How to get a motorcycle licence in BC
How to get a Class 6 motorcycle licence in BC, for full-licence drivers and for new riders in graduated licensing: knowledge test, skills test, road tests, learner restrictions and ICBC fees, with every fact linked to icbc.com.
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- Checked October 17, 2026
In British Columbia every new motorcyclist starts with the ICBC motorcycle knowledge test, but the route after it depends on the licence you already hold. Drivers with a full-privilege B.C. licence take a short path: a learner's licence, the motorcycle skills test and one road test. New drivers, and drivers still in the learner or novice stage for cars, enter ICBC's Graduated Licensing Program for motorcycles, with a novice stage and two road tests.
This guide sets out both routes step by step, with the learner restrictions, what to bring, ICBC's fees and the mistakes that cost people time. Each fact links to the ICBC page or the Learn to Ride Smart guide it comes from. ICBC changes fees and rules from time to time, so check the linked page before you book.
Step by step
Study Learn to Ride Smart
ICBC says the knowledge test questions are based on its Learn to Ride Smart guide, and that even experienced drivers should study because the test is harder than you might expect.
Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licenceTake the motorcycle knowledge test
You need to answer 80% of the questions correctly, within 45 minutes. Take it online if you live in B.C., are at least 16 and already hold a Class 5 or 7 licence, using a desktop or laptop with a webcam, or take it at an ICBC driver licensing office. If you fail, you can retake it after 24 hours.
Source: ICBC — Take the online knowledge testGet your learner's licence
At a driver licensing office ICBC checks your vision and asks about your medical condition. Full-privilege drivers (Class 1 to 5) get a Class 6L; new drivers and drivers in the L or N stage for cars get a Class 8L. If you have no L or N yet, you also pass the passenger-vehicle knowledge test. Under 19, a parent or legal guardian must consent.
Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licencePractise within the learner restrictions
Ride within sight of a qualified supervisor who holds a full-privilege Class 6 licence and is at least 19 (at least 25 if you hold a Class 8L). Learners ride only between sunrise and sunset, no faster than 60 km/h and without passengers, and Class 8L riders display an L sign.
Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licencePass the motorcycle skills test
This 15-minute test of basic riding skills in a paved lot can be taken after at least 14 days with a 6L, or 30 days with an 8L. Bring your supervisor. Passing removes the 60 km/h limit and the supervisor requirement, while the other learner restrictions stay. A certified rider training school may assess your skills instead.
Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licenceFull-licence drivers: take the Class 6 road test
With a 6L, you can take the Class 6 road test after passing the skills test and holding the learner's licence for at least 30 days. The test takes about an hour, including feedback from the examiner, and passing it gives you a full Class 6 licence.
Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licenceNew riders: pass the Class 8 road test and the novice stage
With an 8L, you take the Class 8 road test after passing the skills test and holding the 8L for at least 12 months. Passing gives a Class 8N novice licence; after at least 24 prohibition-free months as a novice you take the Class 6 road test. A prohibition resets the 24-month wait.
Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licenceChoose the road-test motorcycle carefully
Your licence is restricted to the type of vehicle you test on. A motorcycle of 200 cc or less brings a no-passenger restriction, a scooter limits you to scooters, a three-wheeler to three-wheel motorcycles, and a limited-speed motorcycle (if you have no other licence) to limited-speed motorcycles.
Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licence
Who can get it
- You must be at least 16, and under 19 you need a signed parent or guardian consent form. Source: ICBC — Take the online knowledge test
- To take the motorcycle knowledge test online you must live in B.C., be at least 16, already hold a Class 5 or 7 licence and be in Canada or the United States during the test. Source: ICBC — Take the online knowledge test
- Holders of a full-privilege B.C. Class 1 to 5 licence get a Class 6L; new drivers and drivers in the L or N stage for passenger vehicles get a Class 8L and enter the Graduated Licensing Program. Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licence
- Everyone passes vision screening and answers questions about their medical condition before the learner's licence is issued. Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licence
What it costs
| Item | Amount | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge test, each attempt (free for seniors sixty-five and over) | $15 | Source: ICBC — Licence, test and other service fees |
| Photo learner licence for new riders in graduated licensing | $10 | Source: ICBC — Licence, test and other service fees |
| Learner licence for full-privilege drivers (secondary paper licence) | No additional fee | Source: ICBC — Licence, test and other service fees |
| Motorcycle skills test | Free | Source: ICBC — Licence, test and other service fees |
| Road test for the full motorcycle licence | $50 | Source: ICBC — Licence, test and other service fees |
| Road test for the novice motorcycle licence (graduated licensing) | $35, rising to $50 from October 19, 2026 | Source: ICBC — Licence, test and other service fees |
| Road test not cancelled at least two days ahead | $25 cancellation fee (within 48 hours) | Source: ICBC — Licence, test and other service fees |
| First novice licence (five-year) | $75 | Source: ICBC — Licence, test and other service fees |
| Rider training at a certified school | Not confirmed by an official source; check with the provider | Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licence |
Fees change. Check the amount on the official page or with the provider before you pay.
Where to take the test
Take the knowledge test online or book an appointment at an ICBC driver licensing office. The motorcycle skills test and the Class 8 and Class 6 road tests are booked in advance with ICBC. Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licence
What to bring or have ready
- For the knowledge test and vision screening: primary and secondary ID, a custodial parent or legal guardian if you are under 19, the test fee unless you passed online, the photo learner licence fee if you need one, your current driver's licence if you have one, and any glasses or contacts you need to ride. Source: ICBC — Learn to Ride Smart (2026), chapter 11 and "What you'll need"
- After an online pass: two pieces of accepted ID (including the primary ID you registered with), the signed consent form if you are under 19, payment for the licence fee, any corrective lenses and the email confirming you passed. Source: ICBC — Take the online knowledge test
- For the skills test: your ID, your Class 6L or 8L, your supervisor, and a safe, street-legal motorcycle with registration and insurance papers. Source: ICBC — Learn to Ride Smart (2026), chapter 11 and "What you'll need"
- For the road tests: a motorcycle in good working order with an engine over 200 cc, valid insurance and registration documents, and the licence fees. Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licence
After you pass
Passing the Class 6 road test gives you a full-privilege Class 6 motorcycle licence. Passing the Class 8 road test gives a Class 8N novice licence, and the full Class 6 follows the final road test after the novice stage. Any restriction from the motorcycle you tested on stays on your licence. Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licence
Validity and renewal
Keep track of the time left on your learner's licence. If it expires before you pass the road test, you have to retake both the knowledge test and the motorcycle skills test, and the same applies if you were prohibited. Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licence
Common mistakes
- Arriving at the skills test without your supervisor: ICBC tells you to bring your supervisor with you. Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licence
- Taking the road test on a motorcycle of 200 cc or less and ending up with a no-passenger restriction. Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licence
- Letting the learner's licence run out and having to redo the knowledge test and the skills test. Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licence
- Missing a booked road test without cancelling at least 48 hours ahead, which costs a $25 fee. Source: ICBC — Licence, test and other service fees
- Trying the online knowledge test on a phone or tablet. It needs a desktop or laptop with a keyboard, a mouse or trackpad and a working webcam. Source: ICBC — Take the online knowledge test
- Picking up a prohibition in the novice stage: it resets the 24-month wait before the Class 6 road test. Source: ICBC — Get your motorcycle licence
Prepare for the test
Free practice written from the official material: full practice tests, a study guide, a printable sheet and a timed mock exam.
- BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle practice tests303 original practice questions with explanations
- ICBC motorcycle practice test (printable PDF)100 ICBC motorcycle knowledge test practice questions with an answer key citing Learn to Ride Smart. Print it or save it as a PDF. Free.
- BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle study guideFree BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle study guide: 683 key points from the Learn to Ride Smart in plain words, organised by topic, each topic linked to its practice questions.
- BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle Mock Exam 1 – 40 QuestionsTimed practice · 45 minutes · answers explained
- BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle exam simulator40 new random questions every time, full screen, no hints
We last checked the official pages on October 17, 2026. Rules and fees can change; the official source always wins.
FAQ
How to get a motorcycle licence in BC: common questions
How much does a motorcycle licence cost in BC?
ICBC lists $15 for each knowledge test attempt, $10 for a Class 8 photo learner licence, a free motorcycle skills test and $50 for the Class 6 road test. The Class 8 road test is $35, rising to $50 from October 19, 2026. Seniors 65 and over take the knowledge and road tests free.
How many questions are on the ICBC motorcycle knowledge test?
You answer 40 multiple-choice questions. At a driver licensing office it takes about 30 minutes, and you can take longer if you need to. The test is offered in English and 11 other languages.
Can I take the motorcycle knowledge test online?
Yes, since June 9, 2026, if you live in B.C., are at least 16 and already hold a Class 5 or 7 licence. You pay the $15 fee online by credit card, have 45 minutes, then visit a driver licensing office for vision screening and your licence.
How long does it take to get a full motorcycle licence in BC?
With a full-privilege licence, you can take the skills test after 14 days as a 6L and the Class 6 road test after 30 days. As a new rider, you hold the 8L for at least 12 months before the Class 8 road test, then spend at least 24 prohibition-free months as an 8N before the Class 6 road test.
What if I fail a test?
You can retake the knowledge test after 24 hours. For road tests, the wait is 14 days after a first attempt, 30 days after a second and 60 days after any further attempt.
Can I skip the motorcycle skills test?
If you take a course at a certified rider training school, you may be able to: the school assesses your basic riding skills instead of the regular skills test.
Where can I practise for the ICBC motorcycle knowledge test?
Use our free ICBC motorcycle practice tests, the timed mock exam and the printable practice test, all written from Learn to Ride Smart. Each question explains the rule and cites the chapter it comes from.
Keep practising
- ICBC motorcycle practice test (printable PDF)100 ICBC motorcycle knowledge test practice questions with an answer key citing Learn to Ride Smart. Print it or save it as a PDF. Free.
- BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle study guide
- BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle Mock Exam 1 – 40 QuestionsTimed practice · 45 minutes · answers explained
- BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle Mock Exam 2 – 40 QuestionsTimed practice · 45 minutes · answers explained
- BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle Practice Test 140 questions with explanations
- BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle Practice Test 240 questions with explanations
- BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle Practice Test 340 questions with explanations
Practice by topic
- Regulatory, school and lane signsStop, yield and speed signs, do-not-enter and one-way signs, school, playground and crosswalk signs, lane use and turn control signs, parking signs and reserved lane signs.
- Warning, construction and railway signsYellow diamond warning signs, object markers, orange construction signs, information and destination signs, and the signs that warn of a railway crossing.
- Traffic lights, lane signals and road markingsSteady, flashing and arrow traffic lights, the transit priority signal, lane control signals, and yellow, white, reserved lane and other pavement markings.
- Choosing a motorcycle and riding gearPicking a motorcycle that fits you, the types of motorcycles, approved helmets, eye and face protection, riding clothing, high-visibility gear, gloves and boots.
- Controls, riding posture and pre-trip checkHandlebar and foot controls, the instrument panel, mirrors, ignition and fuel valve positions, stands, riding posture, the pre-trip check, tire care and periodic inspection.
- Intersections and right-of-wayWhen to signal, uncontrolled and controlled intersections, where to stop, stale and fresh green lights, left turns, two-way and four-way stops, yield signs, traffic circles and roundabouts.
- Lanes, turns, passing and parkingChoosing a lane, lane tracking for right and left turns, turning lanes, U-turns, HOV, bus and bicycle lanes, passing and merging, freeway entrances and exits, and parking rules.
- Observation and hazard perceptionThe see-think-do strategy, scanning 12 seconds ahead, mirrors, blind spots and shoulder checks, observing at intersections, the four kinds of hazards, and assessing risk.
- Speed, gears, braking and steeringChoosing a safe speed, default speed limits, using the gears and both brakes, inertia, traction and gravity, low-speed steering, countersteering and handling curves.
- Space margins, lane position and communicationFollowing distance and stopping distance, tailgaters, side space, the three lane positions, lane splitting, choosing a safe gap, and communicating with signals, brake light, horn and eye contact.
- Pedestrians, cyclists, trucks and busesYielding to pedestrians, school and playground zones, people with disabilities, cyclists and bicycle hand signals, large vehicles and their blind spots and turbulence, school buses and transit buses.
- Emergency vehicles, work zones, trains and horsesPulling over for emergency vehicles, slowing past stopped vehicles with flashing lights, construction zone rules, railway crossings and trains, and passing horses safely.
- Riding with other motorcyclesGroup size, staggered formation, where to put less experienced riders, passing as a group, intersections, group signals and passing another motorcyclist.
- Fitness, distraction and impairmentVision and hearing, illness and medication, fatigue, staying focused, B.C.'s electronic device law, dangerous emotions, alcohol and drugs, risk taking, peer pressure and aggression on the road.
- Carrying a passengerWhen you may carry a passenger, how a passenger changes handling, adjusting the motorcycle, keeping a passenger safe, and how to be a safe passenger.
- Night, weather, road surfaces and cargoFog, rain, glare and night riding, headlight rules, gravel, uneven pavement, railway tracks, slippery surfaces, ice, hydroplaning, crowned and banked roads, crosswinds and carrying cargo.
- Emergency braking, swerving and breakdownsThreshold braking, ABS, avoiding skids, swerving and accelerating to avoid a crash, flat tires, engine and headlight failure, wobbles, animals, riding over obstacles and what to do at a crash scene.
- Learner licence, tests and penaltiesClass 6L and 8L learner restrictions, supervisors, the motorcycle skills test, novice restrictions, GLP penalties, licence restrictions from the road test motorcycle, fines, points and impoundment.