MOTORCYCLE TRAINING, TEST, 50cc, 125cc, DAS, CBT, ADVANCED,

CBT and Motorcycle training for your test

Motorcycle Training

CBT - Category A2 125cc (for riders 17 to 21) - Category A DAS (Direct Access for riders over 21) - Accelerated Motorcycle Test - Back to Biking - Learn - To Ride

Advanced - Assessments - Theory Test - Hourly Lessons - Flexible courses - Holiday Courses After your test!

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note for 2008 the smaller motorcycle test centres will be changing, the test requirements will be also changing - book your training with us early to avoid disappointment

Getting started - Your CBT With Cornwall Bike Training

Cornwall Bike Training are a DSA approved and registered training body (ATB) . Your CBT (compulsory basic training) is a course not a test! Almost all trainees complete the course in one day with Cornwall Bike Training. You choose a machine to suit you and your intended future riding for the course. We have automatic ("twist and go") 50cc scooters, or 125cc geared motorcycles specially for the CBT courses. (Later on you might choose to progress your training for a full motorcycle license on our 500cc motorcycles. All our machines are serviced and kept in top condition by our own factory trained engineer, and checked daily for peace of mind and your safety on the road).

CBT introduction training with Cornwall Bike Training Instructors Instructors demonstrating pre-ride safety checks

Your CBT covers basic two-wheeled riding techniques. All equipment is included in our prices (Helmet, Jacket, gloves, boots and motorcycle, plus the CBT certificate on completion). After an introduction to the course and the safety equipment in our separate classroom you will starting on our own specially designed training area, overlooking St Michael's mount, where we have laid out various road-awareness exercises where the beginner can learn and practice the basics of stopping, starting, moving off, and gain an understanding of basic motorcycle skills. When you have completed the off-road part of the course to the satisfaction of your instructor, which usually takes around half a day, you will be taken back for lunch before the next part of the course.

After lunch, and providing you and your instructor are happy that you have got the basics, you will be heading onto the open road to put the morning's lessons into practice- in radio contact with and under the supervision of your highly experienced instructor. You will be going through the road safety aspects of road signs, other road users, road surfaces, observation, various elements of different speed areas and appropriate speed for the conditions, safety planning and awareness. Generally this will last for most of the afternoon. At the end of the course the instructor should be satisfied that you now have the necessary skills to receive your CBT-certificate.

You are now entitled to ride for up to two years with L plates. Moped/scooter 50cc, or at 17 years or older a motorcycle up to 125cc. Now that you have a CBT certificate it's up to you whether you want to continue riding a smaller bike on L plates, and maybe renew the CBT every two years, or go on with further training on a larger motorcycle. current information about the CBT and motorcycle training requirements see the DSA (driving Standards agency) website

Overview: CBT is a course of compulsory basic motorcycle training which must be completed before a learner moped or motorcycle rider is allowed to ride unaccompanied on the road with L-plates, (D-plates in Wales) CBT was introduced in 1990 to help reduce the very high accident rate among inexperienced motorcyclists.

You will need to complete CBT if:

you want to ride a moped (engine not over 50cc with maximum design speed not exceeding 50km/h (approx.31mph)
you want to ride a motorcycle

If you obtained your car licence before 1 February, 2001 you do not need to complete a CBT to ride a moped.
What does CBT involve?
The CBT course involves five elements

introduction
practical on-site training
practical on-site riding
practical on-road training
practical on-road riding

The five elements have to be completed in sequence, although the order of the exercises within the element can be varied. You will only move on to the next element when your instructor is satisfied you have learnt the necessary theory and demonstrated the practical skills to a safe basic level. Trainees must, by law, receive a minimum two hour on-road ride in Element E.
Certificate of completion (DL 196)
When all five elements 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. CBT 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 safely. 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 training to pass your theory and practical tests and qualify for a motorcycle or moped licence. You must take the DL196 certificate with you when you present for the practical test.

Where and how much?
Only instructors certified by the Driving Standards Agency 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 typically from £70 to around £100. The cost of CBT may be incorporated into the cost of a full training course that leads to a motorcycle test
For further information about CBT and the direct access scheme (DAS) courses please contact the CBT section.

Choose local theory centres in Penzance or Truro. We can book your theory test for you, or you can book yourself. Practice theory test here

Practical Test

Overview: In the early days of motoring, motorcyclist testing and licensing was covered in the general legislation for driving tests and driver licensing.
After the war, the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1947 placed motorcycles in their own group, but testing remained almost unchanged until the 1960s.
In 1960 the Federation of National and One Make Clubs (FNOMC) was formed and renamed in 1965 to be known as the British Motorcycle federation (BMF). www.bmf.co.uk Formed following a major increase in the number of motorcyclists killed or injured on the roads, it is an organisation by bikers for bikers.
In 1982 the BMF Rider Training Scheme was introduced establishing a network of training centres throughout the country BikeSafe is an initiative run by UK police forces, who work with the whole of the biking world to help lower the number of motorcycle rider casualties.  www.bikesafe.co.uk

At Cornwall Bike Training in the interest of maximum safety and higher quality training we operate a maximum student to instructor ratio of 2:1. This ensures you receive value for money and you and other couse members can also learn from each other. Bikes, Helmets and clothing, including boots and gloves are supplied if required, or you can bring your own.

Overviews: DSA, Driving Standards Agency.

Non DSA content and photography ©copyright Cornwall Bike Training, motorcycle training, accessories, spares and clothing - Albert Street, Penzance, Cornwall