Ontario M1 Motorcycle Cheat Sheet

Test and M1 Rules

Not published of exam
Test Facts M1 Restrictions Knowledge Test Picker M1 Ride Picker

Signs and Road Rules

Not published of exam
Sign Language Lights and Markings Right-of-Way Signal Contrast

Motorcycle Controls

Not published of exam
Primary Controls Pre-Ride Check Braking and Curves Brake-or-Swerve Picker

Riding Strategy and Hazards

Not published of exam
Space and Position Low-Traction Surfaces Passengers, Cargo, Groups Hazard Picker

Licence Progression

Not published of exam
M1-to-M Path Licence Path Picker M1 vs M2 Licence Conditions

Quick Facts

Licence Class M1
Owner Ontario MTO
Minimum age 16 years
Entry tests Vision + knowledge
Pass mark At least 80%
Timing Not timed
Question count Not published
M1 validity 90 days
M2 test wait 60 days
M1 package $78.75; checked August 2026
Course tuition Varies by approved provider

M1 Four Limits EX

Zero — Daylight — 80 — Solo
Zero: alcohol and nonexempt drugs Daylight: riding window 80: road ceiling Solo: no passenger

Knowledge vs Road Test EX

Knowledge

Multiple choice
Handbook facts
DriveTest Centre

Road test

Riding skills
Bring motorcycle
Seasonal availability
Know rules vs demonstrate skills

Knowledge Test Picker EX

Need official study source → Both MTO handbooks
Ready for M1 testing → Visit DriveTest Centre
Prefer paper → Any DriveTest Centre
Prefer computer → Check centre availability
Need kiosk audio → Tell agent first
Need verbal accommodation → Arrange appointment
Near closing time → Arrive one hour early
Need exact fee → Check live fee page
Unsuccessful section → Pay and retry
Retry within one year → Retake failed sections
Vision + knowledge passed → Receive Class M1

Test Facts EX

Subject scope Signs, motorcycles, road rules
Question style Multiple choice
Official item count Not published
Domain weights Not published
Time limit None; office closing controls
Passing mark At least 80% total
Paper testing Every DriveTest Centre
Computer testing Some DriveTest Centres
Appointment Not required
Results Marked immediately
Result validity One year
Retry within year Failed sections only
Current fee Check live fee page
Study sources Both official MTO handbooks

M1 Ride Picker EX

BAC above zero → Do not ride
Nonexempt drug detected → Do not ride
Outside daylight window → Do not ride
Passenger aboard → Do not ride
Helmet required but noncompliant → Do not ride
Road limit 80 or less → M1 may ride
Road limit above 80 → Check named exceptions
Highway is listed → M1 exception applies
M1 still under 60 days → Keep practising
M1 reached 60 days → M2 test eligible
M1 has expired → Restart licensing process

Current Official Fees EX

M1 package $78.75; checked August 2026
Package contents Knowledge, M2 road test, 90-day licence
Course-path DriveTest charges Knowledge and 90-day licence only
Course-path knowledge fee $16; checked August 2026
Course-path licence fee $9; checked August 2026
Approved-course tuition Varies by approved provider
Class M road test $91.25; checked August 2026
Fee caveat Verify before payment

M1 Restrictions EX

Blood alcohol Zero
Daylight riding starts Half-hour before sunrise
Daylight riding ends Half-hour after sunset
Novice drug rule Zero tolerance; medical-use exception
Passengers Prohibited
Road ceiling 80 km/h generally
Named exceptions 11,17,61,69,71,101,102,144,655
Helmet Approved; legal exemption possible
Licence term 90 days
Minimum M1 hold 60 days
Expired M1 Restart licensing process
Carry while riding Licence, registration, insurance

Line Colours RO

Yellow opposes; white flows together
Yellow: opposite White: same-way Solid: unsafe passing Broken: pass if clear

Stop vs Yield RO

Stop

Complete halt
Check all directions
Proceed when safe

Yield

Slow and assess
Stop if necessary
Give right-of-way
Mandatory halt vs conditional halt

Sign Language RO

Stop Red octagon
Yield Downward triangle
General warning Yellow diamond
Temporary condition Orange diamond
Prohibition Red circle + slash
Permission Green circle
Railway crossing Red-white X
School-zone speed Obey flashing posted limit
Directions Green background
Services Blue background

Flashing Red vs Yellow RO

Flashing red

Complete stop
Proceed when safe

Flashing yellow

Use caution
Stop only if needed
Stop vs caution

Lights and Markings RO

Solid red Complete stop
Right on red Stop; yield; check prohibition
Solid amber Stop when safely possible
Solid green Proceed when clear
Flashing red Stop; proceed when safe
Flashing yellow Proceed cautiously
Blank signals Use all-way-stop rules
Yellow lines Opposite directions
White lines Same direction
Solid line left Unsafe to pass
Broken line left Pass if clear
White lane arrow Only indicated direction

Yellow vs White Lines RO

Yellow

Opposite directions
Left line guides passing

White

Same direction
Lane boundaries
Opposing vs same-way traffic

Right-of-Way RO

Uncontrolled intersection Yield vehicle from right
All-way stop First stopped goes first
Tied arrivals Left yields right
Left turn Yield oncoming traffic
Roundabout entry Yield circulating traffic
Pedestrian crossover Wait until pedestrian fully crosses
School bus, red lights Stop at least 20 metres
School bus, divided road Opposite side may proceed
Streetcar, no island Stop two metres behind rear doors
Transit bus leaving bay Yield in built-up area when signalled
Emergency vehicle Pull right and stop
Stopped responder Slow; move over safely

Brake vs Swerve MA

Brake

Motorcycle upright
Both brakes
Progressive pressure

Swerve

Two countersteers
No braking while swerving
Clear obstacle
Separate the traction demands

Brake-or-Swerve Picker MA

Enough stopping room → Brake upright
Geared bike; shortest stop → Clutch + both brakes
Wheel locks → Release momentarily
Wheel rolls again → Reapply below lock
Cannot stop in time → Release brakes; swerve
Swerving around obstacle → Two countersteers
Still leaned → Do not brake
Upright after swerve → Brake if needed

Primary Controls MA

Throttle Right hand
Front brake Right-hand lever
Rear brake Right-foot pedal
Clutch Left-hand lever
Shift lever Left foot
Front braking share About three-quarters
Normal braking Use both brakes
Engine braking Brake light stays dark
Cut-off switch Stops engine quickly
Owner's manual Control-layout authority
Headlight + tail light Always on

Pre-Ride Check MA

Tires Pressure, tread, damage
Wheels Damage and looseness
Brakes Test each separately
Throttle Moves freely; returns
Steering Smooth full travel
Clutch and cables Correct operation; no damage
Lights Headlight, tail, brake, signals
Mirrors Clean and adjust
Horn Working
Fluids Correct levels; no leaks
Drive system Follow owner's manual
Stands Secure and retracting
Fasteners Present and tight

Braking and Curves MA

Quick stop, geared bike Clutch + both brakes
Brake input Quick and smooth
Wheel lock Release; roll; reapply
Threshold braking Just before wheel lock
ABS Learn controlled response
Curve entry Slow before leaning
Vision Look through turn
Countersteer Press turn-side grip
Mid-curve throttle Smooth and steady
Target fixation Look toward escape
Swerve Two quick countersteers
Brake while swerving Never combine

Lane Change Sequence ST

Mirror — Signal — Shoulder — Move — Cancel
Mirror: traffic Signal: communicate Shoulder: blind spot Move: smoothly Cancel: immediately

Mirror vs Shoulder Check ST

Mirror

Traffic behind
Frequent scan
Blind spot remains

Shoulder

Blind spot
Before lateral movement
Quick direct look
Rear view vs blind spot

Hazard Picker ST

Slippery patch ahead → Slow before it
Already on slippery patch → Coast upright
Crossing parallel rails → Angle at least 45°
Crossing perpendicular rails → Hold normal path
Grooved pavement wanders → Relax; ride smoothly
Loose gravel → Use firmer tracks
Tailgater closes in → Increase forward gap
Moving laterally → Shoulder check
Stopping behind vehicle → Leave escape space
Visibility becomes poor → Increase all space

Space and Position ST

Tire tracks Usually improve traction and visibility
Lane centre Oilier; slippery when wet
Curb lane Use left tire track
Passing lane Use right tire track
Following gap At least two seconds
Look ahead 12–15 seconds
Mirror scan Every 5–10 seconds
Blind spot Shoulder check
Stopped gap About one motorcycle length
Lane splitting Do not do it
Tailgater Increase forward space
Escape path Keep one available

Slippery Surface ST

Slow early — Upright — Coast
Slow before Avoid turning Clutch in Stay off brakes

Perpendicular vs Parallel Rails ST

Perpendicular

Normal path usually works
Stay upright
Avoid braking

Parallel

Cross distinctly
At least 45°
Avoid edging
Across normally vs angle across

Low-Traction Surfaces ST

Slippery approach Slow before surface
On slippery surface Do not brake
Geared motorcycle Clutch in; coast
Uneven surface Upright; avoid turning
Absorb bumps Rise slightly
Gravel Use firmer tire tracks
Perpendicular rails Path change usually unnecessary
Parallel rails Cross at least 45°
Tracks Avoid braking or shifting
Grooves and gratings Gentle grip; ride smoothly
Wet wood or ice Nearly impossible balance
Construction Expect ruts and mud

Passengers, Cargo, Groups ST

Passenger under M1 Illegal
M2 passenger Permitted; moped excluded
Passenger feet Remain on footrests
Passenger body Lean with motorcycle
Added weight Slower responses
Cargo location Low and forward
Cargo balance Even side-to-side
Cargo security Fasten securely
Staggered group Straight roads
Single file Curves and poor visibility
Group passing One rider at time
Rider pace Stay within personal skill

Licence Timeline LI

M1 — 60 — M2 — 22/18 — M
M1: 90 days 60: exit wait 22: standard 18: approved course

M1 vs M2 LI

M1

Daylight only
No passengers
80 ceiling; named exceptions

M2

Night permitted
Passengers; moped exception
Any public road
Restricted learner vs experienced novice

Licence Path Picker LI

Applicant under 16 → Wait to apply
Vision + knowledge passed → Enter M1
No approved course → Take M2 road test
Approved Level One passed → Wait until day 60
Day 60; M1 remains valid → Apply at DriveTest
Proof reaches six months → Course result expires
M1 expires before upgrade → Restart licensing process
Standard M2 path → Wait 22 months
Approved-course M2 path → Wait 18 months
M2 wait completed → Book Class M test
Taking Class M test → Expect highway component
M2 nears five years → Finish or requalify

M1-to-M Path LI

M1 entry Vision + knowledge passed
M1 exit Class M2 road test
M1 exit wait At least 60 days
Approved Level One course Includes Level One road test
DriveTest road test Not required after successful course
Course proof Use within six months
Standard M2 wait 22 months
Course-reduced wait 18 months
M2 maximum Five years
Class M test Includes highway component
Road-test season Mid-May–mid-October, weather permitting
Road-test retake Wait at least three days
Passed test result Apply within 12 months
Full-speed test result Standard M2 or M
Three-wheel test bike M-condition licence
LSM or moped L-condition licence

M2(L) vs M2(M) LI

M2(L)

LSM or moped
No controlled-access highways
No full-speed motorcycle

M2(M)

Three-wheeled only
No two-wheeled motorcycle
Vehicle-based condition
Limited-speed vs three-wheeled

Common Traps

Official test count

Ontario publishes no count ≠ Practice counts are unofficial

Test timing

No formal time limit ≠ Office closing still controls

Road ceiling exceptions

Over 80 generally barred ≠ Nine highways are excepted

Mirror vs blind spot

Mirror checks behind ≠ Shoulder checks beside

Engine vs brake light

Engine braking slows ≠ Brake light stays dark

Course vs upgrade

Course completion alone ≠ Timely licence application

M1 vs passenger

Passenger equipment may exist ≠ M1 passenger remains illegal

Solid vs broken

Solid means unsafe passing ≠ Broken permits when clear

Brake vs swerve

Brake while upright ≠ Never brake while swerving

Rails crossing

Perpendicular usually straight ≠ Parallel requires 45° minimum

M2 vs full M

M2 keeps zero BAC ≠ Full M ends novice stage

Last Minute

1. Study both official MTO handbooks
2. Question count = Not published
3. Pass mark = at least 80%
4. Knowledge test = not timed
5. M1 valid 90 days
6. M2 test after 60 days
7. M1 BAC = zero
8. M1 = daylight riding only
9. M1 = no passengers
10. M1 road ceiling = 80 km/h
11. Memorize nine highway exceptions
12. Approved helmet unless legally exempt
13. Yellow = opposite; white = same-way
14. Flashing red = stop
15. Flashing yellow = caution
16. Right-on-red requires complete stop
17. Use both brakes
18. Front brake supplies about three-quarters
19. Engine braking gives no brake light
20. Follow at least two seconds
21. Look ahead 12–15 seconds
22. Shoulder-check before lateral movement
23. Never brake while swerving
24. Parallel rails = at least 45°
25. M2: 22 months; course: 18
26. Verify current fees before attending

Ontario M1 Motorcycle Knowledge Test

Practice Questions 112 questions Study Guide 19 topics Cheat Sheet 156 facts Flashcards 50 cards