Getting a driver’s licence for a motorcycle

To ride a motorcycle, you must hold a driver’s licence. Since operating a motorcycle involves very specific skills, riders have to follow a number of steps before they can hit the road on their own.

Step 1: Class 6R learner’s licence

There are three classes of driver’s licence for motorcycles:

Class 6A: allows you to drive all motorcycles
Class 6B: allows you to drive motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of 400 cc or less
Class 6C: allows you to drive motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of 125 cc or less

Whatever the driver’s licence class you need, the first step is to get a class 6R learner’s licence, which is valid only for the purpose of a driving course and for the SAAQ closed track road test. To get this licence, you must:

take a theoretical driving course from a driving school recognized by the Association québécoise du transport et des routes (AQTR);
pass the SAAQ knowledge test.

Step 2: Class 6A learner’s licence

The next step is to get the class 6A learner’s licence. To get this licence you must have held a class 6R learner’s licence for at least one month and:

have passed a theoretical driving course with a recognized driving school;
have passed a two-part practical driving course: one part on a closed track and another on the road;
pass the SAAQ closed track test.

The class 6A learner’s licence authorizes you to operate a motorcycle on the road, providing you are accompanied by a rider on another motorcycle. This licence must be held for at least 11 months. When you take the road, you are required to always have an accompanying rider who has held a valid driver’s licence authorizing the operation of a motorcycle for at least two years. This person must be qualified to provide you with help and advice on how to operate a motorcycle.

Step 3: Road test

The last step is a road test, which you must pass in order to obtain a probationary or regular licence to operate a motorcycle. The probationary licence is intended for those who do not hold a passenger vehicle (class 5) driver’s licence. To pass the road test, you must:

ride without committing an offence under the Highway Safety Code;
show safe riding behaviour at all times;
obtain a mark of at least 75%.

Riding a motorcycle requires knowledge and skills that should be taken very seriously. As a motorcycle operator, compliance with the Highway Safety Code, such as wearing a helmet and not exceeding speed limits, should be the basis of safe riding behaviour and this, at all times.

You can also visit our motorcycle insurance page to get more information