Category Archives: Direct Access

Information regarding the Direct Access motorcycle training course.

Advanced Training, Cardiff, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles

Motorcycle Training Cardiff

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When it comes to choosing a Motorcycle Training School in Cardiff 1st Class Rider Training is your only choice.

Pictured here, our students have the full use of the excellant facilities at our Cardiff based training site, and are able to practice on a full sized roundabout, realistic junctions with authentic road markings, pedestrian crossings and traffic lights. This prepares our students safely and builds confidence before taking to the road.

Pictured below, Instructor Steve teaches the riding system used for carrying out left and right turns. Using our road layouts first we walk through the procedure and we are able to discuss each stage without the risks from traffic found on a real road.

We can fully cover turning left and right both from a Major Road into a Minor Road and from a Minor Road into a Major Road.

This is better than doing this in a classroom on a chart or board and much better than doing this on a car park with junctions made out of cones or markers.

This way we can highlight the correct timing of mirror checks and lifesavers, pausing at each stage without risk.

So whether you are taking CBT (compulsory basic training), Direct Access or Advanced Training, this really is 1st Class Rider Training.

Don’t delay, become a 1st Class Rider today.

Call us now. If our lines are busy please call back, or leave a message and we will call you.

Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles

CHOOSING a Cardiff Motorcycle School

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When it comes to choosing a Cardiff Motorcycle School there are some major factors to consider.

Don’t always make your decision on the face value of the prices alone. See how these prices are broken down and see what you actually get for your money.  Some Training Schools will give a cheap opening price but then add on a cost for bike hire etc.

1st Class Rider Training is a Cardiff Motorcycle School that gives ‘inclusive’ prices, with no hidden charges.

Prices for our Cardiff Direct Access Training cover training from 9.15am until approximately 4.30pm each day.  We believe that others may charge the same as us but will only give you a five hour training day.  This adds up over the duration of your course to a lot of training that you may be paying for (with others) and not getting!

Cardiff Motorcycle School for example train from 8am until 1pm OR from 1pm until 6pm But not both together,  (I know…I used to work for them)  And please don’t be mistaken but the proprietor of Cardiff Motorcycle School and I, are still good friends both personally and professionally. We just offer and operate different training packages.

Remember it is your money that you are spending so get the best value for it pound for pound.

Also ask what facilities each school utilise in their training sites.  1st Class Rider Training has a purpose built training site with a large dexterity area, and a full size ‘mock’ road system with traffic lights, junctions, bends and a full size roundabout.  All for your use before you get out on road.

Other training schools that I have previously worked at (Cardiff Motorcycle School, or  United Motorcycle Training to name just two) are the two closest in distance to 1st Class Rider Training.

Cardiff Motorcycle School are situated to the West of the City, United Motorcycle Training are situated to the North. 1st Class Rider Training is centrally located on the Main A470 North Road in the Maindy area of the City.

We believe that our purpose built site, with realistic road features, better prepares you for riding on the road.

So by all means shop around but if you want 1st Class Rider Training in the Cardiff area then give me a call.

If our lines are busy please call back, or leave a message and I will call you.  Become a 1st Class Rider today.

Cardiff, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

Driving Test 75 years old in 2010

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The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) publication ‘Despatch’ carries an article celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Driving Test.

It states that introduction of the test in 1935 was radical at the time.  With an initial 250 examiners they met test candidates at Car Parks as Test Centres didn’t exist. Nowadays 2000 examiners conduct up to seven tests a day.

Now hold a moment.  let’s look at that comment from the DSA. In 1935 no test centres and testing in car parks…..

Let’s now look at the 2010 situation for Motorcycle Tests.  The DSA say they have met their targets but in 2010 Motorcycle Training Schools are left ‘with no test centres’ and where do we do the test…oh yes in a car park!  A very expensive car park no doubt.  Ah!  the Good Ole Days….

So whilst the DSA celebrate 75 years of ‘progress’ motorcycle schools continue to close down and for those that struggle on, are faced with travelling up to 200 miles round trip in some instances to find a test centre.

And as for getting a test at these non existent test centres!  I called the DSA Booking Centre today and I was told that there were no motorcycle tests available for as far ahead as the DSA system would allow the operator to check. Progress? Oh they said there was a full programme just come up for tomorrow!  How can you plan and prepare candidates for that kind of service.

So where have all the examiners gone.  For South West Wales in the ‘good ole days’ there were examiners working at Cardiff, Bridgend, Merthyr, Newport, Cwmbran, Monmouth and part time at Llandrindod Wells.  But now it is the norm to have just one conducting tests in Newport.  Add in the fact that training schools from as far afield as Hereford are also trying to get tests slots in Newport and the situation quickly becomes a joke.

Backlog…What backlog.

So my message to Rosemary Thew, DSA Chief Executive is this.  Happy Birthday to you and your test.  Have your party, and then pull your finger out and sort out the mess that you, as Chief Executive, are totally responsible for.

Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, News

Booking your Motorcycle Test

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DSA Motorcycle Test Booking System is ‘Down’.

Another blow to the struggling Motorcycle Training Industry Testing System.  With only a small amount of  Motorcycle Testing Sites striving to serve the UK the DSA announced yesterday (31st of  March -at least it wasn’t an April Fools Day announcement) that due to a BT Fire the DSA payments system is ‘down’.

This means that you can not book motorcycle tests via the telephone system or online as the DSA can not process the payments for the tests.  The DSA recorded announcement states that it is unlikely to be rectified ‘within the week’.

This is a huge blow and a great inconvenience to clients and trainers alike.  With Motorcycle Training already hit by a reported 62% drop since the introduction of the New Motorcycle Test this is another major setback.

What does this mean for you if you are looking for Direct Access Training or CBT in Cardiff.  We are pleased to announce that CBT bookings are not affected and we can continue to serve you with the delivery of CBT courses.

Direct Access Training can still go ahead in preparation for your test but we are currently unable to book your test or fix a date.

The DSA booking centre staff can only advise us of any vacancies for tests but they can not be booked or even reserved.  They state that it would simply be a question of a free for all when the lines are repaired and the system is back up and running, as Training Schools fight to get available tests to clear their back log of waiting students.  That’s reassuring then!

This throws the whole system into disarray.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you but it is completely beyond our control.

CBTs are unaffected.

The DSA Booking line number is 0300 200 1122.   Our Direct Booking Line is; 0845 467 0165.

Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

Drinking & Riding

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You couldn’t make this up!

It was reported earlier this month, that a Female Motorcycle Instructor was drunk whilst out training her students on the road.  She fell from her bike three times whilst carrying out Direct Access Training -not in Cardiff I hasten to add.

It was in Bradford that the instructor was found by Police to be almost four times over the drink drive limit.  She was also found to be in possession of two brandy bottles hidden in her jacket…..one of which was empty!

She pleaded guilty at Court and faces a possible jail sentence.

At 1st Class Rider Training we have for some time had the use of a breath test screening device and have used it when students who we suspect have been drinking heavily the night before a training session, turn up smelling of intoxicants ‘the morning after’.

Many people do not realise the effects that drinking in the evening can have on their driving the morning after.

Using a ‘Driving Instructor Association‘ approved Breath Testing Device we reserve the right to require students to undergo a screening test if we suspect them to have an excess of alcohol in their body.  This safeguards us, the students themselves, and any other trainees who may be riding with them.

As we only use instructors with the highest degree of professionalism my instructors will willingly subject themselves to such a test at any time for the full peace of mind of the students they are training.

As for the case of the drunken instructor in Bradford, we know her test was ‘positive’ but it wasn’t reported how her student got on in their test!

Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles, News

Motorcycle Monthly. latest issue, April

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The latest issue of Motorcycle Monthly is out and is available free from 1st Class Rider Training.  The April issue contains news, views, reviews, offers, competitions and much more.

The new Ducati Multistrada is tested, Latest Oxford Products are reviewed.  Also a guide to buying your next bike from an Auction and a ‘road test’ of an ‘Off Road’ Training School, and that’s just from the front page!

So if you are doing your CBT or Direct Access Training in Cardiff make sure you get your copy from us at 1st Class Rider Training.

It’s out now!

Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, News

Direct Access Training. What’s the Cost?

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When booking a ‘Direct Access Course’ please remember that the CBT should be counted as a seperate element.  (The cost of the CBT with 1st Class Rider Training is £125)

After the CBT your Instructor will discuss with you how many days Direct Access Training you may need to take your tests. This further training for the Direct Access Course can be arranged in the run up to your test and costs £140 per day.  (this excludes any DSA tests fees)

So what do you get for your money.  Firstly with us, you will train from 9.15am until approximately 4.30pm each day.  Some training schools charge the same as us but will only give you an 8am -1pm training day- or similar.

Included in your £140 is the use of the bike, fuel, and insurance whilst you are training and we can loan you a helmet, jacket, gloves and waterproofs whilst you are training.  The equipment is loaned free of charge.

So there are no hidden charges.  When you breakdown the cost for the day it equates, approximately to just £18 per hour!

Excellant value for money for the service and quality of training that you will recieve.

So spend your money wisely, give 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff a call to book you Direct Access Course, now.

Advice, Cardiff, CBT, Direct Access, Motorcycle Training, Motorcycles

Direct Access Instructor

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1st Class Rider Training prides itself on the quality of our Direct Access Instructors, (read the testimonial page to see the result).

But what should you look for when choosing an Instructor for your Direct Access Training.  If possible come along and meet us in advance of booking your course.  You can get a fair impression over the phone but we would welcome anyone thinking of booking a course to come and meet us to discuss your training needs and options face to face.

In order to become a Direct Access Instructor you must first complete the 2 day Cardington Assessment for CBT Instruction.  This assessment is carried out over 2 consecutive days at the DSA (Driving Standards Agency) assessment centre at Cardington in Bedford.

Once the CBT assessment has been successfully completed you may then undergo the further half day Direct Access Assessment.

This is where a great emphasis is placed on the step up from a 125 (CBT Bike) to the ‘Big Bike’.

You will be given a series of three instructional ‘on road’ exercises but first you will be given an exercise teaching the stooge ‘student’ the controls of his chosen bike and the differences in the response of the throttle and the effectiveness of the brakes, when compared to the 125s. You will be assessed not only on your instructional skills but also the control of the training situations and in particular the control over the student at higher speeds on National Speed Limit roads and country lanes.

The Direct Access Scheme stipulates a minimum power out put for the bike needed for training but does not stipulate any upper limits.  This effectively means that you can train on any size bike over and above the minimum power required.  But realistically training schools generally make use of 500 and 600cc bikes.   But if you want to take your test on your new Hyabusa, or your Harley Davidson Fat Boy- you can! But it is probably better to let us choose your training bike!

At 1st Class Rider Training we believe that if the CBT is carried out thoroughly and effectively then it makes the step up to the Big Bike training so much easier, and at 1st Clas Rider Training we carry out our own in house assessments and development of our Direct Access Instructors, over and above that required by the DSA.

So for your Direct Access Course if you choose 1st Class Rider Training you are getting a 1st Class Instructor.