CBT training information & advice in Wales.

Welcome to Welsh Bikers the biggest motorcycle forum in Wales - On this page you will find all the advice & information on compulsory basic training (CBT), If on these pages we have not answered your questions then please feel free to post them in our motorcycle forum.

Compulsory basic training (CBT) advice.

Buy the highway code.

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.

Continue your motorcycle training.

It is well worth it to continue on to doing the motorcycle theory and practical tests to obtain a full motorbike 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.

Booking you CBT training.

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 (CBT) was introduced to curb the high number of motorcycle accidents that new riders were having.

Motorcycling is much more of an art than driving a car.

Motorcycle 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.

What to wear on your CBT test

You cannot ride without a motorcycle helmet so double check if it is provided.

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.

There is a new brief being mailed to all DSA test centres stating that all test candidates must wear proper clothing & footwear or face the risk of being turned away from your motorcycle test.

Where can i take my cbt and How Much will it cost me?

The cost for a CBT course including bike & equipment hire can vary from around £100 upwards.

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 and advice about motorcycle training schools by visting our motorcycle training schools in Wales section

Welsh Bikers UK bike forum top five compulsory basic training tips.

Why was the Compulsory Basic Training (C.B.T) test introduced in the UK?

Compulsory basic training (CBT) was introduced in 1990 to help reduce the very high accident rate among in-experienced motorcyclists

CBT course must be successfully completed before a learner moped or motorcycle rider is allowed to ride on the road with L-plates or D-plates in Wales.

Certificate of completion (DL 196) -CBT motorcycle test pass certificate

When all five elements of the CBT course 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.
• A Compulsary Basic Training (CBT) test 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 safe.

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 motorcycle training to pass your theory and practical DAS tests and qualify for a full motorcycle or moped licence.

You must take the DL196 certificate with you when you go to your DAS motorcycle practical test.

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 of CBT 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 learn how to start and stop the engine safely.

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 motorcycle can I ride after passing my CBT Test?

What can I ride after passing my CBT test

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).

Provisional Moped Licence

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).

Full Moped Licence

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!