125 Motorcycles and moped CBT Licence

Compulsory basic training (CBT) was brought in in 1990 to help bring down the really high accident rate amongst new motorcyclists. CBT has to be accomplished prior to a learner moped or motorcycle rider is permitted to ride a motorcycle or moped on the road with L-plates or D-plates in Wales.

 

When to complete a CBT

You'll have to finish a CBT if:

·     you would like to ride a motorcycle

·     you would like to ride a moped

A moped has an engine not over 50 cc with a maximum speed not exceeding fifty kilometres per hour which is about thirty-one miles per hour

If you received your car licence prior to 1 February 2001 you don't need to complete a CBT to ride a moped.

What does a CBT involve?

The CBT course involves five elements:

1. introduction
2. practical on-site training
3. practical on-site riding
4. practical on-road training
5. practical on-road riding

The 5 factors have to be accomplished in sequence, although the arrange of the drills inside the elements could be altered. You'll advance to the next element when your teacher is satisfied you've learnt the necessary theory and demonstrated the practical skills to a safe basic level.

Trainees must, by law, have a minimum of two hours on-road ride in Element 5.

Certificate of completion (DL 196)

When all 5 elements have been satisfactorily finished, a certificate of completion, called the DL196, is issued. This is a official 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 entitlement will last you for two years - CBT will then have to be retaken if both theory and practical tests are not passed within the 2 year certificate life

·     for a 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 isn't subject to expiry, you'll therefore need to keep your DL196 certificate safe. Please note that this applies to mopeds only, for riding motorcycles as a learner the DL196 remains valid for 2 years

Once you have your certificate you're advised to take extra training to pass your theory and practical tests and qualify for a motorcycle or moped licence. You must take your DL196 certificate with you when you go to your practical test.

Where and how much?

Only instructors certified by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) can instruct CBT at an approved training body (ATB). ATBs must have instructors who have successfully completed a 2 day assessment and have places okayed by DSA for off-road training.

The cost for this course varies from around £100 upwards, and can be affected by where training is taking place, and whether a rider uses their own bike. Nearly all ATBs offer the loan of bikes and helmets for the course. The cost of CBT may be integrated into the cost of a full training course that leads to a motorcycle test.

 

Motorcycles you can ride

 

 

A moped has a maximum speed not exceeding 50 km/h (approx. 31 mph). It's engine capacity no greater than 50 cc and can be moved by pedals, if first used before 1 August 1977. A learner motorcycle has an engine up to 125 cc and a power output not exceeding 11 kW

Full motorcycle licence

 

There are 2 types of full motorcycle licence:

 

    1, a light motorcycle licence (A1), which restricts riders to a 125 cc motorcycle and a power output of 11 kW. The practical test has to be taken on a motorcycle of between 75 cc and 125 cc

    2, a standard motorcycle licence (A), is obtained if the practical test is taken on a 120 cc motorcycle or over but not more than a 125 cc motorcycle and capable of at least 100 km/h per hour. After passing the standard motorcycle practical test, you will be restricted for two years to riding a bike of up to 25 kW and a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16 kW/kg. After this you may ride any size motorcycle.

 

Note:

 

The BMW C1 motorcycle is not a suitable machine for a practical test.

Direct and accelerated access

 

Motorcycle riders age twenty-one or over, or those who reach twenty-one before their two year restriction ends, have other options.

Direct access

 

After taking CBT and the theory test, the practical test may be taken on a motorcycle with a power output of at least 35kW. A pass allows you to ride any size of bike. All or part of the CBT course may be taken on either a learner 125 motorcycle or a large motorcycle. You may practice for the practical test on motorcycles larger than the learner bike specification provided:

 

    1, you are accompanied at all times by an approved instructor on another motorcycle and in radio contact

    2, you wear fluorescent or reflective clothing and follow all other provisional licence limitations

 

Accelerated access

 

motorcycle riders who reach the age of 21, while still within the two year period where they are restricted to maximum 25 kW machines, but who want to ride larger motorcycles need to pass a further test on a motorcycle of at least 35 kW. They may practice on bikes over 25 kW within the same practice conditions for direct access riders. You will return to learner status while practicing (on a motorcycle greater than 25 kW) although test failure will not affect your existing licence.

Sidecars

 

Learners who want to ride with a sidecar can practice on a combination with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16 kW/kg. On obtaining a standard licence, you will be restricted to a combination with the same power/weight ratio for 2 years. At age twenty-one learners may, only within direct or accelerated access, practice on a larger combination, but the test must be taken on a solo bike (although physically disabled riders can use a combination).