Jargon

When you first start to look at motorcycle training the regulations & requirements can seem confusing. This is because they are; don’t blame us it’s not our fault.

However we can guide you through the maze. Before you do anything you must have the correct provisional entitlement, follow the link on the contacts page for the latest regulations from DVLA or give us a call for free impartial advice.

The New Motorcycle test

You maybe aware that the government has plans to introduce a new bike test, this was originally due for October but because they made such a hash of buying land for the new sites it has been put back six months until March. This is good news because training for the new test will incur higher costs. So we would advise you to get on with it now. The only downside is having to train during the winter, so eat your porridge, wrap up warm and give thanks for global warming.

The DSA didn't cancel the test until just two weeks before it was due to start, ("bloody shambles" was one of the comments we can print) and we had been booked solid for weeks beforehand. It may sound like a cheap sales ploy but we really do expect very high demand during January, February and March so consider booking early to avoid disappointment.

To see details of the new test click the "now's the time" logo on this page.

Motorcycle training for learners in the UK is governed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), which is a part of the Department of Transport and also runs the driving test centres. Motorcycle training schools are known as Approved Training Bodies or ATBs; they have instructors who are tested by the DSA and must have approved off road training sites.

We are an ATB that is run by instructors who are friendly, approachable, and passionate about people, riding bikes and having fun. We don’t employ ex drill sergeants or control freaks, we don’t bite, we won’t shout at you and we seldom pass wind. We do get great results and have a fantastic time in the process.

 Uniquely among training schools we don't ask you to commit to a set length course, we understand that everybody learns at their own pace, so if we recommend you book a 3 day course, but after 2 days you are constantly riding at test standard or better, we won't insist you do the last day, or charge you for it. We conduct lessons 7 days a week and you can mix and match morning and afternoons, weekdays and weekends. You can start a course one week and finish it the next, total flexibility.

Beware training schools that offer fixed price DAS courses, the reason they appear so cheap is because you will find yourself riding a 125cc bike in a group with 3 other students to one instructor for the majority of the course (often this isn't even be a qualified instructor because the regulations are that any bike licence holder can teach learners on 125s). To maximise the income for the school you don't normally ride a DAS bike (500cc) until the day before your test. We don't call that motorcycle training, we call that nonsense.

When your ringing around remember to ask how much time you will spend on a 500 if taking a DAS course, the pupil to instructor ratio and what qualifications your instructor has. CBT and DAS instructors have to carry there DSA accreditation with them at all times.

 The time and hard earned money you spend learning to ride deserve our best efforts at all times and we pride ourselves on the quality of our courses.

For general enquiries, course availability or a general chit-chat call us on   

                               01923 212 994

              or e-mail info@ride2freedom.com