Booked your CBT and not sure what to turn up in? You are not alone, and getting it wrong has real consequences: your course can be stopped, and you can be charged to take it again, if you are not wearing suitable clothing. Here is the honest, no-faff version of what you need.
What the rules actually require
For your CBT you must wear:
- A helmet that meets British safety standards (an ECE-rated lid).
- A motorcycle or heavy denim jacket with a few layers underneath.
- Motorcycle or heavy denim trousers (not thin fashion jeans).
- Boots or sturdy footwear that supports your ankles.
- Gloves.
The key phrase is “suitable”. Tracksuit bottoms, trainers and a hoodie will get you turned away. Heavy denim and proper boots are the realistic minimum if you do not yet own bike-specific kit.
What your school provides versus what you bring
Most training schools provide a helmet, gloves and a hi-vis vest, along with the training bike. But this has changed: since 2020 it has become much more common for schools to ask you to bring your own kit, and some only stock sizes XS to XXL, so if you fall outside that range you will need your own.
The one thing to do before your day: check your booking confirmation, or just ring the school and ask exactly what is provided. It takes two minutes and saves you being caught out.
The minimum to pass vs what you actually want
Honestly? You can get through a CBT in heavy denim jeans, a thick jacket with layers, sturdy ankle boots, and the school’s loaner helmet and gloves. That is the minimum.
But if you are going to keep riding, the smarter move is to buy your own proper kit before or just after the CBT, because:
- A helmet that fits you is safer and far more comfortable than a shared loaner.
- Armoured kit protects you the moment you ride off on your own, not just on the training pad.
- It works out cheaper than hiring or replacing gear later.
If you are buying, our complete beginner gear guide walks through the full first kit in priority order, and the two things worth owning from day one are a well-fitting helmet and a decent pair of budget gloves.
A note on weather
Your CBT runs rain or shine, often for several hours outdoors and partly in a classroom. In cold weather, wear thermals under your jacket, you will be standing around between exercises and get cold fast. In warm weather, do not be tempted to strip down to a t-shirt: stick to gear that still protects, like a ventilated jacket and Kevlar-lined riding jeans.
Bottom line
Helmet, proper jacket with layers, heavy-denim-or-better trousers, ankle boots, gloves. Confirm with your school what they lend you, dress for the weather, and you will be fine. Then read the full beginner gear guide to plan what to buy for the riding that comes after.
More beginner guides: Complete beginner gear guide · Best first helmets · Best budget gloves