What’s it all about then??
Are you interested in obtaining a discount on your bike insurance? How about refreshing and extending your motorcycling skills? Do you need to build up your confidence? I have some good news for you - the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has launched a new scheme which will enable you to achieve these aims. It is called the 'Enhanced Rider Scheme' and it is aimed at motorcyclists who have passed their motorcycle test and wish to make sure that their skills are up to standard, as well as raising the level of those skills.
The DSA is to be praised for introducing such a scheme. Until quite recently, there has been something of an anomaly in the area of post-test motorcycle instruction. In the UK there are many motorcycle instructors offering 'advanced' tuition to riders who already have full motorcycle licences but who would like to brush-up on their riding skills. The instructors offering this service are usually very experienced and highly motivated motorcyclists. They are quite often former or serving police motorcyclists. There exist a number of organisations, each offering their own, self-regulated training schemes, such as the Institute of Advanced Motorists and RoSPA. It always seemed a little strange to me that the Government (via the DSA) quite properly regulated instructors providing pre-test instruction but left post-test tuition to its own devices.
If you choose to do your post-test training with an ERS instructor then you are assured that he or she has been properly vetted by the DSA and if they are registered with the DSA as a CBT or Direct Access instructor, they will be well-versed in the effective use of radios to assist with the tuition process.
I also congratulate the DSA on the use of the word 'enhanced' when naming this scheme. By deliberately not using the word 'advanced', they are opening it up to those riders who might otherwise have been put off, believing that 'advanced' training will require them to ride to a standard slightly beyond their experience, ability and inclination. The word 'enhanced' is much more inclusive and therefore it can be aimed at those riders whose machine-handling skills need to be raised. There is no formal test, but instead a process of continuous assessment and instruction hopefully culminating in the instructor issuing a certificate which will entitle you to an insurance discount. The cost is £150 for a day or £80 for a half day, assuming that you use your own machine. ERS instruction is usually given on a one-to-one basis.
For more details please contact Bike Smart on 01444 441969
or contact your local bike training school.
I want to go faster, I want to go faster..
