CBT

Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) must be taken by anyone wanting to take to the road with a moped or motorbike and provides you with exactly what the name suggests. The aim is to give riders the basic skills they require to ride a moped safely. This type of training is relatively cheap and there are figures out there to suggest that it does help to reduce the number of accidents amongst young riders. With this in mind there are number of things to take into consideration when preparing for your CBT.

What To Take

The CBT can be taken in any number of centres located around the country and riders can either opt to take their own bike or use one of the test centres vehicles. Riders can also hire the appropriate safety gear and clothing at most of these centres however if you don’t have or want to hire clothing then your best bet is to wear sturdy clothing like jeans. Unfortunately the yellow bib you will receive from your test centre is mandatory.

Getting to grips with the right equipment is one thing but the most important thing to take with you is your license. Your instructor will check and without it you will be unable to do your CBT, so don’t FORGET.

What Will I Have To Do?

The first step of the process is to take a compulsary eye test. This involves reading words, numbers and number plates from a distance of 20.5 meters. This is standard practice however if you do wear glasses you will be expected to wear them for the test. Once complete you will move on to the classroom where you will be provided with information about clothing, riding styles, road safety and rules and all the basics you will need to know before riding. After this its time to get down to the riding itself.

You will begin your lesson in the confines of the training facility. Here you will learn how to safely start and stop your bike and perform a number of tasks. This typically includes emergency breaking, doing u-turns and weaving between cones. This is to ensure that you can control the moped safely and efficiently. Once you have run through a few exercises you will be taken back to the classroom to learn a bit more about road safety and road signs. Then its time to take to the streets.

This is when things get a little bit more fun. You can typically expect to spend anywhere between an hour to two hours on the road practicing what you have learnt. In most centres you are given a one way radio where the instructor (who rides behind) will feed instructions through to you. They will then monitor all your decisions, movements and riding style. They will also take you along routes which test you on almost everything you have learnt. Once complete you will head back to the training centre.

At this point you will be provided with a DL196 form to confirm that you have passed (providing that the instructor is happy). You are then free to ride with a 50cc or 125cc moped/motorbike but must wear L Plates at all times. This will give you two years for which to take your full test. Remember – If you don’t pass your full test within two years then you will need to retake your CBT.