A bit about Start Right and what’s new!!

I, Michael Hohn, am a Certified Instructor, Registered with ICBC. Bonded & Insured. I have lived in the Nanaimo area for over 30 years and my love for riding has taken me to new places, made new friends and has now brought me to this point. Helping all I can to learn how to be a safe rider on all roadways. I look forward to sharing my passion in the Joy of Riding a Motorcycle. I am committed to ensuring that you get the best possible training here at SRMT. It is my goal to help you Start your own riding experience in a safe, relaxed & friendly learning environment.

Start Right is an ICBC Certified Motorcycle Skills Assessment School. Why wait to go to ICBC to do your Skills Test? We don’t just run you through the Skills test to practice all weekend, we teach you the skills you need to safely operate a motorcycle on all roadways, all at one convenient location. We do the Assessment with you at the end of the training, getting you on the road with No Supervisor or Speed Restrictions as early as 14/30 days after passing your knowledge test. After successful completion of the skills assessment, 2 of 4 restrictions will be lifted. We can do your training and testing for the skills before your earliest skills test date it says on your learners license. On said date or within 90 days, you hand in a certification form to ICBC to have your 2 of 4 restrictions lifted.

Have you heard the news??

We are hoping to have our program with VIPowersports again in the 2027 season giving us a bigger fleet of mototcycles. VIHonda and BMW will be setting us up with 4 new BMW G310R bikes and a great incentive package for NEW RIDERS, giving students a deal on a new purchase and reduced fees for training. If you haven’t been into VIPowersports, go see them. They have moved to Parksville, the old Spunky’s and have made it a superstore of Motorcycles.

BIG changes to come!!! They may be instituting the Motorcycle Learners Program MLP possibly in the future. They have now changed the GLP for Class 5/7 effective October 19th, 2026. Go to ICBC for more information. What does this mean wanting to become a new rider? Right now it is a 1 year learners license for a fully licensed class 5 licensee. 2 week wait to do your skills test at ICBC, and then minimum 2 weeks to do your road test. (If you are a 8L, 2 year Learners permit, its 30 days for the skills test and after skills is done, 1 year minimum to do road test). Any persons that gets their learners before specified date change, will be grandfathered having a 1 year learners. We are awaiting for the date of specified changes to know when they come into full effect.

This is what I have found online, BUT???

Key Changes to Motorcycle Licensing (Effective 2026):

• Extended Learner Stage: The learner period increases to 9 months (reduced to 6 months if an approved motorcycle training course is taken).
• Extended Restricted Class 6 Stage: After the learner stage, riders must spend 18 months in a restricted Class 6 phase (reduced to 12 months with approved training).
• Training & Gear: The new program emphasizes enhanced safety, including approved training and strict regulations for wearing protective gear.
• Goal of Changes: These changes aim to address the high rates of fatalities and serious injuries among motorcyclists, who are overrepresented in accidents.
• Supervision: During the learner phase, stricter rules are enforced, still requiring a supervisor with a valid Class 6 license (based on proposals).

These changes aim to build skills over time through a slower, more structured process.

Go in before the changes and get your Class 6/8 Learners permit Now!!! Register today!!!