What is CBT?
Compulsory Basic Training is a one-day course set by the DVSA to make sure new riders have the basic skills and road sense to ride safely before heading out on their own. It is not a test — there is nothing to pass or fail. Your instructor works with you until you have reached a safe standard across five practical elements.
Once complete you are issued a DL196 certificate, which lets you ride a moped at 16, or a motorcycle up to 125cc and 11kW at 17 or over, on the road with L-plates. You cannot carry a passenger or use a motorway until you hold a full licence.
Who needs to take it?
You need a valid CBT certificate to:
- Ride a moped or scooter at 16 on a provisional licence
- Ride a 125cc motorcycle on L-plates at 17 or over
- Practise on the road before taking your Module 1 and Module 2 tests
If you passed your car driving test before 1 February 2001 you may already be entitled to ride a moped without a separate CBT — though most riders in that position still take one.
What to expect on the day
A CBT day usually runs from around 8:30am to mid-afternoon and is split into five elements, A to E. You move on to the next only when your instructor is happy you are ready.
The aims of the course, suitable clothing, and a check that you can read a number plate at 20 metres.
The controls, the daily checks, wheeling the bike, using the stand, and starting and stopping the engine.
Riding in a controlled area — slow control, braking, gears, U-turns and figure-of-eights.
The Highway Code as it applies to a motorcycle, road positioning, hazard awareness, and the effect of weather and visibility.
At least two hours of real-road riding with your instructor following on radio.
Requirements and prerequisites
Before booking, make sure you have everything the day needs:
| Provisional licence | A UK provisional or full driving licence with motorcycle entitlement. Bring the photocard — a photo of it on your phone is not enough. |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 16 for a moped (AM), 17 for a 125cc motorcycle (A1). |
| Eyesight | Able to read a number plate at 20 metres, glasses or contact lenses allowed. |
| Clothing | Boots over the ankle, jeans or trousers, a jacket and gloves. Most schools lend a helmet and hi-vis. |
| Provided by the school | The training bike, fuel, helmet, gloves and hi-vis are usually included in the price. Confirm when you book. |
What it costs
The course content is identical everywhere — DVSA sets it — so the difference between two quotes is everything around the course. Where the school is, how many trainees there are per instructor, whose bike you ride, and whether the day is a weekend.
Two questions separate a genuinely cheap school from a stretched one: how many trainees per instructor, and what happens if you do not complete on the day. A school that answers both plainly is telling you what it is.