Our Tutoring



Tutoring Overview

To get things started, you’ll need to Join the Group as an Associate member. We’ll pair you up with a Tutor as soon as one becomes available.  Due to the popularity of our tutoring, there may be a waiting list but you’re most welcome to attend Group Nights and group ride outs whilst waiting for your tutoring to begin.

Tutoring sessions are normally conducted on a 1:1 basis at times to suit you and your Tutor and as the tutoring is tailored to your needs, there is no fixed number of sessions; it will take as long as is needed.

The majority of your time will be spent riding on the road with your Tutor, but you will also need to take the time to practice between sessions and do some reading on occasions too.

Our tutoring is based on the skills and techniques described in ‘Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider’s Handbook to Better Motorcycling‘.  Much of your time will be spent developing your hazard anticipation, observation and planning skills, combined with appropriate use of speed and position to maximise safety.  You will focus on applying these skills in real-life situations including riding on rural roads and motorways, negotiating junctions, overtaking and cornering.

Specifically, you will cover:

  • Why and where motorcycle accidents happen
  • The characteristics of a good rider
  • The IPSGA system of motorcycle control
  • Observation
  • Hazard anticipation, identification, planning and negotiation
  • Signalling, gears, braking and acceleration
  • Overtaking and filtering
  • Cornering
  • Making progress where conditions safely and legally permit
  • Motorway and dual carriageway riding
  • Slow riding
  • Pre-ride bike checks
  • Highway Code knowledge

Experience and Bike Required

Advanced riding techniques will benefit any rider, regardless of age, sex, experience, occupation, where or when you ride or the type or size of bike you have. This includes sports bike and young riders too.

Our only requirements are that you have passed your DSA test and are committed to learning.

If you’ve passed your DSA test in the past two years and/or have a motorcycle that is restricted to 25 kW (33 BHP) then being tutored by us is no problem.  If you’re under 26 years, you’ll also get a discount on our Fees and the RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test too!

Commitment Needed

There is no prescribed timetable or expectation and what you do is geared to your need and ability.  But first and foremost, you’ll need a determination to learn combined with a positive attitude.

You should expect to spend between 10-30 hours riding with Tutors to reach a good standard for test, plus any other group training or rides you may participate in.

At the end of each tutoring session, your Tutor will recommend that you practice specific things and may also ask you to study aspects of the Highway Code and Motorcycle Roadcraft.  It is essential that you complete the work requested prior to the next session.


Initial Assessment Session

Once you’re assigned a Tutor, they will contact you to arrange an initial assessment session.  This will normally last around 2.5 hours and will involve the following:

  • An explanation of the tutoring process
  • A discussion about your experience and what you want to achieve
  • A document check (please bring your licence, MOT & insurance certificate)
  • A short ride to establish your current skill level and tutoring needs
  • A full debrief on the ride
  • A chat about next steps and timescales

Arranging Tutoring Times and Duration

Sessions are arranged at any time to suit you and your Tutor by mutual agreement.  They will vary in length, content and distance covered, but you should expect that most will last a minimum of 1.5-2 hours.

Tutoring duration depends on your initial skill level and is also influenced by your commitment to learn and practice.

As a guide, you should expect to complete between 5 and 10 sessions plus other progress check rides.

A tutoring session is recommended every 2-4 weeks, although this will vary depending on factors such as, yours and the Tutors availability plus the number of miles you’ve ridden after the last session.

It is important to spend time practising what your Tutor has discussed with you, miles in the saddle will help you become more fluid using the system of motorcycle control and make things such as lifesavers and scanning for hazards second nature.


Group Tutoring and Theory Sessions

From time to time, we will organise tutoring sessions in which a group of Associates get together and have a ride-out with one or more Tutors.  If you normally ride with one or more friends and would like to explore doing some tutoring together, then don’t hesitate to ask.

This provides experience of group riding and a structured guidance opportunity in a more relaxed environment, without the intensity of a 1:1 session.  It is also a great way of meeting other new group members. If we haven’t mentioned it and you would like to do something like this, please ask your Tutor or a Training Officer.  During the winter months, we may also organise theory sessions to keep things moving.


Pre-test Check Ride

Once your Tutor thinks you are ready to take the test, will arranged for you to have a pre-test checkride.

The pre-test checkride will be conducted by one of the Group Advanced Tutors under full test conditions.  This will be an opportunity for you to complete a full dress rehearsal before doing the real thing, and allow any final preparation as necessary.  As examiners do not publish test routes, the route used during this session will not be your actual test route.


RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test

The RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test is the ultimate civilian test of riding competence.  Although taking any test can be daunting, the RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle test should be considered part of the learning process and a great opportunity to spend time with an experienced Police motorcyclist.  Passes are uniquely graded at Bronze, Silver or Gold, which will give you an accurate view of your riding progress.  Given the demanding nature of the test, a pass at any grade should be considered a real achievement!

Your Examiner: RoSPA examiners are all serving or retired Police Motorcycle Officers with many years of professional and private riding experience.  As a minimum, they will hold a Police advanced level qualification.  Most importantly, they are fellow motorcycle enthusiasts.

Test Format: The test will last for about 1.5 hours and will include:

  • A friendly chat (to put you at ease and enable you to get to know your examiner)
  • A document check (licence, MOT & insurance)
  • Completion of standard pre-ride checks
  • A pre-ride briefing including a description of the route to be followed.  The examiner will also give you clear directions whilst riding so don’t worry if you are not familiar with the route or can’t remember it all!
  • A test ride, covering a variety of roads, lasting about 1 hour.
  • Highway Code and Roadcraft theory questions (asked either at the beginning or end, or a combination of both)

At the end of the test, your examiner will give you a thorough debrief and then let you know how you’ve done including your grade, if you’ve passed.  Following your test, you will receive a written report.

To Apply;  To Apply for you test then follow this link.