New bikers are being warned not to fall for an online scam selling fake Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificates.
It is estimated that around 180,000 riders complete CBT every year in the UK; it is the essential first step riders need to take before we ride a powered two wheeler on the roads, to keep us, and others, safe.
But reports suggest a number of Facebook sites are selling fake CBTs to unsuspecting or unscrupulous riders – and they are targeting moped and scooter riders in the gig economy.
The ‘certificates’ are available for as little as £25, but are really worth nothing as they are illegal and could lead to the rider being banned from the road and heavily fined if caught with one.
The issue was first brought to the public’s attention last year by bike insurance specialist Bennetts, which sounded the alert after receiving a number of reports from members of the biker community who had come across sites on social media selling fake CBTs – often badged as ‘emergency CBTs’.
At the time Bennetts said the certificates were “full of bad grammar and false promises”, and would never pass muster if inspected by the police or a bike trainer.
Don’t be duped by slick promises online: go to a trainer and get the real thing. Official CBT costs between £100 and £150 for a day packed with key advice on your bike, basic maintenance, skills training and road safety tips for when we ride away on our own. Trust us, it’s the best cash you’ll ever spend.
What is Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
CBT is the first stage for most people in learning to ride a motorbike. Before you can take a Compulsory Basic Training motorcycle course you’ll need to hold a provisional driving licence or a full driving licence, or a licence from overseas in a country that the UK has a reciprocal agreement with (this includes virtually all of Europe, North America and Australasia, and many countries in Africa and Asia, but not all. Check the DVLA for a list of qualifying countries).
A CBT day will teach you the basic skills needed to ride a moped or lower-powered motorbike safely, with the focus on obtaining a level of competency that you can build upon when riding alone.
There is no specific pass or fail test, and your certificate will be granted by your trainer at the end of the day. Sometimes trainers will ask you to come back for another spot of training if they think you haven’t mastered aspects of the course, and this could cost more.
Expect to pay around £100-150.
Once the instructor sees the rider has reached the CBT standard, they are certified with a DL196 and allowed to continue practising on their own.
To find our local accredited trainer, go to https://www.gov.uk/find-motorcycle-training
