About Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
Compulsory basic training (CBT) must be taken before you can ride a moped or motorcycle on the road. The training ensures you can ride safely on your own while you practise for your full test.
What is a CBT
Before taking to the road, any new Motorbike or Scooter rider needs to complete their ‘CBT‘ or ‘Compulsory Basic Training‘.
CBT is a Government approved Compulsory Basic Training course. It must be taken by any rider wanting to use a 50cc moped, or 125cc motorcycle before they get on the road using “L” plates.
CBT is made up of a set course of instruction and assessment. It takes the learner from the basics of how to use the brakes and throttle, right through to essential skills to keep you safe on the road.
When you’ve completed your CBT, you can ride a:
| Ride a 50cc moped (geared or automatic) | If you’re over Age 16 |
| Ride a 125cc learner bike (geared or automatic) | If you’re over Age 17 |
Upon passing your CBT
On passing your CBT, you’ll be given a DL196 certificate. This allows you to ride a moped or learner motorcycle on the road, unaccompanied under the following conditions:
- Your ‘L’ plates must be displayed
- You can not take a passenger
- You can not use motorways
The certificate is valid for two years, during which time you will need to pass your full test. If you don’t pass during that time you’ll have to retake the CBT.
What happens on a Camrider CBT?
Camrider has been providing CBT since its introduction in December 1990, and we helped guide and develop the course with the DVSA who are the Government regulators.
The course includes 5 elements and has a minimum two-hour road ride at the end. The course can usually be completed in a day, but some people take longer.
Don’t worry if you have never ridden before, as the course is aimed at complete novices with no experience at all. On arrival, you will be met by your instructors and given a chance to settle in with a cup of tea or coffee.
Then the course will begin by going through the five elements of CBT:
| Element A | The aims and objectives of the course. Assessment then if satisfactory next element. | 30 to 40 mins |
| Element B | Introduction to learning the controls. Assessment then if satisfactory next element. | 45 mins approx |
| Element C | Practical on-site training. Assessment then if satisfactory next element. | 2 to 3 hrs approx |
| Element D | Classroom training on road safety. Assessment then if satisfactory next element. | 1 hour |
| Element E | Practical riding on the roads. Assessment: If satisfactory get certification – book again if more work is required to get you to a safe standard. | Minimum 2 hours |
All of the elements need to be taught in turn, as it’s important to master one skill before the next. The law only lets you carry on to the next element when you have passed the one you are on. When you have successfully learnt all the required skills you will be issued with the DL196 (pass certificate). If you need more training on any of the elements you will be advised and asked to rebook to carry on your training journey.
Legal Requirement: Progression and Termination
DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency):
“You must pass each element of the CBT course in order before you move on to the next. You cannot continue to any later element unless the instructor is satisfied you have met the required skills and safety standard for each stage. If you do not meet the necessary standard in any element, your CBT will be stopped at that point and you will not be allowed to continue with further elements on the same day.”
(DVSA, CBT Syllabus and Guidance)
This is a legal requirement designed to ensure all riders achieve the competence and safety needed to ride on public roads. Anyone who does not successfully complete any element will have their training terminated at that stage and must rebook to continue CBT on another day.
CBT Entry Requirements (DVSA / GOV.UK)
- “You must have a provisional driving licence in the relevant category.”
- “Learner riders of mopeds (category AM) and light motorcycles (category A1) with a CBT certificate can ride unaccompanied on the public road as long as the CBT certificate is valid or until they have passed their moped or motorcycle test.”
- “You must be 16 to ride a moped.”
- “You must be 17 to ride a motorcycle up to 125 cc and with a power output of up to 11 kW.”
- “You must pass your full moped or motorcycle test within 2 years, or you have to either take CBT again or stop riding.”
- “You can be fined up to £1,000 and get up to 6 penalty points for riding if you do not have a valid CBT certificate.”
Questions and answers:
You just need a UK “full car” or a “provisional” licence. You will need to bring the original undamaged copy of your photo card.
If you have the old style (just paper) licence then you will only need this (but later will need to present a valid UK passport as well if going on for full test). Do remember that all UK drivers and riders now need to get a photocard style licence if they change address, change a name or if the paper licence is destroyed or so badly worn it could not be understood or read properly.
You do not need to have taken your Motorcycle Theory Test to begin your CBT.
You can see additional information on licenses on our tests and law page.
If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 February 2001, you can ride a moped, but only if you complete a CBT course to confirm your full moped rights. You only need to do this once instead of repeating every two years – but keep the CBT certificate safe as it will be your only proof. Remember this only allows you to ride a 50cc moped – nothing larger.
If you passed your car driving test before 1 February 2001 you don’t need to complete a CBT course to ride a moped. However, we and the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recommends that you do.
The CBT course should last for at least 5 to 8 hours. There is a set routine that is regulated by the DVSA. You will be taught elements in turn and when you are safe to go onto the next element then you progress through all the five stages.
Most people get through in one day but sometimes a customer may need to come back another day to carry on training depending on how well they get on. The CBT course is completely safety orientated so if you can’t complete all the stages on the day, then rest and a return, later on, is the best and safest way to progress. This is also a requirement of the DVSA.
Please remember – each element must be passed by reaching a safe standard. The DVSA state: “You must pass each element of the CBT course in order before you move on to the next. You cannot continue to any later element unless the instructor is satisfied you have met the required skills and safety standard for each stage. If you do not meet the necessary standard in any element, your CBT will be stopped at that point and you will not be allowed to continue with further elements on the same day.”
Yes – the CBT course is suitable for complete novice riders, however you should have read and understood the Highway Code, as when you sign your licence you are stating that you have learnt this.
Yes – We have new loan bikes and mopeds, plus helmets, gloves, jackets and waterproof trousers, catering for small to extra large.
| Ride a 50cc moped (geared or automatic) | If you’re over Age 16 |
| Ride a 125cc learner bike (geared or automatic) | If you’re over Age 17 |
The certificate is valid for two years, during which time you will need to pass your full test. If you don’t pass during that time you’ll have to retake the CBT (The expiry date will be written on the certificate).
You need to learn skills and demonstrate that you are competent and above all safe before moving onto the next one. The DVSA have us assess you at five stages throughout the day – we will work hard with you but its the law that if you don’t meet the required standard to go on to the next session then the CBT stops there and you will have to return for another training session which you buy separately.
You won’t pass for just turning up, so the input needed from you is to listen, learn and then show that you can do it. If you do need more help then consider it a blessing as no one wants to go onto Britain’s busy roads with gaps in their ability.
If you need more training to pass you can book and buy more training events as needed
We can provide CBT and full test training sessions seven days a week- we schedule up courses depending on demand and the availability of the site and instructors – just look online or call us as we may be able to schedule a date that fits exactly with you.
We only train in small class sizes and you will thoroughly enjoy your course as we respond to your needs. There is a mix of people on the course, we know how to get the best out of you and make the day fit properly. Max class size in the classroom and off-road is 4 pupils to one instructor, and on-road never more than 2 pupils to one instructor.
Unfortunately, no – sessions need to start as timetabled as there may be another person on the course and we have to comply with DVSA regulations. The law states that we must complete the CBT course in full and to the requirements set by the government departments who regulate us.
