The Basic Bit

Compulsory Basic Training (cbt) Colchester & Ipswich

Considering taking a CBT course?

Excel offers flexible courses tailored to suit your needs.

Novice courses or a more progressive course, even a refresher course.

CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) (AM, A, A1, A2).

The Law requires you to take a CBT before riding on the road.

CBT offers an opportunity to learn important core skills which will make your riding safer and improve your general control over the machine, helping you deal with road traffic conditions. It’s a valuable building block for any further training.

CBT comprises of 5 basic elements: No written tests!

introduction and eyesight check
practical on-site training
practical on-site riding
practical on-road training
practical on-road riding

You’ll move from one element to the next when your trainer is satisfied that you

understand the elements, demonstrate the practical skills to a safe basic level

and archive the learning outcomes.

A simple eyesight test of 20.5m 67ft (You can write down if have difficulty reading).

You need no prior knowledge of motorcycling for CBT, in fact often the less you know the better!

You don't even need to own a motorcycle or motorcycle clothing as we have our own fleet of hire machines and safety clothing for you to use.

If you do want to use your bike, many dealers will deliver straight to us, but remember you can't ride the bike to us.

CBT normally takes 8 hrs to complete but can sometimes take longer depending on individual needs. There's no rush and the course progresses at the pace of the student. If you don’t reach the required standard in one day we just pick it up where we left off there is a extra charge for extended courses

Most of our cbt course are two part and span over two days

Day 1. The theory behind motorcycling with hints tips and good advice

Day 2. The Practical side of riding

We offer CBT 7 days a week.

Once you have completed CBT you will be issued a certificate (DL196) which is valid for 2 years. This enables you to ride on the road for two years displaying L-plates or you may wish to progress to the next step. At the end of the two year period, if you have not taken a full test you MUST retake CBT before continuing to ride on the road. If you take a full motorcycle or moped test within the two years the CBT becomes obsolete.

If you passed a car driving test before 1 February 2001, you don’t need to take a CBT to ride a moped (50cc). However, you’ll still need to complete a CBT to ride a motorbike (over 50cc). We would recommend the training regardless.

If you passed a car driving test on or after 1 February 2001, you need to take a CBT to ride a moped which is valid for the length of the licence.

Everyone who wants to ride a motorcycle on the road must complete a CBT

If you don't take your CBT training before riding your motorbike, you could get up to 6 points on your licence and be fined up to £1,000

If your still not sure take click here or book an ITM course

or enrol on our free training course check out the free ride page

Theory Test

The theory test is currently not required before CBT. Check out the theory page.

Learn More

Book a cbt

Gears and Clutch

Changing gears with confidence

Riding in different scenarios and conditions to learn how to select the right gear for each occasion and to change gear with confidence up and down the gear box.

Requirements

In order to take the Gear Conversion course, you must meet the following requirements:

Have the correct licence card: UK driving, UK provisional or EU licence with UK counterpart licence number. Photocopies or images are not accepted.
Be able to read a registration plate from 20.5 metres
Speak and understand English and the Highway code
Be able to ride an adult sized bicycle
Wear suitable clothing including thick trousers (such as jeans) and boots

What you can ride after

The Gear Conversion course is not a valid licence, so you are not legally entitled to ride a motorcycle on the road from just this course. You must have completed the CBT course to be able to ride on the road.

Course details

The Gear Conversion course is a 2 hour bespoke lesson which can be tailored to the needs of the pupils. Up to 2 students to one instructor, you'll spend as much time as possible on the bike learning the skills of controlling the clutch with your left hand and changing the gears with your left foot.

This course is ideal for riders who have completed the CBT on an automatic scooter or wish to spend more time and instruction riding a geared bike.