Motorcycles - Manitoba Public Insurance

Motorcycles

• R egistering and insuring your motorcycle
• Rules for operating your motorcycle
• Motorcycle safety

Table of Contents 1
2
Introduction 3
Registering your motorcycle 7
Insurance protection 8
Rules for operating your motorcycle
Motorcycle safety

Introduction

This brochure answers key questions
about registering, insuring and safely
operating a motorcycle.
A motorcycle is defined as a vehicle
designed to travel on no more than three
wheels, that has a seat or saddle for the
rider sitting astride and that can reach
a speed of 50 kilometres/hour or more.

For insurance purposes, motorcycles are divided
into five categories:
• motorscooter
• sport
• sport touring
• touring
• other
The rules for registering and operating your
motorcycle are governed by The Drivers and
Vehicles Act and are meant to help lower your
risk of a collision. However, if you are in a collision,
you need to have enough insurance to minimize
the financial risks you and your family may face.

1

Registering your motorcycle

Q: H ow is registering a motorcycle different than
a vehicle?

• Motorcycle premiums for compulsory coverage
are based on body style, engine size and the
owner’s self-assessed value. It’s important
to make sure you accurately assess your
motorcycle’s value, because in the event of
total loss, we pay the actual cash value or
the self-assessed value — whichever is lower.

• M otorcycle coverage is year-round, but
motorcycle premiums are charged during the
typical riding season. This means you don’t
need to pay your premiums until you start
riding and you only pay during your riding
season, even though your coverage stays
active all year unless it expires. The typical
riding season is May 1 to Sept. 30, but you
may start riding when weather permits.

• T here is no all-perils coverage on motorcycles.
• Basic Autopac coverage is limited to collision

and upset up to the self-assessed value, to
a maximum of $50,000 including taxes.
• C overage for perils like fire, theft and
windstorm can be purchased separately.

Q: How is registering a motorcycle similar to
a vehicle?

• Y ou register your motorcycle at any Autopac
agent or Manitoba Public Insurance
Service Centre.

• You automatically get $200,000 third party
liability (TPL) coverage, just as you do when
you register an automobile. In a collision,
this covers you against other people’s claims
for property damage, injury or death. You
can buy more TPL coverage separately.

2

• The deductible on Basic Autopac is $500,
but you can buy a lower deductible if you
want to.

• Y ou renew your motorcycle registration
and insurance at the same time as any
other vehicle(s) you own.

• A nyone operating your motorcycle
must carry your motorcycle’s
registration/insurance certificate.

Insurance protection

Protection for you

As a motorcycle rider, your risk of bodily injury
is increased, as you only have clothing to protect
you in a collision. The premiums you pay provide
you with coverage through the Personal Injury
Protection Plan (PIPP), which is based on
four principles:
• C overage extends to all Manitoba residents

injured in automobile collisions anywhere
in Canada or the U.S.
• C ompensation focuses on specific economic
losses from an auto injury or death.
• C ompensation is guaranteed for all injured
Manitobans regardless of who was at fault.
• M ost benefits are indexed to the
Consumer Price Index to reflect changing
economic conditions.

3

Motorcycle extension products

Optional third party liability coverage
If you damage other people’s property while
driving in Manitoba, you can be held responsible
for the cost of the damages. When driving
elsewhere in Canada or the U.S., you can also
be sued if you injure others, including your
passenger. To protect yourself, you have the
option of purchasing additional coverage to
increase your amount of third party liability
to $1 million, $2 million or $5 million.

Collision protection
You can keep the basic $500 deductible or choose
an optional $300, $200 or $100 deductible.

The optional amounts offer benefits such as not
having to pay the deductible if you are in a collision
with an animal and having your protective
clothing covered against loss or damage due to
a direct or indirect collision or accidental upset.
Coverage for protective clothing is provided to a
maximum of $1,500 per occupant of the insured
motorcycle and is defined as leather, Kevlar or other
safety material for jackets, chaps, boots or gloves
worn while riding. Motorcycle helmets are covered
under Basic Autopac.

Comprehensive protection
This extension product protects you from accidental
losses including fire, theft or windstorm and you can
choose a $200 or $500 deductible. Comprehensive
coverage automatically transfers to a temporary
substitute motorcycle if the policyholder’s original
motorcycle is unusable (certain restrictions apply).
The substitute motorcycle cannot belong to the
policyholder or anyone living in the same home.

You can buy comprehensive and collision protection
together or separately.

4

Harley Davidson motorcycles must be inspected
by a Manitoba Public Insurance employee prior
to comprehensive insurance being purchased
for the first time or after a break in coverage.

Most customers can purchase comprehensive
insurance without requiring a separate policy.
Special situations may require application through
our Special Risk Extension (SRE) department.

Extension Loss of Use coverage
Choose from three levels of Extension Loss of Use
to cover the cost of replacement transportation
if your motorcycle or moped is stolen or damaged,
up to $135/day or a maximum of $4,050 per claim.

Excess Value Coverage
The maximum any vehicle can be insured for under
Basic Autopac is $50,000. Excess Value Coverage
can insure the excess value on motorcycles or
mopeds worth more than $50,000.

New Vehicle Protection
New Vehicle Protection covers the depreciation on
your new or newer vehicle if it’s written off. You’re
covered for the price you paid, plus an allowance
for inflation, but not for any outstanding debt
against a trade-in, service contracts, warranties or
insurance. Depending on how old your motorcycle
or moped is, New Vehicle Protection covers you for
up to two years.

There are some time limits on buying New Vehicle
Protection. For brand-new vehicles, you have
60 days from when you first insure your new
vehicle. For newer used vehicles, you have
60 days from when you bought the vehicle.

5

Leased Vehicle Protection
Leased Vehicle Protection covers your down
payment and any trade-in allowance on the vehicle
you’ve leased for up to two years if it’s written off.
It does not cover your lease payments, even if you
pay them all at once. Leased Vehicle Protection is
available for new and late-model leases.

There are some time limits on buying Leased
Vehicle Protection. For brand-new leases, you have
60 days from when you first register and insure the
leased vehicle. For used-vehicle leases, you have
60 days from when your lease starts.

Ask your Autopac agent for more information
on these extension products.

The difference between pleasure
and all purpose

Pleasure
Registering your motorcycle for pleasure means it
can only be driven to or from — or part way to or
from — work or school up to four days a month and
not more than 1,609 km (1,000 mi.) each year.

All purpose
Registering your motorcycle as all purpose means
you don’t have restrictions on its use.

When and how to report a collision

A collision should be reported to Manitoba Public
Insurance the same way it would be if it involved
your vehicle. For more information, check the
“When you have a claim” section in your Guide to
Autopac or call us at 204-985-7000 (in Winnipeg)
or 1-800-665-2410 (toll-free outside Winnipeg).
We can assist you in determining if you need to
make a police report when you call to make
a claim.

6

Rules for operating a motorcycle

Requirements

To drive a motorcycle you must:
• hold a valid licence of any class and stage
• pass a written or oral knowledge test
• o btain a Class 6M (Motorcycle Training

Course Stage) licence in order to complete
the Motorcycle Safety Course offered through
Safety Services Manitoba [completion of this
course is required before a 6L (Learner Stage)
licence is issued]
• h old a 6L (Learner Stage) licence for a
minimum of nine months
• pass a road test to advance to the 6I
(Intermediate Stage) licence, which you
must hold for a minimum of 15 months

Carrying passengers

Only the holder of a Class 6I (Intermediate Stage)
or 6F (Full Stage) licence may carry a passenger.

Night driving

No nighttime driving is allowed
with a Class 6L (Learner Stage)
licence — driving
is only permitted
during daylight
hours, a half-hour
after sunrise to
a half-hour
before sunset.

7

Motorcycle safety

Unless exempted under legislation, it’s mandatory
to wear an approved helmet such as CSA, Snell,
DOT, BSI or ANSS when riding or when a passenger
on a motorcycle.

Wearing the following additional safety gear can
reduce injuries if you are involved in a collision:

• goggles or clear face
shields designed
for your helmet

• leather clothing
with denim
or heavy
(ballistic) nylon

•leather boots
that cover
your ankle for
protection and
have low heels to
prevent slippage
from the footpegs

How to choose the
right motorcycle for you

Selecting a motorcycle that is the right size and
weight for you helps you to operate it safely.
There are a few factors to consider when
purchasing a motorcycle:
• Size: Both of your feet should reach the ground

when you stand straddling the saddle and you
should be comfortable with the position of the
footpegs and handlebars.

• Weight: You should be able to push the
motorcycle through a figure-eight and place
it on both the side and main stand without
straining. You should also be able to lift your
motorcycle upright if it falls over.



8

• Riding ability: Make sure the motorcycle is
appropriate for your riding abilities.

Before you ride

Follow this four-point safety procedure:
• Conduct a motorcycle safety check.
• Put on all your safety equipment.
• M ount the motorcycle from the left side

holding both handle grips firmly, and keep
the motorcycle upright with both feet on
the ground for support.
• Move the motorcycle off its stand, and be
sure that the stand is secure and in an
upright position.

Riding position

Sit in a position that allows your elbows to be
slightly bent when your hands are on the handle
bars. Keep your back straight and lean slightly
forward to reduce wind resistance.

9

Starting

You must be able to start, upshift and downshift
without jerking the motorcycle or lugging the
engine. A controlled start requires smooth
coordination of the clutch and throttle.

Starting on hills

Use the front brake to hold the motorcycle
from rolling back, start the engine and shift
into first gear.

Stopping

A controlled stop requires that both front and
rear brakes be applied at the same time without
locking them.

Lane position

Ride in a position where you can see other traffic
and where they can see you. Stay near the centre
of your lane without riding on the centre strip
between the tire tracks, as it may be slippery from
oil leaked from vehicles.

Passing

Always signal well in advance.

10

Following

Ride where the motorist ahead can see you in their
rearview mirror and, in ideal driving conditions,
use a four-second following distance when riding
behind another vehicle.

Lane changing

Signal and shoulder check before changing from
one traffic lane to another. When changing
from one tire track to the next within the same
lane, you must shoulder check prior to moving.

In traffic

Never pass vehicles by cutting between lanes
of traffic. There is no room to manoeuvre if a
door opens in front of you or if a vehicle changes
positions within the lane.

Group riding

If there are more than four riders on the road
together, it’s best to split into groups and ride
in a staggered formation, not beside each other.

Parking

When parking near a curb, position your
motorcycle at a 45-degree angle. It will be more
visible to motorists looking for a place to park.

Alcohol and drugs

It is illegal to be impaired and drive. Manitoba’s
impaired driving laws apply to the operation of all
motorized vehicles, including motorcycles.

Alcohol can slow down your reaction time and
make you less alert on the road. Illegal drugs may
cause hallucinations, hostility and aggressiveness
in addition to dulling normal thought processes
and slowing down eye-hand coordination.
Prescription or over-the-counter drugs can also
have an adverse effect on your driving skills. Read
all warning labels and understand the effects these
drugs have on your ability to operate your
motorcycle safely.

11

If you operate a motorcycle with a blood alcohol
concentration between .05 and .08 or fail a
physical coordination test or drug recognition
evaluation, you are subject to an immediate
Tiered Administrative Licence Suspension
ranging from 72 hours to 60 days. You will also
move five levels down the Driver Safety Rating
scale and be required to pay a driver’s licence
reinstatement charge.

If your blood alcohol concentration is over .08,
you refuse to provide a breath or blood sample
to police, you refuse to perform a physical
coordination test or drug recognition evaluation,
or you refuse to follow a police officer’s
instructions regarding either test, you will receive
an immediate three-month Administrative Licence
Suspension. You will also move five levels down
the Driver Safety Rating scale and be required to
pay a driver’s licence reinstatement charge and
complete an impaired driver assessment. You can
also be charged with an impaired driving-related
offence under the Criminal Code.

If you are convicted of an impaired driving-related
Criminal Code offence, you will face sanctions
such as:
• a minimum fine of $1,000
• p ossible imprisonment
• a minimum one year court imposed

driving prohibition
• m andatory driver’s licence suspension under

The Highway Traffic Act from one year to life
• mandatory participation in Manitoba’s

Ignition Interlock Program
• p ossible vehicle forfeiture

12

Pre–ride inspection ✔

Controls

✔ Make sure they are within easy reach of
your hands and feet.

Lights

✔ C heck that there is one red running lamp, one
red stop lamp at the rear and one white light
that illuminates the rear licence plate.

Brakes

✔ Test the brakes on the front and
rear wheels.

Mirrors

✔ There must be one rearview mirror on the
left side. Two mirrors are recommended.

Tires

✔ C heck that the tires have at least .8 mm
of tread.

Horn

✔ M ake sure the horn is audible, under normal
conditions, from a distance of 60 metres.

Additional information

Riders are encouraged to take lessons to stay
safe on the road. Training is available for both
novice and experienced riders. Contact Safety
Services Manitoba at 204-949-1085 or visit
safetyservicesmanitoba.ca for more information
about classes offered.

Review the Motorcycle Handbook for more detailed
information on the topics covered in this brochure.

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