CBTA - Anyone done it?

[saluja02]

Hey guys, just looking to get some feedback on the CBTA (Competency Based Training and Assessment) and was wondering if anyone here has done it to shorten the time to get their Full license. How hard was it? I can get my full for bikes in about 2 months if I do that and was wondering if it's worth it. Cheers

[Ulsterkiwi]

I think you will find lots of discussion has already taken place on this forum addressing your question.
I stand to be corrected but the consensus does seem to agree that the NZTA testing could be a bit hit and miss as the testing officers are rarely motorcyclists.
I did the standard test for my restricted and CBTA for my full. If by "worth it" you mean have a test which meaningfully assesses your riding abilities in a sustained and realistic manner then yes its worth it. If the assessor is any good they will also point out things to work on, even if you are successful. Learning is a lifelong experience
Shortening the time on your restricted is a pretty nice sweetener.

[Grashopper]

I did my CBTA for the Full lincense with this guy: http://passmasters.co.nz

Can highly recommend him.

If you think you ride well then do the CBTA. If you don't think you're good enough and that is your reason for thinking about the NZTA license test with the tester following you in a car, then do a training and CBTA package.

So yes, it's worth it.

[TheDemonLord]

CBTA

Do it

I did mine with Dawn at Rider Training (plug plug!)

as the above have pointed out - the NZTA scheme is one where you aren't assessed by a fellow motorcylist - for example, in my CBT2 test, we had a great ride - but a couple of times we had to do things that an NZTA assesor might mark down (late apexing around blind corners, tipping the bike in when you can see its clear) or getting a cheek off the seat (cause we were having a great ride)

although she did mark me down for trail-braking into one of the corners on my rear brake: 'its a perfectly valid riding technique..... but you shouldn't be doing it yet'

All in All thought - I strongly recommend the CBT scheme - and doing it with Rider training (Plug Plug!)

[kevinator9]

Well worth it. If you are seriously interested in riding and bettering your skills and knowledge then there is no reason not to sit the CBTA.

[Muftin_]

I did my CBTA for the Full lincense with this guy: http://passmasters.co.nz

Can highly recommend him.

Just did my restricted with him. Explained everything I did wrong and how to work on fixing them (he seems more into making sure you can/teaching you to ride safely than anything else!). Hearing him through the mic was no issue at all. Wouldn't even consider the nzta one..

[saluja02]

Thanks guys for the info, appreciate it. How hard is it meant to be to pass if you're a confident street rider?

[biketimus_prime]

Thanks guys for the info, appreciate it. How hard is it meant to be to pass if you're a confident street rider?

If you're meant to pass, you'll pass.

If they deem you're unsafe they'll fail you.

The good thing about CBTA is they aren't assholes and will be quite understanding for example if something out of your control happens whereas the Land transport people will go by the book and have almost no leeway for anything else. Do the CBTA, it's worth it. I thought I was an awesome rider, that image was quickly shattered. I passed, but definitely need to improve my riding and they give you awesome feedback to do that.

[rastuscat]

The thing with CBTA is that it's run by people who care enough about motorcycle safety to make a personal commitment to personally invest in being qualified to do it. They're normally passionate about it.

For that reason alone, it's better to do CBTA than the stock process.

It'd be cool if everyone wanted to turn up to learn something rather than just seeing it as a way to accelerate their licence. But that's a pipe dream.

Still, I guess it doesn't matter why people do it, as long as they do.

[f2dz]

I did CBTA to transition from my restricted to full. I didn't really get any training or advice during my test like others seem to have gotten. For that reason I don't think there would have been much difference for me in doing an NZTA practical test.

It probably works out cheaper and better to do the NZTA test (providing you pass) then do one or two ACC subsidised riding courses. The training would be more thorough one would think, espcially with some of those courses being full day affairs.

[n3Xro]

I did both the CBTA-R and CBTA-F through Prorider. On both occasions I attended the ride forever course they do for ACC. Did the Bronze the day before sitting the Restricted test and did the Silver and then immediately did my CBTA-F assessment as the booking they had cancelled.
Highly recommend this method as the days training was invaluable and worked on a lot of the points that are looked at in the riding assessment. The feedback at at the end of the assessment is great as well, means I still have things to work on and doesnt leave me with a false sense of security thinking "woohoo I passed all good to go now/..."

[Tazz]

Are CBTA peoples doing a 'training' session for the restricted and full as suggested, or are you all just getting them to bite the pillow and going in dry?

[TheDemonLord]

Are CBTA peoples doing a 'training' session for the restricted and full as suggested, or are you all just getting them to bite the pillow and going in dry?

Almost all the places offer and recommend you do a Training and test session - however both times I just did the test (the amount of KMs I rack up commuting - I was very confident) on my Full - I only made 4 errors in total.

[f2dz]

Almost all the places offer and recommend you do a Training and test session - however both times I just did the test (the amount of KMs I rack up commuting - I was very confident) on my Full - I only made 4 errors in total.

Only four? How does the grading work, anyone know? On an NZTA level test that sounds like enough to fail you.

I remember back when I was doing my restricted test for my class 1 I got pulled up for going to slow and I had a ton of points docked for that mistake alone.

[TheDemonLord]

Only four? How does the grading work, anyone know? On an NZTA level test that sounds like enough to fail you.

I remember back when I was doing my restricted test for my class 1 I got pulled up for going to slow and I had a ton of points docked for that mistake alone.

I believe that the NZTA and the CBTA use the same marking criteria - which is I think 4 mistakes on one column, 5 mistakes on one row or a total of 8 mistake for a full.

my 4 were not in any pattern (2 scanning ahead errors, one cutting a solid white line, one road positioning error when turning left)

Hopefully one of the people that post here and are assesors can comment and make sure I haven't got the wrong info