Motorcycle Instructor Training Course (CBT & DAS)

The Department of Transport's Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is the regulatory body that supervises Approved Training Bodies (ATB's) and tests all Instructors. Our training is conducted to meet their requirements, for you to qualify through their examinations.

Channel Rider Training are an ATB authorised by the DSA to train Instructors.

There are varying levels of Instructor qualification :-

a) CBT 1 A "down-trained" instructor, (qualified by an ATB, a CBT1 licence is only valid for use at the issuing ATB.)

Qualified CBT1 Instructors can undertake the training of novices in CBT, and up to A2 (Restricted Motorcycle) test.

They can teach novices and issue CBT certificates but not carry out DAS ("Big Bike") training. Unfortunately, DAS is the most sought after qualification from all ATB's and is realistically a requirement for a full time career as an Instructor.

To retain your licence, both the ATB's Chief Instructor and the local DSA Examiners must periodically review your performance. This is the minimum standard for Instructor status.

b) Cardington Assessed Instructor After undertaking a 2 day assessment at the DSA's Driving Examiner's Training Centre at Cardington, Bedfordshire you get the "C licence".

The ability to teach novices and to supervise other Instructors will be stringently tested. Cardington isn't a training course, it's a 2-day examination. If you fail, the DSA may revoke your existing authorisation. You must be well prepared for the Cardington exam.
If failing twice in one year, a one-year ban from all tests automatically follows.

If you pass, you will be qualified as a CBT, Supervising and Monitoring Instructor able to "down-train" other Instructors to CBT1 standard; train novices up to A2 Motorcycle test pass and issue CBT Certificates. You are now qualified in your own right. You still can't carry out DAS training. But the demand from ATB's rises with this qualification.

c) Direct Access (DAS) Instructor Only after passing stage b) above, will you be qualified to attend at Cardington for DAS assessment, at a ½ day examination for the "C & D licence".

On passing, you will have reached the top DSA Instructor level, qualified to teach novice motorcyclists through all stages, including "Big Bikes" of unlimited power.

If you pass, you are even qualified to set up your own Training School But you must retain your own "Cardington" licence, or employ others who have this, to keep your school open.

So, how do we do this ?

The only qualification required is a Full Motorcycle Licence, held for at least three years. (You can train earlier but can't qualify until the 3-year threshold has been reached.) Serious convictions may mean Cardington declining to accept you. If in doubt, we can clear this up before training.

You first attend one or more of our CBT instruction days and will be debriefed by us, to ascertain your enthusiasm and ability.

If considered a suitable candidate, you receive an offer from us of entry to our Approved Instructor Training course. You will be trained by us to undertake each specific module of the mandatory course, training novices, under the direct supervision of our Instructors.

1) Training
Your training, in both the Theory and Practical modules of the CBT course takes place at our Training Centre in Cheriton, Folkestone, Kent.

You will be working with genuine pupils of varying abilities; gaining real experience as well as our Instructors providing more demanding "role play candidates".

a) You will be taught to teach all the elements of CBT training. In fact we go beyond the DSA requirements. We intend that all candidates are comfortably above the required standard and confident when tested.

b) When judged by us to be ready, we will license you as a CBT1 "Down-Trained" Instructor.

c) Once licensed with our ATB as a CBT 1, you may be invited to conduct CBT and A2 training and testing for our School.

If so, you will be paid for any training of novices you carry out, at our normal rates. You can earn the training course fee back from us.

We recommend you do this. For Cardington, you will need to be extremely well practised, to the point that you can undertake their examination in confidence. (Remember, they use "role play" not real pupils, to really test you.)

d) We complete your training with specific preparation for the Cardington Assessment, to brief their "role-play" pupils and to understand what they are expecting from you. You must be prepared, if not you will be lucky to pass.

e) When ready we will apply for a Cardington Assessment for you (remember, if you fail they may revoke your CBT1, then you're back to start). You then attend their 2-day examination.

Cardington are presently considering integration of the CBT and DAS assessments. However, at present these are separate and the DAS element can only be taken after achieving the C licence.

f) Our Instructors will then prepare you for the Cardington Direct Access Instructor assessment. When ready we will apply for you. You then attend their ½ day examination.

On passing, you will be qualified as CBT Supervising & Monitoring Instructor with Direct Access.

That's it, you've finished !, so what else?

2) Employment
You are not, technically employed whilst a trainee. However, you will be contracted as a Self-Employed, Part-Time, Sub-Contract Instructor; to benefit from our full insurance package.

3) Payment
You pay us : For our training. In advance, or in instalments by arrangement.

We pay you : Payment cannot be made to unqualified Instructors under training. However, once your initial CBT 1 is achieved, any training of novices you carry out on behalf of our school will be paid for at our standard rates.

All reasonable expenses, incurred in the execution of training will be met by us, including a fuel allowance and accommodation costs with a subsistence allowance whilst at Cardington.

The provision of training, motorcycles, insurance, pupil fuel, overhead costs etc. and all test fees (including re-test where applicable) are paid by Channel Rider Training.

4) Employer's Insurances
We hold Employer's Liability (£10 million) and Public Liability (£10 million) Insurances.

5) Personal Insurance for Part Time Instructors
We will hold for you, Tuition Cover insurance (£5 million) against Professional Negligence claims.

6) Motorcycle Insurances
a) Your own machine will be covered by our insurance (up to £6000 and 600cc, except by arrangement) when used in connection with our business. Ask for details, especially on the policy excesses. You will be responsible for any excess in respect of your own machine.

Your personal policy won't normally cover for hire or reward, so there is no overlap. Please check your policy, however, as it is illegal to insure the same risk twice.

b) You are covered on our insurance, to ride our and our pupil's machines when necessary.

It's a lot to go through but we aim to be thorough, as you must be.
We hope this tells you all you need to know about training to be a Motorcycle Instructor and look forward to hearing from you.