Toronto and GTA road tests: what to expect at each centre

Updated October 2026

Toronto-area road tests mix busy multi-lane roads with quiet residential streets, often within a few minutes of each other. Here is what each centre's test tends to focus on, and how to prepare. The exact routes stay inside the app.

Toronto: Metro East, Downsview, Port Union and Etobicoke

Metro East (Lawrence Avenue East). The G2 test starts on a busy four-lane road at 50 km/h, then moves to quiet residential crescents where the parking manoeuvres happen. Keep up with traffic without speeding, then slow down for the residential streets.
Downsview (Carl Hall Road). There are train tracks and 30 km/h zones right outside the centre. Expect unmarked intersections where you have to yield carefully. The G test adds Allen Road and the Highway 401 collectors.
Port Union (Scarborough). Kingston Road is a busy multi-lane road with traffic lights. The manoeuvres, including parking on a hill, happen on a quieter residential street nearby.

Etobicoke

The Etobicoke test leaves Centennial Park Plaza onto Eglinton Avenue, which has constant traffic and pedestrians, then passes a 40 km/h school zone: slow down before you finish the turn, and do not speed up too early on the way back. The G test adds Highway 427, where merging below the speed of traffic is the most common problem, and an exit ramp that drops from 100 to 60 km/h in a short distance.

Newmarket

The Newmarket test uses 60 km/h regional roads with heavy traffic and frequent lane changes, then narrow residential streets for the emergency stop, parallel park and three-point turn. Get up to speed promptly on the main roads, and be ready to switch to residential speed straight away.

Oakville (G test)

The Oakville G test is built around the QEW. Some on-ramps are short, so start accelerating early and reach highway speed before you merge: merging well below the speed of traffic is a common reason to fail. Expect several lane changes on a 60 km/h main road before the highway section.

Burlington (G2 and G tests)

The Burlington test starts from the QEW service road and crosses under the highway. Watch for intersections where turning right on a red light is not allowed. The manoeuvres happen in a residential area, and the three-point turn must stay on the road: using a driveway is an automatic fail. The G test adds two quick highway runs on the QEW with a short gap between them, so be ready for the second merge, and a no-right-on-red intersection on the way back.

Manoeuvres to practise at every centre

Emergency stop: brake firmly and keep the car straight
Parallel parking behind a parked car
A three-point turn without touching the curb or using a driveway
Parking on a hill, facing uphill or downhill
Lane changes with a mirror check, signal and shoulder check every time

What you get in the DriveTest Routes app

Real routes for Metro East, Downsview, Port Union, Etobicoke, Newmarket, Oakville and Burlington, turn by turn
Spoken, examiner-style instructions in the order you'll hear them
Exactly where each manoeuvre, lane change and speed change happens
Practise in any car you can borrow, whenever you want, with no lessons to book

Frequently asked questions

Which Toronto-area DriveTest centres are covered?

Metro East, Downsview, Port Union and Etobicoke in Toronto, plus Newmarket, Oakville and Burlington. More Toronto centres, Brampton and Mississauga are coming soon.

Do I need a driving school car to practise the routes?

No. Any insured car you are allowed to drive works. If you hold a G1, a fully licensed driver must be with you, as always. The app gives the examiner instructions on your phone, so you can practise whenever you want.

Does the Oakville G test use the QEW?

Yes. The Oakville G test drives the QEW in both directions, with short on-ramps where you need to accelerate early and merge at highway speed.