Getting a BC Motorcycle Novice License or Class 8N

The first step to getting your BC motorcycle novice licence is passing the motorcycle skills test, which will assess your basic motorcycle riding skills. For example: signaling, handling the clutch, braking and turning. The BC Tuning Up for Riders guide is a great resource to brush up on these skills and confirm that you are correctly practicing all required motorcycle maneuvers.

BC Tuning Up For Riders Guide

The BC Learn to Ride Smart Guide was a great resource to pass the motorcycle knowledge test and will continue to be a good resource to brush up on your motorcycle signs and rules knowledge.

BC Learn To Ride Smart Guide

This test will be structured to assess your posture on a motorcycle, your ability to navigate around traffic cones, how confidently you change gears and other basic motorcycle driving skills. It's not a bad idea to refresh your riding knowledge with our BC motorcycle knowledge test practice, and make sure you practice all of the following skills with a supervising driver:

• 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

Once you are ready, you need to book your motorcycle skills test at your local ICBC driver examination center.

The motorcycle skills test you would have previously taken was structured to assess basic motorcycle driving skills on a paved lot. The Class 8 motorcycle road test is much harder and you need to practice additional driving skills prior to attempting the actual road test:

• Navigating through intersections (riding through and turning)
• Entering and exiting traffic
• Entering and exiting a highway
• Signaling and changing lanes
• Parking/reverse parking/parking on the side of a road
• U-turns, three-point turns

Once you feel confident that you've mastered the necessary motorbike driving skills, you need to pre-book your Class 8 motorcycle road test at your preferred ICBC examination center.

For both the motorcycle skills test and the class 8 motorcycle road test, you will potentially be required to go through a vehicle safety check. This is to ensure that the bike you bring for the test is safe to ride and has the appropriate BC motorcycle insurance and other required documentation.

Vehicle Checklist

For the motorcycle skills test, you will be required to drive in a paved lot and be tested on basic motorcycle driving skills you would have practiced prior to attempting the test. While you are demonstrating the specific maneuvers and skills, the examiner will be assessing some key indicators:

• 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.

The class 8 motorcycle road test will be approximately an hour in duration including the post-test debrief. For this test, the examiner will drive behind you in another vehicle and communicate via a two-way radio as you drive through various driving environments (city streets, busy commercial areas and highways). Some of the key skills that are being assessed are:

After both the motorcycle skills test and the class 8 road test, you will be given a chance to speak with the examiner and go over your test results. You will be told right after the test whether you passed or failed.

Both the motorcycle skills test and class 8 motorcycle road test have to be pre-booked appointments. You should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment time to get settled, register and relax before the test starts.

If you can't make it, make sure you cancel your motorcycle test at least 48 hours in advance to avoid losing any money on your booked appointment.

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.

Prior to either 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.

Vehicle Checklist

In addition to ensuring the safety of your vehicle, you also need to bring proof of valid BC motorcycle insurance and registration documents.

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

If you wear contacts or glasses, make sure to bring them along to the BC motorcycle novice test.

There are specific fees for each BC motorcycle licensing level. Make sure you bring along the correct licence fee:

British Columbia Licensing Fees

You need to bring with you one primary piece of identification and one secondary ID.

Acceptable BC ID

You must remain at the BC motorcycle novice level for a minimum of 24 months before you can progress to the next BC motorcycle licensing level.

You cannot carry any passengers with you.

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