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Motorcycle training to resume in England from March 29

Updated: 09 March 2021
  • CBTs remain on hold during the third Covid lockdown
    CBTs remain on hold during the third Covid lockdown
  • Compulsory Basic Training
    Compulsory Basic Training
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After extensive lobbying the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have announced that CBT and other motorcycle training such as Direct Access can resume from March 29, with motorcycle practical tests and theory tests both planned to resume on April 12.

CBT, motorcycle training and testing has not been permitted in England since the country entered lockdown in January.  

Unlike the first lockdown, no dispensation has been permitted for keyworkers; only emergency service workers who need to ride as part of their job. This has meant that many keyworkers who rely on a motorcycle or scooter for transport to and from their place of work – or for their job in the case of delivery riders – have been scuppered if their CBT expires during lockdown. The earlier date to resume training will come as welcome news for many.  

It was originally expected that training would not be permitted to resume until the car training date of April 12, however strong lobbying by the Motorcycle Industry Association appears to have paid off.

 

No CBTs for key workers recognised by MPs

First published on 10 February 2021 by Jordan Gibbons

An early day motion (EDM) raising the issue of no CBTs for key workers during lockdown has been submitted for debate in the House of Commons. The motion was raised by Independent MP Jonathan Edwards to highlight the issue that through no fault of their own, some keyworkers could find their CBT certificate expiring, robbing them of either a way to get to work or a means with which to conduct their work.

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The EDM suggests that the government provide an extension to current certificates, while acknowledging that any road safety concerns should be offset by the fact that expiring certificate holders will have at least two years of riding experience under their belts. If the government does not wish to extend certificates, Edwards suggests that instead free resits should be offered.

An EDM is a suggested debate for which no date has been allocated, meaning that it’s unlikely the motion will be selected for debate. Regardless MPs can add their signatures to the motion, indicating their support, as seven have done with this motion so far.

The more signatures an EDM attracts the more support the motion is assumed to have, although the amount of signatures does not have any affect on how likely it is the motion will be called for debate. You can read the full wording of the EDM here.

DVSA confirms no CBTs for key workers during third coronavirus lockdown

First published on 04 February 2021 by Dan Sutherland

CBT extensions are currently not on offer

Key workers needing to renew their Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) during lockdown will not be offered a refresher course, or certificate extension.

A spokesperson the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) told MCN the decision to refuse extensions was done on the grounds of safety and that it is expected that a rider will go on to complete a full licence within the two years a CBT remains valid for.

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The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) say they are now campaigning to have this decision overturned. Spokesperson, Nick Broomhall, said: “It’s something that we are struggling to understand, given that bikes and mopeds have really shown their worth over the past year.”

Despite this ruling, the DVSA spokesperson confirmed a small number of emergency bike tests were available, saying: “[We are] offering a limited theory and practical test service in England and Wales to NHS health and social care workers, emergency services and local council workers who need to both drive as part of their job and respond to ‘threats to life’.

“Mobile Emergency workers who have a valid CBT and wish to apply for a motorcycle licence would be eligible.”

For others who rely on a CBT as a source of income, such as delivery riders, this decision could be potentially devastating – especially considering premises like takeaways remain open for business. 

Experienced instructor, Steve Manning is the operations director at Advanced Riding Techniques, near Gatwick, and added: “If people don’t have any other form of transport they can use and are reliant on their motorcycle to get to work, then I think there should be a mechanism for them to take a CBT.” 

That said, when asked about conducting key worker training during the first lockdown, he said: “There were an awful lot of untruths, with so many people were putting themselves through CBTs claiming to be key workers.”

He then went on to talk about the impacts to the testers themselves, saying: “Some of the smaller guys, they’ve got like 15-20 weeks of work backed up that they can’t do. It is very, very frustrating to not be able to tell your customers when you can actually service their needs.”

Bike tests and training put on pause for second lockdown

First published 04 November 2020 by Andy Calton

CBTs have been put on hold in the second Covid-19 lockdown

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that a second national lockdown for England will take place from Thursday, November 5 until Wednesday, December 2.

Following the announcement, the DVSA has also confirmed that all motorcycle tests and training sessions booked are suspended for the duration of the lockdown. Anyone who has a test booked during the lockdown will be contacted by the DVSA to rearrange.

This is a rapidly evolving situation things may change but everyone at MCN is doing their best to keep you as up to date and as informed as possible.

Bike tests and training resume at last!

First published on 26 June, 2020 by Andy Calton

Motorcycle tests and training can take place from Saturday, July 4, as part of the Government’s lockdown-easing measures.

Until now, only key workers have been allowed to take tests, but the latest announcement means CBTs, training and theory tests will ramp up from July 4. Module one and module two testing gets going again from July 13. Training can start from July 4, but social distancing measure will have to be in place.

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It’s all good news for bike dealerships as the lockdown easing has seen a surge in customers wanting two-wheeled transport.

Ian Biederman, BMW Rider Training Chief Instructor, said: “We are extremely pleased to hear that we can restart testing for those new to motorcycling and training for all abilities. Now, more than ever, motorcycling makes so much sense – it is an ideal mode of transport that enables effective social distancing while helping to minimise use of public transport.

“At BMW Rider Training, we’ve designed a dedicated course for those returning to the road after the coronavirus-enforced riding break and we’ve also seen a very strong level of interest from newcomers who are now keen to learn to ride.”

And the Motorcycle Industry Association, which represents bike manufacturers in the UK, added: “This is excellent, if somewhat belated news for our industry and will no doubt help maintain the recent surge in showroom activity.”

Brakes left on bike training: Officials refuse to budge on CBT and Direct Access for non key workers

First published on June 24 2020 by Jordan Gibbons

Learner rider navigating cones

Motorcycle training schools up and down the country are furious with the DVSA, who are remaining steadfast in their refusal to allow motorcycle training to resume. The DVSA are currently advising trainers that they should not be conducting Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) or Direct Access (DAS) unless it is for a key worker.

With the Government currently recommending people avoid public transport, and the road network at pre-coronavirus traffic levels in some places, jumping on to two wheels is the perfect solution for many, but they are being denied the option.

“It’s so frustrating,” one trainer, who asked not to be named for fear of problems with the agency, told us. “We know as bikers that we can socially distance and still deliver training easily. It’s not like a car, where two people are together in a small space, but we’re being lumped in with them anyway. We’ve totally adapted our business – nothing takes place inside now.”

As well as the desire to do CBTs, there’s been a huge interest from people wanting to switch to larger bikes.

“Right now we have a waiting list of 65,” added the trainer. “But testing centres only have one examiner, who can do a maximum of four tests a day (either bike or car). There’ve been over 40,000 applications for a test slot since this began, so it will probably be next year before it catches up again. People just want to be mobile and we just want to get people on the road.”

MCN asked the DVSA why they were refusing to allow CBTs to take place, given the relative ease with which they can be conducted safely, and when they are planning to allow CBTs to resume. In reply, they said: “DVSA’s priority is to stop the spread of coronavirus and keep our staff and customers safe. Approved training bodies (ATBs) should limit carrying out CBTs and training to critical workers. We are working closely with ATBs and considering the next steps carefully to make sure more motorcycle training can resume soon.”

DVSA confirms motorbike training centres can provide CBTs for key workers during lockdown

First published on April 24 by Ben Clarke

Compulsory Basic Training

The DVSA’s Chief Executive has written an open letter to motorcycle training centres, clarifying its stance on motorbike tests and CBT certificates during Coronavirus lockdown.

“As you know, we have suspended motorcycle tests to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” said Gareth Llewellen, in the letter. “We are continuing to provide emergency tests for those whose work is critical to the coronavirus response.”

“I’m incredibly aware that some workers including our NHS staff and those on the frontline will have an urgent need to finish their motorcycle training. I’m very grateful to those of you who are able to continue providing training – including compulsory basic training (CBT) – for people those who need it.”

The letter was apparently needed after one training centre, Pass Bike, in Rochford, Essex was struggling to convince local police that they could legally continue to provide CBTs for key workers.

“It put us in an awkward position,” said Ian Burrell MBE, Director at Pass Bike Motorcycle Training. “On the one hand we had the Police saying that there was no information from the DVSA that they could accept and on the other hand we had key workers in need of the legally required CBT Certificate.”

Mr Burrell explained the problem to his MP, James Duddridge who, in turn, raised the issue with the DVSA resulting in the letter of clarification. Although the new guidance will be welcomed by many, it stops short of extending people’s existing CBT certificates much like the Department for Transport has done for MoT testing.

Key workers who need to arrange a full motorbike test can do so by emailing critical.worker.driving.test@dvsa.gov.uk with proof of your employment and your telephone number, preferred test location, the type of driving test you would like to take and driving licence number.

The DVSA has 50 volunteer motorcycle examiners across Britain giving tests and more who cannot give tests due to health risks processing requests from home.

Key workers who need a CBT should contact local training centre

First published 8 April 2020 by Ben Clarke

Rider on L-plates

Thousands of workers who use a moped or scooter to do their jobs do so by virtue of the fact they have a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate. But since test centres are not on the Government’s exemption list for businesses that can stay open during lockdown, any whose certificate is due to expire could be unable to work.

This could also mean fewer people who are able to deliver food, prescriptions, medical supplies or anything else currently couriered around the UK’s towns and cities by scooter and moped.

Not to mention those NHS or other frontline staff who rely on a scooter to get to work every day.

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The CBT is different to a driving test, as it has a two-year expiry date before it needs to be retaken. The Government advises that critical workers who need to book a full driving test should email critical.worker.driving.test@dvsa.gov.uk with proof of your employment and your telephone number, preferred test location, the type of driving test you would like to take and driving licence number.

But there is no specific mention of the CBT on the site. This is because CBTs are booked through the trainers themselves rather than a test centre and so the DVSA is currently advising that key workers in need of a CBT should contact their local training school directly.

Centres have been advised by the DVSA to continue with CBTs for key workers and to follow the Government’s guidance on social distancing when they do.

MCN spoke to Matthew Hardwick from Shires Motorcycle Training who said: “Currently we have not had any key workers contact us for CBTs, should that happen then we will look into providing them a CBT in the safest way possible. Most likely on a 1-1 basis with them using their own equipment to reduce any chances of contamination of any kind.

“They would also need to provide proof that they are a key worker and keep that confirmation with them throughout the CBT as without that we couldn’t legally do a CBT with the current rules in place.

“Our main interest is to make people safe on the road and make sure key workers still have transport to carry out their work but without proof it wouldn’t be possible.”

The MCIA writes to the Government

Tony Campbell, CEO of the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) has written to Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, requesting that training schools are added to the list of businesses exempt from the current lock down restrictions and are therefore able to continue providing CBT certificates.

“Rest assured that your association is working hard during these challenging times to position PTWs front and centre with decision makers and also by reinforcing the significance of our industry to our national well- being, human and economic,” said MCIA Communications Manager, Nick Broomhall.

Elsewhere, a Facebook page called ‘Extend the L-plate’ has been set up to get the message out that CBT certificate holders need help in these difficult times. Page creator, Alex Richards said: “I was collecting a prescription for my wife when two came in to pick to meds deliveries and it just made me think, what happens if they can’t ride?

“And then I read about how the supermarkets and Deliveroo, Just Eat, etc are working together to ensure food deliveries, and of course they’re pretty much all on L-plates,” he added.

“The final thing was hearing about bikers volunteering to run stuff about, and I thought of all those in London, who use a 125cc on L-plates as their mode of transport.”

Richards hopes that if the message is spread far and wide it will make the policy makers pay attention and do something to help.

By Jordan Gibbons

Former News Editor, occasional contributor, owns some old bikes. Should know better.