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What is Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)?
Are you all set to get your new moped or motorcycle and then hit the road? Prior to all these, you need to take up a preliminary training termed as Compulsory Basic Training (abbreviated as CBT) to attain DL196 certificate. The training is more on the lines of an assessment that was introduced by the United Kingdom’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), and the certificate attained after the assessment is valid for a duration of 2 years from the date of issue.
CBT courses are provided by Approved Training Bodies (ATBs), and recruit instructors who have cleared the Driving and Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA) Assessment and have instructing areas that have been approved by the DVSA for off-road training. Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) is, based on the following components:
Eyesight of the trainee is checked. As part of the Compulsory Basic Training syllabus, you must be able to read a standard number plate in good daylight, from 20 metres (65 feet). If you need to wear glasses or corrective lenses to do this, you must wear them every time you drive/ride.
Preface of CBT and other components of the training are explained in the introduction.
Safety Helmet and the importance of wearing protective equipment are also discussed.
Training on each module is, given only when there is a fine progress in the previous one. The above-mentioned components assess both practical and theory skills of the trainee. A motorcycle below 50 cc can be ridden, if you have a full car license that was issued before 1st February 2001, this does not require one to have a CBT. However, if you are planning to ride a moped over 50 cc then, you need to complete a CBT course and only then you are licensed to ride the vehicle on road. Another requirement is, after completion of the training, you need to display ‘L’ plates on your motorbike, scooter or moped. The CBT does not allow you to carry a pillion passenger or ride on motorways.
Apart from CBT training there are many other moped/motorcycle training courses or lessons ranging from beginners to experienced riders. It is to your discretion what kind of course you want to opt for, and based on that the variety of motorcycle that you can ride. Completion of the CBT course, Direct Access Scheme or Advanced Training; assists in riding the bike with much more assurance. Some centres are also able to hire you the bike for the training in case you do not possess one.
The immediate step after completion of CBT course is procuring your full motorcycle license, and this can be possessed once you pass your motorcycle theory test. This test decides what kind of license can be availed by you. This Compulsory Basic Training is most helpful for the beginners, as you would have a skilful trainer to explain you the instructions and nuances to be looked into and taken care of while riding a motorbike, moped or scooter. As the name says, this basic training can be enrolled by virtually anyone.
Duration of this training lasts from a few hours to one or more days, depending on ability. It all depends on how well you can get hold of the concepts of riding. All throughout the training one requires fundamental knowledge of the UK Highway Code and UK traffic rules and regulations. During the training, the instructor will ask some essential questions about these policies and road rules; this gives a chance to assess if you are both practical and theoretically sound to ride a motorbike on the road. You can easily complete the practical assessment if you know how to perfectly ride a moped, motorcycle or scooter and have the sense of balancing the vehicle. The sense of balancing the vehicle can easily be got if you know how to ride a bicycle and have been riding it regularly.
After completion of Compulsory Basic Training, the trainee is eligible for four different kinds of licenses based on your age and other factors. Following is a detail explanation for each of these licenses:
To have this license gives you consent to ride a motorbike that powers up to 35KW (46 bhp), which means permission to ride a bigger and more powerful vehicles on the road. Similar to other licenses you do not need to display L-plate, and you can carry a passenger and also ride on motorways.
Across availing of all these licenses, one has to keep a keen note that riding safely and sticking to the road policies and highway codes, will not only help in comfortable rides for you and the one along with you. Also, for the other people on and off-the road.
Compulsory Basic Training cannot be the end place for completion of learning or training. Further moped training will help you to understand more about your controlling of the bike and improve your riding skills.
During the CBT training in London, you will be also specified the clothing rules to be followed. Some of which are mentioned here:
Further to CBT course, there are other schemes that are designed for bike riders with Unrestricted or Full Motorcycle License. One these schemes is the Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS), which was developed by the Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency (DVSA). This is specifically for the riders with good experience in riding the vehicle of any size or power. This scheme does not require the rider to take any test if they meet the expectation. A plus point to this scheme is that, you can also earn discount on your motorcycle insurance.
Apart from the basic trainings, these additional developmental trainings help in enhancing your riding skills and give benefits like reduction on insurance, and many more pros. There are many companies that cater to these trainings and courses; enrolling yourself into one of these is always a best option. It is always good to be assessed and equipped with the right knowledge, rules, codes, and policies before hitting the road, this will not only help in keeping you on the safety ground but others too.
