How to Get Your B.C. Motorcycle Licence (Class 8L, 6L and 6)

Age 16Parent or guardian consent under 18
40 questions32 correct to pass
$15 testIncludes the car test if you need it
Online or in personThen vision screening at an office

Step by step

Study ICBC's Learn to ride smart. If you have never held a driver's licence (or hold only a Class 7 or 7L), you also take the 50-question passenger vehicle test from Learn to Drive Smart, before or at the same time.
Take the motorcycle knowledge test online or at an ICBC driver licensing office: 40 multiple-choice questions, 32 correct to pass, 45 minutes. Then pass vision and medical screening at a driver licensing office to get your learner's licence. Bring a custodial parent or legal guardian if you're under 18.
New riders get a Class 8L learner's licence. If you already hold a B.C. Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, you get a Class 6L instead.
Practise with a supervisor who holds a full Class 6 licence (25 or older for a Class 8L, 19 or older for a Class 6L). The supervisor can't ride on your motorcycle but can follow on another motorcycle or in a car, and you must stay in their sight.
Book the motorcycle skills test (about 15 minutes, in a paved lot, no fee) after at least 30 days with a Class 8L, or 14 days with a Class 6L. Passing it removes the supervisor and 60 km/h restrictions. An approved Motorcycle Skills Assessment course can replace it.
Road tests, with your own safe, insured motorcycle (the examiner follows you in a car and talks to you by radio): with a Class 8L, the Class 8 road test after at least 12 months, then the Class 6 road test after 24 consecutive prohibition-free months as a Class 8 novice. With a Class 6L, the Class 6 road test after at least 30 days.

What to bring

One piece of primary and one of secondary ID (for the online test, your primary ID and a credit card)
A custodial parent or legal guardian if you're under 18
Your current driver's licence, if you have one
Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to ride
For the skills test: your learner's licence, your supervisor and a safe, street-legal motorcycle with its registration and insurance papers

Fees

Knowledge test (includes the passenger vehicle test if you need it)	$15
Class 6 or 8 paper learner's licence	No fee
Class 7 photo learner's licence (if you also passed the car test)	$10
Motorcycle skills test	No fee

Fees as listed in ICBC's Preparing for your motorcycle licensing tests (MV2023, March 2026). Road test and photo licence fees are listed on icbc.com.

If you don't pass

If you don't pass the knowledge test, you can take it again 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 more. The test is offered in 12 languages, with audio. Talking, notes or any device during the test is an automatic fail.

Once you have your licence

Class 8L rules: a qualified supervisor in sight, no more than 60 km/h, no passengers, daylight only (sunrise to sunset), zero alcohol and drugs, no hand-held or hands-free devices, and the L sign displayed where drivers behind can see it. The supervisor and speed rules come off when you pass the skills test.
Class 6L rules: a supervisor (19 or older, full Class 6) until the skills test, no more than 60 km/h until then, no passengers and daylight only. A Class 6L is valid for one year; a Class 8L for two.
Class 8 novice rules: ride unsupervised, but zero alcohol and drugs, no hand-held or hands-free devices, and the N sign displayed.
If you take a road test on a motorcycle of 200 cc or less, your licence won't let you carry passengers. On a scooter, it's restricted to scooters; on a trike or a bike with a sidecar, to three-wheeled motorcycles.
ICBC changed the Graduated Licensing Program on October 19, 2026: drivers with a Class 7 and 8 novice licence and a clean record can move up to Class 5 and 6 without a second road test. Learn to ride smart still describes the Class 6 road test, so check icbc.com for your situation.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the B.C. motorcycle knowledge test?

40 multiple-choice questions, and you need 32 correct (80%) to pass. You have 45 minutes.

Can I take the ICBC motorcycle knowledge test online?

Yes. The Class 6 and 8 motorcycle test can be taken online. You still visit a driver licensing office for vision and medical screening and your learner's licence.

Do I need my car learner's licence first?

If you have never held a driver's licence, you also pass the 50-question passenger vehicle test, before or at the same time. The $15 fee covers both.

Who can supervise a Class 8L learner?

A rider at least 25 years old with a valid full-privilege Class 6 licence. They can follow on another motorcycle or in a car, but not ride on your motorcycle.

Official sources

Checked against these sources on November 3, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with ICBC before you go.

More practice: B.C. Motorcycle road signs test · B.C. Motorcycle rules test · All B.C. Motorcycle practice tests

How to get your B.C. motorcycle licence