revtothelimit - motorbike forum

I did an advanced course a handful of years ago and it was actually probably a life saver and I recommend it to ALL riders.
I will be happy to do one again to brush up on my safer riding (as I am crap) but I would actually like to go for a proper certification as an Advanced Rider, the kind of one that helps insurance.

Are there more than one organisation that offers this? Which is the best one?

Thanks in advance. Safe riding out there.

The 2 biggest organizations are IAM and Rospa and these are the ones that the insurance companies like and offer discounts for. Ironically both are self governed and managed and none are qualified advanced instructors but observers appointed within the group who can comment on your riding after an assessment ride and decide on your grading. Standards of observer and their opinion of advanced riding vary from group to group and even within a regional group having ridden with a few.

The only national organization where advanced instruction can be given bike to bike in real time is the DVSA enhanced rider scheme which the insurance companies dont recognise, go figure.

There are smaller, more specialized companies such as Rapid Training who offer one to one but are pricey

Bigyin wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 7:31 pm The only national organization where advanced instruction can be given bike to bike in real time is the DVSA enhanced rider scheme

Not strictly true, unless you mean 'instructors' on the DVSA's own register (Register of Post-Test Motorcycle Trainers). They are the only people who can offer training for the.DVSA's own Enhanced Rider scheme. Which isn't (well, it wasn't when it started and I don't recall anything changing) actually 'advanced' training*.

The BMF Blue Riband Advanced Rider Award is national (but not many centres now, from its height of 45). It has training by instructors who may or may not be on the RPMT.

In ye olden days, it used to be - very roughly - that RoSPA Gold was the highest standard, Silver and IAM 'pass' were - roughly - equivalent.

I passed Star Rider 'Gold' course (now defunct) probably equivalent to RoSPA Gold.

But IAM have muddied the waters with their 'First' pass grade for the best performers, and their separate 'Masters' training and test.

* IIRC 'DAS' instructors were eligible for the register.

Oh, while I think of it, instructor 'qualifications'.

Passing a riding test isn't the same as an instructional qualification.

[As a matter of interest, anyone can call themself an 'advanced motorcycle instructor' and charge for training. Car instructor? No, legally you need to be an ADI]

And tests and qualifications can be internally or externally verified.

Then it gets even more complicated

For example, same as Spin, I have an Edexcel-accredited Level 3 Award in post-rider training.

I was also a tutor for the Award. My work as a tutor was externally verified by an assessor from Edexcel.

I believe that IAM's set of Observer qualifications is externally verified by the IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) but I don't know how. And their courses are accredited by the DVSA, but I don't know how.

And if we want to turn out muddy waters into swamp, let's introduce DIAmond. That's the Driving Instructors' Association's advanced test.

They say "Diamond offers the only advanced driver and rider assessment programme closely aligned with the DVSA's Cardington system." and that their examiner course is accredited by DVSA.

They also say:
"The UK’s only government accredited advanced driver and rider training and testing programme wholly delivered by regulated training professionals"

Clear?

Thanks!

I went for this one:

https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses/advanced-rider

Paid my money. The group have reached out and I hope to start within the next couple of weeks.
It should be more than enough to shake off the cobwebs and gain my confidence.

Having passed various tests mentioned above, the BMF Blue Riband is my favourite because it’s taught by professional instructors, not amateur tutors.

Albeit not cheap, Rapid Training is outstanding if you’re solely focused on skills and don’t need a certificate/badge.

Evotion wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 6:58 pm I went for this one:

https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses/advanced-rider

The IAM is a good choice for its members-only insurance and social ride-outs.