Compulsory Basic Training - CBT
Compulsory Basic Training, or CBT for short, is a one day training course aimed at teaching you the basics of how to ride a motorcycle. On this page:
- Essentials of the CBT
- Before You Book Your CBT
- Where to Book & the Cost
- What Happens At Your CBT
- What You Can Ride
- Your DL196 Certificate
- CBT Tips
Essentials of Compulsory Basic Training
You do not need any previous riding experience to do your compulsory basic training.
The CBT is not a test which you can fail, so if you complete the day's training you will be issued with your DL196 certificate. The DL196 certificate is a legal document which you must have to validate your provisional motorcycle or moped licence.
When you receive your provisional moped licence or your provisional motorcycle licence, you must do your compulsory basic training before you can ride a motorbike on the road.
If you hold a full car driving licence and it has a provisional category A entitlement (provisional motorcycle licence), then you must also do your compulsory basic training before you can ride a light motorcycle as a learner on the road.
If you gained your full moped licence prior to 1 Dec 1990, then you must do your compulsory basic training again to validate the provisional motorcycle licence and be allowed to ride a light motorcycle as a learner.
If your full car driving licence was issued from 1 Feb 2001 onwards, then it has a full category P entitlement (full moped licence), but you must first do your compulsory basic training before this entitlement becomes valid. A DL196 certificate gained in this way has no expiry date.
CBT Exemptions
- If your full moped licence was issued from 1 Dec 1990 onwards, then you can ride a light motorcycle as a learner without having to do your CBT again (you must be at least 17 to ride a light motorcycle).
- If your full car driving licence was issued before 1 Feb 2001, then your licence has a full category P entitlement (a full moped licence), meaning that you can ride a moped on the road without having to the CBT first.
Before You Book Your Compulsory Basic Training
To do your CBT, you need one of the following:
- A provisional moped licence (Provisional category P entitlement)
- A provisional motorcycle licence (Provisional category A entitlement)
- A full UK car driving licence showing a category P or category A entitlement
If need any information on getting your provisional licence, read my Provisional Motorcycle Licence section.
Note that you cannot do your compulsory basic training if you have a non-UK driving licence. If you have a European licence you can get a UK equivalent licence. If you have a licence from outside of Europe, then you can exchange your foreign licence for a UK licence. You can also simply apply for a provisional moped or motorcycle licence.
Where to Book Your Compulsory Basic Training & the Cost
The Driving Standards Association (DSA) manages the quality of the CBT course and you can do your CBT at any DSA approved training body. There are many such training companies all over the UK. Go to my Motorcycle Directory where I have listed Compulsory Basic Training Centres by region in the UK.
Your CBT should cost about £100, but obviously this varies depending on which town or city you live in and which training body you go to. Most training companies provide motorcycles and essential gear like motorcycle helmets as well. Check with your local training companies to see what's included in their training packages.
What Happens At Your Compulsory Basic Training
What to Bring to the CBT
If you are doing your CBT on a motorcycle provided by the training company, then you only need to take your licence with you. For mopeds, this can be your provisional moped licence or full UK driving licence. For compulsory basic training for light motorcycles, this can be your provisional motorcycle licence or full UK driving licence with provisional category A entitlement.
Be sure to take both parts of your licence, the photo ID card and the corresponding paper document. A valid D441 (temporary driving licence) or an old school paper licence are valid substitutes for an ID card licence, but you must take an extra form of identification, like your passport with you when taking one of the above.
If you are doing compulsory basic training on your own motorcycle, then you must also take proof of insurance, have a valid road tax disc on your bike and, if the bike is more than three years old, proof of MOT status. Your motorcycle will also need to have L plates fitted.
Note: You must pass an eye sight is test at the start of the CBT to qualify for completing the course. So if you wear glasses or contacts, don't forget them!
What to Wear for your CBT
Most training companies will provide you with a helmet. You cannot ride without a motorcycle helmet so double check if it is provided. If you take your own helmet, it must be legal which means it must adhere to the BS 6658 and ECE R 22-05 standards (displayed on the helmet). A high viz waistcoat should also be provided. Some companies also provide riding gear like gloves and water proof trousers. I advise you that you dress sensibly wearing a pair of trousers, a durable jacket and robust boots.
The Five CBT Elements
The Compulsory Basic Training is a full days training, approximately 09h00 to 17h00. There are five elements that make up the day which are completed in sequence and you will only move on from one element to the next when the instructor is satisfied that you have learnt the practical skills being taught. The five elements are:
- Introduction (30 to 45 min)
First your required documents e.g. you licence will be inspected (requirements are discussed above). For the eye sight test you must be able to read a licence plate from 67 feet away. The introductory talk is about the goals of the CBT and general road safety. - Practical On-Site Training (45 min to 1 hr)
During this element you will learn the controls of the motorcycle and the checks that you must perform on the bike to insure that it is safe to ride. You will also be shown how to use the stand of the motorbike, how to wheel the bike and how to brake properly. Finally you will start and stop the engine. - Practical On-Site Riding (2 to 3 hrs)
This is when you learn how to actually ride the motorcycle. You will practice changing gears, observation and indicating, manoeuvring and braking as well as parking. - Practical On Road Training (45 min to 1 hr)
This is a classroom style lesson which covers many of the dangers on the road and teaches you the techniques required for riding safely. You will cover defensive driving, correct position on the road, observation and other relevant topics. - Practical On Road Riding (at least 2 hrs)
Now you can hit the road. You will follow the instructor on your motorcycle and ride in the traffic. The instructor will check that you can perform the basic manoeuvres that you were taught during the practical on-site riding on the actual road.
What You Can Ride
If you complete the day at an acceptable level of competence, then you are issued with your DL196 certificate.
- If you have a provisional moped licence you can now ride a motorcycle classed as a moped on the road. This is any motorbike with an engine capacity of no more 50cc and a maximum speed not exceeding 31 mph (50 kph). You must have L plates (D plates in Wales), cannot carry a passenger on the pillion and may not ride on motorways.
- If you have a provisional motorcycle licence you can now ride a motorbike which has an engine capacity of no more than 125cc and a maximum power output of 11 kW (14.6 bhp). You must have L plates (D plates in Wales), cannot carry a passenger on the pillion and may not ride on motorways. Learner riders over 21 can practice on bigger bikes under the supervision of an approved instructor who is in radio contact with the learner rider.
- If you have a full car licence then you can now ride a moped without L plates and with a pillion passenger, but not on motorways as mopeds are never allowed on motorways.
Note that if you have a valid DL196 certificate, it validates any provisional motorcycle entitlement that you may hold. For instance, if you did your compulsory basic training to validate your provisional moped licence and then got your provisional motorcycle licence at a later stage, then your provisional motorcycle licence is also valid - just as long as the DL196 certificate has not expired!
Your DL196 Certificate
The DL196 certificate is a legal document which is valid for two years. If you do not pass the theory and practical tests to get a full licence in this two year window, then you must redo your CBT to get a new certificate when it reaches its two year expiry date.
However, if you completed your CBT to validate the category P entitlement (full moped entitlement) which came with your full driving licence, the certificate does not expire after two years and is valid for the life of your driving licence. This makes sense because if you have a full moped licence issued from 1 Dec 1990 onwards then you can ride a light motorbike as a learner without having to redo the CBT.
If you have a valid DL196 certificate and then get your full car driving licence, the certificate automatically validates the moped entitlement that comes with your full driving licence.
You can see that it is well worth to continue on doing the theory and practical tests to obtain a full licence, otherwise you have to keep repeating the CBT, which costs time and money! Besides, you don't want to ride with L plates forever.
Since the CBT is not a test, you can ride a light motorcycle even if you did your CBT on a moped (automatic or manual), just as long as you have category A entitlement on your provisional or full driving licence.
You're probably itching to get you full licence by now! Check out my section on the motorcycle theory test where I'll help you get prepared. I also cover the motorcycle practical test. Since the CBT only covers the basics of motorcycling, it is advisable that you seek out further training before doing your practical test.
Compulsory Basic Training Tips
- Although you need no riding experience to do your compulsory basic training, you could familiarise yourself with the Highway Code before you go. You're going to have to go through the Highway Code at some stage, so get it out of the way early on. Buy the Highway Code
- It is well worth it to continue on to doing the theory and practical tests to obtain a full licence; otherwise you have to keep repeating the CBT, which costs time and money! Besides, you don't want to ride with L plates forever. Your motorcycle insurance will also be cheaper when you have a full motorcycle licence
- Ensure that you book your CBT at a DSA approved training body . When you book your Compulsory Basic Training, look for a training centre that offers:
Flexible training - good training centres will take you through each element at your own pace
Riding gear - you probably don't have your own motorcycle helmet or gloves at this point
Guaranteed Pass - Compulsory basic training was introduced to curb the high number of accidents that new riders were having. Motorcycling is much more of an art than driving a car. Training is essential for your safety, but also to increase your riding skills which makes your riding more relaxed and fun and lets you push your boundaries without loosing control
- If it rains on the day of your CBT you still have to go, after all you will have to be able to ride in all sorts of weather conditions. Ask your training centre whether they provide waterproof gear, if not, take your own. If you fail to show up for your CBT you could loose your fee.
- You must present a valid DL196 certificate to be allowed to do your practical moped or motorcycle test.
Note: I decided to buy myself a 125cc and get some riding experience before continuing with the Theory and Practical Tests, something that I would personally recommend. There are some great 125’s on the market, and second hand prices won't set you back all that much. With enough power to enjoy yourself and at the same time build on the skills you have learned during the CBT, it’s a good way to start your motorcycling. Through the DAS course it is possible to go from Compulsory Basic Training to Full Motorcycle Licence within 6 days! However I think this is rushing the process and it is much more likely that you will get yourself into a dangerous situation.