How EASY is it to pass a CBT?!

Just how easy is it to pass your #CBT and start riding a bike on the road? Well we sent #BikeSocial's newest recruit, Michael Burton, to Shires Motorcycle Training in Peterborough find out.

After only riding an electric scooter through the #BennettsBSB paddock, it was his first experience of riding on the road and it's safe to say he passed with flying colours, even after a couple of rookie errors!

If you're looking to begin a life in biking, or just want to save fuel money in your commute to work, then passing your compulsory basic training is the best thing you'll ever do.

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LET’S CONNECT!

[Nick-cytn]

Remember to pop a wheelie at the end of thhe training day the instructors love it

[slowped]

hello, today i passed my cbt. i am 16 and i found it pretty simple. all you really have to do is watch loads of videos about cbt, research the highway code and road rules. while doing the cbt, i found that the road ride was the easiest part. when youre doing cbt, i recommend listening to the instructor and making sure you fully understand what you have to do, even if it means you have to ask for clarification.

[nickknight]

I’m 58 and have never ridden a motorcycle before and am doing my CBT next week. I am a little nervous, but less so after watching this. Thanks.

[rikrob]

I have always felt that a part of your post-car test should be to complete a CBT course, to allow drivers to experience how it is on a bike on the road. If doing it makes more people choose to do their DAS, then even more of a bonus for the motorcycle community (and road safety in general)

[apacherider]

I agree with Aaron. I'm an instructor and this morning about to do a CBT course. Some people do feel very stressed about doing it, and can affect their performance. I've seen strapping young men's in tears. It's not for everyone, don't get pressurised into do it by friends or family. Only do it if you really want to. We try to make a relaxed day to help the students but with underlying message it's about safety.

[blinks]

When I did my CBT I had zero experience riding anything motor powered and I was bricking it, as they say. But it wasn't at all that bad. Rode around slowly in a circle around the training area to get my balance and throttle learning down, then we did some going the other way, I found my 'right' turns were harder than my left, I'm not sure why. Then we did some slow figure eights which I found was the hardest part, and then we did emergency stop practice. Once the instructor was happy that I had control of balance, throttle and brakes, and some VERY basic knowledge of the roads (traffic lights, roundabouts, right of way etc) we had lunch and then went out on a nice long slow road ride. During the road ride I turned left at a junction a bit too sharply and ended up toppling the scooter over, but even that wasn't enough to "Fail" me, and I got my CBT certificate. As long as you can keep your balance, especially at slow speeds, manage the throttle, brakes and indicators, then you're fine. It genuinely is just VERY basic training just to make sure you can control your ride and you'll be safe out on the roads on your own. However, it is also true that it isn't for everyone, one of the lads doing the CBT with me just couldn't control his scooter while turning, so sadly he didn't get to go out on the road and get his CBT that day. If you're completely new to it like I was then you WILL be nervous, you WILL probably be shaking, and you WILL get things wrong, but the instructors are amazing and won't judge you, relax, go at your own pace, and you will get more confidence as the day progresses.

[Blind]

I feel the need to add this here, as a qualified DAS instructor, ans having run countless CBTs. The difficulty of a CBT all comes down to the INDIVIDUAL. Some people find it incredibly difficult to manage the machine, and learn the road and multiple returns are needed for them to reach the required standard, others breeze through.

One of the most challenging things to handle in this industry as an instructor is the misconception that the CBT is easy. And as instructors yourselves I'd like to think you'll have encountered this problem/attitude over the years. Best not to add to that perception as it can cause great stress and difficulty both for riding schools and the pupils themselves.

[Labgorilla]

I held a CBT for 10 years and I have to say . I’m a post pandemic full licence achiever. Train strikes forced me to go from my cbt to a a bigger engine. Now done 5, 000 miles on a v strom and I cannot stand travelling on public transport anymore. Weather is the only thing that stops me. Being on a motorbike is an awesome feeling. Who can say that they enjoy travelling to and from work!

[kurosaki]

I had a day off work and randomly decided to do my cbt. Never ridden a motor and not ridden a bike in about 10 years. I was probably the best rider in my group that day and easily passed

[AW-krfl]

I’ve been driving for 15 years but I’m about to do my CBT. Never even been on a scooter before let alone a bike. Thanks for the video and info.

[Tony]

I have mine booked for November, I can read I just can’t take in books, this video and comments is giving me confidence.

[RichOe]

"How EASY is it to pass a CBT?!"
Depends on the instructor. I had a nightmare with the first place I went to in Gateshead, didn't even get out on the road.
I then did some research and found out about the Gold level accreditation for CBT training centres. 2nd attempt went much better, in Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham.
Went onto do my DAS, and 3years and 20, 000 miles later, I'm a very happy rider.

[t]

We have a similar thing in Australia and even though I had my learner's licence for 13 years, via a legal loophole, it taught me many things that has helped me ride safer

[davecooper]

Can’t really agree that all this testing is really needed. I had driven on four wheels around the fields. At sixteen had my first bike. In those days it could be anything that you could afford. ( Most of us started work & paying National Insurance at 15 ) About a month before my birthday my dad gave me a copy of the Highway Code with an instruction to study it.
My on bike instruction involved. This is the clutch, this the accelerator, front & rear brakes plus gear lever. Now get on with it.
Three months later I passed my test. Over 200 thousand miles later I still have all my bits.

[majordelays]

CBT is a fun day, would be a good day to have a new experience even for those not taking it further

[luxarydreams]

This has been helpfull, I didn't manage to get mine first time simply because I was scared of the throttle, it was on a manual. I was adrives to try on am automatic and I should pass :)

[noworries]

It’s irresponsible to say that it is easy to pass your CBT. Some students who have never ridden a motorcycle may struggle with the basic machine control especially on a geared motorcycle. If the instructor feels that the student is not safe to ride on the road. Then the student will be required to spend more time in the safe environment of the training area. A CBT certificate will not be issued to students who can’t meet the minimum safe standards.

[landshark]

In Australia we have a 2 day car park course for your learners then a two course 3 months later(min) to get a probationary road licence. I saw people fail both. Some people need to work harder on a bike, its not easy for everyone. I rode many bicycle and the odd dirt bike for year so it wasn’t as challenging but I still had nerves. Just go at your own pace and enjoy learning, its not a race or competition.

[tivvy-xfkz]

The CBT is NOT a test it's a one day course to teach you some basics before venturing out on public roads and not cause any problems to yourself or others.
It won't make you an expert that will take time and actual experience and, hopefully, the CBT will make you aware of the potential dangers to motorcyclists.
Even if you are a car driver you may be aware of road rules etc BUT a motorcycle brings it's own dangers if you are not aware of them hence the CBT for a large part is about riding safely and being aware of the dangers.
If you are a cyclist it will help with balance etc.
You can ride a small automatic or a geared motorcycle for the CBT so possibly an auto may help you if you have no real intention of going the whole big bike route eventually.
The CBT is not about the type of bike it's all about safety.

[apacherider]

Just to add to my post yesterday. One of my students didn't complete his CBT course as his road riding wasn't good enough for many reasons even I spoke to him about the issues and he didn't listen. So it's not simple. I mentioned your video to the other instructors and the boss, their opinions were the same. PS. A CBT, is not a test you need to pass but a course you need to complete. If students arrive thinking it's simple you are putting the wrong message out there. We find the ones that arrive with that attitude soon realise that.