How to get a motorcycle licence in Quebec
How to get a motorcycle licence in Quebec: SAAQ eligibility, the knowledge test for the Class 6R learner's licence, the mandatory driving course, the closed-track test, the Class 6A learner period, the road test and every SAAQ fee, with each fact linked to saaq.gouv.qc.ca.
By the Canada Exam Prep Editorial Team ·
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- Checked October 17, 2026
In Quebec, every new rider earns a motorcycle licence in four steps run by the SAAQ: a knowledge test for the Class 6R learner's licence, a course at an SAAQ-recognized driving school, a closed-track test for the Class 6A learner's licence, and a road test. The class you end up with depends on the engine size you test on: 6A for any motorcycle, 6B for smaller bikes and 6C for the smallest.
This guide puts the steps in order with the eligibility rules, the documents to bring, the pass marks, the waiting periods after a failed test, the protective gear you must wear and the SAAQ fees for each stage. Each point links to the SAAQ page it comes from. Fees are updated every year, so check the linked page before you book.
Step by step
Check that you are eligible
You must have your principal residence in Quebec, Canadian citizenship or the right to stay in Canada for more than six months, be at least 16 (with written consent from a parent or legal guardian under 18) and have fewer than four demerit points on your record. If this is your first licence of any kind, you must have no demerit points.
Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)Study the two SAAQ guides
The SAAQ calls Operating a Motorcycle and the Driver's Handbook required reading for the knowledge test. If you do not hold a Class 5 licence, study the Driver's Handbook carefully, because your test also covers traffic rules, road signs, pavement markings and traffic signals.
Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)Book and pass the knowledge test
Book the test in SAAQclic and take it at an SAAQ service outlet. On the day you prove your identity, fill out the Declaration of Illness or Functional Impairment, pass a vision test and then the knowledge test, which takes about one hour. You need 85% on the motorcycle section and 75% on the Highway Safety Code and signs section.
Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)Get your Class 6R learner's licence
Passing the knowledge test gives you a Class 6R learner's licence, valid for 18 months. It lets you ride on a closed track and on the road only during the practical training of an SAAQ-recognized driving school, with your instructor.
Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)Complete the driving course
The course lasts at least 30 days: a block on a closed track (3 hours of theory and 16 hours of practice) and a block on the road (3 hours of theory and 10 hours of practice). Full protective gear is mandatory in every practical session. When you pass, the school gives you an attestation.
Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)Pass the closed-track test
After holding the 6R for at least one month and finishing the course, take the closed-track test on your own registered two-wheeled motorcycle with a manual transmission. The test takes about 15 minutes and covers manoeuvres such as low-speed riding, a slalom, emergency braking and obstacle avoidance. The passing mark is 75%.
Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)Ride with the Class 6A learner's licence
The 6A learner's licence lets you ride on the road for at least 11 months while you build skills. You may never carry a passenger and must not ride between midnight and 5 a.m.
Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)Pass the road test
After at least 11 months with the 6A learner's licence, take the road test on a motorcycle that matches the class you want: more than 400 cc for 6A, 126 to 400 cc for 6B, 125 cc or less for 6C. The examiner follows you in a car and gives instructions through a hearing device. The test takes about 30 minutes and the passing mark is 75%.
Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
Who can get it
- Principal residence in Quebec, and Canadian citizenship or the right to stay in Canada for more than six months. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
- At least 16 years old, with the written consent of your father, mother or legal guardian if you are under 18. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
- Fewer than four demerit points on your driving record, and no licence revoked in the last two years for demerit points or a driving-related criminal offence. For a first licence of any kind, no demerit points at all. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
- If you hold a licence issued outside Quebec, the SAAQ has a separate procedure on its Driver's Licence Issued Outside Québec page. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
What it costs
Fees change. Check the amount on the official page or with the provider before you pay.
Where to take the test
All three SAAQ tests (knowledge, closed track and road) take place at the SAAQ service outlet where you booked them. Appointments are made, changed or cancelled in SAAQclic; if you do not yet have a file at the SAAQ, call 1-800-361-7620. The course is taken at a driving school recognized by the SAAQ. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
What to bring or have ready
- Knowledge test, first licence: two official documents, one with a photo, such as a birth certificate or Canadian passport plus your Health Insurance Card. If you hold an SAAQ licence or ID card, show it instead. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
- Under 18: the Consent of a Person Having Parental Authority form, completed and signed by your father, mother or legal guardian. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
- Closed-track test: your 6R licence (or an official ID document), the driving course attestation, the valid signed registration certificate and proof of civil liability insurance for the motorcycle. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
- Closed-track and road tests: full protective gear, meaning a helmet that meets safety standards, a long-sleeved jacket or top, long pants without holes, gloves covering your hands and boots or closed-toe shoes (plus a visor or goggles for the road test). Without it you cannot take the test. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
- Payment in cash, by debit card (not at every outlet), by pre-authorized debit, cheque or money order. Credit cards are not accepted. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
After you pass
If you pass the road test without a Class 5 licence, you receive a Class 6A, 6B or 6C probationary licence, and after two years you may obtain the full driver's licence. If you already have a Class 5 licence, the motorcycle class is added to it. For the first 24 months you must follow the zero-alcohol rule, and probationary licence holders must keep fewer than four demerit points. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
Validity and renewal
The Class 6R learner's licence is valid for 18 months, and you must hold the 6A learner's licence at least 11 months before the road test. A probationary licence is issued for 24 months; a driver's licence fee is then charged for one year at a time, based on the months left before your annual renewal date. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
Common mistakes
- Bringing a phone or smart watch into the knowledge test. Having any prohibited device with you counts as cheating, even unused, and means an automatic fail and a wait of at least 56 days. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
- Renting a small bike for the closed-track test. The SAAQ accepts rented motorcycles only above 400 cc, and never off-road bikes, sidecars, three-wheelers or automatic transmissions. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
- Testing on a smaller engine than the class you want. At the road test, a motorcycle of 400 cc or less gives a 6B or 6C, not a 6A. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
- Arriving without complete protective gear, which means you cannot take the closed-track or road test. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
- Rebooking too soon after a fail. The wait is at least 28 days after the knowledge test, 14 days after the closed-track test and 56 days after the road test. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
- Cancelling late. Cancel at least 48 hours before a closed-track or road test, or you pay a cancellation fee. Source: SAAQ — Obtaining a Motorcycle Driver's Licence (Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) (archived copy, June 2026)
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.
- Québec Class 6 Motorcycle practice tests221 original practice questions with explanations
- SAAQ motorcycle practice test (printable PDF)100 SAAQ motorcycle knowledge test practice questions with an answer key citing Operating a Motorcycle. Print it or save it as a PDF. Free.
- Québec Class 6 Motorcycle study guideFree Québec Class 6 Motorcycle study guide: 324 key points from the Operating a Motorcycle in plain words, organised by topic, each topic linked to its practice questions.
- Québec Class 6 Motorcycle Mock Exam 1 – 20 QuestionsUntimed practice · answers explained
- Québec Class 6 Motorcycle exam simulator20 new random questions every time, full screen, no hints
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 Quebec: common questions
How do I get a motorcycle licence in Quebec?
Pass the SAAQ knowledge test for a Class 6R learner's licence, complete a course at an SAAQ-recognized driving school, pass the closed-track test for a Class 6A learner's licence, ride at least 11 months with it, then pass the road test.
How much does a motorcycle licence cost in Quebec?
SAAQ fees are $13.50 for the knowledge test, up to $624.80 for the Class 6R learner's licence depending on the month it is issued, $33.75 for the closed-track test, $18.50 for the 6A learner's licence and $119.00 for the road test, plus the probationary licence or the fee to add the class to a Class 5 licence. Driving school fees are extra.
What is the passing score on the SAAQ motorcycle knowledge test?
85% on the section on operating a motorcycle and 75% on the Highway Safety Code and road signs section. The closed-track and road tests each have a passing mark of 75%.
I already have a Class 5 licence. What changes?
Your knowledge test covers motorcycle driving only, and after the road test the motorcycle class is added to your Class 5 licence instead of a probationary licence being issued. You still take the course, the closed-track test and the learner period.
How long does it take to get a motorcycle licence in Quebec?
Plan on at least a year: you hold the 6R for at least one month and complete a course of at least 30 days before the closed-track test, then hold the 6A learner's licence at least 11 months before the road test.
Can I carry a passenger or ride at night as a learner?
No. Class 6A learners may never carry a passenger and must not ride between midnight and 5 a.m.
Can I pay by credit card at the SAAQ?
No. Service outlets accept cash, debit (not at every outlet), pre-authorized debit, cheque or money order, but not credit cards.
Where can I practise for the SAAQ motorcycle knowledge test?
Use our free practice tests, the practice exam scored at the SAAQ's pass mark and the printable questions, written from Operating a Motorcycle and the SAAQ's licence page. Each answer explains the rule and cites its source.
Keep practising
- SAAQ motorcycle practice test (printable PDF)100 SAAQ motorcycle knowledge test practice questions with an answer key citing Operating a Motorcycle. Print it or save it as a PDF. Free.
- Québec Class 6 Motorcycle study guide
- Québec Class 6 Motorcycle Mock Exam 1 – 20 QuestionsUntimed practice · answers explained
- Québec Class 6 Motorcycle Mock Exam 2 – 20 QuestionsUntimed practice · answers explained
- Québec Class 6 Motorcycle Practice Test 130 questions with explanations
- Québec Class 6 Motorcycle Practice Test 230 questions with explanations
- Québec Class 6 Motorcycle Practice Test 330 questions with explanations
Practice by topic
- Class 6R, 6A and the knowledge testThe steps from the Class 6R learner's licence to a Class 6 licence, the knowledge test sections and pass marks, retake waits, the driving course, the 6A curfew and passenger rules.
- Balance, visibility and the laws of physicsWhy riding differs from driving: balance, visibility and vulnerability, plus gravity, the gyroscopic effect, inertia, centrifugal force, kinetic energy and traction.
- Dashboard, controls and componentsDashboard lights and gauges, handlebar and foot controls, the kill switch, choke, ignition positions and the fuel tap.
- Basic operations and riding positionMoving, mounting, lifting and starting the motorcycle, scanning the right areas, the safe riding position, clutch friction point, gearshift and throttle control.
- Brakes, counterbalancing and countersteeringHow to share braking between front and rear, slowing from 50 km/h, counterbalancing below 25 km/h and countersteering above 25 km/h.
- Starting, shifting, stopping and curvesSetting off, upshifting and downshifting, braking, coming to a stop, emergency braking, turns below 25 km/h, curves above 25 km/h and avoiding obstacles.
- Breakdowns, skids and special situationsPulling onto the shoulder, oil and temperature warnings, shimmy and wobble, flat tires, broken clutch cable, jammed throttle, broken chain, skids, hydroplaning and riding over obstacles.
- Vision, visual checks, speed and safety marginsField of vision and speed, scanning ahead, mirrors and blind spots, adapting speed, stopping distance, and front, rear and side safety margins.
- Being seen and choosing a third of the laneSignalling your presence and intentions, eye contact, brake lights and horn, and when to use the left, middle or right third of the lane.
- Group ridingGroup size, the zigzag formation required by the Highway Safety Code, two-second gaps, and the roles of the lead, less experienced and sweep riders.
- Intersections, highways, passing and parkingTurning at intersections, curves on the road, merging onto and exiting highways, passing, parking at 45 degrees, and manoeuvres prohibited for motorcycles.
- Heavy vehicles, emergency vehicles, pedestrians and pitfallsHeavy vehicles, emergency vehicles and the Move Over Law, pedestrians, cyclists, and the road pitfalls: blocked views, left-turners, misleading signals, parked cars, animals and railway crossings.
- Rider risks: age, emotions, fatigue and impairmentAge, motivations, emotions, peer influence and overconfidence, distraction, fatigue, alcohol, drugs and medication, and risky departures.
- Weather, road conditions, extra weight and trip planningHeat, rain, fog, night and wind, heavy traffic, gravel, rough and slippery roads, the motorcycle's condition, passengers and baggage, and planning trips.
- Helmets and protective gearQuébec helmet law and recognized standards, helmet fit and lifespan, eye protection, jackets, pants, gloves and boots.