To think that the cbt is woefully inadequate for preparing people to go on the road?

[Timeforanamechangey]

I ride a small motorbike and when I completed my cbt I felt like I was given virtually no instruction about driving on the road/road safety/rules of the road etc.

There was no requirement in advance for me to have read the Highway Code or anything like that. As someone who had no previous road experience (and I told the instructor this), I was assuming that he would go through the basics with me as part of the test. He did not. The only thing he actually told me about the road was that the white line in the centre if broken = allowed to overtake, unbroken = not allowed. He berated me for knowing nothing but I told him this in advance! He spent most of the day chatting to the other student and only told me how to use my indicators a split second before we actually went out on the road portion of the test.

Virtually everything I now know about riding and the road came as a result of me being my own research and questioning everyone I know who drives. But what if I didnt? Given that this course is often taken by 16/17 yr olds, who might not do what I did. Not long after I started riding I met a 17yr old who had completed his cbt the day before. He proudly announced that he had fallen off twice (in 24hrs). He only had a 50cc scooter so wasn't going very fast and not injured but he is allowed to go up to a 125cc, which has enough power for you to kill yourself if you do something stupid. To me it seemed obvious that he was unprepared for going on the road and was a bit clueless so why was he given his cbt?

I appriciate I'm rambling a bit but essentially, Aibu to think that the cbt should contain more information than it does considering it gives you the ability to ride a machine that will go up to 75/80mph on any road except a motorway? Or was the guy that did mine just an absolute liability?

[mackinnonka]

I took my cbt a few years ago, but already had a full driving license and had been driving for a good few years so was well versed with the road/highway code. I guess I didn't notice them not cover it as it would have been pointing out the obvious to us who already knew it.

I would agree that there should be some requirement for completely new road users to be familiar with the highway code before being allowed out, but I also would like to think that people would take the initiative to do them themselves to some extent - its pretty scary otherwise!

Sounds like that 17yr is learning the hard way...

I would just do as much as you can to prepare yourself, take your theory tests too as that will help you with feeling better prepared on the road. Though I think this kind of advise should be given by instructors!

[Pootles2010]

I agree - I think if you don't have a driving license, you should have to do theory part of the driving license, before your cbt.

[Drew64]

Totally agree with the thread subject.
Although I did my CBT years ago before doing my DAS I thought the CBT was a joke.
I did it on a geared bike as I was going on to take my DAS, I was not even informed of where 1st gear was or how to change up and down.
Now, I'd been driving for years at the time so I worked it out for myself.
There were a few teenagers on my course doing theirs on mopeds.
It seemed to me that the only requirement to pass was not to fall off!

In no way does a CBT prepare a teenager for what they will experience on the road and it should be changed to save young lives.

Personally my children will NOT be allowed to do their CBT for the above reasons. If they want to ride a bike they can wait till they are 21 and do their DAS.

[Timeforanamechangey]

I think that would make more sense, I wouldn't have had a problem doing the theory before hand, in fact I probably would have liked to but I didnt know I could and didn't think it was necessary as I thought I would get taught.

I feel quite scared for that 17yr old, he could so easily injure himself or someone else if he doesnt know what he's doing, especially in the winter.

[Timeforanamechangey]

Drew, I actually did fall off!

He actually told me when he was signing the certificate that he probably shouldn't let me on the road (I was well and truly terrified and so nervous I dropped the bike on myself) but that because I was older he knew I would be sensible so he would pass me. The 17yr old I spoke to couldn't have been very confident either if he fell off twice in 24hrs so it makes me wonder if they actually ever 'fail' someone, even if that person is a complete liability to themselves and other road users. It's so dangerous and stupid to do that but it seemed like he didn't really care much.

I also did my test on a scooter as I was so nervous but after that I would have been allowed to go out and purchase a geared bike with absolutely no idea how to work the clutch or gears. Doesn't make sense to me.

[Timeforanamechangey]

I don't know if all cbt's are like this or if I just got a bad instructor?

[Sighing]

I did the CBT dome years ago but it was more stringent than described (certainly those younger / without road experience had to retake). You could raise it with the local driving licence branch. Instructors should be subject to regular review.

[Timeforanamechangey]

I seem to recall him saying that if someone was watching him he wouldn't have passed me, which I was horrified at. So he didn't think I was safe to be on the roads but passed me anyway? I know it benefitted me and I'm fine now as I've done a lot of research and had a lot of practise but it just doesn't seem right to me.

Other people have said that they did things in their cbt that I definately didn't do and he is the only local person offering cbt's and further bike training so it worries me that there may be lots more people, especially young people, who go to him and don't get taught properly. Unless cbt's just really are that rubbish and I'm being over dramatic but I have nothing to compare it to!

[Birdsgottafly]

My DD has LDs and can't pass a Car Driving test, so is going to do her CBT and get a moped.

I was quite shocked at how easy it was to get on the road, luckily she Horse Rides and has good road use sense, already.

I'm doing it with her and paying for a three day extended course.

She is meanwhile learning the Highway Code, audibly.

You can however reach the same speeds on a cycle and you don't have to wear a helmet.

[Birdsgottafly]

X post, I would report him.

[wasonthelist]

I did CBT this year. I think it's a tricky situation. It isn't a test with a pass or fail.

Mopeds, pedal cycles and small motorbikes can all be used on the road without any test of highway code awareness, road rules etc.

The only difference for mopeds and motorbikes is that you need to do CBT. CBT isn't supposed to test your Highway code knowledge, it's supposed to give basic training including a road session.

I guess you should ask if CBT should be replaced with a full test.

I think You are being slightly U - because I thjnk you are expecting something from CBT that it isn't supposed to do. Whether we should replace it with a test is another question.

[Imustgodowntotheseaagain]

Why didn't you take responsibility for yourself and read the Highway Code before you went for the training?

[Boozena]

Agree with wasonthelist re no pass/fail so not sure what your "instructor" was referring to- after all, it stands for Compulsory Basic Training and ive never heard of someone being refused a certificate, though am willing to stand corrected! Sounds like yours was particularly basic though!
When I did mine, I was studying for my driving license at the same time so had good knowledge of the road but I still felt pretty nervous for a few weeks. I did come off within 24 hrs too but I was hit by a car and it wasn't my fault

[Imustgodowntotheseaagain]

I know a few people who didn't make the grade, they get asked to come back another day for additional training before they get their certificate.

[Timeforanamechangey]

I realise now that I should have read the highway code in advance but I just didn't realise I needed to, I thought that the cbt would include the basic aspects that I would need to know. Obviously it didn't!

I know the cbt isn't supposed to be the same as a full test but it just seemed scarily basic, particularly for 16/17yr olds, who I think are the main target of the cbt's.

It isn't a pass/fail bit you can be refused the certificate, although it doesn't seem to happened often.

I think if you had to do a theory test with the cbt that would make it much safer.

[wasonthelist]

I guess it's a balance between practicality and safety. I think there's an argument for not allowing anyone to ride a motorbike or moped without taking a test including theory, but there's the difficulty in getting practise. I don't know how many kids practise car driving accompanied by a suitable driver - but it's hard to do on a moped (not least cos you can't legally take a passenger anyway) so you could argue you need practise time before taking a test.

I think CBT pre-dated the theory test, maybe that's why you don't need a theory pass?

[RealHuman]

I wasn't allowed out on the road in my CBT, on a 50cc scooter And that was after an hour of tuition on a geared bike I did beforehand as I knew I'd find it hard! So hard, they put me on a scooter for the CBT. I thought it was difficult.

[wasonthelist]

I think there are two different things here though. The main part of CBT is can you ride the thing well enough to make it go where you want, stop and go. If you can't do that on the closed course, there's no point in the road part (unless and until you can).

The OP makes a point about how much prep CBT is for real life on the roads which is a different thjng from mastering the skill of riding a motorbike.

[HappyGirlNow]

Oh I totally agree!

I ride a Superbike now having passed my full test a few years ago.. But it really amazes me (and I've discussed this with fellow bikers lots) that young kids are allowed on the road on a motorbike (regardless of engine size) after passing a CBT!

I had lessons alongside a 17 year old girl who did not have her car driving license.. In the yard I'd say her bike control was actually a bit better than mine (I think because she wasn't fighting ingrained muscle memory because she didn't drive) but as soon as we got on the road it was a different story - she had no confidence as she'd no experience of driving! But she managed to pass the CBT!

Now I went straight on to get my full license while she only wanted to pass the CBT as her dad had bought her a little bike.. I remember the next lesson I had was on country roads and I really panicked a bit.. Now this 17 year old girl with no experience had been let loose on roads with no road experience in town or in the country!

It's madness and how more young folk don't seriously injur themselves or die I'll never know...

[Timeforanamechangey]

Exactly happy!

When I passed I was riding around on a 125 scooter on deserted country roads so I could practise and get some confidence and I was still terrified but there are others (like this 17yr old I met) who went straight out on main roads - and fell off.

I didn't know how to indicate properly. I didn't know anything about lane positioning or how to use a roundabout. I didn't know anything about right of way or when to pull out at junctions etc. I learnt but it would have been nicer if I had been taught all that before going on the road :)

[pinotblush]

Everyone that uses the roads should pass and equivalent exam to drivers.

[pinotblush]

Apologies... "an" I wrote a big sentence, decided it was irrelevant and didnt check before sending :)

[HappyGirlNow]

Bikes are harder to control than cars - they are less forgiving of mistakes.. You can't drive a car alone before you pass your test yet you can ride a bike for years without passing a test! Appreciate its logistics too, as obvs a learner can't take a pillion passénger or easily communicate with another rider (although my husband and I have intercoms so we can chat from our respective bikes) but nevertheless, it just seems madness

[HappyGirlNow]

But, sorry, getting back to your point, your instructor does sound negligent but even with the best will in the world I think the CBT is insufficient proof of reasonable competence on the bike and road..