Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
For new riders and beginners
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) is a motorcycle training course which must be completed before a learner motorcyclist in the United Kingdom is allowed to ride a motorcycle unaccompanied on the road displaying L-plates (or D-plates in Wales). If a full car licence was obtained before 1 February 2001 it is not necessary to complete a CBT course to ride a moped.
The CBT was introduced in December 1990 with the aim of reducing the accident rate among inexperienced motorcyclists. It involves five elements which must be completed in sequence, although the order of the exercises within each element can be varied. It can be taken on either the trainee's own bike, or one hired from the training school, although the latter is more common. Insurance and bike hire is included in the price.
Typically conducted in one day, the course involves classroom theory, followed by practice manoeuvres in a suitable off road area and ending with a supervised ride on public roads of at least 2 hours.
There is no official test to obtain the certificate, however the instructor will only issue the certificate if the trainee rider is considered safe to be allowed on the public road. It should not be considered a pass or fail exam, and if the instructor is not satisfied the learner has reached the level expected, the learner will be invited back at a later date to try again.
Certificate of completion
When all five elements have been completed, a DL196 certificate of completion is issued. This is a legal document which validates relevant entitlements on a driving licence:
- A DL196 certificate validating provisional moped or motorcycle entitlement lasts for two years. The CBT course will have to be retaken if both theory and practical motorcycle tests are not passed within two years
- For moped (Category P) entitlement only, if a car driving test is passed whilst the DL196 is still valid or a CBT course is completed and a DL196 obtained after passing a car test, the certificate is not subject to expiry
Legal restrictions
Certain restrictions are placed on riders following completion of a CBT.
At the minimum age of 16, a learner may ride a moped, defined as not exceeding 50 cc and restricted to 31 mph (50 km/h),they must display L plates (D-plates or L-plates in Wales) front and rear, must not travel on motorways and must not carry passengers.
At age 17 or over, a learner may ride a motorcycle of not exceeding 125 cc with a maximum power of 11 kW (15 bhp), they must display L plates (D-plates or L plates in Wales)front and rear, must not travel on motorways and must not carry passengers.
Compulsory Basic Training Days
With XS Motorcycle School
Our CBT courses are held on the Saturday and Sunday of each week using a safe off-road area with plenty of space. You may use your own bike, or use one of our training school bikes, our prices include bike hire, insurance, and use of protective helmet and gloves. Unlike many other schools, if we don't feel you are up to standard on the first day you will be invited back for a second day of training at no extra charge to bring you up to standard.
For a map of where our training site is Click Here.
Find out more about our CBT prices, or drop us a line to book one now.
Practical test training
Post CBT Training to prepare you for your motorcycle test
Lessons subsequent to CBT leading up to your practical motorcycle test are available Monday to Friday. The lessons are each of a single hours duration. They are arranged at times to suit your convenience and are on a strictly One to One basis, We do not do group lessons.
* Some content courtesy of wikipedia.org
