Does motorcycling spark your passion? Sharing that thrill and your expertise with new riders could be your route to a fulfilling and satisfying career, once you have the right motorcycle instructor job qualifications. Becoming a motorcycle instructor isn’t just a job; it’s an opportunity to get paid to ride every day, fuel the next generation of riders, and instill crucial safety skills that make motorcycling better for everyone.

This blog is your roadmap to an exciting and fulfilling career. You’ll learn all about the essential motorcycle instructor job qualifications and how to navigate the current job market. And we’ll cover all of the routes to getting to your destination the best way for you.

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or someone dreaming of a life immersed in the world of motorbikes, we’ll  cover all you need to know. We’ll break down what it takes to become a qualified instructor into easy bites. And you’ll explore fantastic opportunities with established training providers like us.

Get ready to shift gears and discover how you can truly “Ride for Life” by guiding others on their own two-wheeled journeys. Let’s go!

Essential Motorcycle Instructor Job Qualifications

Understanding the qualifications for becoming a motorcycle instructor in the UK lets you kick things off on the right foot. These standards are in place so all new riders receive high-quality, safe, and effective training. Plus they ensure you’re comfortable and confident with the skills you’re keen to share.

In the UK, the key qualification you’ll need is a full category A2 or A motorcycle licence that you’ve held for three years or more. If you want to teach new riders the art of motorcycling, you need to be confident in it first.

After holding a clean licence you’ve held for three or more years, the path to becoming a qualified motorcycle instructor branches off. You have three paths you can take. None are better than the others and all can take you to a full motorcycle instructor job qualification that lets you teach new riders and riders who want their full motorcycle licence.

Earn as you learn: The down-trained CBT motorcycle instructor qualification

Earning your way to a full motorcycle instructor job is the most common path to take. Working with an estabilished motorcycle training school will give you experience and confidence as you move towards your qualification. Here’s how it works…

• Contact a motorcycle training company. Any motorcycle training business awarding CBT certifications or offering licence training is a DVSA Approved Training Body (ATB). That shows they’ve been vetted by the DVSA and know what they’re doing. ATB’s are able to down-train staff for CBT instruction.
• Find out their down-training process. Different ATBs have different requirements for their down training, but all have to meet (or exceed) specific requirements. With us, you’ll be supported through the Level 3 AET training first. This is a nationally recognised ‘introductory teaching’ qualification. It gives you a foundation in teaching principles and is great for your career advancement in any industry.
• Complete your down-training with an ATB. Once you’ve chosen the ATB you want to work with, and they’re happy to have you on board too, it’s time to learn your motorcycle instruction craft! Of course, you’ll learn how to teach the different elements of the CBT course. But you’ll also be putting into practice different motorcycle instruction techniques alongside a fully qualified instructor. You’ll get comfortable guiding students swiftly and safely through their training.
• Begin teaching new riders the CBT course curriculum. When the ATB is happy with the level of competence you’ve achieved, you’ll start teaching up to two students at a time on your own. Your down-trained qualification is only valid for training new riders at the motorcycle school you earned it with. That means you can’t down-train other instructors or switch employers unless you get your DVSA motorcycle instructor CBT certificate.

Qualification first, CBT instructor jobs later

The DVSA don’t train motorcycle instructors to teach CBT courses, they only assess instructors on their motorcycle training capabilities.

Motorcyclists who’ve held an A2 or A motorcycle licence for 3 years or more can take CBT training assessment without the support of an ABT. You can only take two assessments in any 12 month period. We don’t recommend you take this assessment unless you have motorcycle instructor experience and are familiar with the CBT course elements

• Check out the DVSA website about CBT training. You’ll need to read up on what the DVSA’s training entails and what CBT courses involve. Then you can decide if you think you’ll be able to pass the assessment without gaining experience with an ATB.
• Apply to complete a CBT instructor assessment. The assessment is free. Whether or not you are accepted to the training depends on your suitability. That’s determined by the CBT assessment application form. Complete the form carefully. If you are accepted, turn up with all of the documentation they require you to bring along.
• Finish the two-day DVSA assessment. On a Monday and Tuesday, or Wednesday and Thursday, you’ll be asked to attend the CBT training assessment. You’ll be assessed along with as many as two other instructors and an examiner will pretend to be your student. It’s a pretty intense experience. This is what one of our motorcycle instructors said about his CBT assessment.

“The CBT assessment was nerve wrecking, but I was more than confident and ready due to the pre-assessment training I did with the Phoenix training instructors. Having one of the DVSA assessors as my ‘student’ had me a little on edge but I got through it and am thrilled I can help down-train new instructors along with new riders.” — Ashley, CBT Instructor at Phoenix Motorcycle Training, Canterbury.

• Wait for your CBT instructor certificate. You’ll find out if you passed or failed at the end of the second day of the assessment. If you pass, you’ll get confirmation when your CBT instructor registration certificate arrives in the post. Once you have your CBT motorcycle instructor qualification in hand, you can legally train new riders through any ATB and down-train other motorcycle instructors too.

Expanding your career horizons – becoming a motorcycle licence training instructor

CBT training gives riders a permit to ride on UK roads for up to two years. Technically it’s not a licence. So if you’d like to help people reach your level of expertise, your next step is becoming a Direct Access Scheme motorcycle instructor.

There’s a couple of ways to do this, both are overseen by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales). In Northern Ireland, a similar system exists under the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA). That qualification is known as an Approved Motorcycle Instructor (AMI). While the terminology differs slightly, the core principles and requirements are very similar across the UK.

Let’s focus on the DAS motorcycle instructor qualification process in Great Britain, as it’s likely the most relevant for many. To become a DAS motorcycle instructor, you’ll generally need to meet the following criteria:

• Age: You’ll typically need to be at least 21 years old.
• Licence: You must hold a full and valid motorcycle licence for three years (A2 or A)
• Riding Record: You’ll need to have a good riding record with no serious convictions or disqualifications. The DVSA will conduct checks on your licence history.

Getting your full licence motorcycle instructor job qualification

You may choose to gain your full-licence or DAS motorcycle training instructor qualification on your own, or through an ATB you’re already working with. It’s up to you.

As with the CBT instructor assessment, you’ll find the DAS assessment for motorcycle instructors easier if you have experience with a motorcycle school. That’s because you’ll be familiar with what DAS courses teach, the order students learn in and the kinds of good and bad riding techniques you need to watch out for. There are three elements to the DAS motorcycle instructor assessments:

• DAS Instructor Theory Test: This is a computer-based test covering driving theory, hazard perception, and questions specific to motorcycle instruction.
• DAS Instructor Practical Riding Test: This is a thorough assessment of your own riding ability, demonstrating a high level of skill, safety awareness, and smooth control.
• DAS Instructor Instructional Ability Test: This crucial test assesses your ability to effectively teach someone to ride. It evaluates your communication skills, patience, and understanding of instructional techniques.

Once you’ve passed all the required tests, you’ll need to register with the DVSA to become a fully qualified motorcycle licence instructor. You’ll be qualified to work with any UK motorcycle training school that has motorcycle instructor job openings.

Other qualities great motorcycle instructors need

Formal qualifications are great and you can’t work as a motorcycle instructor without them, but they’re not the be all and end all. Being a great motorcycle instructor goes beyond just passing tests and getting certified. You’ll also need:

• Exceptional Riding Skills: A deep understanding of advanced riding techniques and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Excellent Communication Skills: The ability to clearly explain concepts and provide constructive feedback to students with varying levels of experience.
• Patience and Empathy: Learning to ride can be challenging, and a good instructor understands individual learning paces and provides encouragement.
• Responsibility and Professionalism: You’ll be responsible for the safety of your students and representing the standards of motorcycle training

These foundational qualifications are the first steps towards an exciting and fulfilling career as a motorcycle instructor. Now it’s time for a ride by the motorbike instructor job’s market and what opportunities might work for you.

Motorcycle instructor job opportunities: Rev up your career

The demand for skilled and dedicated motorcycle instructors in the UK is strong. With more people seeking the freedom and thrill of two-wheeled adventures, more quality instructors are in demand.

Now is an opportune time to explore motorcycle instructor job openings across the UK. We’re currently hiring and offer fantastic opportunities for enthusiastic and skilled instructors. You can even advance your motorcycle instructor career by learning, and teaching, advanced techniques that keep our roads safer and make motorcycling more fun.

You’ll spend your days immersed in the world of motorbikes and gain the satisfaction of shaping safe and confident riders. Whether you choose the route of down-training with an Approved Training Body (ATB) like us or pursue your CBT or full licence instructor qualifications independently, you’ll find a rewarding career path.

So, if you’re ready to turn your passion for motorcycles into a fulfilling career, start exploring our motorcycle instructor job opportunities today. With the right qualifications and a dedication to sharing your knowledge, you can truly “Ride for Life” by guiding others on their own two-wheeled journeys. We can wait for you to join us!