How do I get a BC Motorcycle License?

A Class 6  License is required to ride a motorcycle, or a scooter which is 51cc or bigger.  You must first obtain a Learner’s License from ICBC before you can start learning how to ride. Once you have a learner’s license, ProRIDE can help take you the rest of the way.

Continue reading for more on getting your Learner’s License, or click the button to view our course calendar!

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• GLP

• UPDATE - Starting April 27th, ICBC will begin taking appointments for Knowledge tests. Call ICBC's Driver Licensing Info Line and leave a voicemail; one of their agents will call you back to book your appointment.

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The Knowledge Test

The first step to getting your motorcycle/scooter license is to stop by your local ICBC Driver Licensing office and take the Class 6/8 Knowledge Test. There is no appointment required, just drop in at your convenience. Passing this test gets you a Learner's License for Motorcycles & Scooters.

You are permitted just 1 attempt every 7 days so it’s a good idea to study the information first before taking the test, even if you are an experienced driver. There have been many changes over the years which you may not have learned when you last studied for a driving exam. ICBC’s “Learn to Ride Smart” publication is free at the Driver Licensing Office, or you can view and study it online.

Restrictions

Your Learner’s License permits you to ride motorcycles & scooters under the following conditions:

Learner's License Restrictions

• You may ride only between the hours of Sunrise and Sunset
• You may not carry any passengers
• You may not exceed 60km/h
• You must be accompanied by a qualified Supervisor who is > 19yo and holds a valid and current Class 6 license.  A friend or family member can function as your supervisor at a ratio of 1:1.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be 16yo or older
• Applicants must have another class of driver's license, OR:
  • Applicants who do not have another driver's license must also complete the Passenger Vehicle Knowledge Test (Class 7L) in order to apply for a Motorcycle Learner's License.

Resources

• Learn to Ride Smart - The Study Guide
• ICBC Practice Test Online
• Drive Smart Refresher Test Online
• Practice test @ Richmond Public Library
• Fees
• Find an ICBC service location

The Parking Lot Test

After learning how to ride a motorcycle or scooter, the next step to a Class 6 license is a Motorcycle Skills Test. You’ll be required to ride in a parking lot through a field of small orange cones; the objective is to ride each maneuver at an appropriate speed (mostly 9km/hr or slower) without putting your foot down or hitting any cones. This test takes about 10-15 minutes, and once you pass you will be eligible to have the Speed and Supervisor restrictions lifted from your learner’s license. During peak season, ICBC is typically booking for this test 4+ weeks in advance.

Keep in mind ...

• ICBC will not administer this test before the “Earliest Test Date” printed on your learner’s license.
• Not all ICBC locations offer this test; the offices that do are generally open for testing weekdays during business hours, and you're required to make an appointment for testing.
• If you ride to the test location you must be accompanied by a qualified supervisor.
• ICBC may waive this step upon successful completion of an ICBC-Approved Rider Training Program at a licensed facility such as ProRIDE.

Resources

• Tuning Up for Riders

The Road Test

After some practice on the roads and highways you may be ready to challenge the ICBC Class 6 Road Test. This test is conducted in traffic on city and side streets as well as highways, and takes about an hour. If you pass you earn yourself a Class 6 Motorcycle License! During peak season, ICBC is typically booking for this test 3+ months in advance.

Licensing Conditions

• ICBC will not administer a road test any sooner than the 2nd “Earliest Test Date” printed on your learner’s license.
• Completing the Class 6 Road Test will remove all remaining restrictions on your license, with the following exceptions:
  • Testing on a scooter will earn you a Scooter License, but you won’t be licensed to ride motorcycles.  However, testing on a motorcycle will also license you to ride scooters.
  • Testing on a Trike, Spyder, or a bike with a sidecar will earn you a license for 3-wheeled vehicles, but you won’t be licensed to ride any 2-wheeled vehicle.
  • Testing on a bike with a small-displacement engine (200cc or smaller) will earn you a permanent passenger restriction.
  • Testing on an automatic-shift or electric motorcycle will earn you a clutch restriction.

Resources

• How to pass the ICBC Motorcycle Road Test

A final note ...

Obtaining your BC Motorcycle License can be easier said than done. We encourage you to consider taking an ICBC-Approved Rider Safety Course to ensure you learn the necessary skills and strategies to not only pass the road test, but to help you keep riding safely for years to come.

Graduated Licensing Program (GLP)

If you have a full Driver’s License (Class 1-5) then you will be eligible for a Class 6 or LDL Learner’s License, and therefore this section would not apply to you.

If you have a Class 7L or 7N Driver’s License then you are a GLP driver, meaning you have less than 3 years experience on the road, and so you will be eligible for a Class 8 Learner’s License.

GLP Restrictions

With GLP, new riders will be subject to some additional restrictions, just like with your class 7 driver’s license. Most notably you won’t be eligible to have the speed and supervisor restrictions lifted for a minimum of 1 month, and you'll need to display a red "L" tag while riding. Additionally GLP riders are tested twice on the road, once after 12 months for your "N", and a final time 24 months later for your full license, just like in your car. It can take 3 or more years to complete GLP.

Skip a Test

The good news is that you’re only required to do the N test once. When you pass your final Car Road Test and get your full Class 5 license, then you can skip the Motorcycle/Scooter N test and go straight to the final Class 6 Road Test.

Test Earlier

Although ProRIDE Motorcycle Training is not a GLP-certified training facility, we welcome and invite GLP riders to come and learn with us. However we strongly encourage new drivers to take an approved GLP Driving course to ensure you get proper and thorough training. Successfully completing an approved GLP Driving Course can earn you some high school credits; additionally you may be eligible for the final road test 6 months in advance.

GLP Facilities

• Click for more information on GLP or to find a GLP-Certified Training Facility >>

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Register: Survival Rider Training

Please Note:

• During registration, your spot will be held for 10 minutes before it is released. Please complete your booking within this time in order to secure your spot;
• Please note you must obtain a Motorcycle Learner’s License in order to attend our training course. At this time ICBC is offering Knowledge Testing for Learner’s Licenses By Appointment Only. If you do not yet have a learner’s license at this time, we encourage you to wait until you have a Knowledge Test Appointment booked with ICBC *before* booking in for the ProRIDE course. More info on Licensing and booking the Knowledge Test:
  www.proride.ca/licensing

• The last course for 2022 begins on October 27th; the next course after this will be Spring of 2023;
• Courses may book up to 8 weeks in advance;
• New courses appear every week at the bottom of the calendar;
• Please continue to monitor this page for on any new or sudden openings that come up;
• Subscribe to our newsfeed on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter) to be notified instantly when we announce new classes and courses;
• Courses in 2022 may be postponed or delayed depending on restrictions and directives for group gatherings issued by the Public Health Authority.

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