How to get a motorcycle licence in Ontario
How to get a motorcycle licence in Ontario, step by step: the M1 vision and knowledge tests, M1 rules, the M2 and M road tests, motorcycle safety courses, DriveTest fees and what to bring, with each fact linked to ontario.ca or DriveTest.
By the Canada Exam Prep Editorial Team ·
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- Checked October 17, 2026
Every new rider in Ontario goes through graduated licensing for motorcycles: an M1 learner licence, an M2 after the first road test, and a full Class M after the second. This applies even if you already hold a full car or commercial licence, because Class M has its own steps.
This guide walks through the path in order: who can apply, the documents and fees, the vision and M1 knowledge tests, the strict M1 rules and short validity, the two road tests, and how an approved motorcycle safety course changes the timeline. Each point links to the Government of Ontario or DriveTest page it comes from. Fees and rules change, so check the linked page before you go.
Step by step
Check that you can apply
You must be at least 16 years old and a resident of Ontario, not a tourist. Since May 11, 2026, you also declare when you apply that Ontario is your primary place of residence and that your presence in Canada is legal.
Source: DriveTest — Drivers' licences: motorcycles (archived copy, July 2026)Study both handbooks
Study the Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook, plus the Safe and responsible driving and Traffic signs and lights chapters of the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. The written tests cover traffic signs, and motorcycles and the rules of the road.
Source: Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook — Graduated licensingApply at a DriveTest centre
Apply and take the required tests at a DriveTest centre. Bring original identification that shows your legal name, date of birth and signature, and expect questions about your health.
Source: ontario.ca — Get a motorcycle licencePass the vision test
An agent tests your eyes when you apply. For an M1 your vision must not be poorer than 20/50 with both eyes open, with or without glasses, with a horizontal visual field of 120 degrees in total.
Source: DriveTest — Vision Tests (archived copy, July 2026)Pass the M1 knowledge test
The test is multiple choice, not timed (until the office closes), marked on the spot, and needs a total score of at least 80%. No appointment is needed; arrive at least one hour before closing. The computerized M1 test is offered in 20 languages.
Source: DriveTest — Knowledge Tests (archived copy, Aug. 2026)Ride under M1 conditions
With an M1 you must keep a zero blood alcohol level, ride only from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, wear an approved helmet, carry no passengers and stay off roads with speed limits over 80 km/h, except highways 11, 17, 61, 69, 71, 101, 102, 144 and 655.
Source: ontario.ca — Get a motorcycle licenceTake the M2 road test within the M1 window
You must hold the M1 for at least 60 days before your first road test, but the M1 is valid for only 90 days, so book early. When you book, you state the vehicle you will bring: a moped or limited-speed motorcycle earns an M2 with an L condition, and a three-wheeled motorcycle earns an M2 with an M condition.
Source: Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook — Graduated licensingPractise at Level Two
With an M2 you can ride at night and on any road, but you still need zero blood alcohol and a helmet. Level Two lasts at least 22 months, or 18 months if you complete a recognized motorcycle safety course.
Source: ontario.ca — Get a motorcycle licencePass the Class M road test
The second road test checks more advanced skills and gives you a full Class M licence. Before the Level Two test on a motorcycle that is not limited-speed, you complete a declaration of your riding experience on highways with limits of 80 km/h or more.
Source: Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook — Graduated licensing
Who can get it
- At least 16 years old at the time of application, a resident of Ontario (not a tourist), meeting the ministry's vision standards and passing a knowledge test of traffic signs, motorcycles and the rules of the road. Source: DriveTest — Drivers' licences: motorcycles (archived copy, July 2026)
- Since May 11, 2026: a declaration that Ontario is your primary place of residence and that your presence in Canada is legal. Source: ontario.ca — Get a motorcycle licence
- Drivers who already hold a full Ontario car or commercial licence must still complete every graduated licensing step for Class M. Source: DriveTest — Drivers' licences: motorcycles (archived copy, July 2026)
- Motorcycle licence holders from other provinces, the United States, Switzerland, Australia, Northern Ireland and Canadian Forces Europe with at least two years of experience may be able to exchange for a full licence; with less, they may start at M2. New residents must apply within 60 days. Source: DriveTest — Drivers' licences: motorcycles (archived copy, July 2026)
What it costs
| Item | Amount | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Class M1 licence package (knowledge test, M2 road test and the short-term M1 licence) | $78.75 | Source: DriveTest — Fees (archived copy, July 2026) |
| Knowledge test, each attempt (if you take an approved safety course, you pay only the knowledge test and the M1 licence) | $16.00 | Source: DriveTest — Fees (archived copy, July 2026) |
| Short-term M1 licence on its own | $9.00 | Source: DriveTest — Fees (archived copy, July 2026) |
| Class M2 road test, when paid on its own (for example a retest) | $53.75 | Source: DriveTest — Fees (archived copy, July 2026) |
| Class M road test (second road test, for the full M) | $91.25 | Source: DriveTest — Fees (archived copy, July 2026) |
| Printed Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook (free to read online) | $14.95 plus taxes | Source: ontario.ca — Get a motorcycle licence |
| Government-approved motorcycle safety course | Not confirmed by an official source; check with the provider | Source: ontario.ca — Government-approved motorcycle safety courses |
Fees change. Check the amount on the official page or with the provider before you pay.
Where to take the test
Apply and take the vision and knowledge tests at a DriveTest centre. Road tests are booked online, by phone or at any DriveTest centre, and some approved motorcycle safety training schools are authorized to run road tests as part of their course. Source: DriveTest — Drivers' licences: motorcycles (archived copy, July 2026)
What to bring or have ready
- For the knowledge test: two pieces of identification, money for the test fees (cash, debit or credit card) and glasses or contact lenses if you need them to read or write. Source: Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook — Graduated licensing
- Original identification that shows your legal name, date of birth and signature, such as a passport, a Canadian citizenship card with photo, a permanent resident card, a study or work permit, or an Ontario Photo Card. Source: ontario.ca — Get a motorcycle licence
- For the Level One road test: a motorcycle in good working order, your M1 licence, an approved helmet and your glasses or contacts if you need them to drive. Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Source: Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook — Graduated licensing
After you pass
Passing the M2 road test gives you an M2: you can ride at night and on any road, and you may also drive a car under the conditions that apply to a G1 holder. After at least 22 months (about 18 with an approved course) you take the Class M road test, which assesses more advanced skills, and receive a full Class M licence. Source: DriveTest — Drivers' licences: motorcycles (archived copy, July 2026)
Validity and renewal
The M1 is valid for only 90 days; if it expires you start over. Once you get your M2, you have up to five years to finish. If the M2 is about to expire, passing the Level One road test again gives you another five years as an M2. Source: ontario.ca — Get a motorcycle licence
Common mistakes
- Letting the M1 expire. You must wait 60 days before the first road test, and the M1 lasts only 90 days, so book the road test as soon as you get your M1. Source: Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook — Graduated licensing
- Taking the road test on a scooter or three-wheeler without realising it limits your licence: a limited-speed motorcycle or moped gives an L condition, and a three-wheeled motorcycle gives an M condition. Source: Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook — Graduated licensing
- Bringing a different vehicle from the one you booked. If the centre cannot run that kind of test that day, the test is declared out of order and you lose 50% of the fee. Source: Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook — Graduated licensing
- Riding after dark, on fast roads or with a passenger on an M1. M1 riders ride only in daylight, alone, and off roads with limits over 80 km/h outside the listed northern highways. Source: ontario.ca — Get a motorcycle licence
- Waiting too long after a safety course. You must bring the course certificate to a DriveTest centre within six months, or you take the road test again. Source: Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook — Graduated licensing
Prepare for the test
Free practice written from the official material: full practice tests, a study guide, a printable sheet and a timed mock exam.
- Ontario M1 practice tests347 original practice questions with explanations
- Ontario M1 study guideFree Ontario M1 study guide: 288 key points from the Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook in plain words, organised by topic, each topic linked to its practice questions.
- Ontario M1 questions and answers (printable)50 original Ontario M1 practice questions on one printable sheet, with a separate answer key, an explanation and the handbook chapter for every answer. Print it or save it as a PDF. Free; not the official test.
- Ontario M1 Mock Exam 1 – 30 QuestionsUntimed practice · answers explained
- Ontario M1 exam simulator30 new random questions every time, full screen, no hints
- DriveTest centres in OntarioEvery DriveTest location by region, the road tests each one offers, and a page per city with fees and what to bring.
We last checked the official pages on October 17, 2026. Rules and fees can change; the official source always wins.
FAQ
How to get a motorcycle licence in Ontario: common questions
How do I get a motorcycle licence in Ontario?
Be at least 16, go to a DriveTest centre with original ID, pay the M1 licence package and pass the vision and knowledge tests to get an M1. After at least 60 days, pass the M2 road test; after at least 22 months at M2 (or 18 with an approved course), pass the Class M road test.
How much does a motorcycle licence cost in Ontario?
DriveTest lists $78.75 for the Class M1 licence package, which covers the knowledge test, the M2 road test and a 90-day licence. The Class M road test for your full licence is $91.25. Safety course tuition is set by each provider.
How long does it take to get a full M licence?
For most people about 20 months. You hold the M1 at least 60 days and the M2 at least 22 months, or 18 months with a ministry-approved motorcycle safety course.
Can I ride at night or carry a passenger with an M1?
No. M1 riders may ride only from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset and may not carry passengers. Both restrictions end when you pass the M2 road test.
Does a motorcycle safety course replace the road test?
Yes, at the level the course covers. After you complete an approved course, you apply for your upgraded licence at a DriveTest centre within six months; you do not take a road test there and move directly to the next level.
I already have a G licence. Do I still need an M1?
Yes. Even drivers with a full Ontario car or commercial licence must complete every graduated licensing step for Class M. The exception is a full A to G licence holder who completes an approved accelerated three-wheeled course, who can upgrade straight to an M(M) licence.
What is the M1 passing score?
DriveTest says knowledge tests need a total score of at least 80%. If you retry within one year, you redo only the sections that did not meet the ministry's standard.
Where can I practise for the M1 knowledge test?
Use our free M1 practice tests, the timed mock exam, the printable questions and the study guide, written from the Official MTO Motorcycle Handbook and the signs chapters of the Driver's Handbook. Each answer explains the rule and links to the handbook page it comes from.
Keep practising
- Ontario M1 study guide
- Ontario M1 questions and answers (printable)50 original Ontario M1 practice questions on one printable sheet, with a separate answer key, an explanation and the handbook chapter for every answer. Print it or save it as a PDF. Free; not the official test.
- Ontario M1 Mock Exam 1 – 30 QuestionsUntimed practice · answers explained
- Ontario M1 Mock Exam 2 – 30 QuestionsUntimed practice · answers explained
- Ontario M1 Practice Test 130 questions with explanations
- Ontario M1 Practice Test 230 questions with explanations
- Ontario M1 Practice Test 330 questions with explanations
Practice by topic
- Regulatory signsStop, yield, school zone and railway crossbuck shapes, green-ring and red-slash signs, turn and lane controls, stopping, standing and parking zones, community safety zones and HOV lanes.
- Warning, construction and guide signsYellow diamond warning signs for curves, hills, lane endings, crossings and hazards, orange temporary condition signs in work zones, green guide and exit signs, and the slow-moving vehicle sign.
- Traffic lights and pedestrian signalsGreen, yellow and red lights, turns on red, advance green and turn arrows, flashing lights and beacons, blank signals during a power failure, transit priority signals and pedestrian walk signals.
- Pavement markingsYellow and white lines, solid and broken lines for passing, continuity lines, stop lines, crosswalks, lane arrows, pedestrian crossovers and markings around fixed objects.
- M1, M2 and M licensingWho needs a class M licence, the M1 and M2 conditions, minimum times at each level, licence expiry, safety courses, L and M conditions for mopeds, scooters and three-wheelers, and rules for visitors and new residents.
- Helmets and protective gearOntario's helmet law, what makes a helmet approved and well fitted, and choosing jackets, pants, rain suits, boots and gloves that protect you and help others see you.
- Alcohol, drugs and fatigueZero blood-alcohol for novice riders, how alcohol and medication affect balance and judgment, cellphone and screen rules, fatigue, cold and strong emotions.
- Controls and pre-ride checkThe six primary controls, secondary controls such as the kill switch, choke and fuel valve, and the checks to make before every ride: tires, brakes, lights, mirrors and stands.
- Mounting, starting and shiftingGetting on and off the stands, starting a motorcycle, moped or scooter, using the clutch and gears, riding posture, starting on a hill and parking.
- Turning, cornering and brakingSlowing before a turn, leaning and looking through it, counter-steering, using both brakes, the front brake's share of stopping power, and choosing speed and tire track in curves.
- Seeing, being seen and signallingScanning ahead, mirror checks and shoulder checks, making yourself visible, collisions at intersections and with left-turning cars, horn use, turn signals and flashing your brake light.
- Space cushion and sharing the roadThe two-second following distance, space when stopped, side space and passing vehicles, tailgaters, and riding near trucks and buses: blind spots, wide turns, roll-back, spray, turbulence and bus bays.
- Lane positionTire-track blocking positions, which track to use in the curb, passing and centre lanes and in turns, slower mopeds and scooters, lane changes, lane sharing, lane splitting and passing on the shoulder.
- Freeway drivingWho may use freeways, safe speed and scanning, following distance, entering from a ramp, changing lanes near ramps and leaving at an exit.
- Road hazards, night and weatherLeft-turning cars, starting on a hill, riding at night and overdriving your headlight, slippery and uneven surfaces, gravel, gratings, railway crossings, rain, fog, cold and black ice.
- Group riding, passengers and cargoStaggered formation and single file, passing as a group, who may carry a passenger, adjusting the motorcycle and your riding for a passenger, and loading cargo safely.
- EmergenciesEmergency braking and ABS, swerving, running wide in a turn, riding over objects, animals, tire blowouts, stuck throttle, wobble, broken chain, engine seizure and pulling off the road.
- Insurance, registration and maintenanceCompulsory insurance and fines, plates and permits, the six-day reporting rules, buying and selling a used motorcycle, safety standards certificates, weekly maintenance checks and risky modifications.