Taking your motorcycle CBT can feel hugely intimidating, especially if this is your first time. 

That’s why we’ve put together this guide to Compulsory Basic Training, to help you feel confident, prepared and (hopefully!) pass first time. 

Compulsory Basic Training (often known as a CBT) is a mandatory course that new riders take before they can ride a moped, scooter or motorcycle on the roads. 

The course covers things like handling and balance, as well as on-road riding. Once completed, you’ll be able to ride a moped up to 50cc (if you’re 16) or a motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc (if 17 or above) with L plates.

As you can’t ride on the roads without it, the CBT has been designed for complete beginners. However, you do have to take in a lot of knowledge and get used to something that’s very unfamiliar, which can be challenging.

You can increase your likelihood of passing if you’ve practised on a bicycle and have a good working knowledge of road safety. 

It’s also important to remember that you can’t pass or fail your CBT, because it’s not a test in the way that getting a full licence is. If you don’t reach the required safety standard by the end of the day, you’ll just need to come back for more training. 

Duration	Cost	Format	Validity	What can you ride after?
6-8 hours	Typically £130-£170	Theory, then practical	Valid for 2 years after completion	Moped up to 50cc (if you're 16) or a bike up to 125cc

A motorcycle CBT is a one-day course, where you’ll receive a mix of practical training and on-road riding alongside instruction on controlling your bike and riding safely.

You’ll be able to take it from the age of 16, when you’ll be able to learn on a moped up to 50cc. If you take it when you’re 17 or older, you’ll be able to learn on a motorbike or scooter up to 125cc. 

Once completed, your CBT will be valid for two years, by which point you’ll either have needed to get a full motorcycle license or redo your CBT if you want to continue riding. 

The time leading up to your CBT can feel nerve-wracking, so you’ll want to feel as prepared as possible to build up your confidence. 

You will need: 

• A valid UK provisional or full driving license to prove your identity (if you have an EU driving licence, you’ll either need to exchange it for a UK license or register it with the DVLA)
• Protective clothing and safety gear like a helmet (although it’s worth contacting your training school beforehand to see if they can provide this).
• Glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them for driving or need them to see long distances.
• A packed lunch and plenty of water, as your CBT will take all day. 

Before your CBT, you’ll want to study the Highway Code – particularly road signs, general road rules and the specific rules for motorcyclists  – and learn as much as you can about basic motorcycle controls. 

You can also research other people’s experiences completing their CBT, to help you get a better understanding of what’s involved.

At your CBT, you’ll need to wear: 

• A motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards.
• Sturdy footwear that can support and protect your ankle (you can buy boots specifically designed for motorcycling here).
• Heavy denim or motorcycle-specific trousers.
• A leather or textile motorcycle jacket.

The training school you use may have these items for hire, so it’s always worth contacting them beforehand to see if that’s a possibility.

The day of your CBT will be broken up into five sections: An introduction, on-site training, on-site riding, on-road training and on-road riding. Understanding what you’re being assessed for at each stage can help you feel more prepared for the day ahead and help you prepare more efficiently. 

When you first arrive at the training school, you’ll be asked to show your license and do an eye test. In that eye test, you’ll need to be able to read a number plate from 20 metres away (using glasses or contact lenses if you normally wear them.)

After that, your instructor will run through what you can expect from your day, which will help you feel more prepared. From there, you’ll begin your on-site training. 

In your on-site training, your instructor will go over with you how the controls on your bike work, the checks you’ll need to carry out on it (covering basic bike maintenance). Once you’ve built up a strong understanding of the bike and its controls, you’ll be able to move on to on-site riding.

At this stage, you’ll start riding the bike at the test centre, learning how to safely do basic manoeuvres like indicating, changing gears and riding in a straight line. When your instructor is happy that you can control the bike safely, it’s time to move on to the next section.  

Before you can start riding on the roads, your instructor will cover the legal requirements for staying safe on the road – which is where knowledge of the Highway Code can come in handy. Your instructor will want to ensure that you understand how to legally and safely interact with other vehicles on the road before moving on to the final stage of your CBT.

To complete your CBT, you’ll need to spend a minimum of two hours riding on the roads with your instructor. During this time, you’ll cover elements like junctions, roundabouts and traffic lights, focusing on demonstrating your ability to correctly respond to hazards, control your bike and correctly use signals. 

If your instructor believes you can do this safely, you will have successfully completed your CBT.

Once you’ve successfully completed your CBT, you will receive your DL196 certificate. With this, you’ll be able to ride a moped or 125cc motorcycle (if 17 or above) on the road with L plates. 

However, you won’t be able to ride on motorways or carry a passenger, and your CBT will only allow you to ride for two years before it needs to be renewed. To progress, you’ll need to look into getting a motorcycle license. 

Once you’ve completed your CBT, you’ll be able to ride:

• A moped or scooter up to 50cc
• A motorbike up to 125cc (if 17 or above)
• An electric moped or scooter with a top speed of 28mph

	Third-Party Damage	Theft	Fire	Own Accident	Vandalism	Natural Disaster
TPO	X
TPFT	X	X	X
Fully Comp	X	X	X	X	X	X

Once you’ve completed your CBT, you’ll need motorcycle insurance to ride on public roads. You can choose from Third Party Only (TPO, Third-Party, Fire and Theft (TPFT) or Comprehensive (fully comp) insurance. The right coverage for you will depend on your own budget and personal circumstances. 

At Lexham Insurance, we offer specialist schemes for 125cc bikes, and we can offer instant quotes – so you can get cover on short notice. 

Technically, you can’t fail your CBT, but your instructor may feel that you need further training. 

This may be because you weren’t able to properly control the bike, had insufficient knowledge of the Highway Code or were riding dangerously.  If this happens, you’ll be asked to book another training session to redo the course. 

If you’ve completed your CBT and are now looking at the next stage, figuring out what license to get can be a little confusing. Here’s a brief explanation of motorbike licenses, but you can read our full guide for a more in-depth look.

You can get your A1 licence from 17 and, similar to a CBT, it will allow you to ride anything up to 125cc. However, unlike a CBT, you won’t need L plates, you can have a pillion and it won’t expire after two years. If you’re happy on a 125, this is a great next step. 

Once you’re 19, you’ll be able to get your A2 licence, which allows you to ride bikes with a maximum power output of 47bhp, giving you plenty of good options. You’ll also be able to carry a passenger (if your insurance allows) and ride on motorways.  

There are two routes you can take when getting your full motorcycle licence – Direct Access and Progressive. 

If you’re 24 years old or above, you can go directly from your CBT to a full motorcycle licence by passing a practical and theory test on a 595cc (or larger) motorcycle. However, it’s a good idea to get some practice on a lower-capacity motorbike first, as this is quite a big leap. 

If you’re at least 21 years old and have been riding on an A2 licence for at least two years, you can retake your practical test on a motorbike with a minimum output of 595cc to obtain your full motorcycle licence. This is a great option, as you’ll be able to obtain the full licence at a younger age and approach the test with more riding experience. 

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about a Motorcycle CBT.

Compulsory Basic Training is designed for people who have never ridden a motorbike before, so you’re not expected to have experience. However, practising on a bicycle, learning how a motorbike works and studying the Highway Code are great ways to prepare. 

You don’t have to take a CBT if:

• You want to ride a 50cc moped and passed your car driving test before 1st February 2001.
• You want to ride a motorcycle, and received a full moped license before 1st December 1990.
• You already have a full motorcycle licence for one category, and want to upgrade to another (for example, from an A1 to an A2 license).
• You live and ride on some offshore islands. 

During the theory sections of your CBT, you’ll be expected to understand how your motorbike works and how to follow safe riding practices. Your instructor will check your knowledge as you learn, and will not move on to the practical riding sections of the test until they’re satisfied. 

Brush up on your knowledge of the Highway Code and learn as much as you can about motorbike controls before your CBT to feel more prepared and confident. 

Before you can start the on-road riding section of your CBT, you’ll need to prove you have a strong understanding of the Highway Code and how to legally and safely handle hazards. You’ll be asked questions about the meaning behind road signs, how you should safely position yourself on the roads, and who has the right of way in various situations. 

After your CBT, you’ll need to complete a theory test if you want a full motorbike license. During  this test you’ll be shown 14 clips, each with at least one developing hazard. 

You’ll need to click as soon as you spot a developing hazard, and be marked based on how fast you spot these hazards. At this point, you will have passed your CBT and will likely be riding regularly, so spotting hazards should be more straightforward than it feels now. 

A CBT and an A1 license are similar, as they’ll both allow you to ride anything up to a 125cc motorbike. However, with an A1 license, you won’t need L plates, and you’ll be able to ride on motorways with a passenger. Plus, unlike a CBT, the A1 license won’t expire after two years, so you won’t need to worry about renewing it. 

So, there you have it. We hope this guide to completing your CBT was useful. If you need any further guidance, check out our resources below: 

We can offer motorbike insurance to riders who have completed their CBT, so make sure to get a quote direct with Lexham!

For more guidance on taking your CBT, you can read our article exploring the ten things you should know before taking your CBT. 

Ready for the next step? Read our comprehensive guide to motorcycle licencing types to help you decide what licence is best for you!