Compulsory Basic Training – To Be Introduced In Northern Ireland

8th July 2010

Twenty years after Compulsory Basic Training (CBT ) was introduced in the rest of the United Kingdom, the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) will be introducing a system of CBT in Northern Ireland to be completed by those wishing to ride a motorcycle as a learner rider on public roads.

In addition an Approved Motorcycle Instructor (AMI) Register, similar to that of the present Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Register, will be introduced in order to regulate this training. Both the Approved Motorcycle Register and Compulsory Basic Training are planned to be introduced by December 2010.

The Scheme

The CBT scheme in NI will be based on the current scheme in Great Britain, which has been in place since 1990. The training will be aimed at all learner motorcyclists on NI roads. In effect, persons riding a motorcycle using provisional entitlement will have to complete CBT prior to riding on public roads, whether this entitlement is on a separate provisional licence, or part of a full driving licence.

In essence any motorcyclist who does not have a full motorcycle licence will have to complete CBT, and provide a certificate as proof of completion if requested. Once completed, the CBT certificate will be valid for two years. If a rider has not gained a full motorcycle licence by the expiry date of the CBT certificate, CBT will need to be retaken and the certificate renewed.

Learner motorcyclists who have provisional motorcycle entitlement prior to the introduction of CBT will be encouraged to complete a CBT course as soon as possible as they only have 12 months from its introduction to continue riding a motorcycle on public roads.

Full car licence holders will continue to get provisional motorcycle entitlement on their licence after the introduction of CBT, however, they will not be able to ride a motorcycle on the road until they hold a valid CBT certificate.

In order to be eligible to take a CBT course, a learner rider would require provisional Category A (motorcycle) or P (moped) entitlement. This will allow the learner to sign up for a course and ride on the road under the supervision of an Approved Motorcycle Instructor whilst undergoing CBT training.

Approved Motorcycle Instructor (AMI) Register

The AMI register is being introduced in order to regulate the qualification and approval of motorcycle instructors who will provide on-road motorcycle tuition and CBT training. As a basis, the AMI scheme will be similar to the ADI scheme which is currently in place for learner vehicle drivers.

However, this scheme will be aimed specifically at those wishing to teach learner motorcyclists. An AMI will issue the CBT certificate once a learner has reached the standard expected within the CBT scheme.

Anyone wishing to provide tuition for remuneration (payment) on riding motorcycles will have to be listed as an instructor on the AMI register in order to do so. Individuals who are already listed on the voluntary motorcycle register will have ‘grandfather rights’ to the AMI Register and a maximum six-month period to apply for registration once the register is introduced.

Right To Ride Comment

We believe that initial rider training in whatever form it is presented is crucial for novice riders.  CBT will provide “off road” and “on road” training elements, giving new riders the basic instruction of how to handle a motorcycle on public roads.  There will be a cost to this of course, but we would expect that this cost will be kept to a level that is affordable.

For Right To Ride, the most important change in tandem with the introduction of CBT, will be the introduction of an AMI register to regulate the qualification and approval of motorcycle instructors, so that trainees should know that they are getting instruction that is both professional and regulated.

The introduction of CBT in Northern Ireland is linked to the introduction of 3rd European Driving Licence Directive (3DLD) which is designed to harmonize motorcycle licences across Europe and enters into force as of 19th January 2013.

The 3DLD will introduce a progressive and direct access licensing system with CBT as a starting point for riders, if they wish to progress to a larger motorcycle in various steps. Along this progression (still to be decided) there are various tests or training to progress to the next licence category (there are 4 in total), which includes the introduction of a Direct Access Scheme (DAS) to larger motorcycles if over a certain age.

However we must remember that CBT is basic training which has been formalised to an approved standard, CBT is the starting point for learning to ride and remains the basic training that you must complete.

Even after completing these various compulsory stages, riders have available to them voluntary post rider training to achieve an advanced motorcycle test, either through private commercial trainers, IAM or RoSPA or the PSNI BikeSafe one hour assessments which are designed to introduce riders to advanced training.

Ideally through compulsory and voluntary training we should have riders that have the requirements, skills and knowledge to ride safely on our roads.

Riding a motorcycle is a learning curve, interaction with other riders and drivers is a skill, but there is another element of riding which is fun and the simple pleasure that riding a motorcycle offers.

Information – Links

Download the leaflet – pdf 309kb – Click Here

For further information regarding CBT and the AMI Register contact DVA – Email: dvlni@doeni.gov.uk

Visit the NI Direct Gov and DVA websites

Riding motorcycles and mopeds – Click Here

About compulsory basic training (CBT) - Click Here

Approved Motorcycle Instructor (AMI) – Click Here

Introduction of an Approved Motorcycle Instructor (AMI) Register and Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) – Click Here