MGDL restrictions and requirements

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No matter what year you join the MGDL program, or when you get your 6 Endorsement, these restrictions and requirements apply to your current MGDL stage:

	Motorcycle Learner – 6 Endorsement¹	Motorcycle Novice 1 - Endorsement “M”	Motorcycle Novice 2 - Endorsement “M”
Duration	A combined total of 12 months to a max. of 24 months² – doesn’t include interruptions (non-renewal, refusal, licence suspension)	A minimum 12 months of incident-free driving – doesn’t include interruptions (non-renewal, refusal, licence suspension)	A minimum 12 months of incident-free driving – doesn’t include interruptions (non-renewal, refusal, licence suspension)
Requirements	Must be 16 years old, with written parental consent if under 18 years old Pass the rules of the road, signs, vision, and motorcycle written knowledge tests Must hold a Class 5 or higher driver's licence Pass a basic ability road test within 3 tries, or take an SGI-approved motorcycle training course $500 MGDL fee (not charged if you successfully completed an SGI-approved motorcycle training course and can show proof)	Pass a motorcycle road test 12 months without being responsible for any collisions, suspensions or convictions³ $500 MGDL fee (not charged if you successfully complete an SGI-approved motorcycle training course and can show proof)	12 months without being responsible for any collisions, suspensions or convictions³ $500 MGDL fee (not charged if you successfully completed an SGI-approved motorcycle training course and can show proof)
Restrictions	No passengers No nighttime riding (1/2 hour before sunset to 1/2 hour after sunrise) No vehicle towing Zero tolerance for alcohol and drug impairment, no matter what your age is while driving a motorcycle Must display red Learner placard 'L'⁴ Must wear protective gear⁵	No passengers No riding between midnight and 5 a.m. No vehicle towing Zero tolerance for alcohol and drug impairment, no matter what your age is while driving a motorcycle Must display a green Novice placard 'N'⁴ Must wear protective gear⁵	No vehicle towing Zero tolerance for alcohol and drug impairment, no matter what your age is while driving a motorcycle Must display a green Novice placard 'N'⁴ Must wear protective gear⁵

At every stage of the program, while riding you (and any of your passengers once you’re in Novice 2) must:

keep arms and legs covered,
wear finger-covering gloves,
ankle-covering boots, and
an approved 3-quarter, modular or full-face helmet.

All motorcycle helmets, including those approved for MGDL riders, have to comply with at least 1 of the following standards and have a label to show it meets that standard:

ANSI
British Standards Institution
CSA
DOT (FMVSS 218)
Snell Memorial Foundation
Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) 22.05

If you have questions about a specific make or model of a helmet, contact Driver Development at 1-844-TLK-2SGI (1-844-855-2744).

Footnotes

Also applies if you’re a learner with a “J” restriction and drive a 50cc or larger motorcycle. Or if you’re a learner with an “H” restriction and drive a 2-wheeled motorcycle. ↩
Also applies if you’re a learner with a “J” restriction and drive a 50cc or larger motorcycle. Or if you’re a learner with an “H” restriction and drive a 2-wheeled motorcycle. ↩
If you’re responsible for collisions or traffic convictions while driving a motorcycle your 12 months learning period in Novice 1 or Novice 2 restarts. ↩
MGDL licence plate red placards for ‘L’ (Learner) and green placards for ‘N’ (Novice) drivers are available at all motor licence issuers and driver examination offices. ↩
Your arms and legs have to be covered and you have to wear finger-covering gloves, ankle-covering boots and an approved 3-quarter, modular or full-face helmet. This also applies to your passengers when you have an “M” Novice 2 Endorsement. ↩