Anyone wanting to ride on the road must first complete Compulsory Basic Training. (CBT). Before booking a CBT you need to check you have a provisional driving licence entitlement. (Group P for mopeds, Group A for anything bigger than a 50c.c.

At the start of a CBT your licence and eysight should be checked.

The CBT is broken down as follows:

Clothing talk, bike controls, using the stands, starting and stopping the engine and wheeling the bike to the left and right.

Moving off and stopping under control, braking, gear changing, figure of 8, emergency stops, rear observations (lifesavers), the Observation Signal Manoeuvre routine (how to turn left and right) and a U-Turn.

There should then be a talk/discussion about practical road riding covering the basics required to keep yourself alive followed by a MINIMUM 2 hour road ride which must include an emergency stop and a u-turn. If you mess either of these up you should be given another go.

There is no set time for a CBT, nor does it have to be completed in one day. Only when you and your instructor are happy with one excersise do you move onto the next. If you aren't happy tell the instructor you'd like more practise.

A CBT certificate lasts for two years and allows you to ride any bike of upto 125cc (provided you're 17 or older). You must display L-Plates front and back, can't carry passengers and can't ride on motorways.

The next step is to decide which test you want to take, either a 125 test or Direct Access (usually on a 500cc bike). Both tests are identicle. You must be 21 or older to do Direct Access.

A 125 test allows you to ride any bike of upto 33bhp. Restrictor kits are available for almost all bikes, so in theory you could buy an R1 and have it restricted. After two years the restriction is removed.