Anyone who wants to ride a motorcycle or moped on UK roads must complete the necessary Compulsory Basic Training (CBT)
This guide provides a general outline of all the information you need to decide on CBT training costs for motorcycle riding in 2025.
What is CBT Training?
CBT training builds basic motorbike riding abilities that qualify new riders for safe road usage. The training consists of five essential elements:
- Introduction and eyesight check
- On-site training and motorcycle familiarization
- On-site riding
- Road briefing and safety discussion
- On-road practical training
Riders who finish their training on the first day meet CBT standards but others might need extra days to learn what the course requires.
Factors Influencing CBT Motorcycle Training Cost
Several key factors affect the final price of your CBT training:
Regional Price Variations
| Region | Average Cost Range |
| London | £160 – £300 |
| South East | £140 – £250 |
| Midlands | £130 – £220 |
| North England | £120 – £200 |
| Scotland | £130 – £230 |
| Wales | £125 – £210 |
Equipment Provision
Training schools typically offer two pricing tiers:
| Package Type | What’s Included | Average Additional Cost |
| Basic | Training only | Base price |
| Complete | Training + protective gear | +£20-40 |
Course Duration Options
| Duration | Typical Cost | Best Suited For |
| One-day course | £120-£180 | Confident beginners |
| Two-day course | £200-£300 | Nervous riders or those wanting extra practice |
| Refresher course | £80-£120 | Those returning after a failed attempt |
Additional Costs to Consider
Before starting CBT training you will need to cover expenses for necessary motorcycle protection items.
Quality helmets for riding cost between £40 and £150 and safety gloves start at £20 and reach up to £50.
A proper jacket costs £50 to £200 and boots for riding need to cost at least £40 to £100. Waterproof safety gear is advisable to bring and can be bought at a range of £30 to £80.
Essential Protective Equipment
| Item | Average Cost | Required/Optional |
| Helmet | £40-£150 | Required |
| Gloves | £20-£50 | Required |
| Protective jacket | £50-£200 | Recommended |
| Boots | £40-£100 | Required |
| Waterproof gear | £30-£80 | Recommended |
How to Choose a Training School
When selecting a DVSA approved training body (ATB), several key factors should influence your decision.
Consider the instructor-to-student ratio: This should not exceed 4 students to 1 instructor in the off road training environment, and a 2 student to 1 instructor ratio for the road riding element of the CBT.
A quick phone call and discussion with the school owner / admin / chief instructor can go a long way to helping you understand the school’s attitude towards customer service! A visit in person to observe a CBT in action can also be arranged if facilities allow this.
The standard of bike maintenance, the age of the rolling stock and overall customer reviews can provide valuable insights into the quality of training. Most schools will have Google and Facebook pages for leaving reviews, which are worth a look at for feedback from past students.
Do NOTmake your decision solely on price! Schools of all qualities charge different prices for different reasons!
Conclusion
Investing in CBT training represents a significant but essential step in your motorcycling journey. While costs can vary considerably, understanding the complete breakdown helps you budget effectively and choose the right training provider.
Remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best value – consider the school’s reputation, equipment quality, and instructor experience alongside price.
How much CBT training costs is a crucial question, and this guide helps answer it.
When planning your budget, account for the basic course fee ranging from £120-£300, essential protective equipment costing between £150-£400, potential additional training time, and insurance and administrative costs.
Your CBT certificate represents the essential building block that you need for learning how to ride a motorcycle so quality training represents an investment toward safety and riding success.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What includes the fee when you join an average CBT training course?
The standard CBT training fee (£120-£300) includes professional instruction from a DVSA-certified trainer and the use of a training motorcycle or moped. Your fee covers fuel, mandatory insurance during training, and your CBT certificate upon successful completion, though protective gear rental may cost extra depending on the school.
How long is a CBT certificate valid for, and what expenses occur during its renewal period?
Your CBT DL196 certificate is valid for 2 years from the training completion date unless you secure your full driving license. The renewal expenses for CBT training mirror the original course costs at £120-£300
Will additional CBT training require further payment from me in the middle of my training process?
Although CBT is a training program ,not a test, you can in fact fail to reach the required standards as required by the DVSA.
This means that it may require more time for some students to reach the required standard as we all learn at different rates. Whilst every effort is generally made by schools to get students up to the required standards in 1 day, this may not be possible for some students.
Students requiring extra lessons to reach the required standards laid down by the DVSA must pay extra for further training, the amounts involved depend on where the training was terminated and according to school policies.
What’s the best payment method to minimize CBT training costs?
In the majority of cases, CBT training needs to be paid for in advance of the training day and in full.
Different training schools offer a variety of payment options and on-line booking facilities with credit/debit card facilities are very common to allow students to choose their training days and easily pay for them.
Most training schools will NOT accept cash on the day of training.