Motorcycle trainer standards check

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1. When you have to take the standards check

The motorcycle trainer standards check assesses your ability to teach pupils on a compulsory basic training (CBT) course.

You should take at least one standards check during each 4-year period that you鈥檙e registered as a motorcycle trainer. You do not have to pay for the check.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will contact the training body where you work to arrange a date and time for your standards check.

You can be removed from the motorcycle trainer register if you keep missing your standards check.

There are different rules for in Northern Ireland.

2. What happens at the standards check

The check will take place at your motorcycle training body.

A Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) examiner will watch you train a group of pupils in a normal compulsory basic training (CBT) lesson.

The lesson must include practical riding - elements C or E of the CBT syllabus, or both of them.

The lesson can also include theoretical training and a pre-ride briefing - elements A, B or D, or any combination of them.

What you need to bring to the check

For the check you need:

  • your motorcycle instructor registration certificate
  • a motorcycle that you can ride on roads, for example it must have up-to-date vehicle tax and an MOT certificate
  • at least 2 pupils riding motorcycles or mopeds
  • 2-way radio equipment for you and each pupil

Your mentor and training body authority holder cannot take part in the lesson.

If you cannot train 2 or more pupils

You鈥檒l fail the standards check if you do not train 2 or more pupils as part of your standards check.

You can only train one pupil if your CBT lesson records show that you regularly train one pupil as part of your normal lesson structure.

What you鈥檒l be marked on

The examiner will look for evidence that you meet the national standard for driver and rider training.

They鈥檒l follow guidance for carrying out the check and mark you on 17 areas of competence that are grouped into 3 categories:

  • lesson planning
  • risk management
  • teaching and learning skills

The 17 areas of competence are listed in the motorcycle trainer standards check form, which the examiner will fill in during your check.

You鈥檒l get a score from 0 to 3 for each of the 17 competencies, which are added up to give a total score.

3. Your standards check result

After you give the lesson, the examiner will discuss your performance and give you the result. This will take about 15 minutes.

You can invite your mentor or the training body authority holder to join you during this discussion.

You鈥檒l be sent your completed standards check form by email.

Total score Result Description
0 to 30 Fail Your performance is unsatisfactory
31 to 42 Pass Your performance is satisfactory
43 to 51 Pass You鈥檝e shown a high standard of instruction

Faults which mean you automatically fail

You鈥檒l automatically fail if:

  • you get a score of 7 or less in the 鈥榬isk management鈥� category
  • the examiner stops the lesson because you鈥檝e put yourself or someone else in danger
  • you did not follow the compulsory basic training (CBT) syllabus
  • you incorrectly assessed a pupil鈥檚 road riding, for example you gave them a CBT completion certificate but they should not have passed

If you fail the standards check

You have up to 2 more attempts to pass the standards check.

If you fail 3 times:

  • you鈥檒l be removed from the motorcycle trainer register
  • you鈥檒l have to retake the motorcycle trainer qualifying tests to join the register again