BC Motorcycle Laws, Licensing & Road Rules

For new riders who have passed the ICBC motorcycle knowledge test. The Class 6N is your starting licence. You must display an "N" decal on your motorcycle at all times and comply with the following restrictions:

• No passengers under any circumstances
• No use of handheld electronic devices
• No riding between midnight and 5:00 AM
• Blood alcohol content (BAC) must be exactly 0.00%

Obtained after holding Class 6N for a minimum of 24 months with a clean driving record. A road test may be required. Class 6 removes all novice restrictions and allows:

• Carrying passengers (bike must have footrests, a handhold, and the passenger must wear a compliant helmet)
• Riding at all hours
• BAC up to 0.05%; legal limit is 0.08%

Required for limited-speed motorcycles (LSMs), commonly called mopeds — vehicles with engine displacement under 50cc or an electric motor under 1,500W. Minimum rider age is 16. A full-face helmet is mandatory on all mopeds in BC.

Every rider and every passenger in BC is required by law to wear a helmet that complies with the standards specified in BC Reg 26/58. The helmet must be properly fastened. Open-face helmets are legal. "Novelty" skull cap helmets that do not meet certified safety standards are not legal for road use in BC.

If your helmet does not include a face shield, you are required by law to wear goggles or approved safety glasses. Standard prescription eyeglasses alone do not satisfy this legal requirement while riding.

While BC law does not currently mandate gloves, jacket, boots, or riding pants, ICBC and RideSafe BC strongly recommend ATGATT — All The Gear, All The Time. Road rash from a 30 km/h slide can require skin grafts.

• Jacket: CE-rated textile or leather with shoulder and elbow armour (EN 17092 rating).
• Gloves: CE-rated palm sliders and knuckle protection — your hands hit the ground first.
• Boots: Over-the-ankle, oil-resistant sole, reinforced ankle protection.
• Pants: Riding pants or over-pants with knee and hip CE-rated armour.

Riding between lanes of slow or stopped traffic — commonly called lane splitting or filtering — is not permitted under the BC Motor Vehicle Act. Every motorcycle is entitled to the full width of its lane.

No more than two motorcycles may ride side by side within a single lane. A third rider must use a separate lane.

Handlebars may not be positioned so high that the rider's hands are above shoulder height while seated. Extended "ape hanger" handlebars that exceed this measurement are not legal for use on BC public roads.

All motorcycles on BC roads must be fitted with at least one rear-view mirror providing a clear view of at least 60 metres to the rear.

Passengers must have dedicated footrests (pegs), a secure handhold, and a compliant, properly fastened helmet. Class 6N licence holders may never carry passengers under any circumstances.

Using a handheld electronic device while riding — including a GPS unit that is not properly mounted — carries a fine of $368 and 4 penalty points. Mount your phone in an approved holder before you start your engine.

Cannabis impairment is treated as seriously as alcohol impairment under BC law. Drug impairment is assessed by a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) officer and carries the same suspension and penalty consequences as alcohol impairment.