You want to be safe on the road, right? Choosing the right motorcycle training will help you build your safety skills and get greater enjoyment from riding. Motorcycle training courses help with all kinds of skills development. Which you choose depends on your experience, what licence you’re aiming for, and what you want to gain from riding a motorbike.

Some motorbike courses can lower insurance premiums. Others focus on improving competence in specific situations, like motorway riding or carrying a pillion passenger. All of them make riding safer, more enjoyable, and build your confidence on the road. To make the right choice, you need to understand the essential motorcycle training courses and paths to getting a full licence. 

Which motorcycle licence do you need and want?

There are different paths to a motorcycle licence, but nearly everyone has to train for their CBT certificate first. Some riders are happy to stick with their CBT certificate as it suits city riding well. Others want more power and the ability to go further, faster.

CBT training

CBT motorcycle courses with us start from £180. That covers everything you need to learn to ride on the day; aside from your boots and your lunch. Of course, other schools have different pricing structures.

After successfully completing CBT training, you’ll be awarded a DL196 certificate. It’s a little like a learner permit for riding on public roads and it’s valid for two years.

Smart riders often back up their compulsory basic training with additional motorcycle training courses, like CBT Plus and Beyond Compulsory Basic Training. Along with the advantage of improving safety, you’ll increase your enjoyment and chances of passing your full motorcycle licence test with flying colours!

After CBT training, you can move onto a full motorcycle licence. There are two ways to do that. DAS training lets you train for the highest level licence you’re eligible for. The progressive route lets you steadily move up through the UK motorcycle licence tiers.

So what are the different motorcycle licence tiers?

Motorcycle licence tiers

UK motorcycle licences are tiered. The system opens up to more powerful bikes as you grow and develop your skill. The tiers and restrictions are…

• AM moped licence: 16+ years of age,  up to 50cc with a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h), no motorway travel.
• A1 light motorcycle licence: 17+ years of age, up to 125cc, with a power output no greater than 11 kW, you can ride on all UK roads.
• A2 medium powered motorcycle licence: 19+ years of age, maximum power output of 35 kW (around 47 bhp, roughly 550 to 600ccs), you can ride on all UK roads.
• A full, unrestricted motorcycle licence: 24+ years of age (or 21+ if taking the progressive route from an A2 licence), no power limitations, you can ride on all UK roads.

But the easiest way to explain the motorcycle licence tiers is with a chart. So that’s what we’ve put together for you…

Training for motorcycle mastery: Courses for all riders

Getting your full motorcycle licence is a huge achievement, but the journey of becoming a safer, more skilled rider doesn’t stop there. Continuing to learn after getting your licence has many benefits. It teaches you how to handle a variety of situations and scenarios that you may encounter on the road and even leads to benefits like improving fuel efficiency and reducing insurance premiums.

A great training school offers courses that can help you with all kinds of skills development, whether you’ve just completed your CBT or you’re a fully licensed rider.

Other motorcycle training courses:

• CBT Plus: For CBT certificate holders, this course sharpens your skills and road awareness. Observation, planning, machine control and hazard perception skills will become further developed with this motorbike course.
• Using Motorways and carrying pillion passengers: You can’t practice riding on motorways or carrying passengers with a CBT certificate – you’re not allowed to do either. This motorcycle training course teaches you the legal ins and outs of taking passengers as well as the practical aspects. Training for motorway riding ensures you’re confident and competent in joining, filtering through traffic and leaving motorways safely.
• BikeSafe: This police-led training highlights the importance of continued learning. Some insurance providers will reduce your insurance premium when you complete this course. You’ll discover your strengths and weaknesses and develop your skill to become safer while getting even more enjoyment from two wheels.
• Biker Down: Learning how to respond to a motorcycle accident could save a fellow rider’s life. Biker Down motorcycle safety courses are free and cover everything you need to manage a motorcycle accident. They’re not only for riders either, car drivers and truckers can join these life-saving courses. They’re offered by your local fire and rescue services. Along with life-saving skills, you’ll also learn crucial strategies for avoiding accidents. Get in touch with your local fire and rescue services to find out about courses in your area.
• Improving Your Roadcraft with advanced training: Advanced motorcycle training develops rider confidence across greater distances. Depending on the kind of advanced rider course you choose, you may find yourself covering over 180 miles while improving your roadcraft.

Why take more motorcycle training after you’ve got a licence?

All non-licence motorcycle training courses work on improving your roadcraft. That’s the official system of safe riding developed by police and military riders. Their systems work to help you become a safer rider—and that increases your enjoyment on the road too.

Greater road-awareness, better planning, and the ability to handle any situation on the road increases your confidence, enjoyment and feeling of control when you ride. It’s the very same skillset our instructors rely on each day. They work hard to teach it to all of our students. When you choose a motorcycle training school that emphasises the importance of developing your roadcraft, you’re choosing a school that’s dedicated to safety and enjoyment beyond getting a licence to ride.

So what makes a great quality motorcycle training course?

Quality trumps price and quantity every time. That’s because quality anything means you get what you need rather than the bare minimum to scrape through. Quality motorcycle training in the UK is training that leaves you with skills and confidence, a deep understanding of safety and utter enjoyment of the learning experience. A quality course sets you up for safe riding for the rest of your days. Here’s what you should look for in a motorcycle school.

Great motorcycle instructors know their stuff inside and out

A training centre that’s certified to help you get your licence quickly is important. All great motorcycle training delivers much-needed insight into the world of motorcycling. 

Each of our motorcycle training instructors has a long-standing passion for motorcycles and riding. Better yet they know exactly how to share that knowledge and passion with you in a way that lands and is remembered. You’ll practice skills in a controlled environment or on public roads with your experienced instructor providing feedback in real time. This type of real-world experience is invaluable.

Great facilities, awesome bikes

All Phoenix Motorcycle Training centres have the facilities needed to train new and returning riders safely and quickly. You get everything you need to learn to ride at any of our schools – we hand-pick each location for that very reason.

You’ll get a large, comfortable classroom, an off-road area for motorcycle training that has been approved by the DVSA for CBT and Module 1 practical tests, and ‘nursery roads’ nearby that let you practice in real traffic.

All inclusive pricing

Cheap courses tend to have hidden costs like petrol, insurance or even bike hire! Our motorcycle training courses are all inclusive – there are no hidden costs. Rider insurance is covered in the course cost along with all your kit and resources.

When it comes to licence training, you’ll need to already have taken and paid for your DVSA Theory Test (£23). But the cost of your practical tests (Mod 1 and Mod 2) are included in our training fees. And of course your bike hire, fuel, insurance, and instructor’s time is also included in our course fees. When comparing prices, make sure you know exactly what you’re paying for to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Course structure matters

Our training centres deliver courses in ways that help you gain your licence qualification in the shortest timeframe. For riders training for a full licence, we make sure your test days are as close to the training days as possible. This means you’ll have stronger memories of the lessons covered in your training.

Phoenix Motorcycle Training: Our approach to training riders

Your choice of training centre is one of the most important decisions you can make at the beginning of your journey to becoming a skilled and confident rider. It’s why we’re committed to delivering the highest quality training possible across all of our locations.

Top training reviews

Our reviews speak for themselves, check them out on Trust Pilot or Google Reviews for your local school. We provide quality, cost effective training to set you up for lifetime success on the road, not just your licence tests. 

Advanced knowledge and training qualifications

Each of our schools offers the same high level of quality and professionalism. Our franchise owner, Mark Jaffe, is an advanced motorcycle instructor and examiner. He has years of experience working on national training schemes with advanced and learner riders. He works across all of our centres, so he understands the challenges new riders face.

All of our motorcycle training instructors have a long-standing passion for motorcycles and riding. And they all have Level 3 Awards in Education and Training. Two of our Bristol  instructors have ridden motorcycles for the military. And Andy (Twiggy) Davies volunteers for Bristol’s Blood Bike Emergency Volunteer Service. Twiggy makes high-speed deliveries to help save the lives of Bristol hospital patients. He loves sharing his skill with old and new motorcyclists.

Our instructors at other locations have very similar backgrounds. We’re a fun loving bunch and get a kick out of bringing our love of motorcycles to more people.

Unbeatable local knowledge

When you’re learning to ride, location matters. The DVSA has over 2,000 motorcycle testing centres around the UK. Learning to ride with Phoenix ensures you’re familiar not only with motorcycling but with the area you’ll take your test. You’ll be practicing your skills on similar roads to the ones you’ll take your licence tests on.

Ready to Ride? Investing in a motorcycle safety training course is essential for getting better at avoiding mishaps. If you’re ready to learn more and improve your skill, get in touch with us today! Wherever you’re going on two wheels, when your training starts with Phoenix, you know you are in good hands.

Develop your motorcycle roadcraft

Choosing the right motorcycle training course is the first step towards a lifetime of fun on two wheels. Investing in quality instruction and a training school that goes beyond the bare minimum makes sense. It means you’ll get a licence and the skills, confidence, and roadcraft needed for true motorcycle mastery.

Your training is an investment in your safety, your enjoyment, and your future. Whether you’re just starting with your CBT or want to sharpen your skills with advanced training, our team is ready to roll! Get in touch with us today to find out more about our courses and book your motorcycle training.