#newdrivertips

Content: Learner’s permits, like Ontario’s G1 or Alberta’s Class 7, come with restrictions. Learners must drive with a fully licensed driver, typically with at least four years of experience. Driving is often prohibited at night, on highways, or after consuming any alcohol.

Breaking these rules can delay your licensing progress and result in fines or penalties.

Read your province’s learner regulations carefully to avoid unnecessary mistakes.

If you're working toward your full driver’s license in Canada or applying for a commercial license, you may be required to take the Hazard Perception Test (HPT). This test evaluates your ability to spot and react to potential dangers while driving—a crucial skill for road safety.

Here’s how you can prepare effectively and improve your chances of passing on the first try.

What Is the Hazard Perception Test?

The HPT is a video-based test that simulates real-world driving situations. It measures your ability to:

Recognize developing hazards

Respond appropriately and in time

Prioritize risks under pressure

You’ll watch short clips from a driver’s point of view and will need to click when you notice a potential hazard forming—such as a pedestrian crossing or a car merging unexpectedly.

Who Needs to Take It?

Some provincial licensing systems, like Ontario’s commercial or graduated licensing programs, include an HPT component.

New and returning drivers, especially those exchanging a foreign license, may be required to pass this test based on provincial rules.

Top Preparation Tips

1. Understand What Counts as a Hazard

Not every movement on the road is a threat. Learn the difference between a developing hazard and routine motion. Hazards typically involve:

Pedestrians stepping off the curb

Cyclists swerving

Vehicles braking suddenly or turning without signal

2. Practice with Mock Tests

Use platforms like licenseprep.ca to practice simulated hazard perception videos. These interactive tools mimic the real test format and help train your eye for potential threats.

3. Focus on Timing

Early detection matters. Don’t click too soon or too late. Practice identifying when a hazard begins to form—not when it’s obvious.

4. Stay Calm Under Pressure

The test is designed to be fast-paced. The more familiar you are with driving environments through practice tests, the more naturally you’ll respond.

What to Expect on Test Day

The HPT is typically done on a computer at a test centre.

You’ll be given instructions and a few sample questions before the real test begins.

There’s usually no "pass/fail" sound per question—you’ll receive your overall results at the end.

Use the Right Tools to Prepare

Success starts with the right prep tools. At licenseprep.ca, you’ll find interactive hazard perception tests, provincial driving laws, and full exam preparation resources. It’s the smart way to prepare with confidence.

Final Thoughts

Getting your first driver’s license in Canada is an exciting milestone—but it also comes with a new responsibility: auto insurance. Whether you’ve just passed your G1 or G2, you might be wondering: how much will insurance cost, and how will your rates change over time?

Here’s a guide to understanding how insurance rates work for new drivers in Canada, and how you can keep your premiums low as a beginner.

Why Are Insurance Rates Higher for New Drivers?

New drivers are considered higher risk because they have little to no driving history. Insurance companies typically base premiums on:

Age and experience

Driving history

Type of vehicle

Where you live

Frequency of driving

Since new drivers haven’t yet proven themselves on the road, they usually face higher insurance rates—especially if they are under 25.

What Happens Right After You Get Your License?

Once you get your G1 or G2, you must either:

Be added to a parent or guardian’s policy, or

Purchase your own insurance policy if you own a vehicle.

G1 drivers often don’t need full coverage if they’re supervised while driving, but G2 drivers who can drive alone will need full liability coverage at minimum.

When Do Rates Start Going Down?

Your insurance rates can start to decrease after:

1–2 years of safe driving

Completing an accredited driver’s education course

Turning 25 (age matters in the insurance world)

No tickets or accidents on your record

You can speed up this timeline by preparing well and passing your tests the first time using resources like licenseprep.ca, which helps you understand road rules and safe driving practices.

What Can You Do to Lower Your Insurance?

Take an approved driver’s education course

Avoid accidents and traffic violations

Drive a car that’s cheaper to insure

Bundle your insurance if possible

Ask about student or good-driver discounts

Many insurers offer incentives for clean records and completed training—so it pays to learn smart from the start with tools like licenseprep.ca.

Final Thoughts

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of road accidents in Canada, and the government is taking it more seriously than ever. With new laws and tougher penalties in place, new drivers need to be especially aware of what counts as distracted driving—and how it can affect their ability to get or keep a license.

Here’s what you need to know about Canada’s updated distracted driving laws and how to stay safe (and legal) on the road.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as:

Using a mobile phone (even at a red light)

Eating or drinking

Adjusting your GPS or radio

Talking to passengers

Looking away from the road for too long

But the most serious—and most targeted—form is texting or using handheld electronic devices while driving.

What Do the New Laws Say?

Laws vary slightly by province, but here are some updated common elements across most of Canada:

Use of handheld devices is prohibited at all times while driving, even when stopped at a light.

First-time offenses can result in fines up to $1,000, 3–5 demerit points, and in some provinces, license suspension.

G1 and G2 (learner and novice) drivers face stricter penalties, including longer suspensions and delayed graduation to the next license level.

How This Impacts New Drivers

For new drivers, even one distracted driving ticket can have serious consequences:

You may lose your G1 or G2 license temporarily.

Your progress through the graduated licensing system can be delayed.

Your car insurance rates may increase.

You could be required to restart the licensing process in some cases.

Learn the Rules with licenseprep.ca

Avoid surprises on your test and on the road. Study the rules around distracted driving and more with easy-to-follow guides and practice tests at licenseprep.ca.

Final Advice

Getting your driver’s license in Canada is a major milestone, but one of the most important steps afterward is setting up car insurance—and it can be confusing for new drivers. Whether you’re a teenager, a newcomer to Canada, or someone getting behind the wheel for the first time, understanding how insurance works and how to keep your premiums affordable is key.

1. Understand Why Insurance is Mandatory

In Canada, auto insurance is legally required in every province and territory. At a minimum, you must carry liability coverage, which protects others in the event you cause an accident. Some provinces also include accident benefits and uninsured driver coverage in their mandatory plans. Driving without insurance can result in fines, license suspension, or even criminal charges.

2. New Drivers Usually Pay More—Here’s Why

As a new driver, you’re considered high-risk because you don’t have an established driving record. Insurance companies use data and risk assessment to calculate your rate, and without a history, they typically charge higher premiums. Age, location, type of vehicle, and even your postal code can affect your rate.

3. Get Added to a Parent or Spouse’s Policy (If Possible)

If you're a young driver, it can be more affordable to get listed as a secondary driver on a parent or guardian’s insurance policy. This way, you begin building a driving history without paying the full cost of an individual policy. Just be honest—if you’re the main driver of the car, don’t list someone else as the primary driver to reduce costs, as this is considered insurance fraud.

4. Choose the Right Car

The kind of vehicle you drive affects how much you’ll pay. High-performance cars, luxury vehicles, or models with high theft rates cost more to insure. As a new driver, it’s smart to start with a safe, reliable, and affordable vehicle that has a good safety rating and lower repair costs. Insurance companies love safe choices.

5. Take a Certified Driving Course

Some insurers offer discounts if you complete a government-approved driver education course. These courses teach defensive driving skills and help reduce your risk of collisions. Taking formal training can help you qualify for lower premiums and often shortens the waiting time between licensing stages.

6. Tip: Learn the Rules with licenseprep.ca

Driving safely starts with knowing the rules. Before you even get your license and think about insurance, use licenseprep.ca to prepare for your written and road tests. Studying with up-to-date practice materials and road sign quizzes ensures you’re well-informed before hitting the road—and insurers love well-prepared drivers.

7. Compare Quotes and Ask for Discounts

Don’t settle for the first quote you receive. Shop around and compare offers from different insurance providers. Many offer discounts for things like bundling with home insurance, being a student with good grades, installing winter tires, or even going paperless. Every little bit helps, especially when you're new to the system.

8. Final Word

Canada’s Graduated Licensing System (GLS) is designed to give new drivers the time and experience they need to become safe on the road. While each province has its specific version of the GLS, the general principle remains the same: new drivers must go through a series of steps before earning a full, unrestricted driver’s license.

The system typically begins with a learner’s permit (often called G1 or Class 7, depending on the province). To earn this permit, you must pass a written test, which covers the rules of the road, road signs, and various driving laws.

After obtaining the learner’s permit, new drivers are expected to gain experience behind the wheel while adhering to strict restrictions, such as driving with a fully licensed driver and avoiding high-speed roads.

Tip: Learn the rules with licenseprep.ca. Whether it’s road signs, local laws, or traffic regulations, the platform provides tailored resources to help you understand the rules of the road better and pass your tests successfully.

Next, drivers move on to the intermediate phase, where they receive a provisional license (often called G2 or Class 5). This license comes with fewer restrictions and allows for solo driving, but drivers are still limited in certain ways, like a ban on driving late at night or with young passengers.

The final step in the GLS is obtaining your full driver’s license. After holding the intermediate license for a set period (usually around 12-24 months), drivers can take a road test to demonstrate their skills and gain full driving privileges.

Learn some important safety tips that you need to take when getting into truck driving for the first time; gain knowledge and ideas on how to have a safe driving experience.