I read the ministry's motorcycle handbook this morning as a quick refresher. But there is no use studying for this test as it is all about riding. I knew beforehand that highway riding is part of the test, as is riding through both residential and business areas of a city.
I think over the course of the summer I'd put in enough practice and now it was time to find out if I had the skills needed to pass the test. All the test centres were booked and the closest one was in Stoney Creek. I wasn't going to wait and hope for more dates to open up, so I took the opportunity while I had it.
The first hurdle for me was riding over the Burlington Skyway. The huge bridge is sometimes closed because of strong winds, and that is the reason I'd avoided going over it. Today was another nice warm and sunny day, so I knew wind wouldn't close the bridge.
I arrived just in time for my 2:45 appointment. I filled out the required papers and then met the examiner who showed me how to hook up the ear piece in my helmet. Two examiners were going to follow me in their car and give me directions as I ride.
My only concern was the helmet that I'd picked up in Calgary. It meets European standards, which I understand exceed DOT standards. However, the helmet has not been DOT tested so it is illegal for me to wear in Ontario. I didn't want to show up for the test wearing a safer, yet non-DOT helmet and have them tell me I can't ride the test. As a precaution, I used several bungee cords to hold my first cheap, $80 DOT approved helmet to the back seat.
They didn't ask about the helmet and I didn't say anything, so off we went. The test was about half an hour long, and it covered highway, residential and business zones. I passed without a problem. So what's the difference between having an M2 and a full M licence? I can now drink and ride. Hmmm, there is just something so very wrong with this. The government should really re-think this system.
So, I received my M1 licence in June 2008, and my M2 licence on September 17, 2008. Because I took a rider training course back in June 2008, I was eligible to ride my m2 exit test in June 2010. Instead, I hit the road and took the test after I knew I would pass it with flying colours. What better training ground than riding through five provinces?
