Hey Dan... I can't help you but I'm certainly curious as to what this rule / law is. Any chance to can clue us in?
Basically Quebec is anti-motorcycle... it's crazy. So here's the process for getting your license:
1. You must take a mandatory MC driving course sanctioned by our version of the DMV, which is called the SAAQ in Quebec. The course is around $600 plus tax. The course instructor must give you a passing grade, otherwise you redo the course.
2. Once the course is done, you must register and pass a closed circuit test arranged by the SAAQ.
3. If you pass the circuit test, you are given a probationary license where the 2 main restrictions are you are not allowed a passenger (totally understandable) and you must be accompanied by another rider on their own bike who has had their full license for at least a year.
4. After 11 months of passing the circuit test, you are allowed to schedule a road test (the system doesn't allow you to even schedule this test until the 11 months are up) with the SAAQ. Once you pass the road test, you are then restriction free. If you fail the road test, you have to reschedule and there's a minimum time before you can reschedule like 50 days or something like that.
I should also mention once you go through all this crap, your plates for your bike cost $575 for a non-sport bike and $1200 for a sports bike... and that's per year! That's not including the cost of your license and insurance.
So basically after having a professional driving course and judged that I am competent to drive by a PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTOR and then PASSING a circuit test, again graded by a professional, I then have to be monitored like a child by someone with god-knows-what driving abilities and habits and who can basically do nothing should the **** hit the fan. It's a complete farce and finding an accompanying rider on any day but a sunny Sunday afternoon is pretty much impossible. So riders are forced to either park the bike until passing the road test, or driving without another rider and praying you don't get caught.
Dan