CBT
COMPULSORY BASIC TRAINING

Cbt was introduced some years ago in order to provide learner motorcyclists with a basic level of ratified training. In simple terms the DSA decided that learners should follow a syllabus so wherever they were in the country they got the same amount of training and it was to the same syllabus.

This was a good idea i think and to be honest the syllabus was well thought out but sadly isnt always adhered to.

this bit is just to let all learners know what they should expect.

All of this is written from an instructors view point so its not a copy and paste job.

ok, the cbt is broken up into five parts, or elements. these start at element A and move on to element E. at the end of the cbt a form called a DL196 is issued ( a cbt certificate) and it is this form that entitles the holder to ride as a learner ( fullfilling and not exceeding the law relating to learner motorcyclists - look this up on the site www.dsa.gov.uk).

At this point it is vital to realise that these elements can be taught in a variety of different ways but that no element can be proceded to unless the previous element is achieved. the achievement of these elemnets is entirely subjective and in the eyes of the instructor so to speak - therefore faith in the instructor is vital and the instructor's integrity is vital.

so cbt made simple........

element A
introduction and aims of the cbt. then a discussion about legal issues ralating to helmets plus a general talk about protective clothing. every instructor is different in style but this part should really last about fourty five minutes or so, maybe more but not usually less.

Element B
on site training.
this is also talking really, the instructor should be telling you about the bike, its controls and where everything is.
How to put the bike on and off its stands.
how to push a bike around in a figure of eight usually but certainly to the right and left and control it using the brake(s).
How to start and stop the engine.
simple safety checks including pre ride checks and weekly and monthly maintenance tasks in very simple terms.

Althought this is a talking phase you will need to be able to physically demonstrate the abillity to do these things, so you must be able for instance to put the bike on a centre stand and take it off again before you move on to the next element, etc.

Element C
This is the riding around cones bit of cbt. this is probably the second most important bit of the cbt and should be covered in its entirety without question.
ride under control and bring to a halt
ride slowly under control(vary speed balancing throttle and clutch and rear brake)
controlled braking using both brakes( describe and practice percentage braking)
change gear
ride a figure of eight
emergency stop
correct rear observation ( describe and practise when stationary and on the move shoulder checks and mirror checks)
simulated left and right turns using osm/psl( turning from major to minor roads and minor to major roads, giving way and stopping if necessary)
carry out u turn manouvres(showing proper levels of observation)

As a note. this element is the one where personal variation is the most evident. instructors will have different ways of teaching this element - doesnt mean they are wrong . so long as all these areas are covered they are right and different parts of an element can be covered in different schedules and in different ways - so long as all parts ARE covered before moving on to element D then its ok.

Element D
On road training

this is a talk again, all about issues relating to roadcraft and all related matters. should usually take about half an hour to and hour depending on the experience level of the student.

element E

the road ride.

This is the bit that is so sadly and discustingly skimped by some. The dsa are violent in their reaction to any training body caught giving less than a two hour road ride. the road ride is a two hour MINIMUM. this includes roadside chats or coffee breaks so long as these breaks are to discuss the road ride and further the training - if youre having a fag and talking about shite on the telly this is not included. two hour minimum on the road riding.

As a final note it is important to note that there is no minimum time limit on a cbt - so if you have been sold a cbt you cant be charged anymore to complete it - althought bike hire is not included in this so you may be charged more to hire the bike.

Ive been teaching people how to ride bikes an awful lot in the last few years and i am shocked sometimes at the piss poor cbt training they have recieved - i have been told by people that their cbt lasted and hour and a half in one case and a few hours seems to be common - i am baffled as to how the syllabus can be squeezed into a ''few hours'' .

you people need to know what you SHOULD be getting for your money and YOU need to be complaining to the DSA if you are not getting this.

Enjoy your biking, I know i do, but dont be ripped off with rubbish training. Hope this helps as its only a very brief outline of what is required to be taught on a cbt.

good luck and happy and safe riding!

Problem is that most people don't know what to expect, only finding out what they should have done by talking to other riders or reading forums! In our area in tends to be franchised schools that have cut corners (16 riders in a day, 1 instructor - seem safe or good value for money )

I thought mine was bad, with less than half an hour on the road *- but thats disgraceful

Zombie, you're a top man for doing that. It will help a lot of people out.

Here endeth Z's public service announcement for this week

Seriously though, don't stop mate, I always learn something new when you post

We had 2 learners, me and peter, and 2 people training us. We both passed. It wasnt easy.

ROb

CBT has to be a Q and A session most of the time...it is no good telling what do do...teaching CBT should follow the same principles for all teaching. If you tell someone they are likely to forget it if you involve them they are likely to remember it.
The worst CBT's are those where the Instructor is just telling with no student involvement. Discipline ramps up when the students are on the bikes preparing for the road, testing that they know what they are doing and making sure that they do it before the on-road phase.
TUX

How much should a CBT cost? I do my first one in march! Cant wait!

Can't remember, was under £90 though.

Nice one Z...great that folk have a no nonsense reference to CBT

god id forgotten about this but im glad people found it useful.

This was a really helpful insight for myself as i didn't know what to expect. I think this will help me a lot for my CBT next month. I've just read that the author passed away not so long ago and although i never knew him i wish to pass my condolences on to all his family and friends. Without people like him people like me would be lost.

I would like to second that. I read this post a long time ago now, back when I first started coming on here (not long after I found an interest in bikes) and it was a great read. Its nerve-racking enough as it is but to read this helped a bit because it wasn't like I was totally stepping into the unknown.

Did my CBT today and passed. Enjoyed it enough to come back and spend a good 2hrs looking at bikes on the Auto Trader so that must be a good thing! Gonna get out to a few dealerships and sit on a few over the next week though - hopefully. Can't wait and if anybody is in the area and is looking to do a CBT or any sort of training (even track days now) - check out RMT in Tysley (Birmingham). Friendly group of instructors there that made it a fun experience and above all else, they kept me safe and knew what they were doing.

I am hoping to go for my C.B.T training soon, and they say it can take upto a day.

I done mine yesterday and it took a day and i think it has to be done that way to get your money's worth.

Yeah Vicky, it takes the best part of 8hours to do all the training. but better that way, well i think so.

If it is done right there is a lot involved in the CBT and yes it does take about a day unless you are really bad then it can take longer.