Who Needs to take a Course?
Compulsory basic training (CBT) is not a test (e.g. you do not pass or fail). It is a course that most riders need to take before riding a moped or a motorcycle on public roads and highways.
So, what is the purpose of the training? It helps to make sure riders can ride by themselves in a safe manner so they can continue practising for the full moped or motorcycle test.
Put another way:
Upon completion of your compulsory basic training, you will automatically have the entitlement to ride:
- A moped (providing you are at least 16 years old).
- A motorcycle up to 125cc and with a power output of up to 11 Kilowatts (providing you are at least 17).
You must be using ‘L’ plates to show you are a learner (L or D plates in Wales). You would need to take the CBT again, or stop riding on the roads, unless you pass the full moped or motorcycle test within two (2) years.
Note: Riding a motorbike without a valid CBT certificate can result in six (6) penalty points and a £1,000 fine.
You DO NOT need to take CBT training if you:
- Passed the car driving test before 1st of February 2001 and will ride a moped (no more than 50cc).
- Hold a full moped licence (by passing a moped test since 1st of December 1990) and ride a motorcycle.
- Hold a full motorcycle licence for one of the categories and want to upgrade your entitlement.
- Live and ride on certain United Kingdom offshore islands -
You must take compulsory basic training (CBT) to ride bikes in:
- The Isle of Wight
- North Uist and South Uist
- Benbecula
- Harris
- Lewis
- Mainland Orkney
- Mainland Shetland
- Any other island that connects to mainland Great Britain by a road
Note: All of the other GB offshore islands are exempt from this ruling.
If You Already Hold a Car Driving Licence
Having a car licence means you may be able to ride a moped (up to 50cc) without L plates and without having to take the moped test.
Car Test Passed since 1st of February 2001
In this case, you would get a full moped licence if (either):
- You pass the car driving test and then complete a compulsory basic training (CBT) course.
- You complete a CBT course and then pass the car driving test within the following two (2) years.
You can then ride a moped (up to 50cc) without L plates and you would not need to take the full moped test (for as long as your car driving licence stays valid).
Car Test Passed before 1st of February 2001
In this case, you would be able to ride a moped (up to 50cc) without L plates and there would be no need to take a CBT course (or the full moped test). But, you would need to take the CBT to ride anything with a bigger engine than a 50cc moped.
