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Copy of the M Test (M2X) checklist!
- Thread starter Car2Slo
- Start date
Here's the Brantford test route:
https://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sou...719,-80.258539&spn=0.013366,0.033023&t=m&z=16
I did the test, passed well, only 2 deductions for not looking at things but I probably just didn't move my head enough. That was the challenge for me - I've been doing the necessary checks all along, but without moving my head. It took a bit of practice for that to feel natural.
They had me do a lane change left and then right in 4 places - on Charing Cross Rd, Fairview Rd, and each time on the 403. The roadside stop was in the first residential area.
https://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sou...719,-80.258539&spn=0.013366,0.033023&t=m&z=16
I did the test, passed well, only 2 deductions for not looking at things but I probably just didn't move my head enough. That was the challenge for me - I've been doing the necessary checks all along, but without moving my head. It took a bit of practice for that to feel natural.
They had me do a lane change left and then right in 4 places - on Charing Cross Rd, Fairview Rd, and each time on the 403. The roadside stop was in the first residential area.
THIS GUY OVER HERE
New member
OK, long time listener, first time poster, withholding my name out of total shame. I had been reading this thread among others while preparing for my M2 and having just got home from this ordeal, I thought I'd share in case this is useful to anyone here.
To start with, no I'm not young (almost 40), have driven for years now, I drive really well I think and don't ride a cock rocket. I rode for a few years when I was just out of high school and it lapsed, I went again and got licensed 5 years ago, and have driven thousands of miles and hours without one ticket, incident or accident since. Admittedly, I left the M2 part way too late and was given a test in Oshawa (I live in downtown TO) since the options were getting so slim. My bad. In reading so many people say "use common sense and turn your head a lot and you'll be fine", I assumed I was overthinking it, brushed up on the book and the actual grading checklist, and went out just to practice specific moves.
I got there hours early and got an earlier slot. The lady was super nice and all, but they straight up said they'd been having trouble with the earpieces. I taped it right to my head but it quickly came loose. Funny enough, of all moments, for maybe the 3rd time in 5 years, some lady in a truck actually merged into me, without signalling or looking. I honked and fell back to make up the space. This wasn't the problem though. The earpiece was already sounding like Charlie Brown's teacher under the sound of a hairdryer, and it was now dangling off the tape, off my ear, basically loose in the helmet, and I guess I didn't accelerate fast enough onto the 401 as I was more distracted than I would naturally ever be trying to make out her instructions, and not wanting to go against them. I got up to speed fast but I guess not fast enough, and had to tap the helmet 3 or more times per instruction most of the way through it, which SHE got aggravated at. Rather than fix or change the equipment, she steered me back to the office and terminated the test. Just like that. Even if she hadn't, my only other option would have been to pick a random moment and make the lane changes we pre-discussed, though I'd have no way of knowing it was what she was calling for so it would have to be a total fluke.
Was/am feeling pretty crushed, pretty embarrassed, and honestly sort of ripped off. It was the equivalent of a Ride Check if they were telling you in another language through an AM radio to touch your nose and walk in a straight line, and marking you on your best interpretation of what they want. So, then I'm told that unless I write an M1 written test on the spot, which I had no intention of so no preparation for, I'm not legally allowed to drive home from there, which (sorry lady) isn't negotiable. I'm just gonna go, uh, call my dad for a ride. Yeah, that's it.
After second guessing myself so much and being reassured of how simple it was and calming myself down for the test, I was so dazed that the worst case scenario was actually happening, I was just nodding and smiling as the lady was telling me I'd have to start from scratch (in October?) with an M1. I'm definitely done thinking about it for the day, but I guess I'm going to rewrite the M1 (as if I hadn't been riding half my life), and then try to get in any of the programs that are still running this late. If I knew what a complete abortion of a day this was going to turn out to be, I would have opted to spend the $400 I don't have on the M2 course that has the test included in it, to begin with. At least it's done by riders and takes stock of your overall skills.
And since it sounds like some related industry people are posting here, I don't know if there's a suggestion box but maybe 50 cents of the $75 the test costs could go towards a disposable rubber in-ear tip? Maybe people grading you should be motorcyclists, or at least have some sense of what their instructions sound like to you? Maybe they should drive in front of you so someone can physically point where they want you to turn if the equipment fails? Just a thought.
So for anyone who is second guessing themselves, I wouldn't have thought this this morning, and I was hoping to come and post a good experience to back up the many people that breezed through it, but now I'd say that it has less to do with your actual overall skill than with a lot of arbitrary factors in one moment NOT at all normal to your usual driving routine or habits. It turns out that just taking the test because you've been driving for X number of years is quite a roll of the dice that no one is on the hook for but you. You just get to pick whether you want to be screwed in the head or the wallet. The End.
PS: Grrr.
Also: F**********k.
To start with, no I'm not young (almost 40), have driven for years now, I drive really well I think and don't ride a cock rocket. I rode for a few years when I was just out of high school and it lapsed, I went again and got licensed 5 years ago, and have driven thousands of miles and hours without one ticket, incident or accident since. Admittedly, I left the M2 part way too late and was given a test in Oshawa (I live in downtown TO) since the options were getting so slim. My bad. In reading so many people say "use common sense and turn your head a lot and you'll be fine", I assumed I was overthinking it, brushed up on the book and the actual grading checklist, and went out just to practice specific moves.
I got there hours early and got an earlier slot. The lady was super nice and all, but they straight up said they'd been having trouble with the earpieces. I taped it right to my head but it quickly came loose. Funny enough, of all moments, for maybe the 3rd time in 5 years, some lady in a truck actually merged into me, without signalling or looking. I honked and fell back to make up the space. This wasn't the problem though. The earpiece was already sounding like Charlie Brown's teacher under the sound of a hairdryer, and it was now dangling off the tape, off my ear, basically loose in the helmet, and I guess I didn't accelerate fast enough onto the 401 as I was more distracted than I would naturally ever be trying to make out her instructions, and not wanting to go against them. I got up to speed fast but I guess not fast enough, and had to tap the helmet 3 or more times per instruction most of the way through it, which SHE got aggravated at. Rather than fix or change the equipment, she steered me back to the office and terminated the test. Just like that. Even if she hadn't, my only other option would have been to pick a random moment and make the lane changes we pre-discussed, though I'd have no way of knowing it was what she was calling for so it would have to be a total fluke.
Was/am feeling pretty crushed, pretty embarrassed, and honestly sort of ripped off. It was the equivalent of a Ride Check if they were telling you in another language through an AM radio to touch your nose and walk in a straight line, and marking you on your best interpretation of what they want. So, then I'm told that unless I write an M1 written test on the spot, which I had no intention of so no preparation for, I'm not legally allowed to drive home from there, which (sorry lady) isn't negotiable. I'm just gonna go, uh, call my dad for a ride. Yeah, that's it.
After second guessing myself so much and being reassured of how simple it was and calming myself down for the test, I was so dazed that the worst case scenario was actually happening, I was just nodding and smiling as the lady was telling me I'd have to start from scratch (in October?) with an M1. I'm definitely done thinking about it for the day, but I guess I'm going to rewrite the M1 (as if I hadn't been riding half my life), and then try to get in any of the programs that are still running this late. If I knew what a complete abortion of a day this was going to turn out to be, I would have opted to spend the $400 I don't have on the M2 course that has the test included in it, to begin with. At least it's done by riders and takes stock of your overall skills.
And since it sounds like some related industry people are posting here, I don't know if there's a suggestion box but maybe 50 cents of the $75 the test costs could go towards a disposable rubber in-ear tip? Maybe people grading you should be motorcyclists, or at least have some sense of what their instructions sound like to you? Maybe they should drive in front of you so someone can physically point where they want you to turn if the equipment fails? Just a thought.
So for anyone who is second guessing themselves, I wouldn't have thought this this morning, and I was hoping to come and post a good experience to back up the many people that breezed through it, but now I'd say that it has less to do with your actual overall skill than with a lot of arbitrary factors in one moment NOT at all normal to your usual driving routine or habits. It turns out that just taking the test because you've been driving for X number of years is quite a roll of the dice that no one is on the hook for but you. You just get to pick whether you want to be screwed in the head or the wallet. The End.
PS: Grrr.
Also: F**********k.
It seems you already know you can have motorcyclists test you....by taking a course. This thread is full of legitimately helpful tips and checklists, but there's a significant difference between simply exhibiting the desired behaviour for half an hour hoping to pass the test, and learning WHY things are important so that you can make the right decisions when you're out riding. The examiner doesn't tell you how to ride, they tell you where to go. For example, whether you can hear the instructions or not, when you're already on the ramp to merge on the expressway the instructions aren't as important - the priority is to merge safely. Merging too slowly is is one of the criteria for failure - that's likely why your test ended.
It's disappointing for sure, but not unusual. I hop you get into one of the courses this year.
PS - at our course, we use a disposable rubber earpiece that you can keep for a souvenir, and free staples if you have trouble keeping it in.
Hi Friends - Awesome thread. I actually read all 35 pages! Congrats to everyone who received their full M! I have mine booked at Downsview for June 3rd, 2014. I know I know, a little early - However, I wanted to get the date and time that works best with my vacation schedule. Anyone else already booked for the 2014 season?
Question: Has the route changed at all from anyone who has taken the test there in the fall of 2013?
Cheers guys! Will update when I pass in a few months!
Question: Has the route changed at all from anyone who has taken the test there in the fall of 2013?
Cheers guys! Will update when I pass in a few months!
I would agree. It's just being under the gun that makes it feel or seem a whole lot different from everyday riding (Real world vs testing situations). I'd just like to practice before as to not miss out on speed signs, one-ways, and such.
When doing my G-test in Oakville, they hit you with a plethora of street signs when making that first left at the main intersection. If I didn't run through it the night before, it would've been sensory overload. I guess I'm preparing for the worse but I am confident in my riding ability.
Thanks to all who contributed so far!
Edit: Missed a word
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I check left and right after slowing down coming to an intersection both on my bike so I don't get killed and in the school bus I drive every day so the 20 kids I drive make it home at night.
I have been riding since about 1970 and read somewhere that you should treat every car as someone who wants to kill you. Has worked so far.
I am amazed every day how careless and stupid drivers are. Cops are nowhere to be seen even after you report numerous school bus sign runners.
Few if any are caught and charged under the HTA.
Motorcylists, you are on your own. Be carefull and if there's one piece of advice I can give you keep alive it's this, SLOW DOWN.
Pops
hardk0re
Well-known member
Just passed the M exit in Oshawa. Route is still identical to route posted pages before. Started the test and found my speedo was reading MPH, had to stop in the parking lot and change it. Tester understood, I had set my clock prior but somehow put it in MPH, flipped that and then continued on. The one place I didn't like was the right onto Simcoe and then an immediate left, I waited a bit long at the light because I knew I had to make a left didn't want to loose the tester behind me. Ended up loosing him at the next light anyway. Pulled over and waited. I cancelled my signals too early for his liking, and my tire track was off on one of the off ramps. Outside of that no problems, the radio was real loud and clear worked perfectly. Was really worried I would not be able to hear him but it was surprisingly clear, very nice testers.
Hi. I've been a lurking member for a long time but I thought I'd finally make a post.. my experience today passing the M2 exit in Burlington since I read this whole thread yesterday and it helped a lot 
thanks for the 5+ years of literature on the subject
so... I don't know Burlington that well but they weren't offering the test in Hamilton so what can you do? I also have never taken any riding course and I couldn't find my handbook so I was, you know, not exactly super prepared. The route is at least similar, if not exactly the same as the one posted here earlier. I didn't go out and practice it and I don't really know the area so I'm not 100% but it's pretty much correct.
The guy in Burlington was really nice, probably a rider although I didn't ask. He said right off the bat that he'd prefer you to go the speed limit and pass slow people rather than hold up traffic. He also said he didn't mind 5-10km/h over in the business and industrial sections and the highway and he said that he understood that bike's speedos aren't always calibrated properly.. basically he wasn't too concerned with a bit of "light speeding" and he seemed focused on safety and competency.
I was super nervous at first and quite spastic.. at the first intersection the test car was in another lane to the left behind me so I went into the lane he was in and he came on the radio telling me to change lanes left and right which at that point would have been illegal (it was at a solid white line at an intersection) so I just stayed put until I got through the light.. this was the only kind of dodgy "trick" instruction I got.
My immediate left-right recognition isn't great (I'm not stupid, it's a left-hander thing I swear lol!!) so that along with the walkie-talkie and the not knowing where I was, I know I wasn't on my best game, but it's really not that bad. My biggest fault was not braking before right turns. And I got some dings here and there for stupid stuff like not looking around enough (!) and signalling too late.
I might have just had a nice tester .. because I had caught myself making a few mistakes too late like being in the wrong track to turn a few times but I only got dinged for one .. never got dinged for changing gear in an intersection (maybe you're not supposed to downshift?). I also stayed in the left lane on the north service rd. for far too long but he didn't get me for that either.
Yeah so.. it's really pretty easy.. way easier than the M1 test.. you don't need to take a course.. or even read the handbook.. I just read and tried to remember everything on this thread!
Thanks again everyone!!
thanks for the 5+ years of literature on the subject so... I don't know Burlington that well but they weren't offering the test in Hamilton so what can you do? I also have never taken any riding course and I couldn't find my handbook so I was, you know, not exactly super prepared. The route is at least similar, if not exactly the same as the one posted here earlier. I didn't go out and practice it and I don't really know the area so I'm not 100% but it's pretty much correct.
The guy in Burlington was really nice, probably a rider although I didn't ask. He said right off the bat that he'd prefer you to go the speed limit and pass slow people rather than hold up traffic. He also said he didn't mind 5-10km/h over in the business and industrial sections and the highway and he said that he understood that bike's speedos aren't always calibrated properly.. basically he wasn't too concerned with a bit of "light speeding" and he seemed focused on safety and competency.
I was super nervous at first and quite spastic.. at the first intersection the test car was in another lane to the left behind me so I went into the lane he was in and he came on the radio telling me to change lanes left and right which at that point would have been illegal (it was at a solid white line at an intersection) so I just stayed put until I got through the light.. this was the only kind of dodgy "trick" instruction I got.
My immediate left-right recognition isn't great (I'm not stupid, it's a left-hander thing I swear lol!!) so that along with the walkie-talkie and the not knowing where I was, I know I wasn't on my best game, but it's really not that bad. My biggest fault was not braking before right turns. And I got some dings here and there for stupid stuff like not looking around enough (!) and signalling too late.
I might have just had a nice tester .. because I had caught myself making a few mistakes too late like being in the wrong track to turn a few times but I only got dinged for one .. never got dinged for changing gear in an intersection (maybe you're not supposed to downshift?). I also stayed in the left lane on the north service rd. for far too long but he didn't get me for that either.
Yeah so.. it's really pretty easy.. way easier than the M1 test.. you don't need to take a course.. or even read the handbook.. I just read and tried to remember everything on this thread!
Thanks again everyone!!
Xhumeka
Well-known member
Here is the Downsview M2 Exit exam route as of May 13th 2014:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=2778130
Good luck! Useful tip : the Downsview testers want to see you FLASH your brake light as you slow down and exit the 401.
I want to say big thanks to all the posters in this thread!
Just passed my M2X in Aurora and reading this thread made a huge difference. Knowing the route in advance was also a big help and just one less thing to think about.
The route was south on Yonge, Bloomington across, 404 north, Wellington west, Berczy, Metcalfe, Edward back to Yonge.
Thanks again!
Just passed my M2X in Aurora and reading this thread made a huge difference. Knowing the route in advance was also a big help and just one less thing to think about.
The route was south on Yonge, Bloomington across, 404 north, Wellington west, Berczy, Metcalfe, Edward back to Yonge.
Thanks again!
CoolHandLuke
New member
M Exam this Thursday in Oshawa
Anybody from Oshawa or would like to go for a ride and give me pointers??? I'm riding tomorrow just to get myself familiarize with the area.
Anybody from Oshawa or would like to go for a ride and give me pointers??? I'm riding tomorrow just to get myself familiarize with the area.
Re: M Exam this Thursday in Oshawa
All the M2exit test info you could ever need is in the sticky above.
All the M2exit test info you could ever need is in the sticky above.
hardk0re
Well-known member
Re: M Exam this Thursday in Oshawa
follow the route in the sticky and read it all. I did Oshawa two weeks ago passed. I rode the route the day before, did it help? I dunno it helped calm my nerves because it is a very short route, its over before you know it. The right turn onto Simcoe I didn't like visibility north is very poor, take your time on that one, keep an eye out for hazards, watch your speed. All this is in the stickys.
I lost points for hazards, signal (I cancelled it too early) and lane position when there was a transport beside me I choose to stay in my non blocking because in real world I would accelerate out of his blind spot but here I am stuck @ 100km/h because going faster is breaking the law. Its a very short distance between ramps, so hopefully there is no traffic if there is you won't be able to make your lane change "safely".
follow the route in the sticky and read it all. I did Oshawa two weeks ago passed. I rode the route the day before, did it help? I dunno it helped calm my nerves because it is a very short route, its over before you know it. The right turn onto Simcoe I didn't like visibility north is very poor, take your time on that one, keep an eye out for hazards, watch your speed. All this is in the stickys.
I lost points for hazards, signal (I cancelled it too early) and lane position when there was a transport beside me I choose to stay in my non blocking because in real world I would accelerate out of his blind spot but here I am stuck @ 100km/h because going faster is breaking the law. Its a very short distance between ramps, so hopefully there is no traffic if there is you won't be able to make your lane change "safely".
yardie
Well-known member
Big thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. I passed today in Peterborough. The examiner Thomas was very pleasant and professional. The first radio had two ear plugs but was cutting in and out during the pre test checks. Switched to another one that only had a single in the ear plug but that one worked without any issues.
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