You'll be out of luck if you scheduled a driving test anywhere in Ontario over the winter holidays.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation announced Tuesday that it is cancelling all passenger vehicle drive tests through January 23, 2021 in southern Ontario and through January 9 in the north.
Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney says she regrets the inconvenience this may cause, but the move is necessary due to the provincial shutdown ordered by the Ford government to slow the spread of COVID-19.
"These are unprecedented times and our number one priority remains protecting the health and safety of individuals, families and workers," Mulroney said.
MTO had already ordered tests cancelled at DriveTest Centres in areas under the "grey-lockdown" classification of pandemic response. Staff at centres in regions that were not under lockdown were directed not to schedule tests for drivers living in "grey" areas.
Drivers can cancel their appointments without penalty and will receive a credit that will allow them to rebook at no charge once the lockdown order is lifted.
DriveTest Centres across Ontario will remain open for written knowledge tests and similar transactions, with capacity reductions and other pandemic-control restrictions in place. For commercial vehicles, MTO will allow tests to continue to ensure goods can still be transported efficiently.