Getting a motorcycle license
In order to get a motorcycle license in the Province of Ontario, one has to go through the Graduated Licensing System. This system consists of three classes: M1, M2 & M.
| M1 | M2 | M | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restrictions | |||
| No Alcohol | 0% Alcohol | Alcohol less than 0.05% | |
| No 400 Series HWY1 | |||
| No passengers | |||
| No night riding2 | |||
| Costs | |||
| MTO | $15 (Written Test) | $45 | $75 |
| MSC | $15.50 (Written Test) | $450* | $385* |
| Validity | |||
| Minimum 60 days | Minimum 22 months | N/A | |
| Maximum 90 days | Maximum 60 months | N/A | |
| Minimum 60 days | Minimum 18 months | N/A | |
| Maximum 90 days | Maximum 60 months | N/A | |
- Test for M1 can only be taken at the Drivetest Centre
- M2 Motorcycle Safety course can be taken once M1 is obtained, however student must wait the mandatory 60 days before bringing the paperwork to the ministry to obtain an M2 license
- Minimum –The shortest time a rider must hold class before going to next class
- Maximum - The longest time a rider can hold class before expiration. If expiration occurs rider must begin at M1 again
- No highways with speeds in excess of 80 KM/h, unless that is the only route
- ½ hour before sunrise and ½ hour after sunset
MTO - Ontario Ministry of Transportation
MSC – Motorcycle Safety Course
* Prices based on Rider Training Institute 2016 published price list - http://www.ridertraining.ca/
Looking at the above chart, the first thing that you may notice is that the cost for getting your motorcycle license through the Ministry of Transportation is noticeably cheaper than taking a Motorcycle Safety Course. So why then would you take the Motorcycle Safety Courses, which cost more than $800?
There are a few reasons why taking a motorcycle safety course is worth the money. First off, with the Ministry you only get tested. That is you book a date, you show up, ride the test and hope you pass.
While with a Motorcycle Safety Course, students receive two and a half days of training. This training consists of an evening of in class training and two days of instruction and practice of the basics skills required to operate a motorcycle safely on the street.
A comparable Ministry test is the administered at the end of the course.
Is there a difference in the percentage of people passing the test taken at the Ministry of Transportation compared to a safety course?
Definitely! There is significantly higher percentage of people passing after taking said safety course. Not only that but they stand a greater chance of surviving on the street, because they are better prepared.
Another thing that you might notice is that the minimum waiting time to go from an “M2” License to a full “M” is less for someone who takes a safety course than someone who takes their test at the M.T.O. That is almost a riding season! I don’t know about you but I would rather make this process as quickly and as painless as possible.
The last thing that I want to mention is insurance discounts. Most people that take a safety course receive discounts that range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand. So in other words, if by the odd chance you don't get anything else out of it. At the very least a motorcycle safety course will more than pay for itself through the savings that you will get from insurance.
