How do I get a BC Motorcycle License
You want to cruise down the streets of Vancouver on top of a gleaming chrome stead but not sure where to start. Follow these steps below and you’ll have your license before you even know it.
The first step in getting your learner’s licence is passing the motorcycle knowledge test.
What to expect
You’ll answer 40 multiple-choice questions on a touch screen kiosk at a driver licensing office. It takes about 30 minutes. (You can take longer if you need to.)
The test is available in English or any of these languages:
Arabic, Cantonese (with traditional Chinese writing), Croatian, French, Farsi, Mandarin (with traditional Chinese writing), Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese and Ukrainian.
Get ready
Even experienced drivers should study for the knowledge test-it’s harder than you might expect. The Learn to Ride Smart guide will help to prepare. The test questions are based on this guide.
Taking the test more than once
If you don’t pass, you can take the test again after 7 days.
Take the test
You’ll need to book an appointment to take the test at an ICBC driver licensing office.
When you come, be sure to bring:
Your parent or a legal guardian must give consent for your application if you’re under 19.We’ll also ask about your medical condition and check your vision. For details, see chapter 11 of Learn to Ride Smart.
After you pass
Once you pass the knowledge test and meet all other requirements, you get a:
- Class 6L motorcycle learner’s licence, if you’re a full-privilege driver
- Class 8L motorcycle learner’s licence, if you’re in the L or N stage of graduated licensing for passenger vehicles or are a new driver.
Congratulations! Now you can begin to practice riding-with some restrictions.
When you ride, you must be within sight of a qualified supervisor. Your supervisor must be at least 19 years old (if you hold a Class 8L your supervisor must be at least 25 years old) and must hold a valid Class 6 full-privilege licence.
Your speed must not exceed 60 km/h.
No passengers.
You may ride only during daylight hours – that is, between sunrise and sunset
Riders with an 8L licence must display an L sign.
The motorcycle skills test is a 15-minute test of basic riding skills like signalling, handling the clutch and throttle, braking and turning.
When do I take the skills test?
If you have a 6L licence, you can take the motorcycle skills test after you’ve held that licence for at least 14 days.
If you have an 8L licence, you’ll need to have it for at least 30 days before you take the motorcycle skills test.
Skip the motorcycle skills test
If you take a course at a certified rider training school, you may be able to skip the regular motorcycle skills test. The school assesses your basic riding skills instead.
What to expect
You’ll be riding in a paved lot at slow speeds. You’ll need to show that you can:
- identify the controls on your motorcycle
- push the motorcycle (non-powered)
- demonstrate using hand signals
- use the side stand or centre stand
- ride slowly and straight while using the clutch
- slalom
- brake
- turn, including u-turns,three-point turns and right turns when moving
- accelerate and decelerate (this may include shifting gears), and
- stop suddenly in a controlled manner
As you ride, your examiner watches:
- how you handle the clutch, throttle and brake controls
- how you shift gears
- whether you keep your feet on the pegs, and
- whether you miss any turns or hit any traffic cones.
Get ready
There’s lots you can do to prepare for this test:
- Practice your riding skills in a safe area with your supervisor.
- Use the Tuning Up for Riders guide as a resource for your practices.
- Review the Learn to Ride Smart guide.
Taking the test more than once
If you don’t pass, you can take the test again after 7 days.
Book your test
When you’re ready to take the motorcycle skills test, you’ll need to book a test time. Remember to bring your supervisor with you to the test.
Note: You can use a limited-speed motorcycle at your skills test if you don’t have any other class of driver’s licence.
After you pass
Once you pass the skills test:
- the 60 km/h speed restriction is removed
- you can ride without a supervisor, and
- once you have reached your earliest exam date you can take a
- Class 6 road test (if you already have a B.C. driver’s licence), or a
- Class 8 road test (if you don’t have a B.C. driver’s licence or are in the “L” or “N” stages of graduated licensing for passenger vehicles).
All other learner’s restrictions are still in effect. Be sure to keep track of the time left on your learner licence to complete the road tests. If your learner expires you will be required to re-take both the knowledge test and motorcycle skills test.
The Class 8 road test is for learning motorcycle riders who don’t have a B.C. driver’s licence, or are in the “L” or “N” stage of graduated licensing for passenger vehicles.
When do I take the Class 8 road test?
You take the Class 8 road test after passing the motorcycle skills test and holding a valid Class 8L motorcycle learner’s licence for at least 12 months. The earliest date you can take the test is marked on your licence.
Your L expires after 2 years
You’ll need to pass the road test before it expires-otherwise, you’ll have to repeat both the knowledge test and motorcycle skills test. This also applies if you were prohibited.
What to expect
The Class 8 road test takes about an hour. That includes time for feedback from your examiner.
The test route goes through different riding environments, like city streets, commercial areas, highways, and intersections with stop signs and traffic lights.
The examiner rides behind you in a car, speaking to you by two-way radio.
Here’s what to expect on your road test:
Pre-trip check
Before going out on the road, you do a pre-trip safety inspection of your motorcycle.
You’ll show your examiner you can use controls like turn signals and high beams, and demonstrate hand signals.
On-road manoeuvres
While riding, you’re asked to do a series of manoeuvres. These may include
- riding through and turning right and left at intersections
- entering and leaving traffic
- entering and exiting a highway or freeway
- changing lanes
- parking at the side of the road
- reverse stall parking
- Several U-turns, and/or cul-de-sac
- general riding, including riding straight and on hills and curves.
Note: Always be aware of your lane position!
See-Think-Do
While you’re performing these manoeuvres, you demonstrate these See-Think-Do skills: observation, speed control, steering, space margins and communication.
Hazard perception
During the test, you’ll be asked to pull over to the side of the road and identify all the hazards you see within one block in front of you, and immediately around you.
Get ready
There’s lots you can do to prepare for the road test. We recommend you:
- know the signs, signals, road markings and rules of the road in Learn to Ride Smart
- practice manoeuvres using Tuning Up for Riders
- practice hazard perception by naming hazards while someone drives you in a car, and
- consider taking rider training from a professional school.
What to bring
When you come for your test, bring:
- a motorcycle in good working order with an engine over 200cc*
- valid insurance and registration documents
- required ID, and
- licence fees.
Motorcycle and licence restriction
*You can use a scooter or motorcycle of any size over 50cc however your driver’s licence will be restricted (if any) to the type of vehicle you use for the road test.
For example, if you use a scooter, your licence will be restricted for driving scooters. If you use a motorcycle 200cc or less, then you will be restricted from carrying passengers. If you use a three-wheel vehicle, you’ll be restricted to only driving three-wheel motorcycles. If you have no other driver’s licence and take your road test on a limited-speed motorcycle, you’ll be restricted to limited-speed motorcycles only.
If English isn’t your first language
If English isn’t your first language, you may bring a translator for your feedback session after the test. Sorry, translators can’t go on the road test.
Booking your test
You’ll need to book your Class 8 road test in advance.
Taking the test more than once
After your first test attempt, you can take the test again after 14 days.
If you take the test a second time and you don’t pass, you can try again after 30 days.
If after three or more tries you don’t pass, you can take the test again after 60 days.
After you pass
When you pass, you get a Class 8N licence and enter the novice stage of graduated licensing for motorcycles. After 24 months in the novice stage, you’re eligible to take the final Class 6 road test. Remember that if you receive a prohibition your 24 month wait is reset.
Class 6 motorcycle road test
The Class 6 road test is your final test before you get your Class 6 (full privilege) motorcycle driver’s licence.
When can I take the Class 6 road test?
| If you… | You can take the Class 6 motorcycle road test after you… |
|---|---|
| have a Class 6L motorcycle learner’s licence | 1. pass the motorcycle skills test, and2. have your motorcycle learner’s licence for at least 30 days. |
| have a Class 8L motorcycle learner’s licence | 1. pass the motorcycle skills test2. pass the Class 8 road test, and3. have your Class 8N motorcycle novice licence for at least 24 months prohibition free |
The earliest date you can take your road test is marked on your licence.
What to expect
The Class 6 road test takes about an hour. That includes time for feedback from your examiner.
The test route goes through different riding environments, like city streets, commercial areas, highways, and intersections with stop signs and traffic lights.
The examiner rides behind you in a car, speaking to you by two-way radio.
Here’s what to expect on your road test.
Pre-trip check
Before going out on the road, you do a pre-trip safety inspection of your motorcycle.
You’ll show your examiner you can use controls like turn signals and high beams, and demonstrate hand signals.
On-road manoeuvres
While riding, you’re asked to do a series of manoeuvres. These may include
- riding through and turning right and left at intersections
- entering and leaving traffic
- entering and exiting a highway or freeway
- changing lanes
- parking at the side of the road
- reverse stall parking
- U-turns, and/or cul-de-sac
- general riding, including riding straight and on hills and curves.
Note: remember your lane position at all times.
See-Think-Do
While you’re performing these manoeuvres, you demonstrate these See-Think-Do skills: observation, speed control, steering, space margins and communication.
Hazard perception
During the test, you’ll be asked to pull over to the side of the road and identify all the hazards you see within one block in front of you, and immediately around you.
Get ready
There’s lots you can do to prepare for the road test. We recommend you:
- know the signs, signals, road markings and rules of the road in Learn to Ride Smart
- practice manoeuvres using the Tuning Up for Riders guide
- practice hazard perception by naming hazards while someone drives you in a car, and
- consider taking rider training from a professional school.
What to bring
When you come for your test, bring:
- a motorcycle in good working order with an engine over 200cc*
- valid insurance and registration documents
- required ID, and
- licence fees.
Motorcycle and licence restriction
*You can use a scooter or motorcycle of any size over 50cc however your driver’s licence will be restricted (if any) to the type of vehicle you use for the road test.
For example, if you use a scooter, your licence will be restricted for driving scooters. If you use a motorcycle 200cc or less, then you’ll be restricted from carrying passengers. If you use a three-wheel vehicle, you’ll be restricted to only driving three-wheel motorcycles. If you have no other driver’s licence and take your road test on a limited- speed motorcycle, you’ll be restricted to limited-speed motorcycles only.
Translation service
If English isn’t your first language, you may bring a translator for your feedback session after the test. Sorry, translators can’t go on the road test.
Booking your test
You’ll need to book your Class 6 road test in advance.
Taking the test more than once
After your first test attempt, you can take the test again after 14 days.
If you take the test a second time and you don’t pass, you can try again after 30 days.
If after three or more tries you don’t pass, you can take the test again after 60 days.
After you pass
Congratulations! You get a Class 6 motorcycle licence.
