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Novice Skills Course Overview
Since 1971 the Vancouver Island Safety Council's (VISC) Motorcycle Training Program has helped riders develop the skills and knowledge needed for safe motorcycling. Protect yourself and your investment through professional rider training. It's a lifetime investment that never stops paying you back.
Our instructors are all experienced riders who have graduated from an extensive and demanding training program. Our school and instructors are also licensed by ICBC. VISC also supplies all the motorcycles and helmets for your training. You may use your own helmet if you wish, providing it is a full face with visor style helmet that is DOT approved (1/2, 3/4 or "Beanie" helmets are not permitted).
Participants must present a Class 6, 6L, 8 or 8L license each day you ride. The learners license can be obtained from ICBC by picking up a copy of RoadSense for Riders guide to study for the written exam. A learners license is valid for 1 year and participants must already have their learners license prior to participating in our Novice Skills course.
The Safety Council will also administer the ICBC Motorcycle Skills Assessment (MSA) on the final day of the Novice Course.
What you will learn on this Course
- Basic balance and braking
- Control techniques
- Defensive riding tactics
- Clutch and throttle control
- Higher speed steering
- Cornering and curves
- Emergency response (braking & swerving)
- Confidence
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Classroom Theory Sessions
[x2 - 4 hour sessions]
During classroom theory sessions, students will participate in discussions and exercises that cover many aspects of operating and riding a motorcycle in today's traffic. A combination of handouts, Power Point presentations and videos help to complement the lessons being taught. Some of the topics covered in the Novice theory sessions include: |
- Scanning and hazard identification
- Space cushion
- Lane position and lane dominance
- Riding in traffic
- Traffic rules and regulations
- Group riding
- Motorcycle pre-trip inspection and loading
- Riding with passengers
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Practical Training Sessions
[x4 - 4 hour sessions]
Students will directly apply knowledge learned from theory sessions during their practical training. Each student will use a motorcycle supplied by the safety council in order to practice and become proficient in both slow and high speed control and maneuvers.
Our ICBC licensed instructors are on hand to instruct, coach and assist each student through all the required exercises in order to perform the ICBC Motorcycle Skills Assessment (MSA) on the final day of training.
Our practical training takes place in a 'closed environment' free of traffic and the public at either Western Speedway or Camosun College Interurban 'P3' parking lot.
We have a maximum of 5 students per instructor during practical training sessions. A typical course has 10 students and 2 instructors. Each student also receives 1 on 1 course evaluations with their instructor at the end of each Practical Training session. TOP |
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ICBC Motorcycle Skills Assessment (MSA)
Included as part of our Novice Skills Course, students will perform the ICBC Motorcycle Skills Assessment (MSA).
Often referred to as the "parking lot test", this is the first step on your way to getting your full class 6/8 license.
The test is performed on the last day of Novice Practical Training by VISC instructors who have been specifically trained by ICBC to administer the MSA.
Successful completion of the MSA will remove* the 'supervisor' and 'speed' restrictions from your motorcycle learners license.
* requires license holder to return to ICBC with completed MSA paperwork in order for these restirtions to be officially removed
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Novice Motorcycle
The Vancouver Island Safety Council currently uses Honda 150cc Titan motorcycles for our Novice Skills Course: |
Honda Titan 150cc
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Things to Remember for this Course
- Participants must have a valid Motorcycle Learners License in order to take this course and bring it with them to EVERY class
- Participants under the age of 19yrs old must have a completed consent form signed by their parents or guardians
- Participants must attend a 2.5 hour Introduction Night prior to their first day of Novice training. Refer to our Course Schedule for dates and times of these sessions.
- Participants are required to provide their own adequate riding gear (jacket, boots, pants and gloves). Helmets can be provided to you if you do not already own one (full details and requirements regarding proper rider gear are discussed at the Introductory Session)
- If possible, please arrive to all classes 10-15min early
- DOT approved Flip Front helmets are fine to use, however the chin bar must be closed and locked when riding
- It's a good idea to bring water and a snack to practical sessions as well as a lunch on the days that you have theory sessions
- Dress appropriately for the weather conditions (warm clothes, rain gear, layers, etc)
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Training Risks and Liabilities |
We at the Safety Council take every precaution to minimize the risk of accidents occurring during training and we have the excellent safety record to prove this. However, a certain element of risk is always present in learning to operate a motorcycle. The Safety Council accepts the risk of damage to our training equipment. Students will not be required to bear the cost of any accidental damage to our equipment.
However, we cannot accept responsibility for any bodily injury or damage to student's property while they are participating in our courses. All students and the parents/guardians of minors, will be required to sign a release of liability for such bodily injury or property damage before commencing training with VISC. TOP
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Registration Information
 Sign up for both Novice & Traffic courses during registration and you save $55.00 over the seperate course costs
To register for this, or any other Safety Council course, please contact the office for course availability as all courses are filled by advance registration only.
By Phone: Call 250-478-9584 (VISA or MASTERCARD accepted over the phone).
By Mail: Complete and print the online registration form. This form must be returned to the Vancouver Island Safety Council along with your payment. We accept cheque and money orders by mail. Our mailing address is on our contact page.
In Person: Come to the office (phone first for office hours) and complete a registration form. We accept payment by Interac, cheque, money order, VISA and MASTERCARD.
Online: The online registration form can be completed and submitted using the internet. Upon receipt of the application, the student and VISC can arrange payment by either MASTERCARD or VISA.
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Additional Course Information
VISC also offers "Women's Only" and long weekend Novice courses. Check the Course Schedule for more details.
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