TL;DR: Changes are afoot for the motorcycle training industry. Phoenix are already ahead of the game with the way we train our instructors and we’re involved in the DVSA consultation process for the proposed changes. Working with us is a wise career move for you.
Have you ever caught yourself staring at the clock, thinking about your ride home before your morning coffee has gone cold? Dreams of a career change are more about finding a role that aligns with your passions than simply escaping your 9 to 5 grind. If you’ve spent years on two wheels, you already know the freedom it provides. Turning that expertise into a career with CBT instructor training opens the door to a career that’ll make each day whizz past with satisfaction.
Motorcycle instructors don’t just teach people to ride. They share a passion for two wheels and freedom. And it’s a profession in a specialized sector of the jobs market that’s in the midst of its most significant transformation in over 30 years. The government’s 2026 Road Safety Strategy is transforming motorcycle training into a high-standard educational discipline with nationally recognized adult education qualifications. As the UK moves toward more rigorous safety targets, the demand for high-quality CBT instructor training has never been higher.
If you’re looking for a role that offers fresh air, professional respect, and the chance to shape the next generation of riders, 2026 is officially the year to make your move.
How to become a CBT instructor
Before you go swapping your suit for leathers, you need to clear a few non-negotiable legal hurdles. The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) sets a high bar for who can supervise learner motorcycle riders in the UK. That’s to make sure each instructor is “fit and proper” able to teach and model the qualities we want to see in all riders.
The Basic Requirements
To begin your journey toward cbt instructor jobs, you need to meet these criteria:
- Age: You must be at least 21 years old.
- Experience: You must have held a full Category A2 or A motorcycle licence for a minimum of three years.
- Conduct: You must have a clean driving record and pass a DBS check. Minor points are often okay, but it depends how many and how long ago you collected them. Serious convictions are a red flag.
Choosing Your Route: Down-Trained vs. DVSA-Assessed
There are two primary ways to qualify, and the route you choose often depends on how quickly you want to enter the job market. It’s also possible to take the first step followed by the second.
- Down-Trained Instructor: This is the most common way to become a CBT instructor. You’ll be trained “in-house” and on the job by an Approved Training Body (ATB) like us. Once your training is complete, you’re legally allowed to teach CBT courses, but only for that school.
- DVSA-Assessed Instructor: To become a fully independent, certified instructor, you have to pass a rigorous two-day assessment at a DVSA center. This qualification allows you to not only teach CBTs anywhere but also train other instructors and move toward other kinds of motorcycle training qualifications.
So, who teaches you how to ride a motorcycle and teach others to ride? It’s a mix of your colleagues at the ATB and the DVSA examiners (who also stand in as your ‘student’ for the CBT instructor assessment). These professionals have already proven they can balance expert bike control with the ability to communicate life-saving skills to a complete novice. Watch and listen so you can do the same.
The 2026 Road Safety Strategy: Raising the bar for motorcycle instructors
The motorcycle training industry is at a significant crossroads. On January 7, 2026, the government launched a sweeping consultation as part of its new Road Safety Strategy. For the first time in over thirty years, the DVSA isn’t only looking at what students learn, they’re also considering how instructors become qualified and their teaching is monitored.
“Some of the suggestions in the 2026 Road Safety Strategy and related consultations are already standard practices at Phoenix, such as motorcycle instructors gaining a nationally recognised teaching qualification as part of their training. While what already happens as standard at Phoenix, some other training providers may need to significantly alter their operations to make this happen. – Mark Jaffe, Owner of Phoenix Motorcycle Training
Qualifying as an instructor has mostly been a “watch and copy” exercise. You learn the syllabus, demonstrate safe riding, and get checked for competence. Whether you do that with an ATB or through the DVSA assessment, it’s largely the same.
The 2026 motorcycle training proposals are preparing to pivot toward a more formal approach. A central theme of the consultations is a move toward nationally recognised adult education qualifications for all motorcycle trainers. The DVSA wants to ensure that every instructor isn’t just a skilled rider, but knows how to teach others too. That means becoming a trained educator who understands how adults process information, develop life-saving skills, and how they can adapt their teaching style to fit their student’s learning styles.
What’s changing for the CBT instructor training qualification?
The DVSA is currently seeking views on several radical shifts that will reshape motorcycle instruction and CBT instructor training:
- A Unified Assessment: Replacing separate CBT and DAS assessments with a single, streamlined qualification. This “one-stop” assessment would qualify instructors to teach across all categories, making the path to becoming a senior trainer faster and more efficient.
- Continuous Professional Standards: There’s a proposed move toward ongoing quality assurance and professional standards checks. This would ensure instructors keep their skills sharp throughout their careers, making the “one-and-done” test a thing of the past.
- Modernizing the CBT Syllabus: The consultation suggests merging elements of the CBT instructor syllabus to allow for more flexible on-site training. There’d also be a new, intensive focus on safety equipment and modern road skills like filtering and steering.
These changes mean being a “good rider” becomes the entry requirement—as it should be. It brings more structure to the sector, turning motorcycle instructors and coaches into professionally recognised educators.
The Phoenix Motorcycle Training edge: We’re ahead of the curve
Most training schools are waiting for the final results of the DVSA consultations to plan their next move. We’re already there. We don’t just follow industry standards; we’ve spent years leading the way. Now we’re helping to set the nationally recognised standards.
The Level 3 AET: Our policy, their proposal
One of the core proposals in the 2026 Road Safety Strategy is a move toward mandatory teaching qualifications. This is already our current policy. All of our instructors hold a Level 3 Awards in Education and Training (AET). When you join us, you’ll complete the three module course too.
Why? Because being an expert rider doesn’t automatically make you an expert teacher. The AET qualification gives you the tools to understand adult learning theory, manage class dynamics, and ensure your students don’t just pass their CBT, but embody the why behind every maneuver. When you choose to take CBT instructor training with Phoenix, you’re getting a certificate, a nationally recognised educational credential, and a future-proofed career in motorcycle training.
We already work closely with the DfT and DVLA and industry bodies like the Driving Instructors Association (DIA) , the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) and the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC). We’ve been contributing directly to the same consultations we’ve covered in this post. This means our cbt instructor course is built on the most current data and upcoming regulatory shifts. When the 2026 Strategy fully kicks in, our instructors won’t be playing catch-up—they’ll be leading the pack.
Our “Earn as You Learn” training model is anchored in our belief that continuous professional development doesn’t just make better instructors, it makes the job more enjoyable too. From day one, you’ll have access to a structured career path, moving from a down-trained instructor to a DVSA-assessed professional. We’ll be supporting you at every milestone.
CBT training career reality: pay, progression, and the 2026 DAS Overhaul
Making a career change is a big decision. Whether you move ahead or stay chained to your desk usually comes down to one question: Is it a viable long-term move? With the changes afoot in 2026, the answer is a resounding “yes”. The instructor shortage, combined with the professionalisation of the industry, is driving earnings and job security to new highs.
Starting strong: CBT instructor pay
As a new instructor entering the market in 2026, your earning potential is competitive from day dot. According to national job market data and industry profiles, current expectations are:
- Down-Trained Instructors: Entry-level roles typically offer OTE (On-Target Earnings) of £27,500 – £32,000.
- DVSA-Certified Trainers: Once you pass your Cardington assessment, that figure often rises to £36,000+.
We know security is a key concern when you’re changing careers. That’s why we work closely with our instructors to provide regular contracted hours, removing the “feast or famine” anxiety of being a freelance instructor. You get the stability alongside the freedom of the road.
The natural next step: Moving to DAS
Teaching 125cc riders is just the beginning. The natural progression from CBT instructor training is becoming a Direct Access Scheme (DAS) Instructor. This is when you’ll guide students on larger 650cc+ machines toward a full motorcycle licence. It’s a significant career step. Senior DAS instructors can expect to earn in the £40,000 – £48,000 range for full time hours, reflecting their higher level of skill and risk management required.
The 2026 DAS Overhaul: A Faster Path to the Top
One of the most exciting parts of the current DVSA consultation is the proposal for a Single, Unified Instructor Assessment. Currently, you have to pass one assessment for CBT and another for DAS. These tests may merge into one Gold Standard qualification. That shortens the path from “new starter” to “senior DAS coach” so you can reach those higher salary brackets faster.
A career change like this isn’t just about the figures though. It’s more to do with your work environment and the day-to-day satisfaction you’ll get from riding—and teaching others to ride too. You’re trading fluorescent lights for the open road. There’s a unique professional pride in taking a student who’s never touched a bike and seeing them ride safely away with a certificate in their hand after you’ve shown them how.
INSERT YOUTUBE CLIP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stJ8CkI21WA
Frequently Asked Questions: Your motorcycle training career questions answered
Before you take the leap to a motorcycle training career, it’s normal to have questions about the mechanics of the industry. These are the most common queries we get from prospective instructors:
In 2026, a new CBT instructor can expect to earn around £150 per day. As you gain experience and move into specialized DAS (Direct Access Scheme) training or advanced niches, annual salaries typically range from £35,000 to £48,000+, depending on your location and the specific school.
- Down-trained Instructor: You have been trained in-house by a senior instructor at an ATB (like Phoenix Motorcycle Training). You’re legally certified to teach CBT courses only for that school. It’s the perfect way to get hands-on experience while you earn.
DVSA-assessed Instructor: You have passed a rigorous two-day assessment at a DVSA center in Cardington. This is the Gold Standard that lets you train other instructors and progress to teaching full-licence (DAS) courses.
Unlike car learners, who can be supervised by a parent or friend (provided they meet certain criteria), learner motorcyclists ride solo on the road after their CBT. Paid supervision or training for the CBT certificate or DL196 (essentially a motorcycle learner’s certificate) can only be provided by a certified instructor at an ATB. This is why the CBT instructor role is vital—they’re the only people legally allowed to provide professional coaching new riders need to stay safe.
In the UK, professional rider training can only be delivered by certified instructors working for an Approved Training Body (ATB). However, as a trainee instructor, your teachers are a blend of senior DVSA-assessed colleagues at the ATB you’re working with and, eventually, DVSA examiners during your formal assessments. They don’t just teach you to ride; they teach you how to observe, coach, and manage the safety of others.
The landscape of motorcycle instruction is changing. For the right person, 2026 is the perfect time to get on board. As the industry moves away from basic instruction toward a more professional, educational model, the demand for dedicated, knowledgeable coaches will grow.
We aren’t just waiting for the future of motorcycle training; we’re actively building it. By joining our team, you’re choosing a career path that offers stability, professional respect, and the freedom of the road—all backed by a company that’s leading the national conversation on safety and education.
Ready to trade your desk for the saddle? Apply for a motorcycle instructor job with Phoenix today and take the first step toward a career that thrills you.
