Courses start at the VMT Training Area in Llandow. Please refer to our find us page for maps and directions, or just go to Google Maps and there is a drop pin at our site - search for Vale Moto Training

CBT stands for Compulsory Basic Training and is designed to get you riding safely and confidently by the end of your course. There is no test, but you do need to reach a required standard. Training is available on either a moped, scooter or motorcycle.

We expect you to have a good working knowledge of the Highway Code. Please visit The Highway Code Rules or Download the DVSA Theory Test App to your smart phone.

• UK provisional/full driving licence*
• Tea, coffee and usually biscuits are on us. There is a café across the road, but a packed lunch is advisable (and a drink in hot weather)

* Old style paper driving licence holders must bring an additional form of photographic ID, ideally a valid passport. International licences are not accepted.

You will learn about safety equipment and clothing during your CBT.  At Vale Moto, we provide the following motorcycle gear that you can wear on the day of your CBT… motorcycle jackets and waterproofs. Please note that helmets and gloves aren't supplied, to reduce the spread of infection. When choosing your own clothing to wear, observe the following rules:-

Footwear Wear a sturdy pair of boots, they don’t have to be motorcycle boots but should give you ankle support. Heavy steel toe caps, trainers or shoes are not suitable to train in. (Timberland, Caterpillar & Dr Martens are examples of suitable boots)

Clothing A pair of thick denim jeans should be worn as a substitute for leathers or textile trousers. (Do not arrive in track bottoms or sportswear, you won’t be permitted to train)

Gloves Leather gloves are ideal. Cotton and ski clothes are not suitable.

Headphones D-ring earpieces are used however some students may find them uncomfortable. You can bring your personal headphones as long as they are in-ear bud style, with a 3.5mm jack.

A CBT certificate allowing you to ride up to 125cc or up to 50cc if you are 16 years old.

​It is not legal for you to ride on motorways or carry passengers (pillions). L plates must be displayed on both the front and rear of your bike at all times.

If you have not passed the tests for a full motorcycle licence and want to continue riding a small bike, you must re-new your CBT certificate by completing the course again.

However, if you want to progress onto a larger motorcycle, you should plan to pass your A1, A2 or full A motorcycle licence within the 2 year expiry date of the CBT certificate. It’s not useful to call us 2 weeks before it expires and try to pass a full test in that time. PLAN AHEAD!

No, a theory test is not compulsory to complete a CBT but we do advise refreshing your knowledge of the Highway Code. The Highway Code Rules

We work hard to schedule your training sessions, so casual alterations can cause us a lot of extra work. We must have at least 4 clear days’ notice, if you want to change training dates (i.e. for a CBT on a Saturday, you would have to cancel or amend it by 4pm the Monday before). Any alterations within this time will cause the loss of your deposit or if within 24 hours of your training session, the full cost will be applied.

Our courses run rain or shine and will only be cancelled by us in dangerous weather conditions, such as snow, ice, thick fog, or very high winds. In such an instance, we will re-schedule your training on another date convenient to you and of course, there will be no extra cost.

The CBT course runs from 8.30am - 5pm* It will depend on the speed at which all students progress through the day, some days are completed more quickly than others.

*Please be aware, it is a common myth that the CBT is a one-day course. Some students may be required to return for a second day in order to complete the syllabus and be safe on the road – you won’t be charged for another full CBT but charges will apply depending on how much of the day needs re-visiting.

We’re not American, so it’s always spelled with a ‘C’ – Licence

The list below, shows the elements required to obtain a full motorcycle licence.

• CBT
• Motorcycle Theory test
• Module 1 Practical Test 
• Module 2 Practical Test

Please see the below link for an overview of both Mod 1 and Mod 2 examinations.

Test Overview

Module 1 - an off-road motorcycle manoeuvring test. The test normally takes about 15 minutes carried out by a DVSA examiner. There are 11 manoeuvres, that are not difficult once you’ve had some time to practice them. Uniquely, Vale Moto has its own, full size MOD1 practice area. There will be no need to roam around looking for an empty public car park to throw some cones down. Our training area is fully measured out and is solely for our use. This allows you to become familiar with the MMA (Motorcycle Manoeuvre Area) ahead of your test.

Module 2 - on-road test A DSA examiner will follow you for approximately 30-40 minutes and assess your ride. Successfully passing Module 2, gains you a full motorcycle licence.

For more information on the practical tests please visit the Official DSA channel on YouTube:

DVSA Module 1 Test Guide

DVSA Module 2 Test Guide

The official DSA’s pdf guide to motorcycle licences: Routes To Your Motorcycle Licence

16Yrs+ (AM) Moped Licence Once the test has been passed you obtain a restricted licence only allowing
you to ride up to a 50cc moped.
L plates must be displayed*

*Those who passed a driving test before 1st February 2001 already hold this licence. You can ride without L plates and carry passengers.

17Yrs+ (A1) Light Bike Licence You take your tests on a 125cc motorcycle.
Once the test has been passed, you obtain a restricted licence to ride a 125cc motorcycle only.
You can ride without L plates, carry passengers and use motorways.
This licence does not upgrade.

If you wish to ride larger motorcycles then you can do one of the below: a) Wait 2 years on the A1 licence then re-take Module 1 and 2 for the A2 licence. b) Wait until you are 19 - if this is short of 2 years of holding the A1 licence you must retake a theory test and sit Module 1 and 2 again for the A2 licence. c) Wait until you are 24 to sit Module 1 and 2 again for a full category A motorcycle licence.

19Yrs+ (A2) Middle Bike Licence: You take your test on an A2 compatible bike. Ours are Suzuki 650cc, restricted to 47bhp.


Once the test has been passed, you obtain an A2 licence, allowing you to ride motorcycles of any size, not exceeding 35kW (47bhp).*
You can ride without L plates, carry passengers and use motorways.
*You cannot restrict motorcycles by more than 50% of their original power - i.e. motorcycles that are originally more than 70kw (94bhp).
You can ride without L plates, carry passengers and use motorways.

In order to ride a larger motorcycle you can do the following: a) Hold a A2 licence for 2 years and sit MOD1 and MOD2 again on a 600cc (minimum power of 40kw/54bhp) - this will then be a full Category A licence (as below)
b) Wait until you are 24yrs old and complete the Mod 1 and Mod 2 tests.


24Yrs+ - Full Unrestricted Category A Licence If you are 24yrs or over, or held an A2 licence for 2 years, you can take your tests on a full powered bike. After passing your tests, you can ride any size motorcycle without restriction. You can ride without L plates, carry passengers and use motorways.

There is not a straight forward answer to this question, as it will largely depend on the ability of the individual student. Some previous experience such as having ridden a 125cc for some months will help but sometimes, new riders take to riding really easily. Until we get you on a bike, it’s hard to be accurate.

Our experience tells us that for most people, 15 hours training should be sufficient to prepare for the two tests. You should budget about £630, which will cover five x 3hr training sessions, a warm up before both tests and use of the bikes during your tests.*

There are no hidden extras, such as fuel, insurance or equipment hire.** Inevitably, some riders will need more time on the bike in preparation for the tests. Rest assured, we will only ever recommend what is necessary for you to have a good prospect of passing your tests, first time. The total cost can be paid in instalments and spread out over the duration of your training course. Deposits are required in order to secure your booking.

*All training sessions include an instructor debrief as well as necessary short breaks. **MOD1 test = £15.50 / MOD2 test = £75. We have already purchased these tests from the DVSA for our students. You will merely reimburse us for those test fees before your test.

Here at Vale Moto, we pre-book test slots at the Swansea, Newport and Bridgend Test Centres. Available times can be confirmed and booked at any time. This could be as soon as the following week or within a four-week period.

Please note during the summer months availability is a lot more restricted, due to demand.

Normally, several weeks can be enough time from start to finish but there are a few factors that can impact on how quickly you progress to test. An individual’s availability, experience (to some degree), the time of year (Summer can be busy and test slots become less abundant).

We tailor training to an individual’s needs and work hard to diary training sessions around busy schedules. However, insisting that your tests are completed within two weeks when you only have next Saturday off, is not helpful. We are a busy school and we are organised, if you plan ahead and give us enough notice, getting your licence shouldn’t be a big drama.

Depending on test dates, we help our students to obtain a licence as soon as possible. Completing your licence within a week or two at busy periods is possible but a premium cost may be charged.

We recommend that you complete your full or restricted licence as soon as possible after your CBT and theory test, due to their 2-year validity period.

Depending on test dates, we help our students to obtain a licence as soon as possible. Completing your licence within a week or two at busy periods is possible but a premium cost may be charged.

To avoid disappointment, please contact us to discuss your options

*If you do not allow 5 working days between your Mod 1 and Mod 2 tests, you would be required to pay a Mod 2 test fee, if you were to fail Mod 1. This is a policy set by the DVSA.

We have a fantastic pass rate at Vale Moto, thanks to our experienced team of instructors. They will help you prepare for your test and will advise on any extra training, they feel is necessary, to get you test ready.

Rules set by the DVSA (Driving Standards Agency) If you were to fail Mod 1 you have to wait three working days before you are able to re-sit the test.
If you were to fail Mod 2 you have to wait 10 working days before you are able to re-sit the test.
Extra training session - £90
Mod 1 re-test - £99.50
Mod 2 re-test - £177

You do not need a theory test in order to do your CBT.

You do need a theory test certificate to allow us to book your Mod 1 and Mod 2 tests. You may complete your training without a theory certificate but this is not recommended.

The DVSA set time rules for test applicants, therefore, we will require at least 5 working days to avoid charges. (i.e. Monday bookings must be cancelled/amended by Monday AM the week before). Any alterations within this time will cause the loss of your test fee.

Alterations made within 24 hours of a test or training session will cause the loss of your deposit.

Our courses run rain or shine and will only be cancelled by us in dangerous weather conditions, such as snow, ice, thick fog, or very high winds. In such an instance, we will re-schedule your training on another date convenient to you and of course, there will be no extra cost

The charge for a Motorcycle Theory Test is £23 and can be booked here. The official books published by the DVSA are:
The DVSA Theory Test for Motorcyclists
We also recommend:
Hazard Perception PC Package

If you have any problems booking your theory test, please get in touch.

An examiner on test, will require you to be in:

• An approved motorcycle helmet
• A motorcycle textile/leather jacket
• Motorcycle textile/leather trousers
• Motorcycle boots (sturdy boots with a good grip are a suitable alternative)

We also need to see the following documents, as well as taking them to test:

• Photo Provisional or Full Car Licence
• CBT Certificate
• Theory Test Certificate
• Module 1 Certificate (for Mod 2 test ONLY)

Please note that on the Module 2 test the examiner will give you a radio and a D-ring style earpiece. You will not be allowed to use your own headphones.