If you want to get your G2 license in a shorter time than it takes, one year, you mean, ways to shave off some months or weeks from the 12-month period. In Ontario, the minimum amount of time has been set at 8 months, but this has precondition that must be fulfilled. Let me tell you how to do this, and increase your likelihood of success.
1. Enroll in an MTO-Approved Driver Education Program
There is no better way to minimize the amount of time you will spend waiting for your G2 than by taking an MTO-approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE). Passing this course enables you to take your G2 test 8 months after getting your G1 as opposed to waiting for 12 months. This course includes:
- The average amount of time spent in car instruction was 10 hours.
- 20 classroom or online theory credits
- 10 hours that could be home study or extra practice on the road
BDE course is designed to enhance your driving ability and enable you to pass your test in the first attempt. However, many insurance providers rebate their clients who take these courses and this is why it should be considered.
2. Maximize Driving Practice
But of course, the BDE course is necessary; however, the more actual driving practice you can get, the better. Repetition they say is the name of the game when it comes to preparing for any test. Different to the G2 road test, G2 road test comprises basic skills such as parking, changing lanes and signals, and traffic sign recognition. Ensure that you train often using a G driver and ensure that the driver gives feedback about your performance.
Highway driving and defensive driving are also part of some of the sections you may be tested on when writing the G2 test; therefore, this is an important factor. To increase your confidence, practice in different conditions during the day, at night, and especially when there are storms.
3. Book Your Test Early
In the case of road test the earlier you book, the better this is because you are likely to get a favorable time that will enable you to practice. DriveTest centers in Ontario often have some sort of a backlog, particularly at certain times of the year. This way you eliminate time wastage due to fully booked testing slots as you plan your testing schedule ahead of time.
However, if you have to get an appointment earlier and you can’t find it, you can go to the aggregator services. These services keep track of the site to look for cancellation and then secure an appointment on your behalf. Even though this method does not guarantee that you will get a call earlier, it can be very helpful when you really need it because of work or other activities.
4. Be Prepared for the Test Day
On the day of your G2 test, it’s important to be relaxed and ready for everything that’s coming. Set your alarm and be on time and make sure your car is well checked for any mechanical problems. Here are a few things to focus on:
- Safety Checks: Before the test begins, make sure you carry out all the check-up like the mirror and seat adjustment and checking for blind areas.
- Showcase Confidence: Even if you find yourself getting nervous while at the wheel, you should make sure you look and act as if you know what you are doing. Your examiner will be interested in how you will respond to various traffic situations.
- Practice Key Skills: Be particularly cautious on basic actions like parallel parking, entering the highway, and observing the posted speed limit. Just like in the case of forgetting to check blind spots, failure is inevitable.
5. Learn from Professional Instructors
Should you have any doubt as to any part of the road test, then it would be wise to take more lessons with a qualified instructor. Some instructors also demonstrate how the actual G2 test is conducted and provide information on mistakes and additional information on possible improvements. In fact, many driving schools also provide the G2 test preparation courses specifically for the same.
6. Try to Get an Early Test Slot
At times, there may be free time slots of cancellation or rescheduling than planned earlier. Keep checking the website of DriveTest to see if there are slots in any of the earlier tests available. They also pointed out that the willingness to travel to a less busy testing center, or taking a less popular time slot, can also increase your chances of getting an appointment sooner.
7. Utilize a Downloadable Checklist
To help ensure you are fully prepared, use a downloadable checklist that includes all the essential steps leading up to the G2 road test:
- Ensure that your BDE course is done and that you have submitted it to the MTO
- Accumulate a sufficient number of driving practice hours in different road conditions
- Become acquainted with the road test area (apply for the G2 test routes that are mostly used)
- Ensure routine car diagnostics
- Use the official MTO Driver’s Handbook to review road signs and driving laws
Final Thoughts
Although it is impossible to wait for the G2 test to be less than 8 months, these strategies will assist you to get there. If you register in a BDE course, practice daily, and update yourself, you can successfully pass your G2 exam without having to retake it and move to the next level of driving on your own.
So you should always bear in mind that driving is a skill that has to be developed gradually. The old adage of ‘well beggars, well equipped’ is very true and this is nowhere truer than when preparing for tests.