Direct Access Scheme Instructor Training

The DAS assessment is much shorter than the CBT assessment.

Be Prepared

Trainers must attend the half day assessment to demonstrate their ability to teach riders on larger powered motorcycles.

Trainers must gain prior experience before attending the DAS assessment. Training learner riders on larger machines requires a higher level of fault analysis with prompt and accurate instruction.

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Things can go wrong very quickly when teaching learners on larger machines. Therefore it is imperative to be vigilant and give accurate proactive instruction to rectify mistakes.

Getting Ready For DAS

Full Understanding

Instructors should have extensive experience before attempting to train learners on larger machines.

Being able to assess a learner’s ability and gauge whether they are competent enough to move up to the larger machine is paramount for student safety.

Trainees should have good control

With a lack of ability and minimal machine control, trainees can find the move to the bigger motorcycles daunting and unnerving.

Trainees should demonstrate good overall control and ability on a 125cc prior to being given the opportunity to ride a larger machine.

Recognise and correct problems!

Any problems that have not been corrected or recognised on the smaller motorcycle will become more evident and highlighted on the bigger bike.

Usually resulting in unwanted incidents that hinder progress and result in learning regression.

Be Fully Prepared

Trainers need to be fully prepared to become qualified. There are three areas that the examiner assesses.

Theory session showing the difference between the smaller and larger motorcycle.

On-site handling, including fault analysis during off-road training.

On-road tuition and guidance delivering three selected lessons.

The DAS Assessment Explained

This is an Introduction to the Motorcycle and explains the characteristics and differences between the smaller and larger machine.

This lasts between 15-30 minutes. The examiner controls the time, so there is no need to rush through the lesson to ensure everything is delivered.

The examiner is looking for quality, not quantity.

Off-road training. This is conducted in a safe environment to assess the ability of the trainee. The examiner gives a few scenarios where a student is having difficulty with the larger motorcycle.

A Lesson Plan must be established with fault analysis and then remedial advice given to the student (examiner is role-playing a learner rider).

This session lasts approximately 30 minutes.

On-Road Training. Three lessons are pre-selected prior to going on the road to conduct the training. One lesson at a time is expected to be delivered, concentrating on that particular exercise.

The examiner role-plays the student and controls the time and route. Instruction should be given both over the radio during the ride and while stationary giving face-to-face guidance where necessary, to correct any faults that are made.

Using Training Diagrams for this stage is imperative to give direct instruction and to ascertain the students learning level.

A picture paints a thousand words. This session lasts approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

The DAS Assessment Explained

Show and tell the student the main differences between the large and smaller motorcycle (similar to a CBT delivery). This session is conducted alongside the motorcycle.

Moving off and stopping the bike

Controlled braking

Gear-changing

Slow riding skills

Slow controlled turning (similar to the ‘figure of 8’ exercise on CBT)

Positioning for normal riding and dealing with bends

Negotiating left and right turns at junctions

Dealing with different types of crossroads

Dealing with town centre riding

Negotiating roundabouts

Dealing with dual carriageways

Dealing with other traffic safely when following behind and overtaking other vehicles

Moving off from all positions

Riding in areas with a national speed limit

Joining and leaving dual carriageways and following behind other traffic

Dealing with overtaking, meeting, filtering and leaving enough clearance to stationary vehicles

Moving off, the emergency stop exercise, u-turn exercises (pushing and riding) and taking the motorcycle on and off the stand