New Online Theory / Classroom (Option for Out-of-Town Students)
Students from Duncan, Nanaimo, Salt Spring Island, Pender Island, and other neighbouring communities can now take the classroom portion online on selected course dates (offered once per month).
Limited dates and spots available. Contact us if you are coming from outside of Greater Victoria and don’t see any online classroom spots available. We will do our best to fit you in.
Please note: Online classroom attendance is only available for specified course dates. In-person course dates at Barnes do not have the option of attending online.
Learn to Ride — Standard and Complete Courses
Choose the course that fits your goals. The Standard course includes classroom, motorcycle skills training, and your skills test (MSA/MST). The Complete course includes everything in Standard plus the traffic course.
MSA/MST (Skills Test) is conducted on-site
What you’ll do in the course
- 2 evening classes in our classroom (Barnes H-D in Langford).
- Or: 2 evening classes online (Zoom).
- 2 full days (Sat/Sun) of skills training at 4000 Seymour Place.
- Skills test included as part of your course.
Standard or Complete: Which course is right for me?
If you’re unsure whether you need traffic training, feel free to start with the Standard Course and upgrade at any time.
The Traffic Training Add-On is designed for riders who have never ridden on the road before or who want a guided, confidence-building introduction to real traffic conditions. It focuses on safe riding habits, lane positioning, traffic awareness, and progressively riding in real-world situations.
That said, even riders with previous experience often find value in this training, as it also covers ICBC road test habits and common mistakes that cause riders to fail their road test.
If you already feel comfortable riding in traffic and only want help preparing for the road test itself, there is an option to book only the road test session (the Traffic Course includes both the 6 hour intro to street riding AND the road test session). You can book this road-test-focused session on its own, which runs approximately 90 minutes and costs $145. If that’s your preference, first book the standard course, and then purchase the road test session from your account dashboard.
Standard Novice (New Rider) Course
Everything you need to get started
Most students start here.
Course highlights
- 16 hours motorcycle skills training (closed parking lot)
- 7 hours classroom instruction (weekday evenings)
- MST assessment on-site with your instructor at course end
- Equipment provided: bike, helmet, gloves, jacket
- 4-hour bike rental available for road test (if needed)
Included alumni perk Come back every weekend and ride the school bikes for free — as often as you like. A full year of extra riding after your course, a perk designed to help students who don’t buy their own bike right away, so that their skills don’t get rusty!
After your course is over, your skills can fade and your confidence can wane if you don’t buy a bike right away or have a chance to ride regularly. Or perhaps you have your own bike, but feel that more parking lot practice is needed before you get out on the street on your own.
All of our past students are invited to join us in the parking lot on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 8:15 to 9:15am for an hour of riding on any of the school bikes as often as they like for up to a year after their course.
This ensures that you are comfortable on different styles of bikes and ready to ride when the opportunity to purchase or test ride a bike arises!
Complete Course (with Traffic Training Add-On)
Optional on-the-street experience
You can add this now, or at a later date for the same price ($375).
- ✓ E‑transfer
- ✓ Credit card
- ✓ Pay in 4 with PayPal
What’s included
-
Everything from the Standard Course
- 16 hours motorcycle skills training (closed parking lot)
- 7 hours classroom instruction (weekday evenings)
- MST assessment on-site with your instructor at course end
- Equipment provided: bike, helmet, gloves, jacket
- 4-hour bike rental available for road test (if needed)
- 6 hours supervised on-the-street riding
- On your own motorcycle OR a school bike
- Progresses from quiet roads to real traffic
- Mock road test / road test coaching (Class 6 habits)
- 24-hour bike rental available for road test
Your First Ride Starts Here
New to motorcycles? Discover how IslandRider helps you build skills and confidence, one step at a time. Take an 85-second look at what learning to ride in Victoria could look like for you.
Press play to watch · 1 minute 25 seconds
What type of bike do you want to ride?
Our training fleet includes over 20 bikes from 5 different styles:
IslandRider offers a variety of training bikes and we encourage our students to try them all! If you have never ridden a motorcycle before, how do you know which style of bike feels right for you?
- Honda Groms (lightweight and easy to ride)
- Dual sports (student favorites)
- Adventure bikes (KTM 390, RE Himalayan)
- Sports bikes (Honda CBRs and CBFs)
- Cruisers (Honda Rebel 300)
How registration works (step by step)
Book your weekend skills training first, then pick your classroom nights. Traffic dates (if purchased) can be chosen later from your dashboard.
Select your weekend skills training dates
Start by choosing your parking-lot skills training weekend. This is the core of the course and determines the rest of your schedule. To choose your skills training weekend, click one of the “View Calendar | Register” buttons in the sections above.
Choose your classroom dates
After selecting your weekend training, choose any available classroom sessions that take place before your weekend skills training. You will be given a list of classroom dates to choose from during the registration process. If you need to change your classroom dates, you can do so at any time. The classroom sessions can hold up to 25 students, whereas skills training is limited to 10 to 15 students. This means that there is always room for you in any classroom session. It is best to take classroom sessions prior to the weekend skills training; however, if it is not possible, classroom may also be completed after skills training.
Register for Traffic Training dates (optional)
If you booked the Traffic Training Add-On, you don’t need to choose those dates right away.
You can return to your account dashboard at any time after purchase to select your traffic training dates when you’re ready.
Learn to ride in Victoria
Your questions, answered.
Wondering what you need, which course to choose, or what happens after your skills test? Here are the answers to our most common novice motorcycle course questions.
Getting started
Can I take the course if I have never ridden a motorcycle?
Yes. Our novice course is designed for beginners. You do not need previous motorcycle or clutch experience. We introduce the controls and build your skills through demonstrations, coached practice, and repetition.
You should already be able to ride a bicycle confidently. If balancing on two wheels is difficult for you, contact us before booking so we can discuss how to prepare.
Do I need a motorcycle learner’s licence before the course?
Yes. You need a valid B.C. motorcycle learner’s licence before taking the course. A car licence alone is not enough. Your motorcycle learner’s licence will normally be Class 6L or Class 8L, depending on your existing licence.
Start with ICBC’s motorcycle knowledge test. Check ICBC’s motorcycle licensing steps for the requirements that apply to you.
What is the difference between the Standard and Complete courses?
Standard ($900) includes classroom instruction, closed-lot motorcycle skills training, and the on-site Motorcycle Skills Assessment (MSA). It is the starting point for learning to control a motorcycle.
Complete ($1,275) includes everything in Standard, plus the Traffic Training Add-On: six hours of supervised street riding and a separate road-test preparation session.
Choose Complete if you would like a guided introduction to traffic, with coaching on lane positioning, observation, and riding habits. Both courses provide a school motorcycle and loan gear for training.
Can I start with Standard and add traffic training later?
Yes. The Traffic Training Add-On is $375 whether you include it when booking or add it later. You can start with Standard and decide on street training after your skills course.
Once you have purchased the add-on, choose available traffic training dates through your student dashboard when you are ready.
Bikes, gear & training
Do I need to own a motorcycle?
No. We provide motorcycles for all parts of the training course. You can learn before deciding whether to buy a bike or which style suits you.
For traffic training, you can use a school motorcycle or your own bike. If you plan to bring your own, contact us beforehand to confirm the arrangements.
Do I need to buy a helmet and riding gear first?
No. Loan helmets, motorcycle gloves, and motorcycle jackets are available at no extra charge for training. We recommend having your own properly fitting helmet, but buying one before the course is not mandatory.
Loan helmet sizes range from XS to XXL; jackets are generally available in XS to XL. Gear larger than XL is limited, so contact us before your course if you have sizing concerns. Follow your course instructions for clothing and footwear to bring.
What motorcycles will I ride? Are there options for smaller riders?
Our fleet includes lightweight Honda Groms, cruisers such as the Honda Rebel 300, dual sports, adventure bikes, and sport-style motorcycles. Trying different styles can help you discover what feels comfortable before buying your own.
If you are concerned about seat height or bike weight, let us know before booking. We can discuss the available options and help you plan for a suitable fit.
How long is the course, and what will I learn?
The Standard course includes 16 hours of practical skills training over two days and 7 hours of classroom instruction over two evenings. Check your selected course dates for exact session times.
Practical training takes place in a closed lot. You work on motorcycle controls, clutch control, starting, stopping, turning, and braking, with coaching as your skills develop. Classroom sessions cover riding strategies and the decisions that support safer riding.
The Complete course adds six hours of supervised street riding and a separate road-test preparation session.
Is classroom attendance required, and when should I take it?
Yes. Classroom instruction is a required part of the course. We recommend attending your two classroom sessions before your skills-training weekend.
If that order does not work for you, classroom instruction may be completed afterward; contact us to arrange your schedule. You must successfully complete all required course components and the MSA before we can issue your certification form.
Can I take the classroom portion online?
Yes, on selected dates. We offer live, instructor-led Zoom classroom sessions, including an option for students travelling from outside Greater Victoria. Practical motorcycle training still takes place in person.
Choose a classroom session specifically listed as online when registering. In-person sessions at Barnes cannot be joined remotely. If you are coming from out of town and cannot find a suitable online session, contact us about the available options.
Where does training take place?
- Motorcycle skills training and the MSA: our closed training lot on Seymour Place in Victoria. View the training-lot map.
- In-person classroom sessions: Barnes Harley-Davidson in Langford.
- Online classroom sessions: live on Zoom, on selected dates.
For traffic lessons, road-test coaching, and motorcycle collection, follow the meeting instructions for your booked session. These may use a different location from your skills training.
Booking your course
How do I choose my course and training dates?
- Choose Standard or Complete and select your skills-training weekend.
- Select your classroom sessions from the available dates during registration.
- If you purchase traffic training, choose those dates later through your student dashboard.
Start with the Standard course calendar or the Complete course calendar. Registration takes place through our Urban Rider booking system.
Can I choose different classroom dates from the ones paired with my weekend?
Yes. During registration, you can select an alternative classroom session from the available dates. Classroom dates can also be changed after booking.
Choose sessions before your skills weekend where possible. Contact us if you need help changing your selection or arranging classroom instruction after your practical training.
What payment options are available?
Payment options include credit card, e-transfer, and PayPal Pay in 4. Choose from the options offered at the end of registration.
Review the final amount and any payment-provider terms at checkout before completing your booking.
Tests & your licence
Is the motorcycle skills test included? What is the difference between MSA and MST?
The on-site Motorcycle Skills Assessment (MSA) is included in both Standard and Complete. It assesses basic motorcycle handling using ICBC’s standards. The corresponding test taken directly with ICBC is called the Motorcycle Skills Test (MST).
Successfully completing the approved course and MSA allows you to apply to ICBC to have its MST requirement waived. Assessment depends on meeting the course requirements and demonstrating the necessary skills.
Can I ride on my own as soon as I pass the MSA?
First, take your signed certification form to ICBC and have your licence updated. Submit it within 90 days of your course ending, and observe any earliest eligibility date that applies to your licence.
Once ICBC removes the supervisor and 60 km/h restrictions, you may ride without a supervisor. Other learner restrictions still apply, including daylight-only riding and no passengers. Check your updated licence and ICBC’s current requirements before riding.
Does passing the course give me my full motorcycle licence?
No. The MSA is the skills-assessment stage. The ICBC road test is a separate step. Your remaining tests and waiting periods depend on your existing licence and whether you are in the graduated licensing program.
The Complete course includes street training and road-test preparation; ICBC conducts the actual road test. See ICBC’s licensing guide for your route to a full licence.
What if I do not pass the MSA or need more time to learn?
Your instructor will help you identify what to work on and discuss the next step. If you have the necessary skills but nerves affected your assessment, you can return on a subsequent weekend for two hours of MSA practice and a retest at no additional cost.
If you need more time to develop your skills, or you and your instructor decide you are not ready for the assessment, contact us to discuss additional training options.
Arrange your return with us before attending so we can plan the right support.
After your course
Can I keep practising on the school bikes after my course?
Yes. Novice course students can return for free parking-lot practice for up to one year after their course. School bikes are provided, making this useful if you have not bought a motorcycle or want more practice with different styles.
Practice sessions are offered on scheduled Saturday and Sunday mornings, normally from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. Check the training schedule before attending.
Can I take my ICBC road test without owning a motorcycle?
Yes. School motorcycles are available for students’ road tests. The Standard course lists a four-hour road-test rental option; the Complete course lists a 24-hour option.
Contact us to arrange a motorcycle and confirm availability, collection details, and the rental arrangements for your course. You still need to meet ICBC’s road-test eligibility requirements and pass the road test.
Can I book road-test coaching without the full traffic package?
Yes. Novice course students can book a separate road-test preparation session for $145. The session lasts approximately 90 minutes and can be purchased through your student dashboard.
This option suits riders who already feel comfortable in traffic and want focused preparation. If you would like guided practice on public roads as well, choose the Traffic Training Add-On, which includes both street riding and road-test preparation.
Why does registration use Urban Rider? Is it the same school?
IslandRider is Urban Rider’s Vancouver Island brand. Urban Rider Motorcycle School Ltd. holds the ICBC school licence and developed the ICBC-approved curriculum used in our courses.
The Victoria program is led by John and Tais. Seeing Urban Rider on your registration or student dashboard is expected: it is the booking system used for your IslandRider course.
Ready to take your first step?
Explore available course dates, or get in touch if you would like help choosing the right option.
Photo Gallery of Skills Training at Seymour Place
Training Locations:
- Classroom and traffic classes meet at Barnes H-D just off Westshore Parkway in Langford.
- Skills training and MST classes are held in the parking lot at 4001 Seymour Place, Victoria (Open Map View)
- Motorcycle rentals and traffic classes, as well as road test lessons meet at 2903 Sooke Lake Rd, Langford.
Classroom sessions run over 2 weeknights (usually Wed/Thurs) at Barnes H-D in Langford from 6:15pm to 9:45pm.
IslandRider Motorcycle Training is a motorcycle training program on Vancouver Island by Urban Rider Motorcycle School Ltd. Urban Rider is a motorcycle driver training school licensed through ICBC with a corporate address of 2840 Sooke Lake Rd. Langford, BC V9B 4R3
