| Before taking to the open road, any prospective | | | | safely on public roads they are issued with a |
| motorcycle rider without a full motorcycle driving | | | | Certificate of Completion known as a DL 196 which |
| licence must undergo compulsory basic training (CBT); | | | | enables them to drive legally on the road with L-plates. |
| an initiative introduced in 1990 in an attempt to cut the | | | | The certificate is valid for only two years, during which |
| alarming accident rate amongst inexperienced riders. | | | | riders are expected to take their theory and practical |
| This training course must be completed before any | | | | driving tests for a motorcycle. |
| rider can venture out with L-plates (or D-plates in | | | | Passing a practical motorcycle test allows the rider to |
| Wales) on public roads. | | | | drive a motorbike without L-plates, but with a restriction |
| The CBT is authorised by the Driving Standards | | | | placed on the power of the bike for two years; the |
| Agency and can only be conducted by official | | | | engine must not exceed 33bhp. However, as most of |
| instructors at an approved training body. It is a | | | | these tests are passed on 125cc motorcycles, anyone |
| five-element sequential training process where | | | | wishing to step up to a 650cc or above bike is advised |
| progression onto the next step is dependent upon the | | | | to take further training in order to appreciate the |
| instructor being happy that the rider has achieved the | | | | safety aspects of riding such a powerful machine. |
| minimum acceptable safe driving standard in the lower | | | | Indeed, it is important that safety is ingrained into a |
| level. | | | | rider's mentality and that they become aware of the |
| After a brief introduction during which the rider is | | | | road, and other road users. After all, staying on the |
| introduced to CBT, the instructor launches into the first | | | | bike not only keeps a rider healthy but it also minimises |
| training session, which will be followed by a practical. | | | | any potential adverse impact on their pocket. The |
| Both the theory and practice in that session will be | | | | longer a rider can stay on their bike and avoid making |
| done off-road at the training centre. Only when the | | | | a claim on their motorcycle insurance the better, as |
| instructor is satisfied with the standard of driving | | | | careful riders can earn no-claims discount over a |
| displayed by the bike rider will they move onto the | | | | number of years resulting in a reduction in the amount |
| next level, out of the testing site and onto public roads. | | | | of their annual insurance premium. |
| Once the rider demonstrates that they can drive | | | | |