Become a DVSA assessed CBT motorcycle instructor

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1. Overview

You can apply to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to become a DVSA assessed compulsory basic training (CBT) motorcycle instructor.

CBT is a training course that most learner motorcycle and moped riders must take before riding on the road.

Rules for becoming a CBT instructor

To become a DVSA assessed CBT motorcycle instructor you must have a driving licence from either:

  • Great Britain or Northern Ireland
  • the EU or EEA - but you must register it first

You must also:

  • be 21 or older
  • have had a full category A2 or A motorcycle licence for at least 3 years
  • have passed a criminal record check

You’ll have to take a 2-day assessment at a DVSA training and development centre.

When you qualify

When you pass you must work for a motorcycle approved training body (ATB) to be able to:

2. How to book your assessment

Fill in the application form to book an assessment and send it to the address on the form. There’s no charge for the assessment.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will contact you to arrange a date after checking your application.

If you cannot go to your assessment

Tell DVSA by email if you cannot attend your assessment.

You must give at least 5 working days’ notice - Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays do not count as working days.

Your approved training body cannot tell DVSA without giving your signature.

DVSA assessments
CBTDAS.Assessments@dvsa.gov.uk

Your application will become invalid and will count as an unsuccessful attempt if you do not tell DVSA in enough time.

You’re only allowed 2 unsuccessful attempts before you have to wait a year before applying to take another assessment.

3. Preparing for the assessment

Study the compulsory basic training (CBT) syllabus before you take the assessment.

Other preparation

You should also study the following official Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) publications:

You can buy them from most high street and online book shops.

4. What to bring to your assessment

You need to bring:

  • your valid driving licence
  • your CBT1 card if you have one
  • a fully taxed, insured and roadworthy motorcycle with a power output of at least 20kW

If you have an EU or EEA licence, you must also bring confirmation of your Great Britain (GB) driver number. You need to register your licence to get a GB driver number.

Your assessment will be cancelled if you do not bring these.

You’re allowed to bring a pen and any notes or training aids to help you.

5. What the assessment involves

The compulsory basic training (CBT) instructor assessment assesses your ability to:

  • train learner motorcyclists in the requirements of CBT
  • train and guide other instructors within an approved training body

There will usually be 2 other instructors taking the assessment at the same time as you.

The DVSA assessor will play the role of a novice rider throughout the assessment.

You’ll be asked to deliver lessons based on the topics being assessed. One or both of the other instructors will act as your supervisor. You’ll then swap the roles of the instructor and supervisor.

Eyesight test

You’ll have to pass an eyesight test before the assessment starts. You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:

  • 26.5 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
  • 27.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate

New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, for example AB51 ABC.

The rest of the assessment will not go ahead if you fail the eyesight test.

Session 1

This session focuses on element A of the CBT syllabus - introduction to CBT.

The DVSA assessor will give you an overview of the assessment.

You’ll then deliver a lesson on the modules within element A of the CBT syllabus. You’re allowed to use notes and training aids. The other candidates will watch your instruction and decide whether it’s valid and achieves the objective.

Session 2

This session focuses on element B of the CBT syllabus - practical on-site training.

You’ll be introduced to the motorcycle that will be used on-site. You should familiarise yourself with it so you can give a controls lesson or basic machine check lesson.

The ‘novice rider’ will act on the instruction you give. The other candidates will watch the instruction you give and decide whether it’s a valid lesson and achieves the objective.

Sessions 3 and 4

These sessions focus on element C of the CBT syllabus - practical on-site riding.

You’ll instruct the ‘novice rider’. The other candidates give a debrief at the end of each lesson.

The roles will be changed several times so you can prove your ability as an instructor and supervisor.

Session 5

This session focuses on element D of the CBT syllabus - practical on-road training.

You’ll give a lesson made up of 3 modules from element D. The other candidates will supervise you, and then the roles will be swapped.

Sessions 6 and 7

These sessions focus on element E of the CBT syllabus - practical on-road riding.

You’ll ride a motorcycle and follow the ‘novice rider’ on the road. You’ll have to:

  • give instructions
  • correct any faults that they make
  • direct them over a route on public roads using radio equipment

You’ll need to use your own motorcycle for sessions 6 and 7.

6. Your assessment result

You’ll be given your result and a debrief at the end of the assessment by the assessor. You’ll be sent confirmation of your result by post.

Passing the assessment

You’ll be sent more information about how to apply to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for registration as a DVSA assessed instructor.

Until you’ve got your registration certificate you are not allowed to:

  • conduct compulsory basic training (CBT) courses
  • train any instructors on behalf of your approved training body (ATB)

Failing the assessment

You cannot apply to retake the assessment if you fail it twice within a 12-month period. You’ll have to wait until 1 year after the date of the second assessment before applying again.

Failing if you’re a down-trained instructor

You can continue to give CBT training if you’re a down-trained instructor, but you’ll have to have a standards check at your ATB in the near future.