TL;DR: Motorcycle riding instructors jobs aren’t only for teaching beginners. The industry offers diverse, well paid, adventurous career paths for riders willing to specialise and develop top-notch skills.
Most people imagine fluorescent vests, car parks, and 125cc bikes revving around orange cones when they hear the words motorcycle riding instructor jobs. Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) and Direct Access Scheme (DAS) motorcycle instructors may be the most common motorcycle training role, but they’re certainly not the only choice. If you want adventure, travel and a motorcycle riding career that goes beyond delivery rider, they’re your starting grid.
From the dust-clogged trails of adventure riding to the high-stakes precision of emergency response training, opportunities for career progression as a motorcycle riding instructor are diverse—and lucrative. If you have ever wondered how to use your motorcycle to make money and move beyond basic training, the answer lies in specialisation.
By evolving from a generalist into a specialist, you don’t just improve your skill set; you increase your value in the marketplace. Whether you are looking for a total career change or want to explore alternative motorcycle instructor job descriptions, exploring these niche markets is the key to turning a passion for two wheels into a high-level professional career. Ready to discover motorcycle riding instructor jobs that will get your motor running? Read on!
The foundations of an adventurous career: Why CBT and DAS training come first
Before leading a group of riders through the Pyrenees or coaching police motorcyclists on high-speed positioning, you have to master the basics of instruction. Becoming a motorcycle instructor for CBT and DAS training gives you the foundational skills needed to progress into a specialised career.
Think of Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) and the Direct Access Scheme (DAS) as your “Flight Hours.” Just as a pilot doesn’t jump straight into the cockpit of a fighter jet, a motorcycle instructor needs a solid foundation in the DVSA System of Motorcycle Control. The difference is, while you’re accruing ride hours, you’re earning around £150 per day as a new CBT instructor. It’s a competitive wage to start on.
Starting your career as a CBT or DAS trainer is highly advisable for three main reasons:
- Developing Your “Instructor Eyes”: Teaching a complete novice how to coordinate a clutch and throttle requires an incredible level of observation. You learn to spot a mistake before the rider even makes it—a skill that’s vital when you’re coaching high-speed track or off-road sessions.
- Industry Credibility: Specialised schools (like adventure or track schools) rarely hire raw talent. They’re looking for people who understand coaching inside and out; be they ex-racers or instructors who’ve already been vetted by the DVSA as experts in motorcycle safety instructor jobs.
- The Professional Pipeline: Many instructors find working with a reputable school like ours gives them the structured environment needed to gain their initial qualifications while earning as they learn. After a few years working as a CBT and DAS instructor, IPSGA (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration) becomes second nature.
Starting here isn’t a hurdle; it’s the best start to becoming an elite coach that clients are willing to pay a premium for.
Niche #1: Off-road and adventure motorcycle riding instructor jobs
If spending your career on tarmac feels a bit restrictive, adventure biking (ADV) and off-road riding offers a breath of fresh air—literally. This is currently one of the fastest-growing areas for motorcycle riding instructor jobs.
Data from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) shows Adventure bikes were the UK’s best-selling category in 2025. As popularity for heavy-weight machines like the BMW GS and Honda Africa Twin explodes, so has the talent gap. Thousands of riders now own bikes capable of crossing continents, without having the technical skills to take them off the pavement safely. This means instructors who can teach the right skills are in demand. What are those skills specifically?
- Technical Balance: Mastering standing positions and weight distribution for uneven terrain.
- Traction Management: Finding grip in mud, gravel, and sand using delicate throttle and clutch control.
- The Big Bike Recovery: The essential art of safely lifting a 250kg machine on a slippery slope.
Why off-road instruction is a great choice: These courses often require dedicated land and specialised bike fleets, meaning they can command premium prices. While a standard CBT day has a set rate, specialised dirt bike coaches can earn significantly more. Some freelance specialists command between £200 and £500 per day depending on the school. It’s the perfect niche for instructors who want their office to be the great outdoors. You’ll get a daily dose of adventure and help riders unlock the true potential of their machinery.
Niche #2: Advanced roadcraft: police and Bloodbikes training
If precision and technical perfection are more your thing, Advanced Roadcraft is like special forces motorcycle training. It’s SO much more than teaching someone how to ride; it’s teaching them to ride perfectly under pressure.
Opportunities in this field typically involve training for:
- Emergency Services: Preparing police riders to handle high-speed pursuits and blue-light responses using the System of Motorcycle Control.
- Blood Bikes & Volunteer Couriers: Helping volunteers reach IAM RoadSmart or RoSPA Gold standards so they can safely transport life-saving medical supplies.
- Professional Fleet Training: Coaching riders who use motorcycles for corporate roles to improve safety records and reduce insurance premiums.
Who is best suited to advanced training: To teach at this level, you need to be at the top of your game. You’ll typically need advanced qualifications like a RoSPA Level 4 Award or have a background in police or military riding. Because of the high stakes involved, these motorcycle safety instructor jobs are among the most respected in the industry. They offer a path to make money with your motorcycle focusing on elite-level safety and long-term professional development. These motorcycle riding instructor jobs often come in the form of stable contracts with public sector bodies.
Niche #3: Track day & performance instruction
If mastering corners at 100mph+ is your idea of riding perfection, becoming a track day instructor is the ultimate choice. This is all about mastering the physics of cornering, braking markers, and the psychology of performance.
Opportunities in track-based motorcycle riding instructor jobs include:
- Track Day Coaching: Helping street riders learn skills at speed on a closed circuit.
- Race Schools: Coaching aspiring racers to shave seconds off their lap times.
- Manufacturer Experience Days: Working with brands (like Ducati or BMW) to showcase their superbikes’ capabilities to potential buyers.
Why track instructor could be your dream job: Imagine spending your days on some of the world’s most iconic circuits; track instructors live that dream. This area of motorcycle training is highly specialised, so you can command higher pay rates. Lead coaches for premium schools command £250 to £450 per day, especially when working with manufacturer brands.
Even if you don’t have a pro-racing background, becoming an ACU (Auto-Cycle Union) qualified coach can turn your motorcycle trainer job into a high-performance career. It’s a fast-paced environment that keeps your own riding skills razor-sharp while giving you a very satisfying way to make money with your motorcycle.
Niche #4: 1-to-1 motorcycle coaching
While high-speed tracks and muddy trails grab the headlines, one of the most profitable motorcycle riding instructor jobs is found right in the heart of a city. Bespoke 1-to-1 Coaching is a massive, underserved market for instructors willing to help riders who’ve passed their test but feel intimidated by heavy traffic. You may also find yourself coaching returning riders who’ve not ridden in decades or riders who find modern, heavier bikes a handful.
London and urban rates for private 1-to-1 coaching range from £75 to £99 per hour, or up to £550 for a ProSkills day. This niche is all about building specialised confidence in areas such as:
- Slow-Speed Manoeuvring: Mastering U-turns, filtering, and tight-space control—the skills that make or break an urban commute.
- Urban Confidence: Tactical positioning in multi-lane traffic and advanced hazard perception in the city.
- Returner Refresher: Helping riders transition from the bikes of the 90s to today’s tech-heavy, high-torque motorcycles.
Why 1-to-1 motorcycle coaching could be for you: Unlike group classes, 1-to-1 coaching is a premium service. Think of it as the tailored suit of motorcycle training job descriptions. The quality and made-to-measure elements of your coaching mean you can charge more for your expertise. You don’t need a specialised off-road park or a race circuit because clients already have their licence and bike. The overheads for this kind of motorcycle instructor job are much lower. Best bit? You can offer high-end concierge training services that fit around your schedule. It’s one of the better motorcycle instructor job descriptions that includes helping riders stay safe on the road.
FAQs about motorcycle riding instructor jobs
It’s good to have questions about career progression when you’re thinking of becoming a motorcycle instructor. Getting answers to those questions puts you in the perfect position for making the best choices about your future career and using your motorcycle to make money!
Most people imagine riding in delivery or courier roles, but the most sustainable career paths involve training and safety. The best first step on this path is to become a CBT/DAS instructor. From there, you may choose to progress into other niches such as specialising in off-road coaching, an advanced roadcraft for emergency services, or a private 1-to-1 performance coaching.
In 2026, a new CBT instructor can expect to earn around £150 per day. As you gain experience and move into specialized DAS (Direct Access Scheme) training or advanced niches, annual salaries typically range from £35,000 to £48,000+, depending on your location and the specific school.
Beyond delivery work, motorcycle riding instructor jobs are one of the most stable and rewarding ways to turn your love into money. Becoming a motorcycle instructor doesn’t mean you’ll forever be teaching newbies how to ride. Careers in off-road, track, or 1-to-1 coaching are also steps you can take in furthering your professional motorcycle trainer career.
- Down-trained Instructor: You have been trained in-house by a senior instructor at an ATB (like Phoenix Motorcycle Training). You’re legally certified to teach CBT courses only for that school. It’s the perfect way to get hands-on experience while you earn.
DVSA-assessed Instructor: You have passed a rigorous two-day assessment at a DVSA center in Cardington. This is the Gold Standard that lets you train other instructors and progress to teaching full-licence (DAS) courses.
Unlike car learners, who can be supervised by a parent or friend (provided they meet certain criteria), learner motorcyclists ride solo on the road after their CBT. Paid supervision or training for the CBT certificate or DL196 (essentially a motorcycle learner’s certificate) can only be provided by a certified instructor at an ATB. This is why the CBT instructor role is vital—they’re the only people legally allowed to provide professional coaching new riders need to stay safe.
In the UK, professional rider training can only be delivered by certified instructors working for an Approved Training Body (ATB). However, as a trainee instructor, your teachers are a blend of senior DVSA-assessed colleagues at the ATB you’re working with and, eventually, DVSA examiners during your formal assessments. They don’t just teach you to ride; they teach you how to observe, coach, and manage the safety of others.
Take the first step toward a satisfying motorcycle-related career
The world of motorcycle riding instructor jobs is bigger than your local training pad. Whether you want to master muddy trails and adventure riding or the high-speed precision of iconic tracks, it all starts with one decision: getting qualified.
We don’t just offer jobs; we offer a career pipeline to all of our instructors. We provide the structured environment and professional development you need to gain your initial qualifications. We’ll even help you should you decide to open your own motorcycle training school and join us in our quest to keep delivering the UK’s highest rated motorcycle training. If you’d like to move into specialist niches, we’ll support you with that journey too.
Choose a career that excites you most. After all, you only live once! Apply for a motorcycle instructor job with Phoenix Motorcycle Training today and start your journey toward elite motorcycle coaching.
