If you are passionate about motorcycles and reside in Quebec, it is important for you to be aware of the necessary requirements to obtain a valid motorcycle driving permit. Just like with driving automobiles, anyone who wishes to operate a motorcycle in Quebec must possess a motorcycle driving permit issued by the SAAQ (Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec). Having an automobile driver’s license (Class 5) does not authorize you to ride a motorcycle.
Firstly, you should know that there are three classes of motorcycle permits in Quebec. To obtain a driving permit in any of these classes, you will need to pass a theoretical exam, complete a driving course, and pass two practical exams.
The motorcycle permit classes are as follows:
Class 6A: General motorcycles.
Class 6B: Motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of 400 cc or less.
Class 6C: Motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of 125 cc or less.
Before starting the procedures and enrolling in a driving course, it is important to verify if you are eligible to obtain a Quebec driver’s license based on your status in Canada.
You will not be able to obtain a Quebec driver’s license if you are in any of the following situations:
– You have a stay right in Canada of less than 6 months.
– You have visitor status (unless there are exceptions).
– You possess a temporary stay permit (unless there are exceptions).
These are the requirements you must meet to obtain a motorcycle driving permit for classes 6A, 6B, or 6C:
– Have your primary residence in Quebec.
– Be at least 16 years old (with written consent from your parent, guardian, or tutor if you are under 18 years old).
– Have no more than 4 points of incompetence on your driving record.
– Have not received a sanction revoking your driving permit due to the accumulation of incompetence points or a conviction for a driving-related offense for at least 2 years.
For individuals who do not possess a learner’s permit or a driver’s license for classes 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, or 5, they must fulfill the following requirements:
– Have no incompetence points on their driving record.
– Have not received a sanction suspending the right to obtain a driver’s license due to the accumulation of incompetence points or a conviction for a driving-related offense for at least 2 years.
– Complete the medical questionnaire that must be filled out before starting a driving course. (Feuillet médical – Déclaration de maladie ou de déficit fonctionnel- 6080 25 (2023-01)).
Passing the SAAQ motorcycle exam is a fundamental requirement to obtain a motorcycle driving permit in Quebec. Therefore, to obtain the coveted permit, you must pass both the SAAQ theoretical exam and the practical on-road exam. Without these requirements, you will not be authorized to ride a motorcycle in Quebec.
To be able to pass the theoretical motorcycle driving exam, it is necessary to have a mastery of basic theoretical knowledge. If this is your case, you will receive a learner’s permit of Class 6R. With the Class 6R learner’s permit, you can ride a motorcycle in closed circuits and on public roads accompanied by your instructor from a driving school recognized by the SAAQ.
If you already possess a probationary permit or a Class 5 (automobile) driver’s license, you will need to take an exam on motorcycle riding (based on the cylinder capacity). Otherwise, you will need to take an exam on:
– The Highway Safety Code.
– Signaling.
– Motorcycle riding behaviors and techniques (based on the cylinder capacity).
Once you have passed the theoretical exam to obtain a Class 6A, 6B, or 6C permit, the next step is to enroll in a driving school recognized by the SAAQ. At this stage, you will put into practice the appropriate techniques and maneuvers for riding a motorcycle. You will have a minimum period of 30 days to complete this course, which consists of 2 blocks:
First block: Closed circuit riding
Theoretical training to prepare you for riding a motorcycle on a closed circuit (1 block of 3 hours).
Practical training (4 blocks of 4 hours = 16 hours).
Second block: Road riding
Theoretical training to prepare you for riding a motorcycle on public roads (1 block of 3 hours).
Practical training (5 blocks of 2 hours = 10 hours).
If the instructor determines that you have met the training requirements, the driving school will provide you with a certificate of completion.
After completing the driving course, you can take the practical closed circuit exam conducted by the SAAQ, which lasts 30 minutes and must be done with your own motorcycle. The SAAQ does not provide motorcycles for their practical exams. If your motorcycle is not in good mechanical condition, you may not be able to take the exam. Additionally, remember to wear all necessary protective equipment.
Here are some of the maneuvers that may be requested during the SAAQ’s practical closed circuit exam:
– Starting and stopping the motorcycle.
– Riding at low speed.
– Riding through a curve.
– Making a right turn.
– Performing a slalom.
– Performing an emergency braking.
– Avoiding an obstacle.
If you pass the SAAQ’s practical closed circuit exam, you will obtain a Class 6A learner’s permit. This permit is valid for 11 months, during which you can ride on public roads and improve your skills. During this period, you must respect the curfew (from 12 am to 5 am) and you are not allowed to carry passengers. If you do not have a Class 5 permit, you will be subject to a 5-point incompetency regime.
The practical road exam is the final step before obtaining the probationary permit or the driving permit for Class 6A, 6B, or 6C. You must have held a Class 6A learner’s permit for at least 11 months. At this stage, you can choose the cylinder capacity of the motorcycle you wish to use, as long as it corresponds to the class of permit you are seeking.
The SAAQ’s road exam lasts 30 minutes and must be done with your own motorcycle and protective equipment. During the exam, your skills for merging into traffic, stopping at intersections, making turns, and changing lanes will be evaluated.
If you pass the exam and do not have a Class 5 (automobile) driver’s license, you will receive a probationary permit for Class 6A, 6B, or 6C. After 2 years, you will be able to obtain your regular permit. To maintain your probationary permit, you must have fewer than 4 incompetency points on your driving record.
In conclusion, to be able to ride a motorcycle in Quebec, it is necessary to comply with the requirements and procedures established by the SAAQ. Passing the theoretical and practical exams, as well as completing a driving course at a recognized school, are key steps to obtain the desired driving permit. Practice on closed circuits and on the road will allow you to acquire the necessary skills to ride a motorcycle safely. It is important to comply with the established rules and requirements to maintain a clean record and ensure the validity of the permit. With determination and by following the necessary steps, you will be able to enjoy the freedom and excitement of riding a motorcycle on the roads of Quebec.
