How must a learner's supervisor accompany them?

From another vehicle, keeping the learner in sight

As a passenger riding on the learner's own motorcycle

By phone or video call from home

Only at the start and end of each ride

BC Class 6 / 8 Motorcycle: Learner licence, tests and penalties

Class 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.

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Learner licence, tests and penalties · Question 1Score 0/0

A Class 8N rider is prohibited from driving. What happens to their novice time?

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Study reference: Learn to Ride Smart (ICBC, March 2026 edition), Ch. 11 Your licence — Learner and novice stages, tests, responsibilities and penalties, pp. 157–181

All 20 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

A Class 8N rider is prohibited from driving. What happens to their novice time?
1. Nothing changes to the time
2. It is cut by six months only
3. It pauses, then picks up again
4. It resets to zero after reinstatement
How long must a Class 8N rider go prohibition-free before the Class 6 road test?
1. 12 months
2. 18 months
3. 36 months
4. 24 consecutive months
How must a learner's supervisor accompany them?
1. As a passenger riding on the learner's own motorcycle
2. From another vehicle, keeping the learner in sight
3. By phone or video call from home
4. Only at the start and end of each ride
What does it cost to reinstate your licence after a prohibition?
1. $50
2. $500
3. $100
4. $250
How long must you hold a Class 8L before the Class 8 road test?
1. At least 30 days
2. At least 12 months
3. At least 24 months
4. At least 6 months
What is the maximum speed for a learner who hasn't passed the skills test?
1. 70 km/h
2. 80 km/h
3. 50 km/h
4. 60 km/h
How long is a Class 8L learner's licence valid?
1. One year
2. Six months
3. Two years
4. Five years
You take your road test on a motor scooter. What restriction will your licence carry?
1. A maximum speed of 70 km/h
2. No passengers, on any motorcycle you ride
3. Daylight riding only, all year
4. You may ride motor scooters only
You fail the motorcycle knowledge test. When can you retake it?
1. After 24 hours
2. The same day
3. After 14 days have passed
4. After 7 days
Which two restrictions are removed when a learner passes the motorcycle skills test?
1. The supervisor and 60 km/h restrictions
2. All learner restrictions
3. The passenger and daylight restrictions
4. The L sign and zero-alcohol restrictions
For how long can police impound a motorcycle for excessive speeding on a first offence?
1. 24 hours
2. 30 days
3. 60 days
4. 7 days
You hold a full Class 5 and now have a Class 6L. What is the minimum age of your riding supervisor?
1. At least 25
2. At least 21
3. At least 16
4. At least 19
When may a motorcycle learner ride?
1. Only between sunrise and sunset
2. Any time, as long as a supervisor is with you
3. Only on weekends
4. Until midnight
How old must the supervisor of a Class 8L rider be?
1. At least 25
2. At least 21
3. At least 19
4. At least 30
You fail a motorcycle road test for the first time. How long must you wait to retake it?
1. 24 hours
2. 7 days
3. 14 days
4. 30 days
How far over the limit counts as excessive speeding that can lead to impoundment?
1. 20 km/h or more
2. 40 km/h or more
3. 10 km/h or more
4. 60 km/h or more
Within how many days must you update the address on your licence after moving?
1. 90 days
2. 10 days
3. 30 days
4. 60 days
How long can a new B.C. resident ride on a valid out-of-province motorcycle licence?
1. One full year
2. The first six months
3. The first 30 days
4. The first 90 days
After how many days with a Class 8L can you take the motorcycle skills test?
1. At least 14 days
2. At least 30 days
3. At least 7 days
4. At least 90 days
What blood alcohol level is allowed for a Class 8L or 8N rider?
1. Zero
2. Under .05
3. Under .08
4. Under .02

Learner licence, tests and penalties: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Learning to ride and supervisors, pp. 157–158

A motorcycle learner must be supervised by a qualified rider holding a valid full-privilege Class 6 licence.
The supervisor may not ride on your motorcycle; they supervise from another motorcycle or a car, and you must stay in their line of sight.
Motorcycle riders are six times more likely to be killed in a crash than other road users (guide statistic).
If you have never held a Class 1–5 licence, or you hold a Class 7 or 7L, you enter the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) for motorcycles.

New drivers: Class 8L and 8N, pp. 158–161

Class 8L requires the motorcycle knowledge test, vision and medical screening, and the passenger vehicle knowledge test if you don't already have a Class 7 or 7L.
A Class 8L licence is valid for two years; to renew it after it expires you retake the knowledge test and vision screening.
Class 8L restrictions: zero blood alcohol, zero blood drug concentration (including THC), no hand-held or hands-free devices, display the L sign, supervisor at least 25 with a full Class 6, maximum 60 km/h, no passengers, daylight riding only (sunrise to sunset).
Passing the motorcycle skills test (after at least 30 days as an 8L) removes the supervisor and 60 km/h restrictions.
The Class 8 road test can be taken after at least 12 months with the 8L; passing gives a Class 8N novice licence.
Class 8N: ride unsupervised with zero alcohol, zero drugs, no hand-held or hands-free devices, and an N sign displayed.
Free replacement L and N signs are available at driver licensing offices.
GLP penalties: fines and penalty points for breaking learner or novice restrictions; prohibitions of a month to a year or more; an immediate 12-hour roadside suspension or longer prohibition for alcohol or drug violations.
A prohibition in the learner stage stops your learner time from counting until reinstated.
A prohibition in the novice stage resets your novice time to zero; you then need 24 consecutive prohibition-free months.
After at least 24 consecutive prohibition-free months as 8N, you may take the Class 6 road test.
An approved GLP motorcycle course (at least 39 hours) taken during the learner stage can shorten the novice stage by six months if you have no violations or at-fault crashes in the first 18 novice months.

Experienced drivers: Class 6L, pp. 162–163

Holders of a B.C. Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 licence get a Class 6L after the knowledge test (online or in office) and vision and medical screening.
A Class 6L is valid for one year; to renew after expiry you retake the knowledge test and the motorcycle skills test.
Class 6L restrictions: supervisor at least 19 with a full Class 6, maximum 60 km/h, no passengers, daylight riding only.
The skills test can be taken after at least 14 days as a 6L; passing removes the supervisor and speed restrictions.
The Class 6 road test can be taken after at least 30 days as a 6L and passing the skills test; Class 6 is then added to your licence.

Tests, pp. 163–169

The motorcycle knowledge test covers the rules of the road, signs and signals, and safe riding practices; it is multiple choice, not open book, and phones and electronic devices are not allowed.
Vision screening checks colour vision, depth perception, field of vision, double vision and sharpness; a lens requirement is shown on the licence.
Medical questions may lead to a doctor's report reviewed by RoadSafetyBC.
The motorcycle skills test lasts about 15 minutes in a paved lot; passing lets you ride without a supervisor and above 60 km/h.
Skills test items include pushing the motorcycle, hand signals, using the stand, slow straight riding with the clutch, braking, slalom, U-turns or three-point turns, turns, accelerating and decelerating, and a sudden stop.
Tuning Up for Riders is given free with the learner's licence and can be downloaded from icbc.com.
The Class 8 road test lasts about 45 minutes and the Class 6 road test about an hour; the examiner follows in a car and talks to you by radio; both include hazard perception stops.
You must pass the skills test before booking a road test.
If you fail the knowledge test, you can retake it after 24 hours.
Road test retest waits: 14 days after a first attempt, 30 days after a second, 60 days after further attempts.
A road test motorcycle of 200 cc or less brings a no-passenger restriction; a motor scooter restricts you to scooters; a sidecar outfit or trike restricts you to three-wheeled motorcycles.
No-show for a road test without 48 hours' notice or a valid reason brings a fee.
Road tests can be cancelled for faulty lights or horn, missing plate or insurance, unsafe tires, a faulty or too-loud exhaust, illegal modifications (removed turn signals, handlebars above shoulder height, off-road bikes) or low fuel.
Motorcycles built since 1974 must have front and rear turn signals.

Licence classes, new residents and keeping a licence, pp. 171–175

A valid licence from elsewhere can be used for the first 90 days of living in B.C.
Change of address must be reported within 10 days; there is no fee.
A licence renewed within three years of expiry may not need retesting; after more than three years you need vision screening, a signs test and a road test.
Class 6 or 8 covers motorcycles, all-terrain cycles and ATVs; minimum age 16.
Limited-speed motorcycles (50 cc or less, no shifting or clutch, top speed 70 km/h, wheels at least 254 mm, dry weight 95 kg or less) may be ridden with a Class 5 or 7, but on a learner's licence only with a Class 6 or 8 learner's licence.
Always carry your licence while riding; never lend it, alter it or use an invalid one.

Penalties and impoundment, pp. 175–181

Licence and ID fraud: fines from $400 to $20,000, up to six months in jail, or both.
Outstanding fines or debts to B.C. courts, the province or ICBC must be paid before getting or renewing a licence.
Reinstating a licence after a prohibition costs $250.
Riding while prohibited can mean impoundment, fines or jail.
Examples in the guide: speeding 1–20 km/h over in a school zone $196 and 3 points; speeding 1–20 km/h over $138 and 3 points; running a red light $167 and 2 points; failing to yield to a pedestrian $167 and 3 points; improper turn at an intersection or passing without a clear view $109 and 3 points each; a passenger without an approved helmet can be fined $138.
Points lead to a driver penalty point premium billed by ICBC; a Driver Risk Premium applies for Criminal Code or 10-point convictions, excessive speeding, or two or more roadside suspensions, assessed over three years.
Driver Improvement Program: warning letters, probation, and prohibitions; rapid offences can bring a prohibition without warning.
You can be prohibited if police find your ability affected by alcohol or drugs, even below a BAC of .08 or a THC level of 2 ng.
First-time impaired penalties in B.C. can add up to $600 to over $4,000.
Police can impound the vehicle for 7 days (30 or 60 days for repeat offenders) for driving unlicensed or prohibited, excessive speeding (40 km/h or more over the limit), street racing or stunts, or riding or carrying a passenger improperly seated.

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