Information regarding the Direct Access motorcycle training course.
A busy month at 1st Class Rider Training.
Congratulations to the following who have passed their bike tests so far in May. Andrew Mod 1&2, Bob Mod 1&2, Marc Mod 1&2, Dale Mod 1, Steve Mod 1, Lucy Mod 2, Jason Mod 2, Simon Mod 2, Dan Mod 1&2, Gavin Mod 1, Colin Mod 1&2.
Plus 6 RoSPA Advanced Tests. Looking forward to June.
When you need to get it right first time, you need to spend time with the professionals. When it matters who you spend your cash with and what you get for you money, you need to choose a company that will give you the best, consistently, time after time.
Just read our testimonials, and google reviews. You don’t get a second chance so spend your money wisely.
If it’s ‘Motorcycle Training Cardiff‘ you are looking for…..you just found it.
1st Class Rider Training – Cardiff, for all your motorcycle training needs, ride outs, European Trips and more. CBT, 49cc Scooters, 125cc, Direct Access, 500cc 600cc, and up to an Accredited Advanced Test Grade. we are the ‘one stop shop’.
Here at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we have just taken delivery of the new, May 2011 Edition of ‘Motorcycle Monthly’. This a fabulous Monthly all about Motorcycling and all things connected to biking. It is absolutely FREE.
You can get you copy from any of our 1st Class Instructors or if you are passing, call in and collect your copy.
This edition is filled with news, reviews and competitions. News such as having a Bikesafe Day at Castle Combe Race Circuit, a report which shows that Driver Error is the top cause of crashes (there’s a surprise!!) and an appeal for bikers to support the Air Ambulance Charity Ride Out.
There is also report on the new tyres by MAXXIS, and it asks ‘are the any good’. Read it and find out. Our Instructor, Simon currently uses them on his Kawasaki GTR 1400, so when you collect your copy you can ask what he thinks of them.
Motorcycle Monthly May 2011, not to be missed.
Free at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff.
We do motorcycle training in Cardiff, Motorcycle Training in Newport, Motorcycle Training in Swansea and anywhere in between. Compulsory Basic Training, Direct Access Training and Advanced Motorcycle Training. If you want it…..we do it….
At 1st Class Rider Training -Cardiff we can book your practical motorcycle test for you, but on occasion clients prefer to do this themselves.
Here is the advice, as given by the Driving Standards Agency, on booking your practical tests.
Make sure you are ready for your test. You can do this by getting advice from an Approved Training Body (ATB for Motorcyclists). You can get details of the DSA publications to help your preparation from www.direct.gov.uk/motoring .
How to Book a Test.
Internet Bookings- You can book or change a test on line at www.direct.gov.uk/drivingtest .
Phone Bookings.
You can book a test using a credit or debit card (as long as you are the cardholder) by phoning 0300 200 1122 You can use this number for re-booking and other enquiries. Minicom users should phone 0300 200 1144, and for service in Welsh call 0300 200 1133.
When phoning to make a book, you will need a credit or debit card, theory test certificate number and driving licence number. The DSA state that
your call may be monitored or recorded for training purposes.
Postal Bookings.
Postal applications can be made using a form DL26. The form is available from your ATB or from any Driving Test Centre.
Send the form to;
The Driving Standards Agency
PO Box 280
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1FP
Some important advice when booking a test.
If the date of your test is within three clear working days (Saturdays are counted -but not Sundays or Bank Holidays) of the date of your request, this is a ‘Short Notice’ test booking. If you accept a short notice test booking you cannot cancel it or change it without losing the test fee. Please make sure you can go for your test on that day and make sure your instructor is available before you accept the booking.
Theory Test.
You can book a practical test only if you have passed the relevant theory test or are exempt from the need to take a theory test. For information about whether you are exempt or not please call one of the booking line numbers given above.
Special Needs
To make sure there is enough time for your test the DSA need to know if you have any hearing difficulties, any special circumstances, any movement restriction or any disability. If you have a hearing difficulty or cannot speak English, you may bring an interpreter who must be at least 16 years old. Please tell the DSA, when you book the test if you are going to bring an interpreter.
Weekday Evening Tests (Summer only) or Weekend Tests.
You have to pay more for these tests and they are not carried out at all test centres. There is a list of test centres offering this service, in the test centre waiting rooms or you can get information by calling 0300 200 1122.
Extended Tests.
You should ask for an extended test only if a Court has ordered you to take an extended test after being disqualified from driving.
Where you Must Live.
You cannot take a test or get a full licence unless you are normally resident (live) in the UK. This means that must work here (and pay tax) or have close family here. However, if you have moved to the UK from another European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) Country you should not take a driving test, or get your first full licence unless you have lived here for 185 days in the last 12 months and are still living here at the time you apply for your licence. The test centre may ask you to provide evidence of this.
Appointment Changes.
You can change your test appointment using any of the booking methods above, providing that you give suffucient notice. If you are ill and cannot give the required notice to cancel your test appointment please phone 0300 200 1122 for more advice.
The DSA will contact you by phone or letter if they need to change your appointment for any reason.
The DSA state that they will always try to make sure that your test appointment goes ahead. If they cancel your test at short notice they will provide a copy of their ‘Refunding out-of-pocket Expenses’ form either at the test centre or by post. They will not pay compensation when a test is cancelled due to bad weather but will automatically arrange another appointment.
Details of the DSA service standards and complaints procedures can be found in their ‘Customer Service – A guide to service standards’ leaflet which is available from all DSA offices and test centres.
This information is reproduced from the DSA Advice Leaflet DL26i.
If you have any further queiries please give the DSA a call or contact us here at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff and we will be happy to help.
The DSA have announced that they are to stop publicising the Driving Test Routes.
Here at 1st Class Rider Training- Cardiff, we welcome that move. We are a firm believer that it is no good to teach a candidate simply to rehearse a test route, but to teach them to ride, and then passing the test is easy.
If you go to any area which has a test centre nearby you will see the same driving/ riding schools riding around and around the test routes. We believe that this does not do the candidate any good in their decision making and enhancing their own ability to read the road and road signs. They are simply learning a test route by rote.
As trainers we must be looking to produce the next generation of road users who are safe and make good timely decisions of their own accord and not simply turn out drivers and riders who get rid of the L plates as quickly as possible.
We have a responsibility to our students to ensure that they can get the best from their bike, before it gets the better of them. We make a point of training and riding anywhere other than the test route to fully prepare our students for life on the road. That way they have to develop their own skills at reading the road and taking notice of road signs.
This is why we take students for tests at any test centre we can get to and back in day. It all counts in their favour and the fact that they ‘”don’t know the area” shouldn’t have any affect on their ability to ride safely and with confidence.
Let’s produce Riders…. not just get rid of L plates.
Good move DSA, Well Done.
There are more changes to come with regards to the new Motorcycle Practical Test.
From the 4st of October Module 2 of the Test, which is the practical, on road ride, will include a section of independent riding. What this means is that the candidate will simply be asked to follow a series of directions or traffic signs. For example the instruction might be, “Follow signs towards the M4 and then follow signs for Cwmbran” (if your test is in Newport that is!).
The purpose of this to make the test a more natural and realistic ride, taking more responsibility for their own actions rather than just following step by step directions given by the examiner. It is anticipated that this would take up approximately 10 minutes for the whole duration of the test.
Students won’t fail for going the wrong way (unless they end up heading for London along the M4 !) but they will be tested on their ability to make decisions in a timely and well managed way taking account of route and traffic conditions. It will give the candidate the opportunity to ride as if they are on their own, and unsupervised.
This shouldn’t be too much of problem for 1st Class Rider Training students. As it is now, when training we give directions like, “Take me to MacDonalds and then follow signs to Burger King”…..
Don’t be misled by our full Business Name. 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff. We still carry out Motorcycle Training in Newport and Swansea.
Whilst our office and approved CBT site is based in Cardiff we carry out much of our training for Direct Access Courses in Newport and Swansea.
With Module 1 of the new test taking place at the Multi Purpose Test Centres in Swansea or Newport much of our time is spent in these areas., I must still stress that we don’t simply rehearse the test route like some other training schools but we spend this time teaching you to ride in a variety of road conditions often well away from the test routes.
Also some other training schools have re-located their main training base into these areas but this requires you to travel and to make your own way often a considerable distance to the training base, but with us we include the journey to the testing areas as part of your training. Our bikes are kept in Cardiff so the journey to the test centres is done with you in control and in the saddle.
So you spend more time in the saddle, and clock up more miles as we use the travelling to enhance the teaching experience.
So if you want 1st Class Rider Training in Newport give us a call.
If you want 1st Class Rider Training in Swansea give us a call.
If you want 1st Class Rider Training anywhere in between ! Give us a call.
It matters not where you live, you can still become a 1st Class Rider today.
It’s business as usual for us. Make a note of our new number.
0845 108 2906.
If you are looking for 1st Class Rider Training in the Newport or Cardiff area then this is the new number you need.
In recent weeks there have been a number of training schools which have closed and a number who are down sizing resulting in some Instructors being laid off.
This is not the case for us. Here at 1st Class Rider Training we have seen an up-turn in our client numbers. Clients who are seeking the best Motorcycle Training in Cardiff & Newport areas.
Offering Motorcycle Training in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and throughout the South Wales area we have recently taken on two additional Instructors and opened up a second booking line to cope with the demand.
To maintain and improve our levels of service you now have the choice of two Direct Booking Line Numbers.
If the lines are busy please leave a message or call back.
Direct Booking Lines:
0845 467 0165. 0845 108 2906.
Or to speak to me personally please call my mobile number: 07545 567 273.
We will do our best to fit you in.
The syllabus set out for completing a CBT contains the Emergency Stop manouevre.
The ‘book’ says ‘explain wet weather braking’.
At 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we think that it is better to experience wet weather braking and not simply have it explained.
Paying particular attention to skid control, prevention and rectification this builds confidence in our students and shows that whilst we should respect the wet, we shouldn’t fear it.
It only takes a couple of buckets of water and is well worth the effort to see the positive results and the boost in confidence of our 1st Class Riders.
If you want to try it in a safe and controlled environment then why not sign up for our ‘Slow Manouevering & Emergency Braking Day’. 31st July.
Call now for details.
Pictured here are our CBT students practising emergency stops in the wet. Under the watchful eye and close supervision of Instructor Steve.
Below is an extract of an item found on the Department of Transport website, dated 8th of June. You can have your say via email using the consultation email address below. Tell them what you think. Good or Bad. If we have the chance to make a difference and to make Motorcycle Training and Testing safer then let’s speak up!
Here is the item:
A review of the motorcycle testing and training regime was today announced by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.
The two-part motorcycle test was introduced in April 2009 to meet the requirements of the second EU Directive on driving licences.
The Minister ordered the review after listening to concerns from motorcycle groups and visiting a test centre to look at the testing procedure in more detail. Ways to improve training will also be considered.
Mike Penning said:
“Road safety is a top priority and the testing and training on offer is vital in our work to cut the disproportionately high numbers of motorcyclists killed and injured on our roads each year.
“It is clear there are concerns among the motorcycling community about the safety of the new test’s off-road module. There have also been complaints about the difficulty for riders in some areas of accessing the off-road test centres.
“That is why I am today asking riders, safety groups and motorcycle industry representatives to come forward with their ideas for how testing and training can be improved to ensure we produce safe, confident and responsible riders.”
The new test was introduced in order to meet the requirements of the second EU Directive on driving licences. While most elements in the off-road module 1 test are required by the Directive, there may be scope to make some changes to the way in which the test is carried out.
The DfT review will look at the manoeuvres carried out in both modules 1 (off-road) and 2 (on-road) and whether these manoeuvres could safely be conducted in the on-road test.
The review will also look at other related motorcycle testing and training issues, including the options for training and testing for progressive access under the third driving licence directive and how any changes relate to wider proposals to improve motorcycle training and testing.
Views are welcome from motorcycle riders, trainers, road safety groups, the wider public and others on what aspects of the motorcycle test should be looked at, including how and where they think motorcycle testing might best and most safely be carried out.
The precise scope and terms of reference of the review will be determined following discussions with motorcycle groups and other interested parties, with the aim of concluding the review by the autumn.
Views should be submitted to the Department for Transport by 31 July.
Notes to Editors:
Views can be sent to the DfT by email on: RUSD4consultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk
The current motorcycle test was introduced in April 2009 and is taken in two parts.
Module 1 contains the specified manoeuvres element of the test including exercises designed to assess the rider’s ability to control their machine safely, including avoidance and emergency stop exercises.
Module 2 includes an eyesight test and at least 30 minutes of on road riding.
Press Enquires: 020 7944 3066
Out of Hours: 020 7944 4292
Public Enquiries: 0300 330 3000
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk