CBT, shortened for Compulsory Basic Training, is a learning and skill development program designed specifically for motorcyclists. The prime goal of this course is to instill fundamental knowledge regarding motorbikes, road safety measures, and riding techniques in trainees. CBT is a systematic strategy introduced by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency of the United Kingdom to maintain road safety. The DVSA formulated this brief yet effective curricula to minimize sudden road accidents due to rash driving.
The enrolled candidates are granted a certificate after the completion of the training course. The certificate acts as a permit or licence that allows individuals to ride their bikes out on the roads. By being the holder of this certificate, every individual would be a registered and proficient biker.
Once issued, the certificate is valid for two years. The entire training program consists of five elements while a trainee may skip the least important stages based on experience and skills. So following are the five elements that make up the compulsory basic training program;
Element A:
The first stage of CBT, called element A involves an eyesight test and a detailed discussion regarding the course. All important aspects will be covered in this discussion regarding curriculum, highway codes, and road safety measures.
The appropriate motorcycling apparel, legal requirements, suitable vehicles are all discussed with the candidates by the instructors. A standard time of thirty minutes is assigned for this stage however the limit may vary based on an individual’s proficiency.
Element B:
The next stage of the compulsory basic training program is element B that focuses on practical learning of motorcycles and their controls. In this stage, the candidates are taught about basic features, different control mechanisms, and their method of operation. It usually takes 45 minutes to learn and go through all the aspects of this course. An individual may take extra time to have profound hands-on training of the moped.
Element C:
Element C focuses more on onsite riding techniques which mainly involve balancing, changing gears, application of breaks, and the rest. The candidates are instructed to apply all the concepts gained from element B in this stage for a better outcome. Trainees are told to continue practicing for at least two to three hours without any breaks.
Element D:
Unlike elements B and C, element D is more of a theoretical review of some other important motorcycling aspects. It is a 45-minute session in which the candidates are informed about driving rules, legal requirements, and safety protocols. The trainers may even provide some additional information about apparel or different road surfaces that would be helpful for the rider.
Element E:
This is the last and final stage of the CBT training program. A candidate can only begin with this stage if the instructor feels confident in letting him/her drive on the road. During this stage, the trainee is under the supervision of the instructor on a 2:1 ratio. A time period of two hours is considered sufficient for this stage while some individuals may even exceed the limit.
Once all the five elements have been passed by the candidate he/she will be given a CBT certificate.