Map and tips for the M test from Walkley – July 6, 2022 at 08:29PM

I recently took the M test from Walkley (well, M with an M restiction as I’m on a Can-Am) and I found this old thread SUPER helpful:

https://www.reddit.com/r/rideottawa/comments/ckbzs0/walkley_road_m2_exit_m_license_road_test_route/

I wanted to update it with some info from my own experience and provide an annotated google map of the route with things to watch for at key points. Hopefully someone will find this helpful!

Google map of the route:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1q-umcCVkfYBq550Wj488B8tFhIIQNzIy&usp=sharing

I’ve put some ? icons in the map (in red) with some notes in each of them (click on it) of things to watch. Here’s my general tips:

• When you get to the drive test center, M tests do NOT register at the kiosk. Go right to booth A and the person there will hook you up. You will need your license AND your license plate number (do not need ownership). I got there 30 mins early (it was VERY busy) but was processed quickly. After registering, you’ll be sent to get your bike and go around back right by the back fence to wait for the examiner (you’ll see diagonal bike lines here). Chill while you wait.
• The examiner and a driver will come and give you an earbud and tell you some instructions – including what to do with the concrete median that separates the 4 lanes on Walkley (you can stop in it if you need to).

I’ve put a bunch of notes in the google maps but here’s the main ones:

• You need to be checking mirrors around every 10 seconds
• Shoulder check when changing lanes or starting from a stop
• Scan EVERY intersection or drive you pass. They want to see your helmet move
• When you pull out into a 2 lane road (ie. turning left from the drive center or left onto Hunt Club, turn into the outside lane BUT then signal and move over to the inside fairly quickly (I lost marks for not moving over quick enough)
• Signal fairly early when merging onto the highway (I lost a mark here for being 2 seconds too late on the signal)
• When doing the residential part, they will ask you to pull over when it’s safe. They wanna see signal, shoulder check, turn off the bike, use 4 ways (if bike has ’em), kick stand down, dismount and go stand on the kerb. Reverse this when told you can pull away.

I think the original thread says you can lose 26 marks and still pass (there’s a LOT of check marks). I lost 4 and they were for small things (not moving over lanes fast enough, not signaling early enough when merging onto highway).