Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
CBT is a course of instruction and assessment for new riders wanting to ride a moped or geared motorcycle, it must be taken by any rider before they can ride on the road.
What is a CBT Course?
CBT (“Compulsory Basic Training”) is your essential first step to safe, confident riding on UK roads. It’s the legal requirement before riding any scooter, moped, or motorcycle—designed specifically to welcome brand-new riders. No previous experience is necessary! All you need is a sensible attitude, a willingness to learn, and a smile.
At Camrider, our friendly, professional instructors are here to help you every step of the way. Whether you’re 16 or 60, a complete beginner, or returning to riding after a break, we’re passionate about making motorcycling accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
We offer CBT courses at convenient locations across the UK, including Bedford, Cambridge, Corby, Diss, Harlow, Ipswich, London, Norwich, and Peterborough. Find your nearest Camrider here.
What happens on the day?
When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed with a friendly introduction and a cup of tea or coffee to help you settle in. Your day will be structured into five practical and informative elements, combining classroom learning, bike controls practice, on-site confidence-building, and road riding with expert guidance.
- Training is scheduled either as a working day or split over two sessions depending on what fits you and your experience – full test courses where riders will go up to 600cc bikes later on, often split CBT into two sessions as it’s a lot to take in in one go – the hours are stated on your booking confirmation.
- CBT is regulated by the DVSA and has five elements – you need to meet the required standard in each one to go to the next – A lot of riders are fine with one day of training, but as we know people can learn at a different pace – don’t worry if you need more training – CBT is not a race, nor a certificate of attendance. It’s there to make you safe and comply with the law.
- Our instructors will focus on your safety and comfort, guiding you at your own pace throughout the process.
- Each element must be individually completed before progressing to the next—your instructor will ensure you’re ready before moving forward.
At the end, if you demonstrate safe, competent riding throughout every element, you’ll be awarded your CBT certificate (DL196)—valid for two years.
Please note – The DVSA CBT syllabus and requirements are listed below. We advise familiarising yourself with them!
What’s Included?
Camrider provides everything you need:
- Full CBT training and DVSA-compliant assessment
- Loan of a moped or motorcycle
- Use of helmet, gloves, waterproofs, and protective jacket (standard sizes XS–XXL)
- Fuel and insurance throughout your training
If you require clothing in sizes outside this range, please bring your own suitable riding gear or contact us before booking to discuss arrangements.
What Should I Bring?
- Your plastic photo card UK driving licence (full or provisional)
- The ability to read a number plate at 20.5 metres (with glasses or contact lenses if needed)
- Sturdy jeans (no rips or tears) and ankle-protecting trainers or boots
- A working knowledge of the Highway Code and UK road signs—please review these before attending!
We are happy to provide jackets, helmets, gloves, and waterproofs free of charge for standard sizes.
After Your CBT
Upon passing, riders aged 16 may ride a moped up to 50cc; from age 17 and above, you may ride a bike up to 125cc (automatic or geared). L-plates must be displayed, and riding on motorways or carrying passengers is not permitted until you obtain your full motorcycle licence. CBT certificates last two years—renew as needed until you’re ready for your full test!
How long does it take?
Most Camrider students successfully complete each of the 5 elements of their CBT in a single day of training, thanks to our supportive instructors and carefully designed courses. However, learning to ride safely is a personal journey—everyone progresses at their own pace.
If at any point you need further practice or do not meet the required standard on your training day for any element during your session, you may be asked to return for additional training on another day. In this case, you will need to book an extra event.
Our approach ensures you receive the training and support you need to become a safe and confident rider—no rush, no pressure, just solid progress toward your goal.
Ready to start your two-wheeled adventure?
Book your CBT with Camrider today and take the first step to freedom on the road!
The Five Elements of CBT
CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) is structured into five key elements, each designed to help you build safe riding skills step by step:
- Element A: Introduction and eyesight check, including discussion of safety equipment and the aims of CBT.
- Element B: Practical on-site training—learning the motorcycle controls and checks.
- Element C: Practical on-site riding—developing machine control and riding exercises in a safe, off-road area.
- Element D: Classroom-based road safety briefing, covering the Highway Code, defensive riding, and traffic scenarios.
- Element E: Practical on-road riding—supervised real-world riding with radio guidance, for a minimum of two hours.
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.”
Read more about CBTs on gov.uk
CBT Course Delivery / Syllabus Requirements (DVSA / GOV.UK)
- There are five elements in the CBT syllabus, which must be completed in sequence.
- “Whilst it is accepted that some more experienced trainees may be sufficiently competent to progress at an accelerated rate, all elements of the CBT syllabus must be fully and satisfactorily completed before a CBT DL196 certificate can be issued, irrespective of whether or not a course has been completed previously. This includes the minimum 2 hours on-road riding.”
- “DVSA expect the overall duration of a CBT course to be at least a day in order to complete the training syllabus to a satisfactory standard and to comply with the legislation.”
- Trainee-to-instructor ratios in certain elements:
- Elements B and C have a maximum of 4 trainees to one instructor.
- For the on-road element (Element E / “practical on-road riding”), a maximum of 2 trainees to one instructor.
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.
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).
There is no set pass-fail mark for the CBT. You need to learn skills and demonstrate that you are competent and above all safe before moving onto the next one.
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.
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.
For more information about CBT’s, see our Tests and Law section
