New drivers applying for their first car or motorcycle licence enter Ontario’s graduated licensing system. Graduated licensing lets new drivers gain driving experience and skills gradually. The two-step licensing process takes at least 20 months to complete.

To apply for a motorcycle licence, you must be at least 16 years old. When you apply, you will be asked questions about your health. People with some types of physical or medical conditions are not allowed to drive for safety reasons. If your physical or medical condition means you cannot be licensed, you will be told when you apply.

You must pass a vision test and a written test of your knowledge of traffic signs. You must also pass a written test of your knowledge of motorcycles and the rules of the road. There is a fee charged for these tests.

After you pass these tests, you enter Level One and get a Class M1 licence.

You must pass two road tests to become fully licenced. Passing the Level One road test gives you a Class M2 licence and you move to Level Two. Passing the Level Two road test gives you a full Class M driver’s licence.

Road tests

Road tests check your skill at handling a motorcycle or moped and driving on Road tests check your skill at handling a motorcycle or moped and driving one on the road. You will be tested on your ability to apply the rules of the road and safe driving practices.

The Level One road test deals with basic driving skills. The Level Two road test deals with advanced knowledge and skills that are generally gained with driving experience. Your performance in each of these tests will tell you whether you need more training or practice. All road tests have a set time frame. Before you begin your test, your examiner will tell you how much time you have to complete it.

Motorcycle safety courses

The Ministry of Transportation encourages all new drivers to take a ministry-approved motorcycle safety course to help learn the proper driving skills and required knowledge. This course can be taken in Level One or Level Two and includes a road test. If you pass a ministry-approved course, you can reduce the time you must spend at Level Two, and you may qualify for a reduction in insurance premiums.

Level One - Class M1

To enter Level One, you must be at least 16 years old. You must pass a vision test and a written test of your knowledge of traffic signs. You must also pass a written test of your knowledge of motorcycles and the rules of the road.

Checklist: Level One knowledge test

Before attempting the knowledge test, be sure to study this handbook, as well as “Safe and responsible driving,” and “Traffic signs and lights,” in the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook. Bring the following items to the knowledge test:

  • Two pieces of identification (see MTO Driver’s Handbook for acceptable documents)
  • Money for test fees – cash, debit or credit card
  • Glasses or contact lenses (if you need to wear them to read or write)

Once you pass the vision and knowledge tests, you get a Class M1 licence and enter Level One. You must stay at Level One for a minimum of 60 days from the day you obtained your M1 licence, after which you may attempt the Level One road test.

The M1 licence is only valid for 90 days, so it is a good idea to book your Level One road test early in order to complete it before your M1 licence expires.

While at Level One

With an M1 licence, you may drive a motorcycle, motor tricycle, a limited-speed motorcycle or a moped, under the following conditions:

  • You must not drive if you have been drinking alcohol. Your blood-alcohol level must be zero.
  • You must drive only during daylight hours — one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
  • You must not drive on roads with speed limits of more than 80 km/h, except highways 11, 17, 61, 69, 71, 101, 102, 144 and 655. (These exceptions are made because some drivers have no other route available to them.)
  • You must not carry passengers.

Level One road test

You must pass a road test of your driving skills to obtain a class M2 licence and move to Level Two. When you book the road test, you will be required to indicate the type of vehicle you plan to bring to the test (for example, motorcycle, limited-speed motorcycle or moped). The type of motorcycle you bring to the test will determine the type of licence you will receive.

If you pass the test using a limited-speed motorcycle or moped, you get an M2 licence with an L condition. The L condition restricts you to driving a limited-speed motorcycle or moped on public roads other than controlled-access highways and any other highways listed in Reg. 630 of the Highway Traffic Act.

If you pass the test on a three-wheeled motorcycle (motor tricycle or motorcycle with sidecar), you will receive an M2 licence with an M condition. The M condition will restrict you to driving only three-wheeled motorcycles on any public road in Ontario.

If you pass the test on a motor­cycle other than a three-wheeled motorcycle or a limited-speed motorcycle, you get an M2 licence (no L or M condition), and you may drive a motorcycle or motor tricycle on any public road in Ontario. You may also drive a moped or limited-speed motorcycle on public roads where they are permitted.

Checklist: Level One road test

Before taking the Level One road test, make sure you have studied the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook and the Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook.

Bring the following items to the test:

  • Vehicle in good working order (see “Out-of-order road test")
  • M1 driver’s licence
  • Approved motorcycle helmet (helmets that comply with Regulation 610 of the Highway Traffic Act)
  • Glasses or contact lenses (if you need to wear them to drive)

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the road test appointment.

Please note: If you take your Level One road test as part of a ministry-approved motorcycle safety course, you must still wait 60 days minimum to move to Level Two. Remember that the course certificate is valid for only six months. Be sure to take it to a DriveTest Centre after the 60 days but before the six months have passed, or you will have to take your road test again.

Level Two – Class M2 or M2(L), or M2(M)

Level Two lasts a minimum of 22 months from the day you obtain your M2 or M2(L), or M2 (M) licence. However, if you pass a ministry-approved motorcycle safety course, you can reduce the time spent at Level Two by four months. You may stay at Level Two for a maximum of five years from the day you pass your Level One road test. You must either attempt the Level Two road test to move to a full-class M, M (M), or M(L) licence or re-apply for Level Two before your Level Two licence expires at the end of the five years.

While at Level Two

At Level Two you have more privileges because of your driving experience.

  • You may drive at night.
  • You may carry passengers (except on a moped).
  • With an M2 licence, you may drive a motorcycle or motor tricycle on any public road. You may also drive a limited-speed motorcycle or a moped on any public road other than those listed in Regulation 630 of the Highway Traffic Act.
  • If you have an M2(L) licence, you may drive a limited-speed motorcycle or moped on any public road other than those listed in Regulation 630 of the Highway Traffic Act.
  • If you have a Class M2 (M) licence, you may not drive a two-wheeled motorcycle, limited-speed motorcycle, or moped.
  • If you have a valid Class M2, M2(L), or M2(M) licence, you may also drive Class G vehicles under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence. Please see the Official MTO Driver’s Handbook for more information on Class G licences.

Do not:

  • Drive your motorcycle or moped if you have been drinking alcohol; your blood-alcohol level must be zero
  • Carry passengers on a moped; it is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act

Level Two road test

After you have completed the time required at Level Two, you may take the Level Two road test to qualify for full-class M licence privileges.

Before taking the Level Two test on a motorcycle that is not limited-speed, you must complete a declaration of highway driving experience form, on which you will describe your experience driving a motorcycle on highways with speed limits of 80 km/h or greater.

LSMs and mopeds at the M2 level are allowed to drive on all highways except for the controlled-access freeways listed in Regulation 630, so if you take the M2 road test on a limited-speed motorcycle, or moped, you do not complete the freeway driving section of the test. However, you will be required to drive on 50 km/h roads. Before taking the Level Two test on a limited-speed motorcycle, or moped, you must sign the declaration on the M2 Examination form stating that your limited-speed motorcycle, or moped is capable of maintaining a safe speed on a 50 km/h road. The safe speed may vary depending on road and traffic conditions. If you are unable to sign the declaration, your road test will be cancelled and you may be charged half of your test fee.

During the M2 road test, the examiner will give you directions through a disposable earphone and, as you complete the tasks, will watch to make sure you successfully perform the required skills.

When you book a road test, you will be required to indicate the type of vehicle you plan to bring to the test (for example, motorcycle, limited-speed motorcycle, or moped). The type of motorcycle you bring to the test will determine the type of licence you will receive.

If you pass the road test on a motorcycle that is not three-wheeled or limited-speed, you get a class M licence and you may drive a two-wheeled or three-wheeled motorcycle on any public road in Ontario. You may also drive a limited-speed motorcycle, or moped, on public roads other than those listed in Regulation 630 of the Highway Traffic Act.

If you pass the test on a limited-speed motorcycle, or moped, you get an M(L) licence and you may drive a limited-speed motorcycle, or moped, on public roads other than controlled-access highways and those roads listed in Regulation 630 of the Highway Traffic Act.

If you pass the test on a three-wheeled motorcycle, you get an M (M) licence, which allows you to only drive motor tricycles on public roads.

Please note: For a complete listing of public roads prohibited to limited-speed motorcycles and mopeds, please see Regulation 630 of the Highway Traffic Act at www.e-laws.gov.on.ca. You should also be aware that municipalities may pass bylaws prohibiting limited-speed motorcycles and mopeds on municipal roads with speeds of 80 km/h or greater.

Checklist: Level Two road test

Bring the following items to the test:

  • Vehicle in good working order (see “Out-of-order road test")
  • Motorcycle helmet
  • Current driver’s licence
  • Money for test fees (if applicable)
  • Glasses or contact lenses (if you need to wear them to drive)

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the road test appointment.

Remember: If you take your road test as part of a ministry-approved motorcycle safety course, your course certificate is valid for only six months. Be sure to take it to a DriveTest Centre before the six months have passed or you will have to take your road test over again.

Upgrading from class M(L) or class M(M) to class M

If you already hold an M2(L), M(L), M2(M) or M(M) licence and you want to upgrade to a full-class M licence (no L or M condition), you must pass both road tests on a motor­cycle that is not a three-wheeled or a limited-speed motorcycle. You must first obtain a 90-day motorcycle training TDL (temporary driver’s licence), available from the Queen’s Park Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office or any DriveTest Centre. This TDL allows you to practice driving a non-three-wheeled or a non-limited-speed motorcycle. You need this TDL to take the required road test(s) as well.

Out-of-order road test

If your vehicle does not meet ministry standards for the purpose of a road test, or if there is a non-vehicle-relat­ed reason for which the examiner determines that the road test cannot be completed, the examiner declares the road test out-of-order. You lose 50 per cent of your road test fee. The other 50 per cent of the fee remains as a credit on your driving record, and may be applied when booking a new road test. In order to book the new road test, you will have to pay the 50 per cent of the fee lost through the out-of-order.

You must bring the appropriate vehicle to the road test you have booked. For example, if you have booked a regular motorcycle road test, you cannot bring a limited-speed motorcycle. If you do bring a limited-speed motorcycle, and the DriveTest Centre cannot accommodate a limited-speed road test that day, your road test will be declared out of order, and you will lose 50 per cent of the fee. You will have to rebook your test.

If you have any concerns that your road test may be declared out-of-order, contact the DriveTest Centre before your scheduled test to discuss it.