How Much Is a CBT Test in Cheltenham?
RideTo has a partner school offering CBT tests in Swindon, 25 miles from Cheltenham.
Direct Rider Training are based at the Link Centre which is conveniently located just 5 minutes from Junction 16 on the M4. There is free parking on site which makes it a great option for those who can drive to their CBT test.
Direct Rider Training currently charges £135 for a CBT test. This is a full-day training course lasting somewhere between 6 and 8 hours. Designed for complete beginners, it provides you with all the knowledge you need to learn to ride an automatic scooter/moped or manual 125cc motorbike.
What Will I Learn During a CBT Test?
Your CBT test near Cheltenham will be split into different sections. You don’t have to have ever ridden before or even been near a motorbike in order to complete a CBT.
However, you must consent to be able to ride an adult-sized pushbike when booking your CBT test as having the skills of being able to balance a 2 wheeled vehicle is essential for your training.
The only thing you must learn before your training course is The Highway Code. You should already know this if you have previously learnt to drive a car, however, it’s worth checking on the Government's website whether there has been any updates since you learnt to drive if it was a while ago.
For those with a provisional UK driving licence, make sure you spend some time studying The Highway Code as your CBT instructor will ask you questions during your training day to make sure you know the rules of the road.
The first section of your training day will be a brief introduction from your instructor followed by an eye test which you must pass in order to continue with the course.
Your instructor will start to demonstrate how a motorbike works, what all the controls do and how to initially move, stop and park a bike.
Next you will be taught various manoeuvres which you must master successfully in order to progress onto the next sections of training. These include clutch control and changing gears and how to control a bike around obstacles marked out with cones.
The next section of a CBT test is where you will learn about safety when riding alongside other road users, this will take place back in the classroom and your instructor will use helpful diagrams to explain road positioning and different riding scenarios.
It’s then your turn to ride out on the roads for 2 hours, experiencing smaller quieter roads and also busier roads around Cheltenham / Swindon so you can gain adequate experience for all types of riding.
Your instructor will ride behind you and if they feel you are a safe rider they will issue you with a CBT certificate at the end of the course.
Do I Have to Pass a CBT First to Complete a Full Licence?
Yes, a CBT is the first step for anyone wanting to learn to ride any size of motorbike.
You will need to complete a CBT test and this licence must still be valid before you can book in a full licence course (CBT’s expire and need retaking every 2 years).
