The Class 6L & 8L BC Motorcycle Learners License

In order to ensure that every BC motorcycle driver is fully equipped to deal with any road situation, the BC graduated motorcycle licensing process makes sure that every motorcycle driver goes through a rigorous training process. The first step to getting the Motorcycle License BC makes available, is determined by whether you are at the completely new rider stage, or BC learner driver (L) stage, or BC novice driver (N) stage, or whether you are a full-privileged BC drivers license holder with more than 2 years of driving experience at the class 1-5 levels.

8L Licence for Experienced Riders

Experienced drivers, holding full-privilege licenses with more than 2 years of driving experience follow a process similar to the 6L process with some slight changes that build on your existing driving experience.

BC CLass 8L License Process New Riders

6L Licence for New Riders

If you are a new driver or a driver currently at the learner (L) or novice (N) stages within another British Columbia license class, then you will be working towards getting a Class 8L BC motorcycle learners license.

BC CLass 6L License Process New Riders

Getting Your BC Class 6L or Class 8L Motorcycle Licence

It's Important to Build Strong Riding Skills to Get Your BC Learner's Licence

We know you're probably very eager to get your BC motorcycle learners license as soon as you can. In order to make that process as smooth as possible we have compiled the information you need to know in a way that is easy to understand. From requirements before starting, to test fees, what to expect and what getting your 8L or 6L licence really means, we have everything covered. Click on the tabs below and read through the material at your own pace and make sure you take advantage of all the tips to help you get your BC motorcycle learners on the first try.

To Get Your 8L Licence:

16 Years Old

You can start the 8L BC motorcycle learners process on or after your 16th birthday.

To Get Your 6L Licence:

STEP 1: Motorcycle Knowledge Test

Use Your 2 years+ Experience As A Starting Point

If you already have a British Columbia full-privilege license (Class 1-5) there is no waiting period and you can immediately start the process to get your 6L licence.

STEP 2: Motorcycle Skills Test

Pass The Motorcycle Knowledge Test

After successfully passing the motorcycle knowledge test you need to wait 14 days before you can attempt the motorcycle skills test for your complete 6L licence.

To Get Your 8L Licence:

Recommended preparation for British Columbia learner (L) or novice (N) drivers:

Study The BC Learn to Ride Smart guide

Even experienced drivers can benefit from a thorough reading of the British Columbia Learn to Ride Smart guide. The guide will help you prepare for exactly the type of material you can expect to see on the actual 8L motorcycle knowledge test.

8L Practice Motorcycle Knowledge Tests

Once you've spent a good amount of time reviewing the information in the BC Learn to Ride Smart guide, you should feel confident attempting the BC practice motorcycle knowledge test exercises. These tests are designed by the team at ICanDrive.ca to include all the information you can expect to see on the actual motorcycle knowledge test. In addition, practicing the 8L motorcycle knowledge tests will help you identify areas where you need to study more and give you a good idea of what the real world test environment will be like.

Additional recommended preparation for completely new drivers (non L or N licence):

Study The BC Learn To Drive Smart Manual

If you are a completely new driver, you will also need to successfully pass the passenger vehicle knowledge test or class 7L knowledge test. The best way to be 100% prepared for the class 7 knowledge test is to read through the BC Learn To Drive Smart Manual and familiarize yourself with all the rules/signs you need to know. Our BC drivers license practice test series and BC motorcycle knowledge test practice are excellent ways to acquire the knowledge you need to know.

Practice Class 7 Knowledge Tests

Learning the right road rules and signs plus practicing them in a real test taking environment is the right way to make sure you pass the Class 7 knowledge test on the first try. Spend a decent amount of time before your test day going through all the sample ICBC knowledge tests and revisiting the information in the BC Learn to Drive Smart Manual whenever needed. These tests are designed to be as similar as possible to the actual written knowledge test and will make sure you are completely ready for your test day.

To Get Your 6L Licence:

STEP 1: Passing The Motorcycle Knowledge Test

Study The BC Learn to Ride Smart guide

In order to successfully pass the motorcycle knowledge test you need to read through and learn the information detailed in the BC Learn To Ride Smart guide. This guide is a great resource even for experienced drivers and details all the skills needed to safely drive a motorcycle in British Columbia.

Practice Motorcycle Knowledge Tests

Having extensively reviewed the information in the Learn to Ride Smart guide, you can build on your motorcycle learning by attempting ICanDrive.ca's BC motorcycle knowledge practice test. These practice tests will not only test your knowledge but also prepare you for the environment/test structure you can expect on the actual test day. Practice as many of the motorcycle knowledge tests as you can and review the Learn to Ride smart guide whenever you come across a concept that you're not completely sure about. Practicing these motorcycle knowledge tests several times is a great way to ensure you pass the BC motorcycle learners knowledge test on the first try.

STEP 2: Passing The Motorcycle Skills Test

In addition to reviewing the information in the BC Learn To Ride Smart Guide, a big part of getting ready for the motorcycle skills test is practicing actual motorcycle driving.

Study The BC Tuning Up For Riders Guide

The BC Tuning Up For Riders Guide is a great resource to read and use when practicing all your motorcycle driving skills. From correct riding positions, to lane positions and everything in between, this guide covers all the information you must know before attempting the motorcycle skills test. Make sure you put aside a good amount of time to go through all the important information.

Practice Motorcycle Driving

During the BC motorcycle skills tests, you will be assessed on your general posture and your ability to demonstrate simple motorcycle driving skills, so it's a good idea to practice key motorcycle drivings skills as much as possible in the weeks leading up to the motorcycle skills test.

  • Turning (three-point turns, u-turns, right turns) and demonstrating hand signals
  • Being able to identify all the controls on your motorcycle
  • Steadily push a motorcycle (non-powered)
  • Ride your motorcycle in a straight line while using the clutch
  • Braking, stopping and using the motorcycle stand
  • Accelerating, decelerating and stopping

Book Your Motorcycle Skills Test

You have to pre-book an appointment at your local ICBC examination center once you are ready to attempt the BC motorcycle skills test.

To Get Your 8L Licence:

40 MCQ Written Test

  • The test is available electronically at any British Columbia driver licensing office
  • The test takes approximately 30 minutes to complete but is not timed and you can take as much time as you need to finish (until the office closes)
  • The 8L motorcycle knowledge test is 40 multiple choice questions (MCQ's) of which you need to correctly answer a minimum of 32 correctly
  • To avoid failing any of the questions dedicate a lot of time to studying the BC Learn to Ride Smart Guide and practicing motorcycle knowledge tests.

If you don't already have a BC motorcycle learners license (L or N) and are a completely new BC motorcycle rider, you will also need to successfully pass the passenger-vehicle knowledge test or BC class 7L knowledge test.

Passenger Vehicle Knowledge Test

  • The passenger-vehicle knowledge test is 50 multiple choice questions, of which you need to correctly answer 40 to pass
  • The test can take up to 1 hour to complete so make sure you arrive at an ICBC driver testing center with enough time
  • To ensure you pass on the first attempt, learn all the British Columbia road signs, rules and driving laws detailed in the British Columbia Learn to Drive Smart manual and spend a lot of time practicing the BC practice knowledge tests.

Vision Test

In addition to the actual test(s), you will be required to take a vision test to ensure that your eyesight is good enough to drive safely.

Medical Questionnaire

In order to ensure road safety, questions about your medical conditions will be asked.

Test in Different Language

The electronic BC motorcycle knowledge test is available in Arabic, Cantonese, Croatian, English, French, Farsi, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

To Get Your 6L Licence:

Motorcycle Knowledge Test

40 MCQ Written Test

  • You can take the BC motorcycle learners knowledge test electronically at any BC driver licensing office
  • While the test is not timed, on average it takes 30 minutes to complete
  • The motorcycle knowledge test in total is 40 multiple choice questions - you need to correctly answer 32 to pass
  • Reading through the Lean to Ride Smart guide and practicing the motorcycle knowledge tests is the best way to ensure that you'll pass on the first try

Vision Test

You will be required to take a vision test

Medical Questionnaire

A medical questionnaire to confirm your ability to safely drive a motorcycle will also be required

Test in Different Language

The electronic BC motorcycle learners knowledge test is available in Arabic, Cantonese, Croatian, English, French, Farsi, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Motorcycle Skills Test

After passing your motorcycle knowledge test, you must wait 14 days before taking the motorcycle skills test.

Pre-trip Check

Prior to the beginning of any road test, a vehicle pre-trip check is completed by the examiner. Make sure your vehicle meets all the requirements.

Motorcycle Skills Test

For this test you will be driving in a paced lot with traffic cones set up to demonstrate some key motorcycle driving skills:

  • Motorcycle handling: how you handle the clutch, throttle and brake controls
  • Gear Shifting: how efficiently you shift gears
  • Balance and Posture: whether you keep your feet on the pegs, and
  • Navigation: whether you miss any turns or hit any traffic cones

Reading through the BC motorcycle driving guides, practicing the motorcycle knowledge tests and practicing your motorcycle driving skills are all key steps in making sure you are as prepared as possible on the day of the test(s). In addition, we've put together a list of everything you should be aware of and bring to the test site in order to make the process as smooth as possible.

Arrive Early

While the written BC learner tests can be taken without a pre-booked appointment, it is recommended that you arrive at least an hour before closing time if you're writing one test and two hours before closing time if you're writing more. This will ensure you have enough time to properly attempt the questions and fulfill all the other requirements (vision test, medical questionnaire, pay fees etc.) without being pressed for time.

Documents to Bring

You need to bring along one primary and one secondary form of personal identification:

Parental Consent Under 19

For riders applying for the 6L license, if you are under 19 years of age, your legal guardian/parent must provide parental consent for you to apply for a motorcycle license. To avoid delays at the ICBC office it's a good idea to fill out and print the Parent Consent form from home and bring it along.

Vision Aids

Make sure you bring along any vision aids like glasses or contacts to the test.

Applicable Fees

You must bring either the required test fee in cash or another acceptable payment method

Additional test day checklist for the 6L licence motorcycle skills test:

Arrive Early

For the motorcycle skills test, you will have a preassigned appointment time, but it's also recommended that you arrive at least 30 minutes in advance to sign in, have some time to relax and get yourself in the right mindset to pass the BC motorcycle skills test.

Cancelling or Rescheduling

If for some reason you can't make your pre-booked appointment time, you must cancel at least 48 hours in advance to avoid losing money on your test fee.

Bringing The Correct Motorcycle

You can take the motorcycle tests on a scooter or motorcycle of any size over 50 cc but keep in mind your licence will be restricted (if applicable) to that type of vehicle. For example if you test on a limited speed motorcycle, your eventual licence will carry a restriction preventing you from riding a regular motorcycle. In order to get a license without any restrictions, bring a motorcycle with an engine over 200 cc.

Vehicle Safety Check

Prior to beginning the motorcycle skills test, the examiner will determine if the motorcycle you have brought to the test is "test-worthy" so make sure you check your motorcycle against the ministry vehicle safety checklist prior to arriving at the ICBC examination center.

Ministry Approved Helmet

You need to bring along a ministry approved motorcycle helmet in order to be allowed to take the motorcycle skills test.

Your 8L Licence:

Licence Expiry

Once you've passed the motorcycle knowledge test and the passenger-vehicle knowledge test (for new drivers), you will receive your class 8L motorcycle licence. This license is valid for a period of 2 years.

Minimum Licence Holding Period

You can attempt the motorcycle skills test to graduate to the next level of motorcycle licensing after holding a Class 8L licence for a minimum of 30 days.

Your 6L Licence:

Minimum Licence Holding Period

Step 1: After Passing the Motorcycle Knowledge Test: You can attempt the motorcycle skills test after waiting for 14 days

Step 2: After Passing the Motorcycle Skills Test: You can attempt the Class 6 motorcycle road test after waiting for 30 days

Licence Expiry

Once you've passed the motorcycle knowledge test and motorcycle skills test, you will receive your Class 6L licence. This license is valid for a period of 2 years.

8L Licence Restrictions:

Display Your L Sign

Similar to passenger-vehicle learner licenses, you must display a "L" sign on the back of your motorcycle. This is to indicate to other drivers on the road that you are a learner. You can pick up an L sign for free from any BC licensing office or print off a temporary one.

Supervised Driving

As a Class 8L licence holder, you must always drive within sight of a qualified supervisor who is at least 25 years old and holds a valid Class 6 full-privilege license.

Single Driver

At the Class 8L license level you cannot carry any passengers with you.

Restricted Driving at Night

You can only drive a motorcycle during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset).

Speed Restrictions

As an 8L motorcycle driver, your speed must not exceed 60 km/h.

6L Licence Restrictions:

Single Driver

A Class 6L driver cannot carry any passengers.

Supervised Driving

You must always drive within sight of a qualified driver who is at least 19 years of age and holds a valid, full-privilege Class 6 motorcycle licence.

Restricted Driving at Night

Nighttime driving is not permitted - you must drive during daylight hours only (sunrise to sunset).

Limited Speed Driving

You can only drive up to a speed of 60 km/h.

Looking to Get a Different Kind of BC Motorcycle Licence?

BC MGDL Process

The British Columbia Motorcycle GDL helps BC drivers learn the necessary skills needed at each British Columbia motorcycle licensing level.

BC Class 8N Licence

The 8N licence is step two in the BC motorcycle licensing process for N, L or new British Columbia drivers and allows greater driving freedom.

BC Class 6 Licence

The Class 6 licence is the final, full-privilege BC motorcycle licence you can get after going through the BC motorcycle licensing process.

Looking for a Different BC Drivers Licence Type?

Choose the type of vehicle you need to get a British Columbia licence for

At ICanDrive.ca, we strive to provide information on most kinds of BC driver's license types. Not all aspiring British Columbia drivers are looking for a BC car drivers license or a BC motorcycle drivers license. Some British Columbia drivers are in need of more specialized types of driving licenses such as the BC truck license, or a BC bus license, a BC air brake license or a BC boat license. Click the links for more.