Rules for Northern Ireland

In February 2011 Compulsory Basic Training was introduced in Northern Ireland. The CBT (as it is commonly known) is a course designed to ensure that you have the basic knowledge and skills to ride safely unaccompanied on the road (with L Plates).

This course will include a full instructional safety and road briefing, off road training and a minimum of 4 hours accompanied riding on the  road during which your instructor will assess your riding skills. If he or she feels that you are confident and skilled enough you will be issued with your CBT certificate.  You can then taken to the road on your own to get more experience and develop those skills you have been taught.

CBT is the first stage in getting your full motorcycle licence, and even if you are not intending to take your full motorcycle test immediately, further training is always advisable.

Anyone who holds a provisional licence issued after February 2011 is already required to complete CBT before taking to the road. However, there is a one year period of grace for anyone who holds either a full car or provisional licence issued before February 2011 during which you can take your full motorcycle or scooter test without having to do CBT as well. This grace period ends in February 2012 – so why not get started now?