New Language Options Support Newcomers, Improve Road Safety
Ontario is making its written knowledge test for a G1 licence available in Urdu starting next spring, to support newcomers in learning the rules of the road and improve road safety.
Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca was joined by Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, MPP for Etobicoke North,in Etobicoke today to make the announcement.
Adding Urdu will support newcomers to Ontario in completing their tests, knowing and understanding the province’s driving laws and gaining the experience required to drive safely in the province.
The G1 knowledge test is currently offered at DriveTest Centres in 20 other languages – including Ontario’s official languages of English and French. As part of Ontario’s continued commitment to road safety, all new drivers must take a knowledge test as the first step the province’s graduated licensing system. Beginner driver education programs can also help teach the skills and attitudes needed to be a safe and responsible driver.
Making the G1 knowledge test available in more languages is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.
Quick Facts
- For the past 16 years Ontario’s roads have been ranked among the safest in North America.
- There are 55 full-time and 39 part-time DriveTest Centres in Ontario.
- In 2016, DriveTest delivered over 230,000 G1 knowledge tests across the network.
- DriveTest has extended hours and introduced Saturday openings at key locations to help improve wait times.
Additional Resources
Quotes
“This is one more example of our government’s work to help reduce barriers for newcomers in Ontario. We constantly work to include new languages to coincide with the ever-changing demographics of our communities to help keep Ontario as a North American leader in road safety.”
“This is great news for the Urdu-speaking community and an important step to help reduce barriers to services, especially for our newcomers. Our government is committed to providing equal access to services to everyone in Ontario.”
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