Requirements for taking a CBT

[Raccoon]

Hi, 

 

I hope I'm posting this in the correct place I apologise in advance for the way this is composed. 

 

I really want to take my CBT but am unsure if I will be able to since I know nothing about how to use roads, is it even possible for someone to ride a motorcycle on uk roads by just reading the highway code and passing a CBT ? 

 

I'm researching so much to do with bikes and appropriate apparel along with the highway code etc and it's making my head spin it seems quite complicated, maybe I'm just stupid lol that is most likely the case. 

 

What I'm trying to ask is can I become a road user just through learning the highway code and passing a CBT do you get taught how to ride on the road during the training ? I've never had driving lessons or a car so yeah.. I'm completely clueless.

 

If the above mentioned is not enough to learn how to ride on roads then what else do I need ? Or is it just a case of highway code + Cbt then hope for the best, get a 125 and practice ? 

[Simon Davey]

Hi @Raccoon and welcome to the forum.

You've done a good thing coming here, you'll get lots of advice. 

 

I would stop fretting and just get along to chat with a motorcycle training agency, they'll put your mind at ease and advise on the correct approach. 

A course will involve lots of practice in car parks so you get used to a bike, which is actually the main hurdle to get over. Then when you're ready, they'll take you on the road. 

 

Maybe grab a push bike and start using that on the road, just pick the quietest time in your area. 

Edited June 6, 2024 by Simon Davey
Bad Grandma

[RideWithStyles]

9 hours ago, Raccoon said:

Hi, 

 

I hope I'm posting this in the correct place I apologise in advance for the way this is composed. 

 

I really want to take my CBT but am unsure if I will be able to since I know nothing about how to use roads, is it even possible for someone to ride a motorcycle on uk roads by just reading the highway code and passing a CBT ? 

 

I'm researching so much to do with bikes and appropriate apparel along with the highway code etc and it's making my head spin it seems quite complicated, maybe I'm just stupid lol that is most likely the case. 

 

What I'm trying to ask is can I become a road user just through learning the highway code and passing a CBT do you get taught how to ride on the road during the training ? I've never had driving lessons or a car so yeah.. I'm completely clueless.

 

If the above mentioned is not enough to learn how to ride on roads then what else do I need ? Or is it just a case of highway code + Cbt then hope for the best, get a 125 and practice ? 

Hi.

 

its great that your really taking on the research side.

watch some youtube vids on cbt and correct driving habits to have a better idea.

cbt doesnt teach you everything as such thats for you , a lot of learning will be before/after that while your on your own or if you decide you need more tutoring from the school at extra cost.

 

so to ask the last one- yes.

 

 

Edited June 6, 2024 by RideWithStyles

[Hairsy]

As Simon said, make sure you're confident riding on the road on a bicycle. If you know how to safely and confidently ride that, including turning into and out of main roads and navigating roundabouts, then you should have sufficient knowledge and competence for a CBT.

 

I'd strongly recommend one of the phone / tablet apps that prepares you for your theory test. In your position, these will be really helpful. Make sure that for EVERY question, not only do you know the answer they're looking for but you understand the logic behind that being the answer. If it's not clear why something is the answer then do research into that. Once you have all this, you should have a good grounding in why the rules are the rules.

 

Take it one step at a time. And if you're still lacking confidence then perhaps take your CBT and do your initial road riding on an automatic scooter. That will remove gear changing from the list of things that you need to deal with at the start.

 

And, finally, enjoy it!

[Bungleaio]

The two other people I did my cbt with had never heard of the Highway Code and they were both passed on the cbt, quite scary really. 

[Phil1]

The problem with the CBT is that there isn't technically a "fail" as such. 

 

I've heard of the CBT course tutors cutting the CBT short and saying they didn't complete the course however due to them being that dangerous on the road. 

 

When I started, I'd already been driving cars for 10 years, so the theory, road markings and knowing how some drivers can react were already second nature.

 

I did a pre CBT course with my local charity run motorcycle training centre (B.U.M.P.Y - Birstall Urban Motorcycle Project for Youth), which I really enjoyed. The CBT however, I absolutely hated as the trainer that did that was a bit of an arse and I think he was used to taking young lads out on scooters all day and just generally treated everyone like dirt.

 

Once I'd got past that hurdle though, I did the proper lessons on the bigger bikes which I found much more comfortable and the guys that did the proper lessons were a great bunch. 

 

I would certainly buy a paper copy of the highway code, read it from cover to cover numerous times and watch some youtube videos. Then go and learn some basic machine controls on a pre-cbt course. 

 

Once you've done the CBT you can ride a moped or geared motorcycle up to 125cc and a maximum power of 11KW (17 or over). If you're 16 then it's scooter only up to 50cc. 

 

I would strongly suggest going for the geared motorbike though as it gives you the foundations for a further motorcycle career should you want to move up the sizes. Scooters/twist and go on the other hand won't give you any basics of clutch control. 

Edited June 6, 2024 by Phil1

[Raccoon]

Thanks for the advice you guys.

It's nice being welcomed by a friendly community, I appreciate it. 

 

I'll take what you said to heart, whilst I don't currently have a functional push bike I feel that if I continue the research I'm doing and keep reading the books I bought things will start to make sense. 

 

My issue is that I overthink and try to understand everything at once then I get brain fog, I guess I just need to slow down. 

 

Downloading a theory test app sounds like a good idea, ill finish reading my books first I will watch a few videos on how to use roads aswell. 

 

I suppose I won't really know if I've learnt enough until I get to that stage in compulsory basic training where I have the 2 hour road ride, reading and researching is all well and good but until I actually put it into practice I won't actually know how much of that information I've retained. 

 

I hope to learn on a geared bike I agree based of what I've heard that's it's best to go geared from the get go, but since I've never been on anything other than a push bike I don't know how I will take to it, we shall see. 

 

So to recap I'll continue my research, books, videos and apps then I'll book a try ride and after a pre-cbt then I'll tackle the cbt if I don't get my certificate I'll just keep applying until I do and after that building my skills on the road is up to me just buy a 125 and start practicing until I feel confident enough to take my tests, does that sound like a sensible progression path ? 

 

Once again thanks to all of you for taking time out of your day to give me some advice. 

[Hoggs]

Do you know anyone who drives who will let you be a "passenger driver"? like coming to junctions saying who has right of way etc

 

I should probably reiterate you should find a good driver lol 

[fq-craigus]

The Cbt is designed for absoloute beginners who have never heard of a Highway Code. 
 

best thing to do is do a few theory tests online for free to gain a basic knowledge of road rules and some signs and then go in for cbt completely open minded and be a sponge 

[fredc]

One obvious thing not mentioned yet 

you have to apply for a provisional licence