersections

2. Create a Pre-Drive Checklist and Use It Every Single Time

Consistency builds habits. Before every practice drive, have your teen complete this routine:

  • Adjust the seat position and steering wheel
  • Adjust all mirrors (side and rearview)
  • Fasten seatbelt
  • Check that all passengers are buckled
  • Turn on the vehicle
  • Check surroundings before moving

This routine becomes automatic through repetition. When test day arrives, your teen will naturally follow these steps, starting the test with good habits already activated.

3. Establish Clear, Calm Communication Signals for Practice Drives

Before you start driving together, agree on how you’ll communicate:

Create a “Pause” Signal: Choose a neutral word or gesture that means “pull over safely when possible so we can discuss something.” This prevents mid-drive arguments and allows your teen to focus on driving rather than debating.

Establish Urgency Levels:

  • “Heads up” = Something to be aware of but not urgent
  • “Caution” = Requires attention and possible action
  • “STOP” = Immediate danger, brake now

Agree on Post-Drive Feedback: Set aside 5 minutes after each practice drive to discuss:

  • One thing that went really well
  • One thing to focus on next time
  • Any questions your teen has

This structure prevents the dreaded running commentary (“You’re too close to that car… slow down… watch that pedestrian…”) that undermines teen confidence and creates tension.

A Final Word of Encouragement

The DriveTest Centre waiting room is filled with parents experiencing exactly what you’re feeling: pride, anxiety, hope, and the bittersweet awareness that their child is growing up. This milestone marks a significant transition—not just for your teen, but for you as a parent learning to step back while still providing support.

Your anxiety is a testament to your love and commitment to your child’s safety. But it doesn’t have to overwhelm you or your teen. With preparation, perspective, and the right strategies, test day can be a positive experience regardless of the outcome.

Remember: the test is one moment. The relationship you’re building with your teen—characterized by trust, support, and resilience—lasts forever.

They’ve got this. And so do you.

Have you navigated your teen’s driving test journey? Share your experiences, tips, and survival strategies in the comments below. Your wisdom might be exactly what another anxious parent needs to hear.