Frequently Asked Questions

Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) : Full Licence Courses

Compulsory Basic Training

I have a full car licence - do I still have to do a CBT?

How long is a CBT certificate valid for?

Once I've passed my CBT can I ride on the motorways?

Can I take a pillion passenger once I've passed my CBT?

How long does a CBT take?

Do you supply helmets?

Can I use my own bike?

I did my last CBT in 2 hours - why does it take so long with you?

Can I really learn to ride a bike in one day?

Do you do gift vouchers?

Where & when do you do your CBT's?

If I take my CBT on an automatic bike, am I allowed to ride a geared bike?

I have a full car licence - do I still have to do a CBT?

This depends. Everyone has to complete a CBT if they wish to ride a bike bigger than a moped*. If you have a full car licence which was obtained before the 1st February 2001 then you automatically have a full moped licence. This means you can ride a moped without any prior training, nor will you have to display L-plates plus you are able to take passengers. That said, it would be a bit silly hopping onto a moped without some sort of training beforehand - a CBT day is a perfect introduction.

If you took your car test on or after the 1st February 2001 then you will have to complete a CBT. On completion, this qualifies your full moped licence and your provisional motorcycle licence. This means you can ride a moped for the length of the licence without re-taking your CBT every two years. It also means you don't have to display L-plates on your moped and you can take passengers. This is not true of any bike bigger than a moped, however. As a provisional licence holder a CBT will allow you to ride a learner legal motorcycle up to 125cc, but L-plates must be displayed and you cannot take passengers. Your CBT must be renewed every two years.

*a moped is a motorcycle no bigger than 50cc with a maximum design speed not exceeding 31mph. <TOP>

How long is a CBT certificate valid for?

Two years. <TOP>

Once I've passed my CBT can I ride on the motorways?

No. As per car drivers you are not allowed on the motorways until you have passed your full test with the DSA. <TOP>

Can I take a pillion passenger once I've passed my CBT?

No. You must take the full test. <TOP>

How long does a CBT take?

It's a full day. Starting at 9am you'll be finished between 4pm & 6pm depending on the general competency of the whole group. <TOP>

Do you supply helmets?

Yes, although we recommend investing in your own as you'll need one anyway and correct fitting is vital. You must tell us if you need to borrow a school helmet. <TOP>

Can I use my own bike?

Absolutely, but your bike must be road legal. If it is found not to be (loud race exhaust for example) than your CBT will be aborted and you will not get a refund. We have to consider not only the neighbours but our training licence would be put in jeopardy by allowing illegal bikes onto the site and onto the roads. <TOP>

I did my last CBT in 2 hours - why does it take so long with you?

That's because we do it properly! Unfortunately there are a few rogue schools out there who can't be bothered to train their pupils properly. This is not only illegal but hugely irresponsible in our opinion. Thankfully the DSA are beginning to clamp down on the bad eggs in our industry and not a moment too soon. <TOP>

Can I really learn to ride a bike in one day?

Usually yes. Although that said, we would never allow someone on the road who isn't ready. If you don't quite get up to standard in the first day you'll come back and do a little bit more training. Your course price entitles you up to 8 hours instruction. If you need more than that then additional hours are charged at £25/hr. <TOP>

Do you do gift vouchers?

Yes! <TOP>

Where & when do you do your CBT's?

Saturdays & Sundays we use Haymoor Middle School, Ashdown Close, Canford Heath, Poole. Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays we use Bourne Valley Community Centre, Herbert Avenue, Parkstone, Poole. <TOP>

If I take my CBT on an automatic bike, am I allowed to ride a geared bike?

Strangely yes but we would recommend getting a couple of hours training with us on geared bike operation. <TOP>

Full Licence Courses

Where are the Module 1 & 2 tests conducted?

There's been a lot of press recently about candidates crashing whilst doing the avoidance excercise in Module 1 - what's going on?

I have a full car licence - do I still need to take a theory test?

Do I have to take a theory test before beginning my training?

I'm 17 - can I do my Direct Access?

I'm 16 - can I do my full licence course?

I took my Standard Test when I was 20 - now I'm 21 - is the power restriction now lifted?

How many days training should I have?

Some schools advertise specialisation in ladies' training - why don't you?!

How long is each day?

Where do we meet each day?

Do you supply helmets?

Do you have a good pass rate?

What happens if I fail?

I've heard the examiners have a quota of passes and fails - is this true?!

One school I called says they can get me through in 3 days even though I've never ridden before - why can't you?

Prices vary wildly from school to school...

Can I use my own bike and if so will I get discount on my course?

Will my course be 1-to-1 with my instructor?

Do you do gift vouchers?

I'm terrified!

Where are the Module 1 & 2 tests conducted?

Module 1 has two options. The DSA will conduct tests in the Poole VOSA station on a part-time basis at the weekends. The other option is Lee-on-Solent at the purpose-built Multi-Purpose Test Centre (MPTC). Being so far away is hardly ideal and rather than dedicating a days travel to do a test lasting 10 minutes, and the extra cost this would represent, we can incorporate one of the module 2 days as the ride there, doing the test and riding back. This will offer the candidate some exciting real-world riding experiences as the roads encountered offer a variety of different challenges.

Module 2 is held at all the previous testing centres - Poole, Bournemouth & Dorchester - for the time being at least. Eventually all of these will be relocated to the local MPTC in Poole when it is completed some time in 2011... <TOP>

There's been a lot of press recently about candidates crashing whilst doing the avoidance excercise in Module 1 - what's going on?

The accidents appear to be because the candidate has applied the front brake during the swerve manoeuvre. This is never a good thing in the dry, let alone the wet which is when the accidents are predominently occuring. We can't imagine any instructor worth their salt who would teach this to a pupil therefore we can only surmise people are turning up for their tests without adequate instruction beforehand.

LET'S RIDE! has never had any incidents in the Module 1 test and we are confident that we can teach all of our pupils to get through these excercises safely. However, we urge all candidates to wear decent safety clothing as a matter of course.

We have trialled a variety of different methods for this excercise and have settled on one effective technique which is straightforward and safe. We also build the candidate up to full speed in steps, minimising risk. <TOP>

I have a full car licence - do I still need to take a theory test?

Yes. The motorcycle theory test is slightly different in content. <TOP>

Do I have to take a theory test before beginning my training?

Not essential but recommended. We can't get either module test for you without it! <TOP>

I'm 17 - can I do my Direct Access?

No. The minimum age for Direct Access is 21 but you can do your Standard Test on a 125cc motorcycle. You will still get a full licence albeit with a 33bhp limit for two years. <TOP>

I'm 16 - can I do my full licence course?

Yes, but only a full moped licence. You'd be better off waiting until you are 17 and take your Standard Test. <TOP>

I took my Standard Test when I was 20 - now I'm 21 - is the power restriction now lifted?

No. You have to wait two years before the restriction is lifted. You can, however, do an Accelerated Access course meaning you re-take your test except this time on a 500cc motorcycle. On successful completion you'll have a full unrestricted licence. <TOP>

How many days training should I have?

Our standard course length is usually suitable for most people. If you require further training we offer a discounted rate of £100/day. <TOP>

Some schools advertise specialisation in ladies' training - why don't you?!

We treat everyone as an individual and prioritise to their strengths and weaknesses. We're not entirely sure what specialisation in ladies' training actually means! But the increasing number of ladies we're having come to us and subsequently passing their tests means I guess we're doing it right... <TOP>

How long is each day?

Riding a motorcycle can be mentally exhausting and as such we try and limit the day to a maximum of 5 hours in the saddle. This does vary but generally you'll start at 9am and finish around 3pm, with breaks in between. <TOP>

Where do we meet each day?

We're based inside Minster Mechanics, Units 1 & 2, 28 Brook Road, Wimborne, BH21 2BH. <TOP>

Do you supply helmets?

Yes, but we do recommend investing in your own as correct fitting is vital. You're going to need one anyway! Let us know if you need to borrow a school helmet. <TOP>

Do you have a good pass rate?

We have an excellent first time pass rate mainly due to the fact that we try and take our candidates way beyond test standard and include instructional techniques not usually taught at other schools. It may sound clichéd but we really do pride ourselves on doing the job properly and making safe riders. Some schools advertise a 98% pass rate - challenge them on that and ask for proof. The National average is a 66% first time pass rate and we're higher than that but 98% is, erm, crazy? <TOP>

What happens if I fail?

Eek! We try and keep that word out of our vocabulary! If you are unlucky and don't get through first time you'll have to wait 3 clear working days for Module 1 and 10 clear working days for Module 2. You'll pay for the test fee plus any instructional time beforehand (if any is required). <TOP>

I've heard the examiners have a quota of passes and fails - is this true?!

Absolutely not! If you show them a good, confident and safe ride you'll get through. We'll show you how. <TOP>

One school I called says they can get me through in 3 days even though I've never ridden before - why can't you?

How anyone can turn a complete novice into a safe, competent rider in 3 days is a complete mystery to us. We won't sacrifice our reputation just to get business. <TOP>

Prices vary wildly from school to school...

We try and remain competitive but we don't want to sacrifice quality or cut corners. We think our prices represent the best value for money around. <TOP>

Can I use my own bike and if so will I get discount on my course?

Yes and yes. Call us first to make sure your bike meets the test criteria in terms of BHP. The school insurance will cover you whilst you are in our supervision. Discount is given only against the fuel saving we will get - currently £5 per day. <TOP>

Will my course be 1-to-1 with my instructor?

Sometimes yes but more likely there will be two pupils to one instructor. If you would prefer 1-to-1 then this can be arranged but will be more expensive. <TOP>

Do you do gift vouchers?

Yes! <TOP>

I'm terrified!

It's natural to be nervous but our instructors have seen it all before and are well prepared! They'll put you at ease right away. <TOP>

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