Once you’ve passed your motorcycle test a great way of further improving your riding skills is by taking extra training.
Advanced training helps you asses your standard of riding and can generally make you a safer rider.
What can advanced training do for me?
- It can lower the cost of your insurance
- Improve your riding skills
- Increase your awareness while out on the roads
- Opens your eyes to possible hazards you may not have necessarily noticed or even thought about before
- Increase your confidence while riding
- Make you a safer and more vigilant rider
- If a loved one is wary of you riding, knowing you have taken an enhanced rider scheme can put their mind at ease
Advanced Training is useful if you
- Have just passed your test
- Want to assess your standard of riding
- Are returning to riding after some time out and want to brush up on your skills
- Are thinking of upgrading your motorbike and want to get used to a larger engine
How Advanced Training works
An expert rider will assess your riding skills in a range of different road and traffic conditions. This assessment will usually take between 1 to 2 hours, or depending how long it takes for the instructor to gain a good understanding of your riding skills.
Where you go from here depends on whether the instructor thinks you could benefit from extra training or not. Should you need further training, the areas in which you could brush up on are noted and you may be encouraged to enrol in a day course to develop these particular skills.
This short YouTube clip from advancedbiker explains what an advanced motorcycle course involves.
Types of Enhanced Rider Schemes
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
Image from rospa.com
The RoSPA advanced test is highly regarded as one of the most challenging rider schemes. A RoSPA examination will last for around 90 minutes and is held by either a serving or retired Police Officer.
How to find a RoSPA advanced test near you
It couldn’t be easier to find a RoSPA advanced test near to where you live. All you need to do is search for your region on the RoSPA website and all the local groups near to you will appear.
Cost
£51.00 inc VAT for riders 25 years and younger
£61.00 inc VAT for riders 26 years and older
RoSPA do advice that you take a re-test every three years; the cost for this is covered in your yearly subscription fee. This cost which varies depending on your membership type.
Image from iam.org.uk
Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM)
IAM is a leading UK road safety charity that covers a whole spectrum of campaigns to work towards
improving the safety of our roads.
IAM have named their advanced riding programme ‘Skill for Life’ which teaches 5 phases of advanced riding.
- Information
- Position
- Speed
- Gear
- Acceleration
Cost
£149.00
This price includes
- 12 month membership
- A ‘How to be a Better Biker’ advice book
- access to local group support to help prepare you for the test
- The cost of your IAM advanced riding test
Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS)
The Enhanced Rider Scheme is also a recognised qualification for enhanced riding. For this advanced riding scheme there is no test, just practical assessments.
If you choose to take this assessment you will be accompanied by an expert trainer and the ride will last for between one to two hours.
If your trainer is happy with your riding skills then you will be awarded a ‘DVSA certificate of competence’. This is proof that you have completed the course and makes you eligible to benefit from privileges such as the possibility of receiving cheaper insurance.
How to find an Enhanced Rider Scheme near you:
Gov.uk has a really handy feature on their website that will enable you to find an enhanced training course near you.
Cost
The cost of your ERS will depend on the trainer taking the course and the type of training that you may need.
What to do now
If you have decided that advanced training is for you then go for it! Research where your nearest trainer is, get to know them and their background and arrange a date to suit you to take your assessment.
Preparation
Preparation is key! Do your research before taking the assessment.
- Speak to a fellow biker who has completed the course for advice and tips
- Research the types of assessments that may be bought up during the course
- Take a trial run with an advanced rider and listen to their feedback on your riding skills
- Take a ride as though you are being assessed, thinking about your technique, positioning etc
Tips for passing advanced motorcycle training
- Read up!
There are some great books on the market that will provide you with much needed information, from the key basics to procedures you may not have even thought about.
- Contact one of the three authorised training bodies for advice
Should you need any advice or would like a breakdown of what the course involves then don’t be afraid to contact IAM, RoSPA or ERS. They’ll be more than happy to help you out with any queries you may have.
- Stay focused
Remember, you’re being assessed! Try not to fade in an out of your everyday riding behaviours. Think like a skilled rider and concentrate on everything you’ve been taught.
- Set a date
If you have a set date for your assessment you can use this as a type of goal. This will give you something to work towards, each time you head out on your bike think about riding like an advanced rider so that you’re practicing correct skills to the lead up to your assessment.
- Get the most out of your day
Be attentive, ask lots of questions and if there’s anything you’d like your trainer to go over then don’t be afraid to ask. You need to make sure you absolutely benefit from this course and that you get your monies worth!
- Remember what you’ve learnt
This one’s more for once you’ve passed your assessment. Don’t let what you’ve learnt slip! You’ve paid your money and have spent the time to learn these extra skills so use them…plus, we like having safe and experienced riders on our roads.
- Have fun!
Take it all in and enjoy yourself. Don’t put yourself under any pressure, you’ll find you will ride well if you’re relaxed and are having fun.
THINK!
Devitt support the campaign ‘Never Too Good’ bought to you by THINK! to encourage Bikers to take part in an advanced training course. As part of this campaign we’re offering you a 10% discount on your motorbike insurance when you insure through Devitt.
To be eligible for this discount you must have enrolled in and passed one of the following motorbike training courses:
- Click here to find an ERS near you– Advanced Riding Test
- Click here to find an ERS near you– RideCheck & Skill for Life
- Click here to find an ERS near you
Find out more about how you can save money on your motorcycle insurance through Devitt, THINK! and advanced training!