Question 1

How much is a CBT motorcycle training course?

Accepted Answer

Our CBT motorcycle training starts from £159 for the day, and that price is for riders using their own motorcycle and gear. If you need to use one of our bikes or borrow kit, call us and we will give you a price for it. Direct Access, toward a full licence, starts from £925 with test fees included. Our other courses are quoted individually — call Stan or Sally on 07432 482690 and they will give you a straight price.

Question 2

How long does a CBT last?

Accepted Answer

Two years. Your CBT certificate (the DL196) is valid for 2 years, and in that time you need to pass your theory test and your full moped or motorcycle test — otherwise you either take CBT again or stop riding. Plenty of riders simply retake their CBT every 2 years and carry on riding a 125.

Question 3

How long does a CBT last on a full car licence?

Accepted Answer

The same 2 years — a car licence does not extend it. There is one exception worth knowing: if you passed your car test before 1 February 2001 you can ride a moped up to 50cc without taking CBT at all. If you passed after that date, you need CBT before riding a moped or a 125 on the road.

Question 4

How long does a CBT motorcycle training course take?

Accepted Answer

Usually a single day. There is no fixed finishing time — CBT is training rather than a pass-or-fail test, so it takes as long as it takes for your instructor to be happy you can ride safely alone. The on-road riding part alone has to be at least 2 hours.

Question 5

Do I need a CBT to ride a 125cc?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you are riding on a provisional licence. Once you have completed CBT motorcycle training you can ride a motorcycle up to 125cc and 11kW on L plates from age 17. You cannot carry a passenger or use motorways until you have passed your full test.

Question 6

Do I need a CBT to ride a 50cc moped?

Accepted Answer

Yes in almost every case — you can ride a moped on L plates from age 16 once you have completed CBT. The exception is if you passed your car driving test before 1 February 2001, in which case you can ride a 50cc moped without CBT.

Question 7

Do I need a CBT to ride an electric motorbike?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what the machine counts as legally rather than on it being electric. Electric bikes fall into the same licence categories as petrol ones, based on their power output — so a machine in moped or 125-equivalent territory needs CBT in the same way. Ring us with the make and model and we will tell you exactly where it sits.

Question 8

Do I need a CBT to do my A2?

Accepted Answer

You need a valid CBT to ride on the road on a provisional licence while you train, so in practice yes for most people. If you already hold a full A1 licence and are stepping up to A2 by progressive access, the route is different — call us and we will work out which applies to you before you book anything.

Question 9

What is the difference between A1, A2 and a full A licence?

Accepted Answer

A1 is from age 17 and covers bikes up to 125cc and 11kW. A2 is from age 19 and covers bikes up to 35kW. A full category A licence has no restriction at all — you can take it by direct access from 24, or from 21 by progressive access once you have held an A2 for 2 years.

Question 10

What is an A2 motorcycle licence?

Accepted Answer

A2 is the middle motorcycle licence. It lets you ride any bike up to 35kW, with a power-to-weight ratio no higher than 0.2 kW/kg, and you can take it from age 19. It sits between A1 (up to 125cc, from 17) and a full unrestricted A licence. Plenty of popular bikes come in restricted A2 versions, so it is far from a limiting licence.

Question 11

How do I get an A2 motorcycle licence?

Accepted Answer

Two routes. Direct: complete CBT motorcycle training, pass your theory test, then pass Module 1 and Module 2 on an A2-legal bike — you can do this from 19. Or progressive: if you have held an A1 licence for 2 years you can move up by taking a further practical test. We train for either — ring us and we will tell you which is quicker and cheaper for your situation.

Question 12

How much is an A2 licence?

Accepted Answer

The training and the licence are separate costs. Our A1 and A2 training is quoted individually because it depends how much you already have under your belt — call 07432 482690 and we will give you a straight figure. On top of that you have the DVSA theory test and the Module 1 and Module 2 test fees, which are set by the government rather than by us.

Question 13

Can I ride a 125 without a CBT on a full car licence?

Accepted Answer

No. A full car licence does not let you ride a 125 without CBT motorcycle training. The only exemption is for mopeds up to 50cc, and only if you passed your car test before 1 February 2001. For anything up to 125cc you need to complete CBT first.

Question 14

What can I ride on an A2 licence?

Accepted Answer

Any bike up to 35kW, with a power-to-weight ratio no higher than 0.2 kW/kg. There is no cc limit on an A2 — it is a power limit, not an engine-size one, which is why you will see 500cc, 650cc and even bigger bikes sold in A2-restricted versions. That covers a very large slice of real-world motorcycles. After 2 years on an A2 you can move to a full unrestricted licence from age 21.

Question 15

How much is Direct Access (DAS)?

Accepted Answer

Our Direct Access courses start from £925 and run over 4 or 5 days, with all test fees included and time on the official Motorcycle Manoeuvring Area. Which length suits you depends on your experience — call 07432 482690 and we will talk it through honestly before you book.

Question 16

How old do I need to be to start motorcycle training?

Accepted Answer

You can take CBT motorcycle training from 16 for a moped, or 17 for a motorcycle up to 125cc. For Direct Access to a full unrestricted licence you need to be 24 or over — or 21 if you are going the progressive route, having held an A2 for 2 years. Not sure which applies to you? Give us a call and we will work it out with you.

Question 17

What can I ride once I have passed my CBT motorcycle training?

Accepted Answer

A moped or a 125 on L plates, for up to 2 years. You cannot carry a passenger or use motorways on a CBT. To drop the L plates and take a passenger you go on to the full licence — theory test, then Module 1 and Module 2.

Question 18

Do you provide a bike?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we train on modern, well-kept training bikes. Our £159 CBT price is for riders using their own motorcycle and gear, so if you need to use one of ours, tell us when you book and we will give you the price for it. When you book, we will tell you exactly what to bring and what to wear on the day.

Question 19

How do I book a course?

Accepted Answer

Call or text Sally on 07432 482690, or send us a message. She will find a date and time that suits you, and if a different course would serve you better she will say so before you book.

Question 20

Where in Devon do you train?

Accepted Answer

We train at North Tawton Rugby Club in Mid Devon, and riders travel to us from right across Devon — Okehampton, Crediton, Exeter, Barnstaple and further. If you are not sure how far you are, send us your postcode and we will tell you honestly whether we are your nearest option.

Motorcycle training courses in Devon

Our courses in full

Starting out

CBT motorcycle training (Compulsory Basic Training)

Pre-CBT taster session

Getting your licence

Direct Access (DAS) — full motorcycle licence course

A1 and A2 licence training

Module 1 and Module 2 test training

Already riding

Back to Biking refresher

1-2-1 training

What a CBT day looks like

Before you book

What riders ask us

Ready to get riding?