Congratulations on passing your road test. After you pass the G1 road test, you will be issued a G2 licence that you must hold for at least 12 months. Once you pass your G2 test and get a G licence, you may drive with no restrictions.

When you receive your G2 licence there will be limitations such as:

• During the first 6 months, you cannot have more than 1 passenger 19 or younger between midnight and 5 a.m.
• After 6 months you cannot have more than 3 passengers 19 and younger from midnight to 5 a.m.
• You cannot drink before driving
• All passengers must be in seatbelts

Ontario is glad to have you and wants you to have a pleasant experience while there. Always have proper proof of insurance in your vehicle. Enjoy the sights, but always remember that traffic in Ontario can be different than in other places. Be sure to check mirrors frequently. Oftentimes, accidents occur because drivers did not religiously check their blind spots. You will be sharing the road with various other motorists so be on the lookout for big trucks, buses, and cyclists. Your best bet is to drive defensively. There is no way of telling what another driver may do. Aside from these tips, the most important thing to keep in mind is to be safe and have a great time.

Getting car insurance is easy; however, finding the perfect one for you will require some shopping around. Ontario has over 140 private insurance companies eager to meet your insurance needs. Contact the Insurance Broker Association of Canada at www.ibac.ca to find help with choosing the right insurance company.

Be prepared to have information such as:

• Your licence number
• Car description (Odometer number, VIN Number, year, make, and model)
• Your address
• Number of kilometers you travel on average

Take note that every province has its own licensing body for agents and brokers. If you need to verify whether an insurance agent or broker is licensed to sell in your province, contact your province’s licensing body for more information.

Everyone’s eager to know ways to keep car insurance costs down. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, you can keep your cost low by:

• Increasing your deductible
• Buying a car with a lower-cost insurer rating
• Installing an approved theft deterrent system
• Dropping collision or comprehensive coverage for an older vehicle

Speak with an agent to figure out otherwise ways to reduce auto insurance costs in Ontario.

Do your homework before selecting a car insurance company in Ontario. Rates will vary SO much from company to company. Sites such as www.pcinsurance.ca/english/auto-insurance/auto and www.belairdirect.com can do a great deal of the leg work for you.

Whether the driver is new or seasoned, Ontarians tend to pay more for car insurance than drivers in other provinces. Studies show that they tend to file more claims there. According to a statement given by the auditor general, the average cost of accident injury claims is five times higher in Ontario than in other provinces. Ontario has more car thefts as well as more staged accidents. Not to mention, new drivers tend to have higher accident rates. These are the primary reasons why you will have to pay more here. With patience and research, there are ways to save on your car insurance both now and in the future. Simple steps such as driving a hybrid and maintaining a clean driving record could make a difference in your premiums. Compare companies on websites such as http://www.completeinsurance.ca/.