Advanced motorcycle training can help you become a safer, more confident rider. But whether it’s worth the investment often depends on your personal riding goals and existing skill level.
In this guide, we’ll explain what advanced motorcycle training covers, the potential benefits, and how to choose the right course for you.
What is advanced motorcycle training?
Advanced motorcycle training is post-test training designed to help qualified riders improve their existing skills.
This type of course helps you gain more control, confidence, and road safety, as well as improve your riding experience. Advanced training typically covers:
- Riding positioning and technique
- Risk management and hazard perception
- Motorcycle control and speed management
For your reference, common UK advanced training schemes include IAM RoadSmart, RoSPA Advanced Rider, and the DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme.
What does an advanced motorcycle training course cover?
Advanced motorcycle training courses cover a variety of topics and skills designed to make you a more competent rider. These include:
- Reading the road in different circumstances and conditions
- Identifying and responding to hazards
- Cornering with confidence and precision
- Overtaking safely and at speed
- Braking techniques for a variety of road conditions and situations
The format for advanced motorcycle training courses usually includes a mix of group activities, assessed one-to-one rides, and instructor commentary. You’ll also be expected to take part in on-road and theory sessions.
Benefits of advanced motorcycle training
Completing advanced motorcycle training can come with its share of potential benefits, including:
- More road confidence
- Improved road safety and hazard awareness
- Greater control and a better overall riding experience
- The potential for lower insurance costs as many insurers recognise advanced rider qualifications and may reduce premiums
Things to consider before taking advanced motorcycle training
Before committing to taking an advanced motorcycle training course, here are some things you may want to consider:
- Costs: The cost of an advanced motorcycle training course can vary depending on the provider and location, typically ranging from £175 to £250. For reference, the IAM Course can cost around £220. Knowing the potential course costs up front can help you decide whether it’s worth the investment.
- Time commitment: Some advanced training courses can span months, while others take a single day. Deciding how much time you can commit to additional training before choosing a course can help you make the right choice.
- Existing skill level: You may already ride at a level where the benefits of taking specific advanced courses are minimal. It’s always worth checking exactly what a potential course covers before committing.
- Insurance savings: It’s worth noting that reduced premiums aren’t guaranteed when you’ve completed advanced motorcycle training, and policies can vary by insurer.
- Personal value: The value you get from advanced training often depends on your riding style, your annual mileage, potential risk exposure, and whether you’re likely to apply the skills you’ve learned.
Who is an ideal candidate for advanced motorcycle training?
Whether you’ve recently passed your test or you’re a slightly more experienced rider, you may benefit from advanced motorcycle training. You may also be an ideal candidate if:
- You’ve recently passed your test and want to build a strong riding foundation
- You’re returning to motorcycling after a long break
- You’re upgrading to a new or more powerful motorcycle
- You want to reduce risk, improve confidence, and possibly save on your insurance premiums
You may not fully benefit from advanced motorcycle training if you’re a highly skilled rider who already applies good practices, or you only ride occasionally and in low-risk settings.
However, whatever type of rider you are and regardless of your skill level, improving your motorcycle safety is always valuable.
How to pick the right advanced motorcycle training course
Here’s what you should look for when choosing the right motorcycle training course for your riding requirements:
- Course accreditation: Choose courses run through recognised schemes, such as IAM, RoSPA, and ERS, as they’re typically the most reliable, regulated, and trustworthy.
- Instructor reviews: Look for courses led by instructors with positive reviews. That way, you’ll likely get more from your training and learn skills you can actually apply on the road.
- Training syllabus: Review the topics and modules that potential courses cover to ensure you’ll learn skills relevant to your riding goals.
- Costs and potential value: Consider potential course costs and how many sessions, observations, and post-training follow-ups you’ll get for your investment.
- Bike requirements: Can you use your motorcycle, or will you need to hire one for the course? This is information worth finding out before committing to a particular course.
- Logistics: Some courses are more convenient and flexible than others. That said, it’s worth choosing a course held on days, at times, and in a location that suits you.
- Qualifications or certification: Check whether you’ll receive a recognised qualification or certification, or a potential insurance reduction, at the end of the course to decide whether it’s worth the investment.
Keep your motorbike covered with dedicated insurance from Devitt
Advanced motorcycle training is worth the investment if you’re looking to become more controlled, confident, and responsible on the road. Taking part in advanced training may also reduce your motorcycle insurance premiums.
If you need motorcycle insurance, we’re here to help. We’ve helped UK riders secure suitable policies since 1936, so you’re in good hands.
Whether you ride for leisure or business, we can provide cover options to suit your specific situation.
Request a quote online or call our team on 0345 872 3614.
Disclaimer: The sole purpose of this article is to provide guidance on the issues covered. This article is not intended to give legal advice, and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon. It should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and/or market practice in this area. We make no claims as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein or in the links which were live at the date of publication.
You should not act upon (or should refrain from acting upon) information in this publication without first seeking specific legal and/or specialist advice. Devitt, a trading name of Devitt Insurance Services Limited, accepts no liability for any inaccuracy, omission or mistake in this publication, nor will we be responsible for any loss which may be suffered as a result of any person relying on the information contained herein.