Impaired & Distracted Driving
⏱ ~3-min readAceMark Guide
What this topic is really about
Holding or using a hand-held device while driving is prohibited under Ontario's distracted-driving law.. Ontario law prohibits holding or using a hand-held phone or similar device to talk, text, dial, or email while driving, and this includes being stopped at red lights or in traffic.
As a G2 driver, you are required to have zero blood alcohol concentration while driving, regardless of age.. All drivers in Ontario's novice classes (G1 and G2), regardless of age, are required to have zero alcohol in their blood while driving.
See the mechanism
In Ontario, novice drivers with a G1 or G2 license must have zero alcohol in their blood while driving. A diagram for this topic isn't available yet — the worked example below walks the same reasoning step by step.
An exam-style question, fully explained
You are a fully licensed G2 driver who is 21 years old. What blood alcohol concentration (BAC) are you legally allowed to have while driving?
- Identify what the question tests: You are a fully licensed G2 driver who is 21 years old..
- All drivers in Ontario's novice classes (G1 and G2), regardless of age, are required to have zero alcohol in their blood while driving.
- This zero-BAC rule is separate from and stricter than the limits for fully licensed drivers.
- Being of legal drinking age does not change the requirement for novice drivers.
- Why it matters: In Ontario, novice drivers with a G1 or G2 license must have zero alcohol in their blood while driving. This rule applies to all novice drivers, regardless of age, and is stricter than the limits for fully licensed drivers. The zero-BAC requirement is in place to minimize the risks associated with impaired driving, especially for new drivers who may not have the experience or skills to handle the effects of alcohol.
Traps the examiner sets
- Many people believe that being of legal drinking age means they can drive with some level of alcohol in their system, but this is not the case for novice drivers. Novice drivers are held to a higher standard and must have zero alcohol in their blood while driving.
- Many people mistakenly believe that holding a phone is allowed if they are not typing or if the phone is in their lap, but the law clearly states that any use of a hand-held device while driving is prohibited. Others think it's acceptable to use a hand-held phone when stopped at a red light, which is also not permitted.
Test your recall
Answer each from memory — you'll see instantly whether you're right and why.
Run a focused 10-question mini-mock on Impaired & Distracted Driving and see it stick.
Practice more of this topic →