What is CBT And Who Needs It?

Susan Difford - Clean Green Compare Personal Lines Insurance Expert
Written by Susan Difford
Updated 25 April 2025
2 min read

Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) is a one-day training course that’s designed for new moped and motorbike riders so they’re able to ride unaccompanied on public roads. We’ll be covering CBT in more depth in this guide, including how to book your course and who it’s most suited for. Once you’ve completed CBT, you’ll then be able to ride on your own but you’ll still need tax and CBT insurance in place.

Key points

Who Is CBT For?

Anyone who is eligible can take CBT but it’s most popular with teenagers, specifically 16 year olds because 50cc mopeds are the first proper vehicle they’re legally able to ride on public roads.

How To Book A CBT Course And How You Should Prepare

There are many motorcycle training schools throughout the UK, so you shouldn’t have any problem booking a CBT course in your local area. To search for your nearest training school, simply use this link where you can search using your postcode.

Once you’ve booked your course, it’s important to know what you should do to prepare. Although you’ll be learning the practical skills for how to ride safely on your CBT course, you still need to know the main rules motorcycle and moped riders so you can complete your training safely. The DVSA offers an official guide on learning to ride, which can buy online and is highly recommended.

Motorbike

What does completing CBT allow you to do?

After completing CBT, you’ll be given a DL196 certificate, which is valid for two years. While you hold this you’re able to ride a 50cc moped from 16 years of age (you’ll need to have a provisional licence) and a motorbike up to 125cc from 17 years of age.

Do you need insurance to ride a moped or motorbike after completing CBT?

Yes, you’ll need third party only insurance at minimum to make your moped or motorbike legal to ride. Luckily there are many excellent providers of CBT insurance online. You can get quotes now by clicking the green button on this page.

In Summary

  • Compulsory Basic Training allows you to ride a moped or motorbike unaccompanied if you hold a provisional licence and have the correct tax and insurance.
  • You need to be at least 16 years old to ride a 50cc moped and at least 17 to ride a 125cc bike.
  • Your CBT completion certificate will be valid for two years from its date of issue, after which time you’ll have to complete it again if you don’t hold a full motorbike licence.

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