The CBT, explained properly
Everyone calls it the CBT test, but the first thing to know is that it is not a test at all. Compulsory Basic Training is a one-day course with five elements and no exam: you cannot fail it, you can only need more of it. This page walks through what each element covers, what the certificate lets you ride, and ends with a knowledge quiz so you arrive knowing the answers the instructor expects you to pick up on the day.
The five elements, in the order you meet them
| Element | Name | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| A | Introduction and eyesight | Licence and eyesight check (a number plate from 20 metres), the aims of the day, and the kit talk: helmet law, visors, gloves, boots and why textiles beat denim on tarmac. |
| B | Practical on-site training | Around the machine while stationary: controls, balance and wheeling the bike, putting it on the stand, starting and stopping the engine safely. |
| C | Practical on-site riding | Riding on the training area: moving off and stopping, controlled braking with both brakes, slow riding, gears, figures of eight, U-turns and the emergency stop. |
| D | On-road preparation | Classroom-style briefing before the road: positioning, the lifesaver, junctions and roundabouts, riding defensively, being seen, and the legal requirements for the ride. |
| E | On-road riding | A minimum of two hours on the road with the instructor in radio contact, covering real junctions, roundabouts, traffic lights, hills and typical urban traffic. |
You move to the next element only when the instructor is satisfied with the current one, and element E, the road ride, is a legal minimum of two hours. That is why a CBT day cannot be rushed and why a school that promises to have everyone done by lunchtime should worry you rather than tempt you.
What the certificate lets you ride
Completing CBT earns the DL196 certificate, valid for two years. With it, a 16-year-old can ride a moped up to 50cc, and anyone 17 or over can ride a motorcycle up to 125cc and 11kW. Three restrictions apply throughout: L-plates front and rear (D-plates work in Wales), no pillion passengers, and no motorways. Dual carriageways are allowed and catch many new riders out in both directions: legal to use, and genuinely demanding on a 125.
If the two years run out before you pass Module 2 of the full test, you take CBT again. The clean route out of that loop is the full licence: theory test, then Module 1, then Module 2, all while the theory certificate is valid.
Check your knowledge before the day
12 questions on exactly the material above: what CBT is and is not, the eyesight rule, the elements, and what the DL196 does and does not allow. Instant marking with the source behind every answer.
Each question shows the correct answer and the Highway Code rule the moment you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is CBT a test you can fail?
No. CBT is compulsory basic training, a course with no exam and no pass mark. You cannot fail it, but the instructor only issues the DL196 certificate when you reach a safe standard in every element. If you are not there by the end of the day, you come back for more training, which is common and not a failure.
How long does a CBT last?
The course itself typically runs a full day, around six to eight hours depending on group size and progress. The certificate it earns, the DL196, is valid for two years. If it expires before you pass the full motorcycle test, you take CBT again.
What can I ride after CBT?
At 16, a moped up to 50cc. At 17 or over, a motorcycle up to 125cc and 11kW. In both cases with L-plates front and rear, no pillion passengers and no motorways, and the DL196 must stay valid.
Do I need to pass the theory test before CBT?
No. CBT has no theory-test prerequisite, and most riders do CBT first. The theory pass becomes necessary later, when you book Module 1 of the full test.
What should I bring and wear for CBT?
Your photocard driving licence with the right entitlement, and sturdy clothing: jeans or textiles, boots that cover the ankle, and gloves. Schools provide a helmet if you do not have one, and usually the bike. Legally the helmet is the only required kit, but no school will put you on a bike in shorts and trainers.
Do I need a CBT if I have a full car licence?
For a motorcycle, yes. For a moped only: a car licence gained before 1 February 2001 carries full moped entitlement without CBT; a later one gives provisional moped entitlement, so CBT is required before riding.
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Original educational content and practice questions based on gov.uk CBT guidance and The Highway Code under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the DVSA.