What is a CBT?
The CBT is a (Compulsory Basic Training) course validating a provisional motorcycle or moped licence. It is designed to ensure new riders get the training they need to be safe on the road. If this is your first CBT or if you are wanting to learn new skills such as using a geared bike for the first time, a standard course will be most suitable
In most cases you will, but there are a few exceptions. If you are in any doubt as to whether you need to take a CBT then please feel free to contact us.
If you do need to take a CBT you will need to bring along your licence with the correct provisional entitlement (Category A for motorcycles, Category P for Mopeds) and be able to read a number plate from a prescribed distance. We do need you to be able to ride a pushbike before attending any courses.
Come sensibly dressed (for example denim jeans - no rips). Remember to bring your licence with you. Teas and Coffees are provided, but please bring a packed lunch with you.
Our courses run 6 days per week starting at 8.30am and finishing by approximately 3.30 - 4.00 pm
The course includes both practical training and classroom sessions. The classroom discussion will cover the choice of protective clothing and equipment as well as the basic principles of roadcraft such as hazard and speed awareness. Before coming along its a good idea to have a read of the Highway Code. The practical training will cover the correct use of the controls, riding the bike in a controlled off-road site and includes the basics of motorcycle care. The final section of the CBT is a road ride of at least 2 hours in length.
This is not a pass or fail course. It is a training course and you will receive your CBT Certificate (DL196) once the instructor is satisfied you have satisfactorily completed the course.
It is important you learn at your own pace. There is no pressure to complete the course in one day, but your progress is continually monitored. Every effort will be made to assist you in your progress, but we all learn at different rates. Progress will be reviewed half way through. If you do not complete the course on your first day you will be offered a follow up session or sessions of individual training at cost price - see Prices page
For the current CBT rates, see our prices page. The price includes everything - bike hire, insurance, equipment and clothing, and fuel.
Fast Track Renewal
This is a course designed for those who have done at least one CBT before, have ridden regularly since their CBT and are confident on the type of bike they are planning to ride. It is not for those who have not ridden before or since their last CBT or for those wishing to learn new skills (eg. wishing to learn gears for the first time). Your CBT must be current. Students are booked on this course on the basis of information provided to us. If, once the course has started, it is clear that the entry criteria are not met, the booking may have to be renegotiated.
All elements of the CBT have to be covered including the classroom and off-road sections, but if you have already done this course before, there should be no need to teach you everything again from scratch. This renewal is based on validating what you should already know and be able to do. Of course there will be some refreshing of memory and some tidying up of skills but in principle your time will be spent working from the level of skill and knowledge that you are at already. The emphasis will be on your road riding skills and there will be an opportunity to cover topics not usually covered in CBT (such as filtering or overtaking) if required.
- Spending long sessions watching another student who has never ridden before while they learn the basics.
- Being put aside while the instructor spends most of the time working with beginners.
- Simply tagging along on a road ride while a novice learns how to cope with simple roadcraft.
- Being told how to fasten your helmet up or where to find the front brake when you've been riding every day for the last 2 years!
Because we are not having to start from the beginning there should be time savings. The course on average takes about half a day. This includes a full 2 hours or more on the road. A course starting at 10am may finish about 2pm unless there are shortfalls in skills or knowledge.
Yes, if your CBT is current and so long as your bike is road legal, insured, taxed, MOT'd if necessary, in roadworthy condition and has L plates front and rear.
No more than 2. This is a higher level of teaching and a strict 1-to-2 ratio is observed.
Far from it. The Motorcycle Industry and DVSA approves of a client centred approach to training. This means using and building on prior knowledge and skills. A CBT retake listed with complete beginners is a missed opportunity to learn something new and improve your riding. A recent document* presented to Parliament in December 2014 by the Motorcycle Industry (to which our school contributed through the MCIA CBT Review response) suggested that CBT retakes should be more than just a repeat of the first basic level course and should be heavily road-based. Listing retake students separately should be seen as best practice.
* Realising the Motorcycling Opportunity: A Motorcycle Safety and Transport Policy Framework *
