The Road to Safer Riding: A History of the UK's Motorcycle CBT Training

TL;DR: CBT training for motorcyclists became compulsory on Dec 1st, 1990 in a bid to reduce shockingly high casualty rates for young riders. Since its inception, serious injuries and road fatalities have reduced significantly.

The unique sense of freedom that comes with motorcycling is undeniable. But the excitement is tempered by the inherent serious risk. Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable road users. That’s why comprehensive foundational skills training isn’t just advisable, it’s essential.

In the UK, your journey to becoming a motorcyclist begins with Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). This essential course is your starting block for two-wheeled travel and the first step for any new rider.

CBT training for motorcyclists is a crucial foundational training and legally required by the UK’s motorcycle licensing body, the DVSA. Its introduction wasn’t arbitrary, nor an after thought. It came about as a direct response to a national crisis, too many young motorcyclists were being lost on our roads.

CBT training was implemented to dramatically improve rider safety and protect the most vulnerable novice riders. This foundational course isn’t a mere bureaucratic hurdle; it’s the foundation preserving road safety culture for modern UK motorcycling. This blog explores the reasons why the CBT was introduced, covers the safety statistics proving its worth, and how you can make the most of your initial CBT training with us.

Critical injuries and crushing crash statistics

Before 1990, getting on the road with a motorcycle was alarmingly easy. No formal instruction or motorcycle experience was needed. If you had a car driving licence, a dose of courage and a fair sense of balance you could be on your way! Obviously, that led to a lot of incompetent riders taking to public roads.

The results were alarming. In the early 1980s, over 20,000 serious injuries and motorcycle casualties were recorded. A large proportion of these involved young, inexperienced riders on small capacity bikes (usually 50cc or 125cc), equipped only with L-plates and relying on little more than courage and a handbook.

This lack of basic training was creating an escalating public safety crisis. The most vulnerable riders were the least experienced: the young, often teenage, riders on smaller machines. We were losing our youth on our roads. The shockingly high casualty rates throughout the 1970s and 1980s caused outcry from parents and families who’d lost loved ones. The government had to respond.

The system allowing riders to gain experience on the road rather than before it, clearly needed an overhaul. Compulsory Basic Training was the government’s response to the crisis. This course makes sure every new rider, from day one, possesses a basic level of competence and road awareness. It’s a course that’s saved countless lives and prevented innumerable serious injuries.

The birth of basic training (CBT)

Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) was mandated across the UK on December 1st, 1990. It’s a comprehensive course, typically taking a day to complete. It doesn’t test perfection. It checks and improves basic riding skills and road awareness before you’re allowed onto public roads alone.

This fundamental shift makes sure training comes before unsupervised riding. CBT training is structured around five mandatory elements. Each element builds on the last to create a foundation of core competencies and safe riding routines.

• Introduction and Eyesight Check: You’ll kick your training off by crossing t’s and dotting i’s. All of the administrative details, necessary riding gear, and confirming you meet basic eyesight standards are completed at the start of CBT training.
• Practical On-Site Training (Off-road machine controls/handling): Learning the fundamentals of bike operation—clutch, throttle, gears, and braking—in a safe, controlled, paved off-road environment.
• Practical On-Site Riding: Putting the controls into practice, focusing on slow-speed maneuvering, figure eights, and emergency stops. You’ll build your machine handling confidence.
• Practical On-Road Training preparation: Your pre-road briefing covers the highway code, defensive riding techniques, and understanding common road hazards. Our pre-CBT resources help you prepare for this element so it goes smoothly and gives you more confidence with the final element of your CBT training.
• Practical On-Road Riding: You’ll have a minimum two-hour session with an instructor guiding you (and maybe one other rider, but no more than one) on public roads. They’ll observe and correct your skills handling traffic, junctions, and complex situations. This is the crucial real-world application of the skills you learn on site.

Once you complete all five elements successfully, you’ll receive your CBT certificate (DL196). It’s valid for two years and lets you legally ride on public roads with L-plates (subject to engine size restrictions).

The numbers don’t lie: The CBT training legacy

The most compelling argument for the success of CBT training is in the numbers. The government’s aim in 1990 was to curb the high casualty rate for new riders. The data shows they were successful in both the short term and over the following decades.

Immediate impact: 1983-1991

The introduction of CBT was the culmination of safety measures targeting new riders in the late 1980s. The statistical effect on serious injuries was immediate and dramatic:

UK Government data shows that the number of seriously injured motorcycle casualties fell sharply between 1983 and 1991. The high number of fatalities recorded in the late 70s and early 80s (over 1,000 deaths per year) dropped by over half in 1991, following the introduction of CBT training.

This trend was just the beginning of the positive safety changes the CBT training brought about for riders. 

Long-term safety wins

The long-term safety culture instilled by CBT continues to keep new riders safer than their historic counterparts. It’s proof that foundational training is crucial for reducing risk for riders.

Over a broader period (2004–2022), improved on-road safety continued. The UK saw a 40% reduction in motorcyclist fatalities and a 35% reduction in serious injuries (adjusted figures).

Advancements in motorcycle technology, safer gear, and improvements in road engineering undoubtedly contribute to the overall reduction in risk. But there’s no denying that foundational training is the core reason for the improved safety for modern riders. The CBT ensures every new rider starting their journey has the essential skills and awareness needed for navigating the roads safely. CBT training teaches new riders how to become active participants in their safety rather than vulnerable statistics.

Choosing the best CBT trainers

The safety statistics following the introduction of CBT training places a responsibility on you too. The best way to honour the purpose of foundational motorcycle skills training is to choose a high-quality, reputable school. The focus should always be on comprehensive instruction, not just box ticking.

CBT training isn’t a course you want to race blindly through. It warrants your time and attention because it stops you from becoming a statistic people shake their heads over. Taking time to choose the right motorcycle training school and develop the skills you need to ride safely is something your future-self will thank you for.

Why we’re not your average CBT trainers

We set the benchmark for quality and comprehensiveness. We’re the largest training school in the UK. We got here because we’re invested in your safety. The best way to see a return on our efforts is by making training fun, comprehensive and tailored to your learning style.

We make sure every rider receives the full benefit of the course. This includes:

• Experienced and Approved Instructors: Our trainers are fully DVSA Approved Training Body (ATB) instructors. They have years of deep experience in riding and transforming complete novices into safe, confident road users.
• Structured Courses: We offer tailored training. That includes specialised CBT courses designed for learners with no prior experience, or who know they need a little extra support to straddle a full motorcycle licence. We’ll coach you at a pace that builds genuine competence, not just hurried completion.
• Commitment to Safety: Our focus is on making you genuinely safe and road-aware, not simply achieving a quick pass. This commitment to long-term safety is why many riders choose us for their initial training and subsequent licence progression.

Ready to take the first step towards safe, legal riding?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CBT training

Don’t let compulsory basic training for motorcyclists remain a mystery. Check out our FAQs below to satisfy your curiosity and answer your burning questions!

Ready to ride (safely) into your future?

The story of the introduction of CBT training in the UK is a great reminder of how important it is to be properly prepared when it comes to riding. The sharp reduction in serious injuries and fatalities since its 1990 introduction gives undeniable proof that the foundational training saves lives.

CBT isn’t just a formality. It’s the opportunity to develop life-saving skills and confidence on the road. Are you ready to join the millions of safe riders CBT has created? Start your two-wheeled journey the right way with us.