Initial basic training - ibt
What is Initial Basic Training?
Initial Basic Training (IBT) is a mandatory training course that teaches basic riding skills to learner motorcyclists. It is part of the RSA’sGraduated Driver Licensing (GDL) scheme and is intended to improve road safety.
What does IBT involve?
IBT for a small motorcycle category ‘AM’ or ‘A1’ – is a 16 hour course broken into four separate modules 1,2,3 and 4 which must be completed in sequence. Completing IBT for the first time on a larger motorcycle in category ‘A2’ or ‘A’ is an 18 hr course and involves completing three modules 1,3 and 5. These modules are a mixture of theory and practical riding skills.
What does IBT involve?
IBT for a small motorcycle category ‘AM’ or ‘A1’ – is a 16 hour course broken into four separate modules 1,2,3 and 4 which must be completed in sequence. Completing IBT for the first time on a larger motorcycle in category ‘A2’ or ‘A’ is an 18 hr course and involves completing three modules 1,3 and 5. These modules are a mixture of theory and practical riding skills.
When you have completed an IBT module or the entire course, your instructor will record the details of your training in your logbook and issue you with a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion.
You can now apply for your practical driving test.
motorcycle licence categories
A category A vehicle is defined as a motorcycle without a sidecar, with a cylinder capacity of at least 595cm3, an unladen mass of more than 175kg., and an engine power of at least 50kW. If the motorcycle is powered by an electric motor, the power to weight ratio of the vehicle shall be at least 0.25kW/kg.
A category A2 vehicle is defined as a motorcycle without a sidecar, with a cylinder capacity of at least 245cm3. It has an engine power of at least 20 kW, but not exceeding 35 kW. It has a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW/kg., and is not derived from a vehicle of more than double its power. If the motorcycle is powered by an electric motor, the power to weight ratio of the vehicle shall be at least 0.15 kW/kg.
A category A1 vehicle is defined as a motorcycle without a sidecar, with a cylinder capacity of at least 115 cc but not exceeding 125 cc, that is capable of a speed of at least 90 km/h. It has an engine power not exceeding 11kW and a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.1kW/kg. If the motorcycle is powered by an electric motor, the power to weight ratio of the vehicle shall be at least 0.08 kW/kg.
IBT Modules
Module 1 focuses on theory and practical skills and will take place in the classroom and the off-road training area. It will take at least three hours to complete and has six objectives:
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Introduction to motorcycle controls
- Technical checks
- Placing motorcycle on and off the stand
- Walking alongside the motorcycle
- How to start and stop the engine ((including precautions for mounting and dismounting)
- Moving off and stopping
- Use of brakes
- Use of gears
- Slow riding
- Figure of eight exercise
- U-turn exercise
- Slalom exercise
- Rear observation and mirror work
- Turning left and right
- Emergency adjustment of speed – emergency stop
- Legal requirements
- Rules of the road
- Being seen
- Road surfaces
- Road and lane position
- Rear observations and mirrors
- Speed
- Anticipation and reaction(including dealing with emergency vehicles)
- Weather conditions(including modal choices and route planning)
- Rider fatigue (causes, consequences and strategies for avoidance)
- Gradients
- Junctions
- Traffic lights
- Roundabouts
- Safe distance
- Anticipation and reaction to hazards, including dealing with emergency vehicles
- Pedestrian and rail crossings, rail where possible
- Bends
Please note: progressive access is not available between category ‘AM’ and ‘A1’. The progressive access route available will depend on your age and previous permit/licence entitlement. If the full licence held for the lower Category is limited to automatics (Code 78) then it is only possible to undertake the IBT training on an automatic bike in the higher Category in order to take the Progressive Access route.
This module covers:
- Moving Off & Stopping
- Use of brakes
- Use of gears
- Slow riding exercise
- Figure of eight exercise
- U-turn exercise
- Slalom exercise
- Rear observation and mirror work
- Turning left and right
- Obstacle avoidance
- Emergency adjustment of speed – emergency stop
- Overtaking
- Carrying pillion passengers
- Using a side car/ towing a trailer
- Gradients
- Junctions
- Traffic lights
- Roundabouts
- Safe distance
- Anticipation and reaction t hazards(including dealing with emergency vehicles)
- Pedestrian and rail crossings (rail where possible)
- Bends
- Socially responsible riding/driving
You must successfully complete each module before moving onto the next and completing the course. If you have difficulties with a particular module, you can repeat it until you reach the necessary standard.