G1, ICBC & Class 7 Test Fees and Booking (2026)
2026-07-27
Ontario: G1 at DriveTest
Your first G1 knowledge test attempt is bundled into the G1 application package, which costs CAD $159.75. If you don’t pass, a retry costs CAD $16 per attempt — and there’s no mandatory waiting period, so you can pay again and try the same day if a slot is open.
Book and test at a DriveTest centre, Ontario’s official knowledge and road test provider. Bring acceptable photo identification; check DriveTest’s own ID list before you go, since requirements can vary by document type.
Because DriveTest also administers your future G2 and full G road tests, it’s worth setting up your booking profile early — you’ll be using the same system every time you move up a licensing stage, not just for this first knowledge test.
British Columbia: the ICBC knowledge test
BC’s ICBC knowledge test costs CAD $15 per attempt, and it’s free for drivers 65 and older. You need 20 of 25 questions correct — 80% — to pass and move on to your L (learner) stage.
Book through ICBC directly, either online or at a driver licensing office. Unlike Ontario, ICBC publishes its knowledge test booking as a distinct step from picking up your learner licence, so confirm your appointment before you show up.
The $15 fee covers the knowledge test stage of BC’s Graduated Licensing Program specifically. Your road test later in the process is a separate booking with its own fee, so don’t assume today’s payment covers everything ahead of you.
Alberta: the Class 7 learner exam
Alberta doesn’t publish a single province-wide knowledge test fee the way Ontario and BC do — licensing services run through private registry agents, and pricing is set at the point of booking. Check alberta.ca or call your local registry agent for the current amount before you go.
What Alberta does guarantee is the retake rule: if you don’t pass, you can try again, but only once per day. Plan around that if you’re not confident — a same-day double attempt isn’t an option here.
The registry agent system means the office handling your Class 7 test might be a private business rather than a government counter — that’s normal, and they’re authorized to deliver the same government service. It also means hours and exact procedures can vary a little by location, so calling ahead can save you a wasted trip.
What to bring, regardless of province
All three provinces require acceptable government-issued identification before you can sit the test, and none of them let you use a phone or notes during it. Bring your existing ID, glasses or contacts if your vision correction is on file, and arrive early — walk-in slots fill up, especially in cities.
If English or French isn’t your first language, ask ahead about test languages available at your test centre; options vary by province and by location within a province.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, do it through the same site you booked with — DriveTest, ICBC, or your Alberta registry agent — rather than simply not showing up. A no-show can affect how quickly you’re offered another slot.
Popular DriveTest and ICBC locations in bigger cities tend to book out further ahead during busy seasons, when a wave of new drivers all apply around the same time. If your schedule is flexible, a smaller-town location often has shorter waits than a big-city one, even within the same province.
The knowledge test fee isn’t your only cost
The number you pay to sit the knowledge test is rarely your total cost of getting licensed. In Ontario, the $159.75 G1 package covers your written test, but your G2 and full G road tests are booked and paid for separately once you’re ready for them. BC and Alberta follow the same pattern — the knowledge test fee gets you through the first stage, not the whole graduated licensing process.
Budget for that up front so a second or third fee later isn’t a surprise, especially if you’re also paying for driving lessons or an approved driver education course alongside your test fees.
If you’re weighing provinces because you have a choice — moving for work or school, for instance — the small gap between a $15 and a $16 knowledge test fee matters far less than each province’s restriction timeline. A few dollars is trivial next to months of accompanied driving or night-time restrictions.
FAQ
How much does the Ontario G1 test cost?
The first attempt is included in the CAD $159.75 G1 application fee. A retry costs CAD $16 per attempt, with no mandatory wait between tries.
How much does the BC ICBC knowledge test cost?
CAD $15 per attempt, and free for drivers 65 and older.
What does the Alberta Class 7 test cost?
Alberta doesn’t publish one fixed province-wide fee — registry agents set pricing at booking, so confirm the current amount on alberta.ca or with your local registry agent.
How soon can I retake a failed test?
In Ontario there’s no mandatory wait. In Alberta you’re limited to one attempt per day. BC doesn’t publish a fixed wait either, so book your next slot as soon as you’re ready.
Sources: DriveTest, ICBC, Alberta.ca