CBT is being introduced to help reduce the high number of motorcycle related incidents on our roads. CBT will better prepare a rider to deal with, and make them aware of, the dangers associated with riding a motorcycle or moped. Since CBT was introduced in GB there have been benefits to riders in terms of road safety.
Subsequent to implementation all new motorcycle and moped riders will have to complete CBT before being permitted to ride unaccompanied on the public road. Learner motorcyclists who have provisional motorcycle (Category A) entitlement prior to the introduction of CBT will be entitled to continue to ride unaccompanied on the road for a period of 12 months after which they will be required to undertake CBT. Full car licence holders will continue to get provisional motorcycle entitlement on their licence after the introduction of CBT but will not be able to ride a motorcycle or moped on the road until they have a valid CBT certificate. Those who passed their driving test in a car prior to the implementation date will retain their full entitlement to a moped licence.
Prior to the introduction of CBT, a mandatory register of Approved Motorcycle Instructors (AMIs) will be established. Only registered AMIs will be permitted to conduct training for motorcycle and moped riders for hire or reward and be permitted to conduct CBT courses.
On successful completion of CBT you will be issued with a secure paper certificate. This will enable you to ride legally on the road unaccompanied. Riders must produce their CBT certificate within seven days if requested to do so by the PSNI or an enforcement officer.
CBT certificates will be valid for two years. If a rider has not gained a full motorcycle licence by the expiry of the CBT certificate, they will, if they want to continue riding on the public road, have to retake the CBT course and be issued with a new certificate valid for a further two years.
AMIs will issue a duplicate of the original CBT certificate to a trainee if the original is lost or stolen. However, if the AMI who issued the original certificate is no longer operating, DVA may issue a duplicate certificate to a trainee. There will be a fee for the issue of a duplicate certificate.
From implementation all new driving licence applicants will be required to undertake and pass CBT before their licence authorises them to ride on the public road unaccompanied. Refer to Qu. 3 for further detail.
From the operative date anyone who passes their car test and receives automatic entitlement to ride a moped (Category P) will have to complete CBT before this entitlement is activated. However, those who have acquired a full moped license as a result of passing their car test, i.e. anyone who passed their test before the operative date, will retain their entitlement to a moped licence.
There are five elements in the CBT syllabus that will need to be covered in CBT training. Elements A to D are not time bound, the duration will be needs driven and dependent on trainees ability. Whereas element E will have a minimum duration attached to it. The overall duration of the course will therefore vary depending on the ability, knowledge, understanding and skills of the trainee.
Learner motorcyclists who have provisional moped and motorcycle entitlement prior to the introduction of CBT will be required to complete the approved CBT course within 12 months of the introduction of CBT if they want to continue riding a motorcycle or moped on public roads.
This includes all pre-CBT motorcycle provisional licence holders and full car licence holders who are automatically issued with provisional entitlement for motorcycles and full moped entitlement after they pass the car practical test. See Qu.13 above for those who acquired full moped entitlement prior to implementation of CBT.
No, recognition of Northern Ireland CBT courses for riders in GB is a decision for the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and will require an amendment to legislation. DVA will liaise with DSA to investigate the feasibility of this.
As the regulating authority, DVA has responsibility to monitor and regulate the standard of instruction delivered by AMIs. DVA will ensure that the courses delivered comply with regulations and that the safety of the participating trainees is protected. To meet these responsibilities, DVA examiners will attend and monitor CBT courses and report their findings to the Registrar as appropriate.
CBT FAQs
