“How much are driving lessons?” is the first question almost every caller asks, and the honest answer is that lessons are only one line on the bill. Between government fees, a driver education course, in-car hours, and a few costs nobody warns you about, the total is usually more than people expect and less scary once it is written down.
Here is the full 2026 breakdown for a new driver in Hamilton, in the order you will actually pay it.
These are set by the Government of Ontario, are the same at every DriveTest Centre, and already include tax.
| Service | Fee |
| Class G1 Licence Package (Knowledge Test, G2 Road Test and Five-Year Licence) | $159.75 |
| Knowledge Test, Each Extra Attempt | $16.00 |
| Class G2 Road Test (Additional Attempt) | $53.75 |
| Class G Road Test | $91.25 |
| Licence Exchange from a Reciprocal Jurisdiction (Five-Year Licence) | $90.00 |
| Official MTO Driver’s Handbook (Cash Only) | $18.00 |
So, the unavoidable government portion of going from nothing to a full G licence is roughly $251. This covers the G1 package and the G road test, assuming you pass everything on the first try.
An MTO-approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course is a minimum of 40 hours. This includes at least 20 hours of classroom or online instruction, at least 10 hours of in-vehicle training, and 10 flexible hours. You cannot do more than two hours of in-car training per day, which is why a course usually spreads over several weeks.
Across Ontario, BDE courses generally run from roughly $500 to $900, depending on the school, the format, and how many in-car hours are included. Online theory with fewer in-car hours sits at the low end. Fully in-class programs with extra driving time sit at the top.
Individual lessons are the other option, usually sold as single hours or in packages of 2, 5, or 10 hours. Packages almost always cost less per hour than one-off lessons, and are the usual choice for a driver who already has road experience and just needs test preparation.
A BDE course is optional in Ontario, but it buys two things.
There is a third saving that never shows up on a quote. Passing on the first attempt can save you money. Every failed road test costs a fee, a rebooking, a minimum 10-day wait and, if you are borrowing a car, someone else’s afternoon.
G1 package $159.75 + BDE course + G road test $91.25 later on. Most families end up somewhere in the $750-$1,150 range across the full journey to a G licence, spread over more than a year.
G1 package $159.75 + a small package of in-car lessons for test preparation + G road test $91.25. Often under $500 total if you pass on the first attempt.
If your country has an exchange agreement with Ontario, the exchange itself is $90.00 for the five-year licence. If it does not, you enter graduated licensing with up to 12 months of experience credit and pay the standard test fees, usually with a few refresher lessons to adjust to Ontario road habits and examiner expectations.
No. It is optional, but completing an MTO-approved BDE course lets you take the G2 road test at 8 months instead of 12 and may qualify you for an insurance discount.
No. You can be credited with up to 12 months of verified experience, which can make you eligible for the G2 road test straight away.
Usually not the cheapest school. The cheapest route overall is the one that gets you through the road test in the fewest attempts, because retakes, rebooking waits, and car rentals add up faster than lessons do.
Many schools allow it, including ours. Ask when you register.
At International Driving School in Hamilton, every lesson is one-on-one, and every price is quoted upfront, with no surprise add-ons on test day. Call (905) 545-5009 or register online, and we will walk you through the option that fits your timeline and budget.
