Helping L Riders : Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
The First Step In Motorcycle Training
Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) was introduced in 1990 to reduce the number of young and inexperienced riders who were being injured and killed on the roads.
It is the first step for anyone wanting to take up motorcycling and must be completed before a rider is allowed on the road unaccompanied.*
CBT can only be delivered by an organisation which is approved by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), whose website provides details of your nearest CBT Approved Training Body. You can also contact the DSA for advice and information about CBT.
There are five sections to CBT which must be completed in the correct order:
A) Introduction
B) Practical On-Site Training
C) Practical On-Site Riding
D) Practical On-Road Training
E) Practical On-Road Riding
The learner only moves from one section to the next one when the instructor is satisfied that they have learnt the necessary theory and demonstrated the practical skills to a safe basic level. Trainees must, by law, receive a minimum two hour on-road ride in Element E.
Once the learner has completed CBT, he or she is issued with a Certificate of Completion, called a DL 196 certificate. This is valid for two years, during which a Theory Test and Riding Test can be taken. If a rider does not pass the practical and theory test within the two years of passing the CBT and being issued a DL196 certificate, then he or she must retake CBT.
* Anyone who obtained their full car driving licence on or after 1 February 2001 must complete their Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) before they can legally ride any type of motorcycle or moped on the road. People who obtained their full car driving licence before 1 February 2001 do not need to take a CBT to ride a moped, but must do so in order to ride any other motorcycle. However, CBT and/or motorcycle training is still strongly recommended.
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