[DSAgovuk]

Hi everyone.

Have you heard about the Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS)?

It's a joint Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and Motorcycle Industry Association road safety initiative, designed to encourage riders, regardless of ability, to continually develop their skills. Every rider who completes the programme could be entitled to an insurance discount.


We've posted some videos on our YouTube channel showing how four riders got on when they did the course.

• Watch the ERS case studies

Whilst you're on our channel, be sure to check out the trailers for the 'Better Biking' DVD!

• Watch the 'Better Biking' trailers

[GrahamW]

Why? I don't understand the rationale

Someone passes their basic test and starts riding a bike. Then they decide to do something to improve their riding ability. There are already two well-established mechanisms for doing so - the IAM and RoSPA.

The ERS scheme, as I understand it, is substantially inferior to either of these tests in the standard it expects.

Bearing in mind that their decision is voluntary, I don't see what the ERS scheme offers that wouldn't be offered by the IAM/RoSPA, and it worries me that people might be tempted to do it not realising that it is nowhere near the standard they could aspire to.

Cheers,
Graham.

[DSAgovuk]

Why choose ERS?

Hi Graham

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

The main difference between ERS and some of the other schemes available is that ERS is tailored to the individual, rather than being a 'one size fits all' training or assessment package.

The ERS is training designed for fully licensed motorcyclists who would like to improve certain areas of their riding skills.

As training is tailored to your needs, you do as little or as much training as required - mostly to help reduce key risk areas in on-road riding, such as bend negotiation, overtaking, filtering, positioning and junctions.

ERS training starts when you book an ERS assessment with one of the expert trainers from DSA's voluntary Register of Post-Test Motorcycle Trainers (RPMT).

The assessment will identify your main strengths and weaknesses but there is no ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ - no test is involved and you cannot lose your licence. If your riding skills are satisfactory, the process ends there and you will be issued with an ERS certificate.

If you do need training, the trainer will prepare a personalised training plan for you and concentrate on specific areas needing attention, rather than taking a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

Once you've completed your training, you'll receive a report and a ‘DSA Certificate of Competence - Enhanced Rider Bonus’, which then qualifies you for an insurance discount.

ERS is delivered by accredited trainers who have passed rigorous training and met the highest standards of instruction before joining the RPMT.

[GrahamW]

Enhanced Rider Scheme

Hello "DSAgovuk"

Hmmm...?! Well, I can't say that I really agree with that, I'm afraid.

Firstly, "ERS is delivered by accredited trainers who have passed rigorous training and met the highest standards of instruction before joining the RPMT."

I think that the consensus would be that the highest standards of instruction would be the Police riding instructors standard or, for civilians, the RoSPA Diploma. From what I have seen, apart from those RoSPA Diploma holders who were allowed onto the register initially under the 'grandparenting' scheme, the rest are simply nowhere near this standard.

Secondly, "The main difference between ERS and some of the other schemes available is that ERS is tailored to the individual, rather than being a 'one size fits all' training or assessment package."

It would be a pretty poor trainer on any score who didn't cutomise the training to the individual. It might take a long time for someone to reach the RoSPA/IAM standard but, at least, it is something to aim for and one person will get there by tackling one suite of issues and another by tackling a different suite depending on the rider.

If you are saying that the ERS expects different standards from one rider to another, then I think that's even worse, as the implication is that two very different riders with very different approaches to riding will get the impression that they have 'done it'.

[MP4558]

I have been reading about the ERS, and also Graham's comments, and I am afraid that I will side with Graham all day long.

I am a RoSPA (Roadar) Associate Member, which means that I have not yet taken my advanced motorcycle test, but I have been given plenty of constructive and beneficial advice, and with our monthly group meetings and twice monthly group ride outs, (which are not compulsary) I have come on in leaps and bounds.

With Roadar (RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders) clubs, you go along to see if you like the idea, and if you want to join, there is an annual membership fee, and no monthly subscription, and you will be introduced to and "buddied up" with a RoSPA Advanced Gold Rider who volunteers his time and petrol etc to go out with you on a one to one basis at your mutual convenience and train you up to RoSPA Gold Standard.

As well as the riding aspect, there is the social aspect as well as the Roadcraft presentations and the guest spwakers that we have lined up for members on Club Nights.

One of our guest speakers in the past was from the DSA, and she was more than impressed with what RoSPA have to offer.

[TC1474]

I agree with our two non DSA posters 100%.

As a RoSPA examiner I have recently tested a couple of ERS accredited trainers and failed one and gave the other a bronze (just). They were in simple terms riding to a DAS standard and showed no ability to think for themselves and rode by the numbers.

I have spoken to a number of trainers who have done the DSA accreditation and 99% of them have said that it is nothing more than an extention of DAS, so how does that fit in with tailoring it to meet individual needs.

Both RoSPA and IAM do tailor their training to suit individual requirements as opposed to the one size fits all as was suggested, and if anything I would go as far as to suggest that unlike the DSA where everything has to be done by the numbers, at least with a recognised advanced test such as RoSPA and IAM, they at least adhere to the Police and Roadcraft principal of "Consider" as opposed to "Though shall do"

[smudger]

Quote.."no ability to think for themselves and rode by the numbers."

I think that's why they have the ""commentary section" as part of the IAM and the emergency driving courses and tests.

As that gives the examiner and idea of what the driver is actually thinking, as well to see if the driver is planning well ahead.:cool: