The road to riding : Part 1 – The CBT

THE DREAM TAKES FORM…

Whether you fancy riding to meet your friends at a biker café on a Sunday, heading to a local festival or bike event, or doing a classic road trip like the North Coast 500, the dream to ride motorcycles starts somewhere for all of us. No matter what style or capacity bike you have your eyes on, if you fancy winding country lanes or urban streets, everyone has to gain the right license before they can make the dream a reality. 

SO HOW DO I START?

Whatever your route, getting on a motorcycle that first time can be daunting and exciting all at once. What if I stall at some traffic lights? And then tumble slowly over…? In front of everyone…?! What if I pull an accidental wheelie?! Well yes all that can happen BUT it can also be the gateway to meeting fantastic friends and finding your freedom. 

The road to riding can seem a bit confusing so read on for how to get started…

BEFORE YOU START

Provisional licence

Apply online for a provisional licence with ‘category A’ provisional motorcycle entitlement. This will cost around £34.

Kit

Don’t turn up in shorts and flip flops! Wear sensible boots, jacket, gloves and jeans and bring a helmet that meets BSI 6658 and ECE 22-05 standards. Many training schools can hire items out.

Eyesight

Before the CBT starts you must be able to read a number plate at a distance of approx 20 metres. If you fail the eyesight test the course won’t continue so if you normally wear glasses or contacts then make sure you wear them!

PART 1 – CBT

The CBT is the first step on the journey and the bare minimum training that every rider must take in order to get on the road. 

What happens on the CBT?

The CBT lasts almost a full day, depending on how quickly you learn and the instructor deems you safe to progress to the next part. You’ll cover both theoretical and practical aspects of riding. The CBT isn’t a pass or fail but to get your certificate your instructor must be happy you’ve met all the standards of the training!

You can expect to cover:

• introduction and eyesight check
• on-site training and riding, covering how to control the bike, turning circles, braking safely etc

Then, you’ll progress to the next part which is:

• on-road training and on-road ride out. You’ll learn how to safely ride on the roads and then head out with your instructor not far behind and in contact by headset.

You need to pass both parts of your practical test within 2 years of taking the theory test or you’ll have to start all over again. 

How much does it cost?

This is dependent on the training school you choose, but budget £130-£150 for your CBT.

After you’ve completed CBT, you can ride with L plates on a:

• moped if you’re 16 or over
• motorcycle up to 125cc and with a power output of up to 11kW if you’re 17 or over
• You cannot ride on a motorway on L plates so make sure any routes you plan don’t include them!!
• You can’t take a pillion passenger so no riding with your mates on the back!

Once you have the CBT, you could be heading out on the Herald Classic 125 or the Brat 125!

Want to be free of those L plates or increase the power? Read our Part 2 blog coming soon for the next step…