Tougher CBT planned

Shake-up to ensure learners are good enough for the road

LEARNER riders face tougher Compulsory Basic Training under Government plans.

Proposals just announced by the Department for Transport include making CBT more ‘tailored’ to individuals and ‘ensuring that during the on road ride trainees have demonstrated their competence to ride unaccompanied’.

Trainers face higher qualifications standards and new checks under the plans.

All new learner motorcycle and moped riders must take CBT, which was first introduced in 1990. Riders then have to pass their full motorcycle test within two years or take CBT again.

A DfT spokesperson said:  ‘The proposals include upgrading CBT to improve the riding of younger learners, which has been largely unchanged for the last 25 years.

‘The plans under consideration include the structure and content of CBT courses, the qualification process for instructors and standards checks for instructors, which assess their ability to teach pupils.’

Transport minister Claire Perry said: ‘We must do all we can to improve road safety and I hope our proposals to change the training will do that.’

The consultation runs until April 21.

  • Sign up for Visordown's weekly newsletter, Bugsplat, to get the best motorcycle news, road tests and features plus exclusive competitions and offers direct to your inbox. Register as a Visordown member here and tick the box for Bugsplat in your newsletter settings here.