CMA Rule Book
Trials
Latest Version: 2026
Canadian Motorcycle Association Rules & Regulations Governing All Open Competition
THE RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS SET FORTH HEREIN ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FOR THE ORDERLY CONDUCT OF RACING EVENTS AND TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH EVENTS. THESE RULES SHALL GOVERN THE CONDITION OF ALL CMA EVENTS, AND, BY PARTICIPATING IN THESE EVENTS, ALL CMA MEMBERS ARE DEEMED TO HAVE COMPLIED WITH THESE RULES.
NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF SAFETY SHALL RESULT FROM PUBLICATIONS OF OR COMPLIANCE WITH THESE RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS. THEY ARE INTENDED AS A GUIDE FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE SPORT AND ARE IN NO WAY A GUARANTEE AGAINST INJURY OR DEATH TO PARTICIPANTS, SPECTATORS, OR OTHERS.
Note: The terms hereof importing the singular number or the masculine gender shall include the plural number or the feminine gender as the case may be.
TRIALS RULES
The rules of competition are intended only as a guide for the conduct of the sport so that we have uniform events across the country. In the event that the safety of individuals or property is compromised the rules can (and should) be contravened with notice to all riders. Each participant in competition has the responsibility to assess the safety aspects of facilities and conditions, and must assume the risk of competition.
A Trial is an Event in which the skill and consistency of the Riders form the basis of the results.
Sections are included within a Course, where the skill of the Rider negotiating them is observed and evaluated. In addition, a time limit is set for part of, or for the whole competition, to maintain the flow of the event. Trials is not a race competition. The aim for each Rider is to obtain as few penalties as possible.
The Course may consist of cross-country terrain (minor roads, country lanes, and woodland tracks, etc.)
Classes
Q-135
(a)
Championship (National Championship events only – Championship class is open to Trial 1 class Riders who wish to compete for the #1 Plate)
Trial 1 – formerly Expert
Trial 2 – formerly Advanced
Trial 3 – formerly Intermediate
Trial 4 – formerly Junior
Trial 5 – formerly Novice
Youth – Minimum Age 5 / Maximum Age 10 – No Championships Awarded
Veteran 2 – (Advanced)
Veteran 3 – (Intermediate)
Veteran 4 – (Junior)
Veteran 5 – (Novice)
Women
Vintage
Modern Classic
(b)
Definitions
Trial Classes 1 to 5 are based on the skill level of the Rider. All Riders minimum age 10 years as of January 1st of the current year of Competition.
Veteran Classes 2 to 5 are based on the skill level of the Rider. All Veteran Class Riders are minimum age 50 years as of January 1st of the current year of Competition.
Women Class Riders are of Advanced Skill Level. All Women Class Riders are minimum age 13 as of January 1st of the current year of Competition.
Vintage Class is restricted to machines 1986 or older; twin shock rear suspension, air cooled engine. Junior skill level.
Modern Classic is restricted to Monoshock 1980 up to and including 1998. Intermediate skill level.
(c)
Promotion from the Trial 2 to the Trial 1 class shall be optional even when the rider has qualified for reclassification.
(d)
Riders may move up a class at any point in the series, however, once they have moved up, they may not move back down.
(e)
The #1 Plate will be awarded to the Championship Class winner. Numbers 2 through the rest will be awarded to the riders who finish in those positions in that class.
(f)
The entry secretary, sporting steward, or trials marshal may request a resume of any Riders experience, and at their discretion may assign a Rider who is not qualified to a more appropriate class.
Licensing
Q-136
Riders must present a current CMA licence valid for trials when signing in.
Numbers
Q-137
Front number plates are required for all National Championship Rounds. They may conform in size and shape to the outline provided by the fork tubes and yokes. Numbers are not required. The previous year champion (male and female) may run the #1 plate if they wish; no one else may run a number 1.
- Championship – Black
- Trial 1 – Red
- Trial 2, Women, Veteran 2 – White
- Trial 3, Veteran 3, Modern Classic – Green
- Trial 4, Veteran 4, Vintage – Purple
- Trial 5, Veteran 5 – Yellow
Number plates must be 70% the colour of the class. There may be decorations/graphics on the number plate, but the number plate must still display 50% of the class colour. Decorations include:
- Rider number
- Sponsor or Other Graphic
- Line Specification (ie: a white plate with V on it denotes a Veteran 2 Rider)
Requirement of number plates for other events shall be at the discretion of each Region Sport Panel.
Q-138 Equipment for all Riders at the event site including Competitors, Minders, Officials, Spectators
(a)
A helmet that meets CMA or FIM approval is required to be worn by the Rider when the Rider is in a section as well as whenever operating a motorcycle at a Trials site. This must be an off road motorcycle helmet with a DOT, SNELL or ECE designation.
(b)
Back Protectors are required for all Riders under 19 years old as of Jan 1 of the year of competition. Back protectors and Chest Protectors are highly recommended for all Riders.
(c)
Knee pads are highly recommended for all Riders.
(d)
Both tires must be of a trials tread, maximum number 400 rear, 275 front. No alterations to either tire, and may only be those commercially available at the retail level.
(e)
Rear wheel must have an efficient cover (ie: fender), extending from the top of the rear frame members under the saddle to a point at least even with a vertical line drawn through the rear axle.
(f)
94 DBA maximum.
(g)
The use of handlebars made from carbon, kevlar or any other composite materials is forbidden
(h)
Motorcycles must be equipped with an operational engine cut-off switch, connected through a lanyard to the Rider (max. 1 meter in length).
(i)
Front brake disc guard installed
(j)
A (¼” minimum thickness) pad must be installed to cover the handlebar cross-brace or mounting plate
(k)
No broken parts (for example: ball end levers must be intact)
(l)
The rear chain drive shall have a guard, commonly called a “shark fin”
(m)
The rear sprocket shall be one solid piece/plate, with no cut-outs or holes
(n)
Front and rear brakes must be in good working order.
(o)
The same motorcycle must be ridden throughout the Trial.
Organization
Q-139 Layout
(a)
No speed Sections shall be used.
(b)
There must be a minimum of sections per class to hold a National Championship event:
Championship – 30 sections (generally 3 loops of 10, but also 2 loops of 15)
Trial 1 - 30 sections (generally 3 loops of 10, but also 2 loops of 15)
Trial 2 - 30 sections (generally 3 loops of 10, but also 2 loops of 15)
Trial 3 - 24 sections (generally 3 loops of 8, but also 2 loops of 12)
Trial 4 - 24 sections (generally 3 loops of 8, but also 2 loops of 12)
Trial 5 - 21 sections (generally 3 loops of 7, but also 2 loops of 10)
(c)
There must be two signs or stakes marking the Start and two marking the Finish of each Observed Section.
(d)
No part of any section shall be less than 1.2 metres wide.
(e)
Where long sections are to be divided into sections with subsections, each subsection will be clearly marked on each side of the track with cards marked “Sub A”, “Sub B”, etc. with a maximum of five subsections.
(f)
Where tape is used to mark sections, it must not be higher than twelve inches off the ground, and be securely fastened to stakes or the natural terrain.
(g)
Riding Lines
– Championship – Black
– Trial 1 – Red
– Trial 2, Women, Veteran 2 – White
– Trial 3, Veteran 3, Modern Classic – Green
– Trial 4, Veteran 4, Vintage – Purple
– Trial 5, Veteran 5 – Yellow
(h)
Youth Class
(i) Sections number between 3 and 5, set up near the pits and close together.
(ii) Sections to be ridden forward twice, then in reverse twice.
(iii) Youth Class start will be 60 – 90 minutes prior to the start of the regular trial.
(iv) Awards will be presented during the Riders’ meeting prior to the start of the regular trial.
Q-140 Scoring
(a)
The Checking Officials (Observers) at each Observed Section must be stationed so the entire Section is plainly visible. When more than one Observer is required, penalties will be called to the Observer at the end of the Section. To ensure consistency of scoring, Observers shall not be changed during the Trial. The Observer shall show a raised, balled fist and announce “Rider” in a loud voice to authorize a Rider to start riding the Section.
(b)
Any Course Official, including a Section Head Observer, has the authority to close a Section or part of the loop for unforeseen reasons, such as natural disasters or Rider injury. In cases when part of the field has ridden a Section before it has been closed, scores for those rides will be deleted. Once closed, the Section shall remain closed for the rest of the Trial and the Scoring Steward and Clerk-of-the-Course must be notified immediately.
(c)
Scoring will be based on the system as follows:
ERRORS PENALTY
0 Faults 0 Points
1 Fault 1 Point
2 Faults 2 Points
More than 2 Faults 3 Points
Failure 5 Points
Missing a Section (no punch) 10 Points
(d)
Fault Definitions:
-
Footing: any contact providing support between any part of the Rider’s body or motorcycle (exceptions: tires, foot pegs, or skid plate) with the ground or an obstacle (tree, rock, etc.). Footing can occur either inside or outside the Section boundaries. For tires outside the boundary, refer to (e)15. Note that ‘toe dabs’ will be counted as footing.
-
Foot rotation counts as one point.
-
Sliding a foot counts as three points.
-
Both feet placed on the ground simultaneously counts as two points.
(e)
Failure Definitions:
-
The motorcycle moving backwards while footing.
-
Any displacement, breaking, or knocking down of markers by direct contact of the motorcycle or Rider requiring that the marker be reset to its original position is a Failure. Touching a boundary is not a Failure.
-
The Rider dismounts from the motorcycle and has both feet on the ground on the same side of the motorcycle, or if both the Rider’s legs are behind the motorcycle’s rear tire with both feet on the ground.
-
The Rider removes their hand from the handlebar and uses their hand to reposition the motorcycle or perform mechanical adjustments to the motorcycle when footing while stationary.
-
When there is a supplemental rule for a time limit set for Sections and the Rider does not complete a section in the allotted time. Suggested time limit is 90 seconds, and it is suggested this be in place for National events when possible.
-
The Rider receives deliberate outside assistance.
-
The Rider or Minder changes the condition of a Section while not riding the Section.
-
The Rider begins a Section attempt without the Observer’s acknowledgment. The Observer shall show a raised, balled fist and announce “Rider” in a loud voice to authorize a Rider to start riding the Section. In French it would still be “Rider”.
-
The engine stops while footing or while any other part of the motorcycle, except for the tires, is used for support, without forward motion. The motorcycle must be moving forward while footing with a dead engine to avoid a 5-point score.
-
The handlebar touches the ground and the motorcycle is more than 45-degrees from vertical.
-
The motorcycle does a complete loop in a Section—crossing both its own tracks with both wheels.
-
The Rider fails to pass through all the gates for the Rider’s class.
-
The front wheel must precede the back wheel when passing through the gates.
-
The front or rear axle passes, in either direction, through a gate of another class, that is, breaking the plane of a gate.
-
Either tire passes on the out-of-bounds side of the Section boundary with the tire on the ground. In the case of running over a taped boundary, for a Failure to occur there must be ground visible between the tape and the tire and the tire must be on the ground on the out-of-bounds side of the tape. It is permitted to float one wheel over an exterior Section boundary, but not both tires. Jumping the motorcycle so that it travels outside of a boundary is a Failure.
-
The front axle does not pass through the Start and End gates, and all other gates for the class.
-
A Rider may only pass through any gate one time per Section attempt.
-
Failure to wear a visible and functional drivetrain disable device that stops power delivery as soon as the Rider separates from the motorcycle.
-
Only the greatest penalty, as defined above, shall be counted for the Section. However, the following points may be added as listed in (f) Other Penalties.
(f)
Other Penalties:
-
If the Rider chooses to not attempt a Section, the Rider must report to the Observer with the Rider’s score card to receive a "5" for that Section.
-
Sections are to be ridden in the designated order only. The penalty for missed Sections, or Sections ridden out of order, is 10 points per Section. Any Sections not scored and punched are missed Sections.
-
If blank or unmarked spaces on the scorecards exceed 10-percent of designated rides, the Rider will be considered a non-finisher.
-
A Rider waiting in line to enter a Section must not leave the Rider’s motorcycle. If the Rider does, the Rider must go to the end of the line. Refusal to comply may be considered unsportsmanlike conduct. (See 7 Unsportsmanlike conduct)
-
Any Section ridden more than once per loop will receive 10 points, in addition to the first attempt score. (See 7 Unsportsmanlike conduct)
-
Practice in any of the Sections before or during the Trial will result in disqualification of the Rider from the Trial.
-
Unsportsmanlike conduct, or offensive behavior or language by a Rider or Minder, will result in a penalty of 5 to 25 (or 100) points, or disqualification of the Rider and Minder, at the discretion of the referee. The 5-to-25-point penalty can be given at the sole discretion of any Observer or course official. The 5-to-25-point penalty can be punched on the Rider’s scorecard in the five boxes provided. A written report must be filed with the Referee for the 100-point infraction. Repeated offenses may lead to further sanctions.
-
Exceeding any posted speed limit is a 5-point penalty (for each offense) before, during and after the Trial (See 7. Unsportsmanlike conduct) 10
-
A Rider arriving late at the start will be penalized a time penalty of a half-point per minute until the Rider picks up the Rider’s loop card.
-
After the time limit, the Rider may arrive late, but penalty points will be added for arrival at the finish check after scheduled time at the rate of one half-point per minute. Any Rider turning in a scorecard later than 30 minutes after the Rider’s scheduled time shall be disqualified. (See 11 for first loop time limit).
-
There is not currently a Pro class in Canada so this rule is not relevant for CMA events but is being left here for consistency with the NATC rules: Pro class Riders will be assessed a time penalty of a half-point per minute for not completing the Rider’s first loop within one-half the total time for the trial, plus 30 minutes. The time penalty period will be limited to 30 minutes (15 points maximum). Exceeding the time penalty period will result in exclusion from the Trial.(Examples: 6 hours 30 minutes for the trial, equals 3 hours 45 minutes for the first loop without penalty. 7 hours for the Trial equals 4 hours for the first loop without penalty. Time will be recorded at the final Section of the loop.
-
YELLOW CARD RULE: Any Rider or Rider’s Minder who refuses to obey the instructions of an Observer, or who behaves in an unsportsmanlike manner, shall be shown the Yellow Card. The penalty for being shown the Yellow Card is 5 points for the first offense, 5 points for the second offense, and exclusion for the third offense occurring during a Trial. Penalty points are in addition to the points accumulated during the Rider’s Section attempt.
-
Violation of these supplemental riding rules by a Rider or Minder will result in a penalty ranging from 5 points to exclusion from the Trial. If a Rider refuses to present the Rider’s card to the Observer for punching the appropriate score for the additional penalty, or leaves the scene of the infraction, the Observer shall document the circumstance and report it to the Trials Master. Wherever possible, the Observer must punch the additional penalty before punching the riding score. The Protest Jury will assess the appropriate penalty.
-
A Rider cutting the course or going backwards on the Course may be disqualified at the discretion of the Referee.
-
A Rider must complete the entire Course under the power of the Rider and the Rider’s motorcycle, without outside assistance.
(g)
Maximum penalty in any section without a failure shall be 3 points, with a failure it shall be 5 points.
(h)
Marking in subsections shall be with the front wheel entry and exit from the subsection denoting the subsections in which points were lost.
(i)
Riders will be considered to be in the Observed Section after the centre of the front wheel has passed the Starting Line and until the centre of the front wheel has passed the Finish Line.
(j)
In any given section, a Rider must always be travelling forward in the direction of the section. Thus a Rider may not cross his own tracks unless the section is of the horseshoe or rejoining type wherein a common piece of terrain is used for two different “pieces” of a section.
***This is not recommended for national competition, but would be noted on a sign in the section and mentioned in the Riders meeting.***
(k)
Where the section is not marked completely by tape or other physical markers, the Riders must ride between consecutive gates. (Gates shall be defined as a left hand marker and a right hand marker).
(l)
The boundary between consecutive sets of gates is a straight line: left hand marker (blue) to left hand marker (blue), or right hand marker direct and straight line to next right hand marker.
(m)
To be classed as a finisher, a Rider must attempt (or have a score punched for) every section the required number of times and in the correct order. Crossing any section boundary shall be deemed an attempt.
(n)
In a national championship, in case of a tie for first place, including time penalty, the Rider with the lowest number of points on observation will win. If still tied, the Rider with the most cleans, and then ones, twos, or threes will win. If still tied, then the Rider with the lowest score in the first section of sequentially ridden sections where different points were scored by the Riders will win. If still tied, the Riders will have a “ride-off” immediately after completing the trial, a coin toss will determine who rides first. The Riders shall ride one to three (1-3) sections chosen by the Trials Master and Sporting Steward. For classes riding line White, Green, Purple, and Yellow, these sections will be selected from the line above (ie Green would ride a White section). For the Trial 1 or Championship class, the Riders would ride one to three (1-3) sections with modifications if necessary, until a winner is determined.
In a non-national event, or in finishes beyond the podium of a national, if a trials marshal wishes, in the case of a tie, the result will be a tie.
(o)
In the case of a Trials series, whether, National, Provincial, or Regional, of two events, or greater the following point system will be used:
POSITION : POINTS
1 : 30
2 : 25
3 : 21
4 : 18
5 : 16
6-20 : Decreases 1 point per position
21-29 : Decreases 0.1 point per position
30-39 : Decreases 0.01 point per position
(i) Ranking of Riders in a series is determined by counting their best rides in the competitions, represented by 1/2 the total number of events plus one. For example, in a 12 round series the best 7 rides would count. For an odd number, round down, i.e. best 6 rides of an 11 round series.
(ii) In the case of a Trials series tie, whether, National, Provincial, or Regional, of two events, or greater where the riders are tied on championship points at the end of a series, then the rider with the lowest total overall score on observation wins and if still tied, then the greater total number of cleans, then 1s, then 2s, then 3s and then 5s. If a tie on sections scores can not decide a champion, then the Rider with the best score the longest, starting at the beginning of the series, shall be the winner of the Trials series.
(iii) In all classes, year-end Championship ties beyond podium positions will be listed as finishing in the same place with the following position not listed. Example: Riders A and B both finish the year with five Pro points tying them for 16th place, both will be listed as finishing in 16th place and the next Rider will finish 18th in the class.
(p)
A record of points lost by all participants shall be kept at each section and/or on cards carried by each Rider on which their score is recorded by the checker.
(i) It is the Rider’s responsibility to see that their score card is properly marked and turned in on time.
(ii) In case of disputes where the dual system is used, the master sheets from the individual sections are considered to be the official score.
(iii) When the official score is the Rider card only, sections not “punched” will be considered as missed. If cards are lost or unreadable the Rider will be marked dnf.
(q)
When a time limit for the event is established (mandatory for National Championships) checkers must remain at their post until the limit for the last Rider has expired, or they have been advised by the Clerk of the Course that the Rider has withdrawn. The course must be “swept” completely on the day of the event.
(i) The Clerk of the Course may only accept a statement from the Rider or his crew as official notification of withdrawal.
(r)
Organizers must post the results online within 7 days of the trial. The results will be posted in both the Championship rankings as well as the head to head event scores wherever possible, including the CMA website.
Q-141 Conduct
Q-141
(a)
No riding on the course within ten (10) days prior to the event.
(b)
Competitors shall ride all sections consecutively in the numerical sequence as laid out. Competitors must start at section 1, unless directed otherwise by the organizers.
(c)
Riders must not start into a section until signalled by the checker.
(d)
Abuse of any official (including checkers) will result in disqualification.
Q-142 National Championships
(a)
A time limit will apply to all National Championship Round, however, this is not a race event. The time limit will be determined by the organizer.
(b)
A National Steward / clerk of the course may be assigned to all National Championship Rounds. Assignment of Stewards to non-national events shall be at discretion of head office.
The assigned steward/clerk of the course has the authority to reclassify a rider if they have entered a class inappropriate to their skill level. This would normally only take place for safety or fair play reasons and after discussion with the rider involved. Special care needs to be taken when moving a rider to a lower class, so that it does not jeopardize the chances for other riders in the class to win the championship.
The assigned steward / clerk of the course has the authority to close a section or portion of the loop due to unforeseen reasons, such as natural disasters or Rider injury.
The assigned steward / clerk of the course could, with the permission and assistance of the trials marshal, check for appropriate section/line difficulty and make necessary changes.
(c)
When arrows or gates are used:
- red arrows on the right
- blue arrows on the left
Q-143
National Championship and International events will not be awarded to organizers unless they have demonstrated organizational competence through the operation of regionally sanctioned events. The required number of regional events will be established annually.
Q-144
(a)
The classes to be run at individual championship rounds will be determined by the Board depending on the level of difficulty of the planned sections and the rideability of the loop. Assessment will be based on previous events and available information from the applicant.
(b)
Classes must include Veteran 2 and Veteran 3.
(c)
The lines to be ridden by Veteran 2, Veteran 3 and Veteran 4 classes will be determined by rule Q-135(a). This information must be included in the pre-entry form.
Alternative Scoring for local and regional events. National events must follow the above standard CMA rules.
Some clubs may choose to utilize an alternative scoring system at some events. Alternative scoring rules should be announced and clearly explained prior to the competition.
Some examples are:
No-stop rules: This system is often used with vintage trials or classic "English" trials, and requires that the machine maintains constant forward motion without stopping under penalty of failure (5).
5 second stop rule: The machine remains stationary while any part of the Rider remains in contact with the ground for a period of approximately five seconds.(during which the observer counts aloud from ‘one to five’) will result in a penalty of failure (5).
Indoor rules: This system is popular with "indoor" or stadium trials which include manmade obstacles of various types such as pipes, timber structures, inverted dumpsters, car bodies, teeter-totter planks, etc.
Typical indoor rules allow the Rider to move the machine backwards. The Rider may also be required to ride several sections continuously with additional penalties for exceeding a specific time limit. Indoor stadium trials sometimes include a side by side race over a series of obstacles-with the loser receiving additional penalty points.
Self checked or group checked Trials: The Riders score on the honour system instead of having an observer for each section or Riders ride as a group and score for each other instead of having a designated observer.
Time and Observation Trials:
(a) The Riders start at approximately one minute intervals, the course is 30-40 miles in length, with Riders negotiating approximately 10-15 observed sections per lap, the number of laps to be determined by the organizers.
(b) There are three main awards:
-
The overall winner is the Rider losing the least number of total points.
-
The best performance on time is the Rider covering the total course in the least amount of time.
-
The best performance on observation is the Rider losing the least amount of points in the observed sections. It is recommended that first and second class awards should be given to the next best 10-15% of the starters.
Vintage Trial (FIM rules): To define the classification of the Competition, a ranking on the basis of an addition of Pondered points and other possible penalties will be taken into account. The Pondered points will be obtained according to regular scoring “Penalty Points for faults in a Section during the Competition”, to which a ratio will be assigned according to the age of the Rider. The winner will be the Rider with the fewest points.
This on the basis of the following scale:
Penalty points divided by 0.(Rider's age) = Total pondered points.
For example: In the case of a total of 10 Penalties:
• 30-year-old Rider: 10 penalties / 0.30 = 33.33 Points
• 50-year-old Rider: 10 penalties / 0.50 = 20.00 Points
• 65-year-old Rider: 10 penalties / 0.65 = 15.40 Points
The Winner of the “FIM Trial Vintage Motorcycle Trophy” is the one who, in this classification, will have the fewest points with a Motorcycle that has been eligible “authentic”.
Gate Trial: Gates within a section are assigned different values and the Rider can decide which gates to attempt with the goal of gaining the most amount of points for a given section. If the Rider fails the section all points for that section are lost.