Your first motorcycle licence
A Class 6 licence is required to operate a motorcycle in Manitoba. You must be at least 16 years of age and hold a valid license of any other class to obtain a Class 6 licence.
If you have never held a motorcycle licence before, you need to successfully complete Manitoba’s Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) program.
More information
- Credit will be given for the GDL Class 6 intermediate stage if you have previously completed a portion or all of this stage.
- If you are a licensed driver who is moving to Manitoba see the new to Manitoba page about transferring your licence.
- You are able to renew your licence, provide changes and have your photo taken at any Autopac agent or MPI Service Centre.
How to register for the GDL program
1. Register through an Autopac agent or MPI Service Centre. You need proper identification to register as a customer.
2. Book your motorcycle knowledge test at an Autopac agent or Service Centre.
3. When you have passed your knowledge test and vision test you will be issued a Class 6M licence and will enter the GDL motorcycle training course (M) stage.
Class 6 GDL stages
There are four stages to a Class 6 licence:
M – Motorcycle training course stage: permits operation of a motorcycle while taking the motorcycle training course only
L – Learner stage
I – Intermediate stage
F – Full stage
Each stage has specific restrictions imposed on the new driver that will reduce the opportunity and likelihood for them to engage in risky driving behaviour.
Time within the learner and intermediate stages is only earned if the driver holds a valid licence. The driver will not earn credit for time served in the stage if their licence is suspended, prohibited or expired.
Motorcycle training course (M) stage
Upon passing the motorcycle knowledge test, you will be issued a Class 6 M stage licence, which allows you to operate a motorcycle while taking an approved motorcycle training course.
Prior to obtaining a motorcycle Learner licence, first-time motorcycle applicants must complete an approved motorcycle training course. The motorcycle training course is an approved one-day practical course that will provide the new motorcyclist with the basic skills required to operate a motorcycle. It is a user pay course offered at designated locations throughout the province. Contact your nearest Autopac agent or MPI for further information on the recognized motorcycle training course.
Once you have completed the motorcycle training course, you are eligible to obtain a motorcycle Learner Stage licence. Time served in the M stage will not be credited to the nine-month Learner Stage period.
Class 6 learner (L) stage (minimum nine months)
On successful completion of the motorcycle training course, you will be issued a certificate that you must present to your Autopac agent, MPI Service Centre or mobile testing unit before the Class 6 learner stage licence will be issued.
Once you have your Class 6 learner stage licence, you may operate a motorcycle following these restrictions:
- not have drugs or alcohol in your system while operating a motorcycle
- carry no passengers
While in the Class 6 learner stage, you are not allowed to:
- drive at night (1/2 hour before sunset to 1/2 hour after sunrise)
- tow vehicles
- operate off-road vehicles along or across a highway (unless you hold a minimum Class 5 intermediate stage licence)
Class 6 intermediate (I) stage (minimum 15 months)
To graduate to this stage, you must pass the Class 6 road test. If you fail the road test, you must wait a minimum of 14 days before you may take another road test.
During the Class 6 intermediate stage, you:
- must not have drugs or alcohol in your system
- may carry a passenger
- may tow a vehicle
- may operate off-road vehicles along or across highways
You are only required to complete the intermediate stage once. Credit for time served in the intermediate stage in Class 6 will be given for the intermediate stage in Class 5 and vice versa.
Class 6 full (F) stage
On completion of the 15-month intermediate stage, you will graduate to the full licence stage. For the first 36 months, you must not have drugs or alcohol in your system while operating a motorcycle.
Violating restrictions
Violating any condition or restriction on your driver’s licence is considered an offence. You will be subject to a full driver record review to determine whether additional licensing sanctions will be imposed. You may also be subject to a full driver record review if you have a driving conviction or collision.
The result of a full driver record review may include one or more of the following:
- licence suspension
- special driving course (at the driver’s expense)
- passenger restrictions
- time of day restrictions
- other driving restrictions
Violating the drug and alcohol restriction could result in a roadside suspension, or further impaired driving sanctions if you are convicted of a Criminal Code offence. You may also be denied insurance coverage. See the impaired driving suspensions page for more information.