CBT & Motorcycle Training in Cheshire — Your Local Riding School
On Your Bike is based right here in Cheshire — Thelwall Parish Hall, Bell Lane — easily reached from Knutsford, Northwich, Chester and Frodsham. Our DVSA-approved instructor Angela, an IAM Advanced Rider with years of local road knowledge, runs a friendly, thorough one-day CBT from £225, with bike, helmet and jacket all included.
One-day Course From £225 — Bike, Helmet & Jacket Included
Our training centre is at Thelwall Parish Hall, Bell Lane, Thelwall, Warrington, WA4 2SX — right on the Cheshire border — easily reached from Knutsford (20 mins), Northwich (25 mins), Frodsham (15 mins), and Chester (40 mins).
Getting Here by Car from Cheshire
From Knutsford, take the A50 north towards Lymm, then follow signs for Grappenhall and turn onto Bell Lane into Thelwall — around 20 minutes. From Northwich, take the A559 north and follow signs for Warrington/Grappenhall, turning onto Bell Lane — around 25 minutes. From Chester or Frodsham, take the M56 east to junction 10, then the A49 north through Stockton Heath and turn right onto Bell Lane — around 35–40 minutes. Parking is available on site.
From the M6, exit at Junction 20 (Lymm Interchange) and follow signs towards Thelwall — Bell Lane is well signposted and parking is free on site.
Getting Here by Public Transport from Cheshire
By Bus
From most Cheshire towns, the easiest bus route is to reach Warrington first — trains run from Knutsford, Northwich, and Chester to Warrington Bank Quay. From the Bus Interchange in Warrington, catch the 5A bus operated by Warrington’s Own Buses, which runs via Stockton Heath and through Thelwall village. Alight at the Thelwall, Pickering Arms stop — Bell Lane and the Parish Hall are just a short walk from there.
By Train
If you’re arriving by train, the nearest station is Warrington Bank Quay, take any bus the short distance to the Bus Interchange, where you can pick up the 5A. From Warrington Central, the Bus Interchange is also within easy walking distance.
About Cheshire
Cheshire is a county with outstanding variety — rural lanes, market towns and motorway links all within reach.
With Cheshire home to major employers across Knutsford, Northwich, Chester, and the business parks along the M56 corridor, having a motorcycle licence can genuinely transform your daily commute — cutting through the traffic that car drivers sit in every morning. Cheshire is also well connected to the M6, M56 and M62, so once you’re licenced, the whole North West opens up to you on two wheels.
What is a CBT?
A Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course is a one-day course you must complete before riding a motorcycle, scooter or moped on the road in the UK. It is not a test in the formal sense — it is a structured day of training that ends with a certificate (a DL196) when you and your instructor are both satisfied you can ride safely.
Once you hold a valid CBT certificate, you can ride a motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc on the road with L-plates for up to two years. The CBT is also the required first step before taking your Direct Access training and full motorcycle licence tests.
What Your CBT Covers
The DVSA splits a CBT into five elements. We go at your pace through every one.
1. Introduction & Eye Check
We confirm your licence, run an eyesight check (reading a number plate at 20 metres), and talk you through what to expect from the day.
2. Off-Road Controls
We walk through the bike’s controls together — clutch, throttle, brakes and gears — in our off-road area. No road time until you’re comfortable with all of them.
3. Off-Road Riding Skills
Slow-speed manoeuvres, U-turns, figure-of-eight and emergency stops — practised until you feel genuinely confident, not just ticked off a list.
4. Road Safety Briefing
We cover hazard awareness, road positioning, and what to expect from other road users on Cheshire’s mix of A-roads, rural lanes, and village traffic.
5. On-Road Riding
At least two hours of supervised on-road riding around Thelwall, Grappenhall and south Cheshire, with radio guidance throughout. We only head out when you are confident — never before.
At the end of the day, if you and your instructor are both happy, you receive your DL196 CBT certificate.
CBT Courses From £225
Your CBT day includes:
- A well-maintained 125cc training motorcycle
- A helmet with intercoms
- A jacket
- One full day of training with a DVSA-approved instructor
- Your DL196 CBT certificate on completion
What you need to bring or Hire from us?
- Your UK provisional or full driving licence — original, in date.
- Your driving History — available here : https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
- Boots with ankle protection – Hire available during Online Booking.
- Gloves — winter gloves in cold weather. Hire available during Online Booking.
- Sturdy jeans with no rips or holes and thick socks (not shorts).
- Warm, weather-appropriate clothing — layers. Waterproofs incase it rains.
- Lunch and a couple of drinks or money for it — it’s a long day.
Why Take Your CBT With On Your Bike?
Friendly, unhurried, expert instruction — built around you.
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Safety-Led
Every minute of your CBT is built around riding safely. We never go on the road until you and your instructor are both confident.
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Patient Tuition
Small groups, individual attention. You learn at your pace, not a production-line schedule. Never rushed to the next step.
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DVSA Approved
Angela is a DVSA-approved motorcycle instructor and certified IAM Advanced Rider. Her team shares the same standards.
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Bike & Kit Included
Your bike, helmet and jacket are included in the £225 fee. Just bring your provisional licence and weather dependent clothing.
CBT FAQ
The questions Cheshire riders actually ask us before they book.
I’m in Knutsford or Northwich — how long does it take to get to Bell Lane?
From Knutsford, you’re around 20 minutes via the A50 north through Lymm and Grappenhall. From Northwich, roughly 25 minutes via the A559 north. Turn onto Bell Lane in Thelwall village — the Parish Hall is clearly visible and there’s parking on site. We ask everyone to arrive 10 minutes before their start time for the paperwork and kit check, so factor that in when you’re planning the morning. Full address is Thelwall Parish Hall, Bell Lane, Thelwall, WA4 2SX.
What kind of roads will I ride during the on-road part of the CBT?
Cheshire is a brilliant place to learn because of the variety of roads across doorstep. Your on-road training will use a mix of quieter residential roads, A-road sections, and village lanes — including the areas around Grappenhall, Thelwall, Lymm, and into south Cheshire. The training routes reflect exactly the roads Cheshire riders use every day. This is genuinely the kind of riding you’ll do every day once you’re licenced, so the training is as real-world as it gets. Your instructor will be behind you with radio contact throughout and you’ll only go out when you’re confident and ready.
Is a CBT enough to start commuting across Cheshire, or do I need the full licence?
A CBT is all you need to ride a 125cc bike on L-plates on public roads, which is more than enough for commuting across Cheshire and the surrounding area. The A50, A56, A559 and routes across Cheshire to Knutsford, Northwich, Chester, and Frodsham are all accessible on L-plates. The one thing you can’t do on a CBT alone is ride on motorways — so if your commute involves the M6, M56 or M62, you’ll want to work towards your full licence. Many riders do their CBT with us, spend a season commuting on L-plates, then come back for Module 1 and Module 2. It’s a very natural progression and we’re here for every step.
Other Areas We Cover
We train motorcycle riders from right across the North West. Here are some nearby areas — or see our full list of locations.
Ready to Ride?
Book your CBT today — from £225, bike and kit included. We’re right on the Cheshire border — 20 mins from Knutsford, 25 mins from Northwich — at Thelwall Parish Hall, Bell Lane.
Related Guides
- CBT vs DAS: What’s the Difference?
- Does a CBT Expire?
- Can You Fail a CBT?
- How Much Does Motorbike Training Cost?
- How Old Do You Need to Be to Ride a Motorbike?
- Do I Need a CBT with a Car Licence?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CBT training in Cheshire?
CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) in Cheshire is a one-day DVSA-approved training course run by On Your Bike at Bell Lane, Thelwall, Warrington WA4 2SX. It covers on-site riding exercises and road riding under instructor supervision, and results in a DL196 certificate that lets you ride a 125cc motorcycle as a learner for two years.
How much does CBT cost in Cheshire?
CBT training at On Your Bike starts from £225. That includes the training
motorcycle, helmet with intercom, jacket, fuel and third-party insurance — plus your DL196
certificate issued on the day. Boots and gloves are available to hire when you book. There
are no hidden fees, and no theory test is needed for a CBT
Do I need my own motorbike for CBT training in Cheshire?
No. On Your Bike provides fully insured training motorcycles for all CBT sessions. You just need to bring your provisional driving licence, suitable clothing with ankle-covering boots, and you’re ready to go.
How long does a CBT take?
A CBT typically takes one full day — around 7 to 8 hours depending on progress. The day is structured across five elements: introduction and eyesight check, on-site machine controls, on-site exercises, on-road preparation, and supervised on-road riding.
Can I ride on motorways with a CBT?
No. Riders on a CBT certificate must display L-plates, cannot carry pillion passengers, and cannot use motorways. These restrictions are lifted once you pass your full motorcycle licence test (Module 1 and Module 2).
What is the next step after CBT training?
After your CBT you can ride legally as a learner for two years. To remove restrictions you need to pass the DVSA motorcycle theory test, then Module 1 (off-road manoeuvres) and Module 2 (on-road riding test). On Your Bike offers full DAS training in Cheshire from £1,250 all-inclusive for riders aged 24+.
Is the CBT a test? What does “CBT test Cheshire” mean?
The CBT is officially Compulsory Basic Training — a structured day of practical training, not a pass/fail exam. Many riders searching for a “CBT test in Cheshire” are really looking for CBT training near them. There’s no way to fail a CBT outright; your instructor works through five elements with you until they’re satisfied you can ride safely. If you’re looking for a CBT test centre in Cheshire, On Your Bike in Thelwall covers the whole county — book from £225, bike and gear included.