How to Get an Ontario M2 License

The Ontario M2 license is step two in the Ontario Graduated Motorcycle Licensing process. The first step, the Ontario M1, requires acquiring theoretical knowledge to pass the M1 written test. However, you need to demonstrate practical motorcycle driving ability and pass the M1 road test or Level One test to get an Ontario M2 license. After getting an M2 license, you take a second road test, and if you pass, you get a full "M class" motorcycle license. To make things easier, ICanDrive.ca has put together all of the steps you need to take, to successfully pass your M1 road test and get your M2 licence. Follow along, and you'll get the full unrestricted motorcycle license Ontario makes available in the shortest time possible.

M1 Riding (60 days) + Level 1 Road Test → Class M2 Licence

Everything You Need to Know to Get an Ontario M2 License

As with many licensing journeys, there can sometimes be some confusion on the right steps and resources required to successfully get an Ontario M2 license. However, everything you need to know about the M1 road test to get your M2 licence is right here, in an easy to follow process. Read through the information at your own pace and make sure you cover all the suggested steps. Our goal is to ensure that you are 100% ready for the M1 road test and qualified to pass the test on the first attempt. Click through the tabs below for more.

M1 Licence Holder

There are two ways to attempt the Level One or M1 road test:

Attempt the Level One or M1 road test on your own - Your M1 will expire 90 days from the day it is issued. You must remain at the Level One (M1) stage for a minimum of 60 days, after which you have another 30 days to attempt and successfully pass the Level One motorcycle road test.
Complete a ministry approved motorcycle safety course - If you successfully complete an Ontario ministry approved motorcycle safety course, you will get a referral envelope from your driving school and will not have to take the M1 road test again. After waiting at the M1 stage for the minimum required 60 days you can bring your referral envelope to a Drive Test center and you will automatically be moved to the M2 level. Keep in mind, motorcycle safety course certificates are only valid for 60 days, so you must time the completion of your motorcycle safety course to ensure you are taking the certificate to a Drive Test center after the mandated 60 days, but before the motorcycle safety course certificate expires. If your motorcycle safety course certificate expires, you will have to take the Level One or M1 road test again.

Book Your Level One Road Test

You need to book your road test in advance at a time and location that works for you. Long weekends, holidays and March break are the busiest times for M1 road tests, so make sure you book in advance

If your looking for a French-speaking driver examiner make sure you ask when booking your Level One road test
You will need to indicate the type of vehicle your planning to drive during your test (motorcycle, limited-speed motorcycle or moped)

Study The Ontario Motorcycle Handbook

Your Level One Road Test will be testing your practical driving abilities, but it's never a bad idea to brush up on Ontario motorcycle road rules and signs with the Ontario M1 Handbook, and the Official MTO Drivers Handbook, and our G1 practice test and M1 practice test series. You will feel much more prepared on your Level One road test if your motorcycle driving knowledge has been refreshed.

Ontario M1 Handbook

Practice Motorcycle Driving

The minimum 60-day wait period to take your M1 road test is mandatory, to ensure every new Ontario motorcycle driver gets adequate practice and is able to master the skills needed to independently drive a motorcycle in any weather or road condition.

Practice driving in different locations, at different times of the day (as allowed by the M2 license restrictions) and under different driving conditions. Some of the basic motorcycle driving skills you need to master are:

Starting, braking, turning, reversing and parking your motorcycle
Correctly following traffic signs and traffic lights
Driving in the correct position while on the road
Passing all types of vehicles ex. cars, trucks, bicycles
Travelling through both controlled and uncontrolled intersections
Exhibiting awareness and correctly reacting to hazardous road conditions

Pre-trip Check

Before your Level One road test can start, the driving examiner will make sure that your motorcycle is test worthy. The Drive Test center will not provide a motorcycle for you to test on, so make sure you arrange to borrow/rent a motorcycle (if you don't own one) with the proper documentation and Ontario motorcycle insurance for your test.

Vehicle Checklist

Level One Road Test

You will be asked to go through a route by the driving examiner. Stay calm, focused and concentrate on the instructions provided. Aside from the basic motorcycle driving skills you would have practiced, there are some major components you will be asked to demonstrate with the help of cones placed to guide you:

Walk Test - demonstrate the ability to walk your motorcycle/moped around the pre-set cones with both hands on the handgrips in a figure 8 without losing control or dropping your vehicle
Serpentine Drive - Slowly drive with both feet on the foot rests, in a serpentine manner
Straight Line Brake Test - Drive in a controlled manner between two rows of cones, turn, accelerate in preparation for the brake test and then bring your vehicle to a safe, quick, controlled stop with the front wheel on the finish line
On Road Driving Demonstration - You will be asked to drive around a specific route to demonstrate good motorcycle handling skills

Walk Test Diagram
Serpentine Drive Diagram
Straight Line Brake Test Diagram
On Road Driving Demonstration Diagram

Post-test Debrief

Once your M1 road test is done, the examiner will review the test with you, indicating areas you did well, areas you need improvement in and will provide a final pass or fail grade on the test.

Like all tests, taking a road test can be a nervous experience. To avoid worrying about having missed anything, we've put together everything you need to do and take with you on your Level One road test day. Don't forget, to actually drive your motorcycle on any public roads, you must also be able to present appropriate Ontario motorcycle insurance, valid license plate and owner’s permit.

Arrive Early

You should have already pre-booked your Level One road test appointment and should arrive at least 30 minutes prior, to register, settle in and be relaxed before the test starts.

Cancelling or Rescheduling

Unless you've been notified by the driver examination center, your test will happen regardless of weather conditions. If for some reason you are not able to make the appointment, make sure you cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours in advance otherwise you will lose your prepaid road-test fee.

Vehicle Safety Check

Before your test can begin, the examiner will confirm that your vehicle is completely safe and functional for the test. If your vehicle does not meet the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) prescribed standards, you might not be allowed to take the road test. Make sure you review the vehicle safety checklist before arriving at the driver examination center.

Vehicle Checklist

Ministry Approved Helmet

A ministry approved helmet must be brought along for the test and must comply with Regulation 610 of the Highway Traffic Act.

Current Licence

You must bring your current, unexpired M1 licence to your Level One road test.

Road Test Confirmation Email

Print and bring along a copy of your road test confirmation email.

Vision Aids

If you wear contacts or glasses, make sure to bring them along to the M1 road test.

Applicable Fees

There are specific fees for each stage of the Ontario motorcycle licensing process. Make sure you are able to pay the correct fee amount on your test day.

Ontario Licensing Fees

Test Re-takes

If you fail the Level One road test, you can retake the test as many times as needed, provided you wait 3 days in between tests and pay the applicable re-test fees.

Licence Expiry

After passing the Level One road test, you will receive a temporary drivers licence (valid for 90 days) and a permanent driver's photo card will be sent in the mail. An Ontario M2 license expires 5 years from the date you passed your Level One road test.

Minimum Licence Holding Period

The Level Two or Ontario M2 license stage lasts for a minimum of 22 months before you can attempt the Level Two road test and get your full M licence. If you take a ministry approved motorcycle safety course this time period can be shortened, and you can attempt the Level Two road test after 18 months of holding a M2 licence.

One you have an Ontario M2 license, most of the M1 license restrictions are waived except for the following M2 license restrictions:

Single Driver On a Moped

While you are allowed to carry passengers on a regular and limited-speed motorcycle, you cannot as per the Highway Traffic Act, carry any passengers when operating a moped.

No Alcohol

Similar to the M1 license stage, you cannot consume any alcohol when driving a motorcycle/moped at the Ontario M2 license stage.

Looking to Get a Different Ontario Motorcycle Licence?

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The Ontario Motorcycle GDL process is structured to help new drivers get through the process as quickly and safely as possible.

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Ontario M1 Licence

Your M1 licence is your MTO approved license to start learning how to drive a motorcycle and practicing your motorcycle driving skills.

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Ontario M Licence

M is the last stage of Ontario motorcycle licensing that you need to get through to get full motorcycle driving privileges.

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Looking for a Different Ontario Drivers Licence Type?

Choose the type of vehicle you need to get an Ontario licence for

The MTO or Ontario Ministry of Transportation is the government agency responsible for facilitating all G, M, commercial vehicle driver (CDL) licensing and tests for various kinds of Ontario driving licenses. While most Ontario drivers simply want an Ontario passenger vehicle drivers license or an Ontario motorcycle drivers license, many others want or need a more specific type of license. Click the links for more information on getting an Ontario bus driver license, an Ontario air brake license, Ontario truck driving license, or an Ontario boat operators license.