Vancouver Island Safety Council--Motorcycle safety training: The graduated licensing program

Motorcycle safety training

The Graduated Licensing Program

A. If you already have a Driver's Licence
B. If you are a New Driver in the GLP

Working Toward your Class 6 Licence

The Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) is for "NEW DRIVERS". That means if you already hold a class 1 through 5 driver's licence you are not a "NEW DRIVER" and therefore not affected by the GLP.

A. If you already have a Driver's Licence

To get a motorcycle learner's licence (Class 6L) you must:

Pass vision and medical screening./li>
Pass the motorcycle knowledge test. (Pick up the Road Sense for Riders guide at an ICBC driver licensing office to study first.)

You can then take our Motorcycle Skills and Traffic Skills courses. If you successfully pass the Motorcycle Skills Test, Higher Speed Skills Test and the Theory Test you will receive the paperwork to submit to ICBC to lift three of the learner's licence restrictions. You will then be permitted to ride without a qualified supervisor, travel at speeds over 60 km/hr and travel on highways that were previously restricted.

You must wait 14 days from the date of issue of your 6L before taking the Motorcycle Skills Test. * Note: The 14-day waiting period is reduced when you take training from a licenced rider training school

* NOTE Passing the Motorcycle Skills Test, Higher Speed Skills Test and the Theory Test are prerequisites to moving on to the traffic portion of the course.

After you have held a Class 6L licence for 30 days and have passed the motorcycle skills test, you can take the Class 6 road test. If you pass, Class 6 will be added to your current driver's licence.

* NOTE Only ICBC can administer the Class 6 road test and you must wait 30 days

Class 6L riding restrictions:

Qualified supervisor
Restricted speeds
Restricted highways
No passengers
Restricted riding hours

* NOTE These restrictions do not apply when you are being instructed by a licensed Driver Training School instructor.

For more information, please visit the related ICBC page.

B. If you are a New Driver in the GLP

If you do not hold a class 1 through 5 licence then you are a "NEW DRIVER" and the GLP affects you. Here are the steps that you must take:

Step 1 — Get a learner's licence (class 8L)

To do this, you must be at least 16 years old and

Pass vision and medical screening
Pass the passenger vehicle knowledge test if you don't already have your Class 7 or 7L licence. (Pick up the Road Sense for Drivers guide at an ICBC driver licensing office to study first). This will give you a Class 7L photo licence.
Pass the motorcycle knowledge test. Pick up the Road Sense for Riders guide at ICBC to study first. (You may take the motorcycle knowledge test at the same time as, but not before, you take your passenger vehicle knowledge test.)

You must wait 30 days from the date of issue of your 8L before taking the Motorcycle Skills Test. * Note: The 14 day waiting period is reduced when you take training from a licenced rider training school

* NOTE Passing the Motorcycle Skills Test, Higher Speed Skills Test and the Theory Test are prerequisites to moving on to the traffic portion of the course.

Class 8L riding restrictions:

As listed above for Class 6L PLUS
Zero blood alcohol content
Display "L" sign
Stiff penalties

The Learner Stage lasts a minimum of 6 months. You may then take the Class 8 road test and move on to the GLP Intermediate Stage.

Step 2 — Intermediate stage

"Intermediate Stage" Class 8 riding restrictions

Zero blood alcohol content
Display "N" sign
Stiff penalties test

The Intermediate Stage lasts at least 18 months. You may then take the Class 6 road test and graduate to a Class 6 licence.

* NOTE Only ICBC can administer the Class 8 and Class 6 road tests.

For more information, please visit the related ICBC page