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Wednesday, 3 October 2023

Enhanced rider scheme: personalised motorcycle training

Get more out of your riding and motorcycle by taking the enhanced rider scheme. You'll get your own trainer to help you make your riding more enjoyable. You can also get insurance discounts with most motorcycle insurance brokers. Find out how to find a trainer and get started.

About the enhanced rider scheme

Watch videos to see how other riders benefited

The enhanced rider scheme will:

  • help you get more out of your riding
  • make your riding more enjoyable
  • give you a chance to show your skills - and qualify for an insurance discount as a result

There is no test involved.

Who the enhanced rider scheme is for

The enhanced rider scheme is for fully licensed motorcyclists who have passed their test. It's ideal for you if you:

  • have just passed your test
  • are returning to riding after a break
  • are upgrading to a more powerful motorcycle
  • want a health check on your riding
  • just want to make your riding more enjoyable
  • enjoy riding out in groups

What the enhanced rider scheme involves

Once you have found an enhanced rider scheme trainer, you:

  • will have a riding assessment to find out what you are good at
  • will get a 'DSA certificate of competence' if you don't need any help from your trainer
  • might have tailored training to help you be amongst the best and get more out of your riding

Finding and choosing your enhanced rider scheme trainer

Your expert trainer

Your trainer will be a highly skilled rider who wants to share their knowledge and expertise with you

To get started you need to find and choose a trainer. They will be with one of the experts from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) register of post-test motorcycle trainers.

About the enhanced rider scheme trainers

The expert trainers on the list:

  • are all highly skilled riders
  • have proved they have the skills to give you quality training
  • are checked regularly to make sure they keep up a high standard
  • want to share their expertise with you so you can get more out of your riding

How much the enhanced rider scheme costs

The cost of taking the scheme varies from trainer to trainer and from rider to rider, depending on their needs.

The enhanced rider scheme assessment

At the end of the assessment

If you don't need any training, the process ends there - you'll then be eligible for an insurance discount

The enhanced rider scheme assessment will find out:

  • what you're good at
  • where your trainer can help you get more out of your riding

What happens during the enhanced rider scheme assessment

You'll go for a ride out with your trainer. You'll ride in different road and traffic conditions so you can show them your skills.

The ride will last long enough for your trainer to make an accurate assessment of your needs. For most people this is one to two hours.

If you don't need any training

If you don't need any training, the process ends there.

You'll get a 'DSA certificate of competence' and be eligible for an insurance discount.

You could then start thinking about moving onto an advanced riding course. You can find out more about advanced riding by clicking on the link below.

If you need enhanced rider scheme training

Your training

You'll get expert advice and be shown how to sharpen your skills

If you do need some training, you'll get your own personalised plan for sharpening your skills.

The plan will focus on the areas that'll help you get more out of your riding.

What your training includes

The training is not a 'one size fits all' approach - it's all personalised for you.

Your trainer will help you with the areas that will make your riding more enjoyable. They'll give you expert advice and show you how to improve your skills in areas like:

  • cornering
  • filtering
  • negotiating bends
  • positioning
  • riding smoothly

How long the training lasts

You'll get as little or as much training as you need. How you get training varies. Some trainers might offer:

  • all-day courses
  • shorter sessions that you can take over several days to fit around your needs

It's best to check what options are available when choosing your trainer so you get the deal that's right for you.

What happens at the end of your training

After you have had all the training you need you'll get:

  • a report about your riding
  • a 'DSA certificate of competence' - you can use this to get an insurance discount

How to claim your insurance discount

Insurance discounts

Most motorcycle insurance companies give discounts to riders who have the 'DSA certificate of competence'

Once you've got your 'DSA certificate of competence':

  • contact one of the insurers brokers below to get a full quote
  • give the name of the certificate

Most motorcycle insurance companies give discounts to riders who have the certificate.

Insurance brokers sponsoring the scheme

The insurance brokers sponsoring this scheme are:

  • AA Insurance
  • Bennett's Insurance
  • Bikesure
  • Carole Nash
  • Chandler Direct
  • CIA insurance
  • Devitt
  • Direct Choice Insurance
  • E Bike
  • Express Insurance
  • Hastings Direct
  • Lexham
  • MCE Insurance
  • Motorcycle Direct
  • Norwich Union Direct
  • Premium Choice
  • Rampdale
  • Swinton Insurance

Insurers supporting the scheme

The scheme is supported by the following insurers:

  • AXA
  • Chaucer Insurance
  • Equity Red Star
  • Groupama
  • Highway
  • KGM
  • Link/ Zenith
  • NIG
  • Norwich Union
  • Royal & Sun Alliance

After the enhanced rider scheme

After you have done the enhanced rider scheme you could take an advanced riding course. You can find out more about advanced riding by clicking on the link below.

Provided by the Driving Standards Agency

Additional links

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