What is a CBT renewal?
It is the same course again. A CBT certificate lasts two years, and there is no renewal process as such — if yours has expired and you have not passed your full test, you retake the day and are issued a new DL196.
In practice it is rarely the same day twice. You already know how to ride, so the on-site elements usually move quickly and more of the day is spent on the road.
Who needs one?
Two groups, and the second is the one worth thinking about:
- Riders whose two years have run out and who still ride on L-plates
- Riders coming back after a long break who want the day as a refresher rather than because a deadline forced it
If you hold a full motorcycle licence you never need a CBT again — but the same instructors usually offer a refresher session, which is the better fit. See advanced and refresher training.
What to expect on the day
The same five elements, in the same order, because DVSA sets them and an instructor cannot skip one:
Licence check, the number plate at 20 metres, and a look at your kit.
Controls and daily checks. Quick, if you have ridden before.
Slow control, braking, U-turns and figure-of-eights on the training area.
Positioning, observation and hazards — worth more attention than riders expect on a second CBT.
At least two hours on public roads with your instructor on radio.
Requirements and prerequisites
| Provisional licence | Still required, and still the physical photocard. |
|---|---|
| Old certificate | Not needed. An expired DL196 gives you nothing, and a new one is issued from scratch. |
| Eyesight | Checked again every time — a number plate at 20 metres. |
| Clothing | Boots over the ankle, trousers, jacket and gloves. If you have your own helmet, bring it. |
What it costs
A repeat is often priced below a first CBT, because for most riders it is a shorter day — but that is a courtesy rather than a rule, and plenty of schools charge the same. It is worth asking directly rather than assuming.
If you are renewing only because the two years ran out, price the full test against another two years of CBTs before you book. At some point the licence is the cheaper option.