What To Do After Your CBT: Next Steps in Riding

Completing your CBT is an important first step to getting on the road, but it’s only a temporary certificate. To unlock more riding privileges and ride bigger bikes, you’ll need to progress through the UK’s motorcycle licensing tiers. These include the A1 licence, A2 licence, and Full A licence. Not everyone will want, or need, to do this, however.

Assess Your Goals: What Do You Want From Riding?

Your next move will depend on your riding goals, age, and the type of bike you want to ride. Before diving into the licence process, it’s worth thinking about your long-term goals as a rider. Do you want to ride for leisure or commuting? Do you want to get more into the ‘scene’, or go on longer trips? Are you interested in off-roading or high-speed riding? These will all dictate what kind of bike you’d need, which tells you if you need a higher licence. 

It’s also reasonable to want to get the highest licence possible for your age bracket, simply because it saves you having to do more CBTs and gives you the most flexibility on what you can do with your bike (or next one!).

So should you keep riding on your CBT for the foreseeable, or upgrade licences? Let’s go through your two options.

Option 1: Continuing on a CBT Certificate

The CBT sets you up to ride legally on the roads, allowing you to get more practice and riding skills. But, it’s only valid for 2 years, then you’ll have to complete the training again to regain your CBT. Some riders are perfectly happy to just keep riding on a CBT, either because they don’t want to invest in training up, they’re still seeing if they want to motorcycle long-term or they don’t need a more powerful bike. 

It’s perfectly fine to keep ‘renewing’ your CBT every 2 years to keep riding, if that’s what’s best for you.

Pros

• No motorcycle theory or hazard perception test needed: You avoid the extra time and effort needed to pass these exams.
• No higher practical tests: There’s no need to tackle the more advanced Module 1 and Module 2 tests required for a full licence.
• No pressure to upgrade: You can continue riding within the limits of your CBT without committing to further training.
• Lower upfront costs: CBT training is much cheaper than full licence training, making it easier to budget for in the short term.
• Shorter training duration: CBT sessions are quicker and less time-consuming compared to full-licence courses.

Cons

• Higher long-term costs: Repeatedly renewing your CBT can become more expensive over time compared to earning your full licence.
• 125cc bike restriction: You’ll be limited to smaller, less powerful bikes.
• L plates required: You’ll need to keep your L plates on, which some riders find frustrating or restrictive.
• No passengers allowed: You won’t be able to carry anyone else on your bike.
• No motorway access: Motorways remain off-limits for CBT riders.
• Ongoing renewals: You’ll need to retake the CBT every two years, requiring another day of training each time.

Option 2: Upgrading to a Higher Licence

Getting a full motorcycle licence really opens up your options, giving you full access to all roads and the ability to ride more powerful bikes. For many riders, it’s the logical next step once they’ve built up some experience. 

You can dive straight into studying, practising, and training for your full licence after completing your CBT, or you might prefer to gain confidence on the roads first. If you choose the latter, make sure you start your full licence preparation at least six months before your CBT expires - this allows enough time to pass your motorcycle theory and pass Module 1 and 2.

Unsure with the licence types, and what you could get? Read our article on how to get your motorcycle licence.

Pros

• No more CBT renewals: Once you’ve passed your full licence, there’s no need to retake the CBT every two years.
• Access to larger bikes: Depending on the licence you get (A1, A2, or A), you’ll be able to ride more powerful bikes that better suit your needs as a rider.
• No L plates: You can finally remove those L plates, making your bike look cleaner and marking you as a fully qualified rider.
• Passenger carrying: With a full licence, you can carry passengers, making it easier to share your riding experiences.
• Motorway riding: You’ll gain access to motorways, opening up longer-distance travel opportunities and faster commutes.
• Long-term cost savings: Although full licence training is more expensive upfront, it can save you money in the long run by eliminating the need for ongoing CBT renewals.

Cons

• Time investment: Full licence training takes longer than CBT, with additional time spent preparing for and passing the theory test, Module 1, and Module 2 practical exams.
• Higher upfront cost: Full licence training is a significant investment compared to the cost of a single CBT session.
• Theory and hazard perception tests: You’ll need to pass these before you can take your practical tests, which requires extra preparation and expense.
• Increased complexity: Learning the skills needed to pass the higher-level practical tests (Modules 1 and 2) can feel more challenging for some riders.

Ready to move forward? Book your full licence training today.

FAQs

Q: Can I ride on motorways with just a CBT?

A: No, you need a full motorcycle licence to ride on motorways.

Q: Do I need to renew my CBT if I don’t get a full licence?

A: Yes, CBT certificates expire after two years, so you’ll need to retake the training.

Q: How long does it take to get a full licence?

A: It depends on your age, test availability, and how much training you need. Many riders complete the process within a few months.