The Thunder Bay DriveTest Centre is located at McIntyre Centre, 1186 Memorial Ave, Unit 2, Thunder Bay ON P7B 5K5 — on the main Memorial Ave retail strip in Thunder Bay. The centre handles road tests, knowledge tests, motorcycle tests, and commercial vehicle tests for Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. If testing Nov–Apr, expect potential winter road conditions.
Booking is online only at drivetest.ca. Verify current hours before visiting.
Pass rates at this centre are not reliably reported in third-party sources. Arrive well-prepared: study the Ontario driver's handbook and practise with free online tests.
Always verify current hours and availability at drivetest.ca before visiting.
Map & Directions
What to Bring
Before visiting Thunder Bay DriveTest Centre, make sure you have the required documents and payment. Requirements vary by test type but typically include two pieces of government-issued ID, proof of Ontario residency, and the test fee. For road tests, bring a roadworthy vehicle with valid plates, registration, and insurance.
Check the official DriveTest Ontario website for the complete and current list of required documents: https://drivetest.ca.
G2 & G Test Route Guide
DriveTest and the MTO do not publish official routes — the maps and steps below reflect roads commonly used near the Thunder Bay centre based on the local road network and test-taker reports. Study aid only.
Exit McIntyre Centre onto Memorial Ave (60 km/h main retail arterial) — commercial strip with frequent driveways and turning vehicles
Memorial Ave to Arthur St W — major intersection; multi-lane; proper lane approach required
Memorial Ave toward Harbour Expressway area — wider multi-lane corridor
Residential side streets in the area — parallel park, 3-point turn, stop-sign compliance
Key Skills to Practise
Memorial Ave commercial strip — frequent driveways, buses, and pedestrians; scan far ahead and anticipate turns.
Arthur St / Memorial Ave intersection — multi-lane; use correct lane approach, check all mirrors.
Winter conditions (Nov–Apr) — Thunder Bay has severe winters; if testing in winter, allow extra stopping distance and drive conservatively.
Note (late 2025): The G road test is temporarily modified and currently does not include highway driving at this centre. The highway section below describes the standard G test, for when it resumes.
Route Steps (surface roads + highway)
All G2 surface roads above (Memorial Ave → Arthur St W → Harbour Expressway area)
On-ramp to Hwy 11/17 (Thunder Bay Expressway) — build to highway speed on the merge ramp
Highway run with lane changes; exit via Arthur St W or return ramp
Key Skills to Practise
Hwy 11/17 merge (G only) — Thunder Bay Expressway; accelerate to highway speed before merging.
Highway lane changes — signal, mirrors, blind-spot check, maintain speed.
Off-ramp exit — move right well in advance; decelerate on the ramp only.
Where can I park at Thunder Bay DriveTest Centre (McIntyre Centre)? +
Free parking is available in the McIntyre Centre lot at 1186 Memorial Ave, Unit 2. The centre is in a large retail plaza — follow signage to the DriveTest entrance. Arrive 15 minutes early.
What is the hardest part of the Thunder Bay G2 test? +
Memorial Ave is a busy commercial strip (60 km/h) with frequent driveways, buses, and pedestrians. Test-takers must scan far ahead, anticipate turns and stops, and maintain a steady speed through the corridor without rushing.
Does the Thunder Bay G test include highway driving (Hwy 11/17)? +
The standard G route near Thunder Bay typically uses the Hwy 11/17 Thunder Bay Expressway. Note (late 2025): highway driving is temporarily suspended for G tests province-wide — verify the current format when you book.
Does winter weather affect the driving test in Thunder Bay? +
Yes. Thunder Bay has one of the most severe winter climates in Ontario (typically November to April). Tests proceed in winter conditions — allow extra stopping distance, brake early, and drive conservatively.
Independent resource. LicenceReady is not affiliated with DriveTest Ontario or the MTO. Route information is for study purposes only and reflects roads commonly used near this centre — not officially published routes. Pass rates are unofficial estimates from third-party sources. Verify all test details at drivetest.ca.
📝
Prepare Before You Go
Pass your Ontario knowledge test on the first try with LicenceReady's free practice questions.
