Welsh Bikers Compulsory Basic Training Information

 

 Motorcycle Compulsory Basic Training(C.B.T) Information & Advice

Compulsory basic training (CBT) was introduced in 1990 to help reduce the very high accident rate among inexperienced motorcyclists. CBT must be completed before a learner moped or motorcycle rider is allowed to ride on the road with L-plates or D-plates in Wales.

When to complete a CBT training

If you want to ride a moped, (a moped has an engine not over 50 cc with maximum design speed not exceeding 50 kilometres per hour which is approximately 31 miles per hour)or you want to ride a motorcycle, If you obtained your car licence before 1 February 2001 you do not need to complete a CBT to ride a moped.

What does CBT involve?

The CBT course involves five elements:

• introduction
• practical on-site training
• practical on-site riding
• practical on-road training
• practical on-road riding

The five elements have to be completed in sequence, although the order of the exercises within the element can be varied. You will only move on to the next element when your instructor is satisfied you have learnt the necessary theory and demonstrated the practical skills to a safe basic level.

Trainees must, by law, receive a minimum two hour on-road ride in Element E.

Certificate of completion (DL 196)

When all five elements have been satisfactorily completed, a certificate of completion, called the DL196, is issued. This is a legal document which validates the relevant entitlements on your driving licence.

It is important that the holder of a DL196 considers the following points:

A DL196 certificate validating a provisional moped or provisional motorcycle entitlement lasts for two years - CBT will have to be retaken if both theory and practical tests are not passed within the two year certificate life for moped entitlement only, if you pass your car driving test whilst your DL196 is still current or complete a CBT course and obtain a DL196 after passing your car test, the certificate is not subject to expiry, you will therefore need to keep your DL196 certificate safely.

Please note that this applies to mopeds only, for riding motorcycles as a learner the DL196 remains valid for two years

Once you have your certificate you are advised to take additional training to pass your theory and practical tests and qualify for a motorcycle or moped licence. You must take the DL196 certificate with you when you go to your practical test.

Where and How Much

Only instructors certified by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) can teach CBT at an approved training body (ATB). ATBs must have instructors who have successfully completed a two day assessment and have sites approved by DSA for off-road training.

The cost for the course varies from around £100 upwards, and can be affected by where training is taking place, and whether a rider brings their own bike.

Most ATBs offer the loan of bikes and helmets for the course. The cost of CBT may be incorporated into the cost of a full training course that leads to a motorcycle test.

You can find more Information & advice about motorcycle training schools in your by clicking here

Welsh Bikers Guide To The 5 Elements Of C.B.T

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.

 Essentials of C.B.T

 

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.

Welsh Bikers C.B.T 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
• Great reputation - Ask family & friends

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.

Even after completing your CBT there is nothing stopping you buying a 125cc bike & riding it around until your comfortable.

 

You'll need 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

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.

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!

Top Five CBT Tips

• Relax - You'll do yourself no favours in your nervous
• Go prepared - if you forget anything it will be niggling away at you all day
• Pay attention - listen to your instructor & then put into practise what you have been shown
• Saftey checks - do them & often you can even practise these at home

Last but not least enjoy yourself after all that's what your learning to ride a motorcycle for right?