New bikers prepare to ride the open roads

Before taking to the open road, any prospective motorcycle rider without a full motorcycle driving licence must undergo compulsory basic training (CBT); an initiative introduced in 1990 in an attempt to cut the alarming accident rate amongst inexperienced riders. This training course must be completed before any rider can venture out with L-plates (or D-plates in Wales) on public roads.

The CBT is authorised by the Driving Standards Agency and can only be conducted by official instructors at an approved training body. It is a five-element sequential training process where progression onto the next step is dependent upon the instructor being happy that the rider has achieved the minimum acceptable safe driving standard in the lower level.

After a brief introduction during which the rider is introduced to CBT, the instructor launches into the first training session, which will be followed by a practical. Both the theory and practice in that session will be done off-road at the training centre. Only when the instructor is satisfied with the standard of driving displayed by the bike rider will they move onto the next level, out of the testing site and onto public roads.

Once the rider demonstrates that they can drive safely on public roads they are issued with a Certificate of Completion known as a DL 196 which enables them to drive legally on the road with L-plates. The certificate is valid for only two years, during which riders are expected to take their theory and practical driving tests for a motorcycle.

Passing a practical motorcycle test allows the rider to drive a motorbike without L-plates, but with a restriction placed on the power of the bike for two years; the engine must not exceed 33bhp. However, as most of these tests are passed on 125cc motorcycles, anyone wishing to step up to a 650cc or above bike is advised to take further training in order to appreciate the safety aspects of riding such a powerful machine.

Indeed, it is important that safety is ingrained into a rider’s mentality and that they become aware of the road, and other road users. After all, staying on the bike not only keeps a rider healthy but it also minimises any potential adverse impact on their pocket. The longer a rider can stay on their bike and avoid making a claim on their motorcycle insurance the better, as careful riders can earn no-claims discount over a number of years resulting in a reduction in the amount of their annual insurance premium.

Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.