Compulsory Basic Training
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Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) is a basic motorcycle training course which must be completed before a learner motorcyclist is allowed to ride unaccompanied on the road with L-plates (D-plates in Wales) in the United Kingdom. If a full car licence was obtained before February 1, 2001 it is not necessary to complete a CBT course to ride a moped.
The CBT course was introduced in December 1990 to help reduce the high accident rate among inexperienced motorcyclists and involves five elements which must be completed in sequence, although the order of the exercises within each element can be varied.
Typically conducted for a period of one day, the course involves practice manoeuvres in a suitable off road area and a supervised ride on public roads. Whilst there is no official 'test' to obtain the certificate, the instructor will only issue the certificate if the trainee rider is considered safe to be allowed on the public road.
Certificate of completion (DL 196)
When all five elements have been completed, a certificate of completion (called DL196) 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. A CBT course will have to be retaken if both theory and practical tests are not passed within two years
- For moped 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
At the minimum age of 16, a learner may ride a moped not exceeding 50cc with a maximum design speed of 50km/h, must display L plates (D-plates in Wales), must not travel on motorways and must not carry passengers.
At age 17+, a learner may ride a motorcycle not exceeding 125cc with a maximum power of 11kW (14.6bhp) must display L plates (D-plates in Wales), must not travel on motorways and must not carry passengers.
Practical tests
It is advised that a learner takes a practical test within two years of obtaining a CBT certificate to avoid CBT expiration.
At the minimum age of 17, a learner can go on to pass a theory and practical test in order to gain full motorcycle entitlement. The practical test must be taken on a 125cc motorcycle which must be rated to travel faster than 100km/h. This restricts the rider to motorcycles not exceeding 33bhp for two years, after which the restriction is automatically removed.
At the age of 21+, a learner can go on to pass a theory and practical test using the Direct Access Scheme in order to gain full motorcycle entitlement. The practical test must be taken on a motorcycle rated at least 35kW (46.6bhp) and avoids the two year restrictions allowing the rider to ride any size motorcycle
