Downsview G2 Road Test: Free Guide Brought to You by G1 Genius

Everything You Need to Know Before You Take Your Road Test.

Greeny Your G1 Companion

Updated August 21, 2024

Facing the G2 road test in Downsview soon? We know it can feel scary. That is why we at Greenhorn Driving School put together this free guide at that covers everything you need to know!

We will take you through the Downsview DriveTest Centre details, show you our responsive test route with signage/parking instructions, a Google Maps route you can use via the Google Maps app, provide a video walkthrough going over a real G2 test, and so much more!

Free Road Test Guide brought to you by G1 Genius Greenhorn’s Driving Community on Discord. Join today and get access to this guide and a ton of other useful driving related resources.

🚨 Important Disclaimer 🚨

At Greenhorn Driving School, our commitment is to cultivate safe and skilled drivers. While this guide provides insights about the Downsview DriveTest Centre, it is intended for informational purposes only. We advocate for professional driving education over merely learning specific routes. The information in this guide has been compiled from publicly available sources and direct insights from experienced examiners, which aim to enhance your overall preparedness for the G2 driving test. Greenhorn Driving School does not encourage route training as a substitute for general driving competence.

Downsview DriveTest Centre Contact Information:

Location: 37 Carl Hall Rd, North York, ON M3K 2E2

Phone Number: (647) 776-0331

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM | Sunday : Closed

Booking Your Test:

Book a Road Test
Beware of scam websites charging fees. Booking through the official site is free.

License Changes:

Book an Appointment
For changes from another province or country

What Makes Downsview DriveTest Centre Different?

In our discussions with real DriveTest examiners about the effectiveness of route training, they emphasized the importance of selecting a test centre close to where you typically drive. This familiarity with local roads can significantly enhance test readiness, making Downsview a prime choice for residents of North York, Thornhill, Vaughan, Toronto, and the southern areas of Richmond Hill and Markham.

The Downsview DriveTest Centre is notable for several reasons:

Low Pass Rate: An MTO study in 2022 highlighted that only 13,923 out of 22,456 G2 test-takers passed, resulting in just a 62% pass rate, making it the second lowest pass rate throughout Ontario.

Unique Signage: The centre is known for its use of enlarged stop signs in the surrounding area.

Central Location: As the most centrally located DriveTest centre in the GTA, Downsview experiences consistently heavy traffic.

Diverse Test Offerings: This is one of the main centres due to the wide range of offered tests, including Class A, B, C, D, E, F, Z, G1, G2, G, M1 M2, M, LM, and LM2.

3 Things to Look Out for During Your G2 Road Test at Downsview

When taking your G2 test at Downsview, there are specific challenges you should be aware of to improve your chances of success:

Beware of Bus Routes

Downsview’s proximity to major transit routes adds complexity to your test. You need to be particularly cautious around the Subway Line 1 (Downsview Park Station), Downsview Park GO Station, and the TTC 101 bus which cuts right through Carl Hall Rd. Additionally, six different TTC buses operate in close proximity to the test area, so always be ready to yield and maintain a safe distance when necessary.

Watch your Speed on Sheppard Avenue

Sheppard Avenue is notorious for drivers exceeding the speed limit, often driving at 60-70 km/h. Despite the pressure from surrounding traffic, remain calm and maintain a speed between 50-55 km/h. This will keep you within the legal limits and show your ability to drive safely under pressure.

30 km/h Zone Immediately After Exiting Parking Lot

As soon as you exit the DriveTest centre parking lot, you’ll enter a 30 km/h zone. It’s easy to overlook this if you’re not paying attention, so be sure to adjust your speed accordingly. Failing to do so could result in an automatic failure.

Google Maps Route for Downsview G2 Road Test

To help you prepare for your Downsview G2 road test, we created an interactive Google Maps route. This map provides a visual guide of the test route, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the area and key turning points before your actual test.

Route Overview (Verified as of April 2024):

A – Exit DriveTest parking lot, turn left onto Carl Hall Rd (30 km/h zone)

B – Right turn onto John Drury Drive (30 km/h zone)

C – Right turn onto Sheppard Avenue West (50 km/h zone)

D – Left turn onto Bakersfield Street (50 km/h zone, unmarked)

E – Left turn onto St. Regis Crescent North (30 km/h zone)

F – Perform emergency stop, parallel parking, and 3-point turn after passing Tuscan Gate

G – Right turn onto Tuscan Gate, then turn right onto Sheppard Avenue West (50 km/h zone)

H – Left lane change, then left turn onto John Drury Drive (30 km/h zone)

I – Left turn back onto Carl Hall Rd (30 km/h zone)

J – Enter DriveTest Centre, perform final parking maneuver

Alternative Route:

In some cases, you may enter the test area from a different point. While the main route typically begins by exiting onto John Drury Drive and turning right onto Carl Hall Road, the alternative entry is from Chesswood Drive. This alternative is primarily used during construction or for G route tests.

Here is how it differs:

G (Alternative) – Left turn onto Sheppard Avenue West (50 km/h zone)

H (Alternative) – Right turn onto Chesswood Drive (30 km/h zone)

I (Alternative) – Right turn onto Carl Hall Rd at 3-way intersection (30 km/h zone)

J (Alternative) – Continue on Carl Hall Rd, enter DriveTest Centre

Important Notes:

Unless taking the G route test or during construction, expect to enter through John Drury Drive.

Watch for train tracks on Carl Hall Road.

The alternative route passes Centennial College. Be extra cautious of pedestrians and watch for train tracks.

Practice the Test Route Directly on Your Mobile

For those looking to get hands-on practice, we went ahead and linked this exact test route from the Downsview G2 road test into Google Maps.By clicking the link below, you can access and drive the actual test route directly on your mobile device!Access the Route Here: Downsview G2 Test RouteIf you happen to be in the area, or you plan to familiarize yourself with the area prior to your test, by using this and acting as if you were taking the test, can help build your confidence and increase your preparedness.

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Watch a Successful G2 Road Test in Action

Check out this dashcam video, recorded in October 2021 from YouTube user alloption, as they successfully completed a G2 road test at the Downsview DriveTest Centre.

The footage walks you through the entire test process, going over a route, parking, and the examiner’s instructions.

Pro Tip: Click on the timestamps below to jump directly to key moments in the video.

Video Highlights:

Pre-test questionnaire and vehicle checks – 0:00 – 1:06 – Pre-test questionnaire and vehicle checks.

Driving Route – 1:23 – 6:48 – Left on Carl Hall Rd, Right on John Drury Dr, Left on Sheppard Ave, Right on Sentinel Rd, Left on Brookwell Rd.

Downhill Parking – 6:49 – 7:20 – The examiner instructs, “Pull over to the right and demonstrate a downhill park.” The driver performs the maneuver and then pulls out safely.

3-Point Turn – 7:21 – 7:58 – The examiner says, “Pull over just past the driveway and perform a 3-point turn when safe.” The driver executes the turn correctly.

Parallel Parking – 7:59 – 9:31 – The examiner directs, “Pull up beside the black vehicle ahead and parallel park behind it, please.” The driver completes the task but accidentally leaves the emergency brake on, which the examiner notes.

Returning to the DriveTest Centre – 9:40 – 15:39 – The route includes a right on Sentinel Rd, left on Sheppard Ave, and a right on Carl Hall Rd, leading back to the DriveTest centre.

Test Conclusion – 15:39 – 16:39 – The examiner congratulates the driver, stating, “You met ministry standards,” and goes over the mistakes made during the test.

TL;DR: Downsview G2 Test Cheat Sheet

Didn’t read the whole blog? Zoned out halfway? No worries, we got you! Check out the visual guide below that sums up everything you need to know about the Downsview G2 road test in one quick glance.

Pro Tip: If the image looks too small, click on it to view a larger version!

Take Your G2 Prep to the Next Level with G1 Genius

You got the Downsview route mapped out, learned how to handle the bus routes, and know where to watch your speed. Now, it’s time to bring it all together and make sure you’re ready for anything on test day.

Harness the Power of Community and Expertise:
By joining the G1 Genius community, you tap into a network of driving experts and peers who are just as dedicated as you are to acing the road test.

Ongoing Engagement and Learning:
Success in your road test is no fluke. It’s built on continuous learning. From every quiz you take, every interaction you have with our instructors or every piece of feedback you get. G1 Genius offers special resources and community feedback that you just will not find anywhere else.

Join for Free Today, Start Excelling Tomorrow:
Make your test preparation go from 0 – 100 with G1 Genius. Click below to learn more and join our community for free. It’s time to transform how you prepare for your road test.

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