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Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) is a basic motorcycle training course which must be completed before a learner motorcyclist is allowed to ride unaccompanied on the road with L-plates (or D-plates in Wales) in the United Kingdom. If a full car licence was obtained before February 1, 2001 it is not necessary to complete a CBT course to ride a moped.

The CBT course was introduced in December 1990 to help reduce the high accident rate among inexperienced motorcyclists and involves five elements which must be completed in sequence, although the order of the exercises within each element can be varied. The course cost around £100. It can be taken on either your own bike, or you can hire one from the centre, although the test is rarely taken on the trainees own bike. The cost of hire and insurance is included in the price.

Typically conducted for a period of one day, the course involves practice manoeuvres in a suitable off road area and a supervised ride on public roads. Whilst there is no official 'test' to obtain the certificate, the instructor will only issue the certificate if the trainee rider is considered safe to be allowed on the public road. It should not be considered a pass or fail exam, and if the instructor is not satisfied the learner has reached the level expected, you will be invited back at a later date to try again. Although you will have to pay again, it will be at a cheaper price than the original fee. Certificate of completion (DL 196)
When all five elements have been completed, a certificate of completion (called DL196) is issued. This is a legal document which validates relevant entitlements on a driving licence:

• A DL196 certificate validating provisional moped or motorcycle entitlement lasts for two years. A CBT course will have to be retaken if both theory and practical tests are not passed within two years
• For moped entitlement only, if a car driving test is passed whilst the DL196 is still valid or a CBT course is completed and a DL196 obtained after passing a car test, the certificate is not subject to expiry

Legal restrictions
At the minimum age of 16, a learner may ride a moped not exceeding 50cc with a maximum design speed of 50km/h, must display L plates (D-plates in Wales), must not travel on motorways and must not carry passengers.

At age 17+, a learner may ride a motorcycle not exceeding 125cc with a maximum power of 11kW (14.6bhp) must display L plates (D-plates in Wales), must not travel on motorways and must not carry passengers.

Practical tests
It is advised that a learner takes a practical test within two years of obtaining a CBT certificate to avoid CBT expiration.
At the minimum age of 17, a learner can go on to pass a theory and practical test in order to gain full motorcycle entitlement.

The practical test must be taken on a bike of at least 75cc

If the test is taken on a bike of less than 120cc, an Category A1 "light motorcycle" licence will be obtained. The A1 licence restricts the holder to ride a motorcycle up to 125cc with a maximum power of 11kW.

If the test is taken on a bike between 120 and 125cc capable of 100km/h (62mph), a Category A motorcycle licence will be obtained, with holder will be restricted to motorcycles not exceeding 33bhp for two years, after which the restriction is automatically removed.

Above the age of 21, a learner can go on to pass a theory and practical test using the Direct Access Scheme in order to gain full motorcycle entitlement. The practical test must be taken on a motorcycle rated at least 35kW (46.6bhp) and avoids the two year restrictions allowing the rider to ride any size motorcycle

A holder of a Category A1, or a restricted Category A licence who has reached 21 can take also take a Direct Access test to allow them to ride any size motorcycle. Candidates following this route do not need to repeat the theory test or CBT, but may not ride a larger bike whilst training unless they are supervised by an instructor in radio contact.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/RidingMotorcyclesAndMopeds/DG_4022430