Whilst our office and approved CBT site is based in Cardiff we carry out much of our training for Direct Access Courses in Newport and Swansea.

With Module 1 of the new test taking place at the Multi Purpose Test Centres in Swansea or Newport much of our time is spent in these areas.,  I must still stress that we don’t simply rehearse the test route like some other training schools but we spend this time teaching you to ride in a variety of road conditions often well away from the test routes.

Also some other training schools have re-located their main training base into these areas but this requires you to travel and to make your own way often a considerable distance to the training base, but with us we include the journey to the testing areas as part of your training.  Our bikes are kept in Cardiff so the journey to the test centres is done with you in control and in the saddle.

So you spend more time in the saddle, and clock up more miles as we use the travelling to enhance the teaching experience.

So if you want 1st Class Rider Training in Newport give us a call.

If you want 1st Class Rider Training in Swansea give us a call.

If you want 1st Class Rider Training anywhere in between !  Give us a call.

It matters not where you live, you can still become a 1st Class Rider today.

Related posts:

1. Motorcycle Training South Wales
2. Motorcycle Training- Cardiff & Newport
3. New Motorcycle Test

0845 108 2906.

If you are looking for 1st Class Rider Training in the Newport or Cardiff area then this is the new number you need.

In recent weeks there have been a number of training schools which have closed and a number who are down sizing resulting in some Instructors being laid off.

This is not the case for us. Here at 1st Class Rider Training we have seen an up-turn in our client numbers. Clients who are seeking the best Motorcycle Training in Cardiff & Newport areas.

Offering Motorcycle Training in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and throughout the South Wales area we have recently taken on two additional Instructors and opened up a second booking line to cope with the demand.

To maintain and improve our levels of service you now have the choice of two Direct Booking Line Numbers.

If the lines are busy please leave a message or call back.

Direct Booking Lines:
0845 467 0165. 0845 108 2906.

Or to speak to me personally please call my mobile number: 07545 567 273.

We will do our best to fit you in.

Related posts:

1. Motorcycle Training in Newport
2. Motorcycle Training South Wales
3. Booking your Motorcycle Test

The ‘book’ says ‘explain wet weather braking’.

At 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we think that it is better to experience wet weather braking and not simply have it explained.

Paying particular attention to skid control, prevention and rectification this builds confidence in our students and shows that whilst we should respect the wet, we shouldn’t fear it.

It only takes a couple of buckets of water and is well worth the effort to see the positive results and the boost in confidence of our 1st Class Riders.

If you want to try it in a safe and controlled environment then why not sign up for our ‘Slow Manouevering & Emergency Braking Day’. 31st July.

Call now for details.

Pictured here are our CBT students practising emergency stops in the wet. Under the watchful eye and close supervision of Instructor Steve.

Related posts:

1. Slow Manouevering & Emergency Braking Day
2. Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Day
3. Slow Maneuvering & Emergency Braking Course

Here is the item:
A review of the motorcycle testing and training regime was today announced by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.

The two-part motorcycle test was introduced in April 2009 to meet the requirements of the second EU Directive on driving licences.

The Minister ordered the review after listening to concerns from motorcycle groups and visiting a test centre to look at the testing procedure in more detail. Ways to improve training will also be considered.

Mike Penning said:

“Road safety is a top priority and the testing and training on offer is vital in our work to cut the disproportionately high numbers of motorcyclists killed and injured on our roads each year.

“It is clear there are concerns among the motorcycling community about the safety of the new test’s off-road module. There have also been complaints about the difficulty for riders in some areas of accessing the off-road test centres.

“That is why I am today asking riders, safety groups and motorcycle industry representatives to come forward with their ideas for how testing and training can be improved to ensure we produce safe, confident and responsible riders.”

The new test was introduced in order to meet the requirements of the second EU Directive on driving licences. While most elements in the off-road module 1 test are required by the Directive, there may be scope to make some changes to the way in which the test is carried out.

The DfT review will look at the manoeuvres carried out in both modules 1 (off-road) and 2 (on-road) and whether these manoeuvres could safely be conducted in the on-road test.

The review will also look at other related motorcycle testing and training issues, including the options for training and testing for progressive access under the third driving licence directive and how any changes relate to wider proposals to improve motorcycle training and testing.

Views are welcome from motorcycle riders, trainers, road safety groups, the wider public and others on what aspects of the motorcycle test should be looked at, including how and where they think motorcycle testing might best and most safely be carried out.

The precise scope and terms of reference of the review will be determined following discussions with motorcycle groups and other interested parties, with the aim of concluding the review by the autumn.

Views should be submitted to the Department for Transport by 31 July.

Notes to Editors:

Views can be sent to the DfT by email on: RUSD4consultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk
The current motorcycle test was introduced in April 2009 and is taken in two parts.

Module 1 contains the specified manoeuvres element of the test including exercises designed to assess the rider’s ability to control their machine safely, including avoidance and emergency stop exercises.

Module 2 includes an eyesight test and at least 30 minutes of on road riding.

Press Enquires: 020 7944 3066
Out of Hours: 020 7944 4292
Public Enquiries: 0300 330 3000
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

Related posts:

1. New Motorcycle Test
2. New Motorcycle Test ‘Bungled’
3. New Motorcycle Test

Pictured here, our students have the full use of the excellant facilities at our Cardiff based training site, and are able to practice on a full sized roundabout, realistic junctions with authentic road markings, pedestrian crossings and traffic lights. This prepares our students safely and builds confidence before taking to the road.

Pictured below, Instructor Steve teaches the riding system used for carrying out left and right turns. Using our road layouts first we walk through the procedure and we are able to discuss each stage without the risks from traffic found on a real road.

We can fully cover turning left and right both from a Major Road into a Minor Road and from a Minor Road into a Major Road.

This is better than doing this in a classroom on a chart or board and much better than doing this on a car park with junctions made out of cones or markers.

This way we can highlight the correct timing of mirror checks and lifesavers, pausing at each stage without risk.

So whether you are taking CBT (compulsory basic training), Direct Access or Advanced Training, this really is 1st Class Rider Training.

Don’t delay, become a 1st Class Rider today.

Call us now. If our lines are busy please call back, or leave a message and we will call you.

Related posts:

1. CBT in Cardiff
2. CHOOSING a Cardiff Motorcycle School
3. CBT Training Cardiff

Related posts:

1. Direct Access Training
2. Direct Access Training. What’s the Cost?
3. Direct Access Instructor

Related posts:

1. Direct Access Training
2. Direct Access Instructor
3. Top Ten Selling Bikes for 2008

Don’t always make your decision on the face value of the prices alone. See how these prices are broken down and see what you actually get for your money.  Some Training Schools will give a cheap opening price but then add on a cost for bike hire etc.

1st Class Rider Training is a Cardiff Motorcycle School that gives ‘inclusive’ prices, with no hidden charges.

Prices for our Cardiff Direct Access Training cover training from 9.15am until approximately 4.30pm each day.  We believe that others may charge the same as us but will only give you a five hour training day.  This adds up over the duration of your course to a lot of training that you may be paying for (with others) and not getting!

Cardiff Motorcycle School for example train from 8am until 1pm OR from 1pm until 6pm But not both together,  (I know…I used to work for them)  And please don’t be mistaken but the proprietor of Cardiff Motorcycle School and I, are still good friends both personally and professionally. We just offer and operate different training packages.

Remember it is your money that you are spending so get the best value for it pound for pound.

Also ask what facilities each school utilise in their training sites.  1st Class Rider Training has a purpose built training site with a large dexterity area, and a full size ‘mock’ road system with traffic lights, junctions, bends and a full size roundabout.  All for your use before you get out on road.

Other training schools that I have previously worked at (Cardiff Motorcycle School, or  United Motorcycle Training to name just two) are the two closest in distance to 1st Class Rider Training.

Cardiff Motorcycle School are situated to the West of the City, United Motorcycle Training are situated to the North. 1st Class Rider Training is centrally located on the Main A470 North Road in the Maindy area of the City.

We believe that our purpose built site, with realistic road features, better prepares you for riding on the road.

So by all means shop around but if you want 1st Class Rider Training in the Cardiff area then give me a call.

If our lines are busy please call back, or leave a message and I will call you.  Become a 1st Class Rider today.

Related posts:

1. Cardiff Motorcycle School
2. How many Motorbike Training Schools are there in South Wales?
3. United Motorcycle Training

It states that introduction of the test in 1935 was radical at the time.  With an initial 250 examiners they met test candidates at Car Parks as Test Centres didn’t exist. Nowadays 2000 examiners conduct up to seven tests a day.

Now hold a moment.  let’s look at that comment from the DSA. In 1935 no test centres and testing in car parks…..

Let’s now look at the 2010 situation for Motorcycle Tests.  The DSA say they have met their targets but in 2010 Motorcycle Training Schools are left ‘with no test centres’ and where do we do the test…oh yes in a car park!  A very expensive car park no doubt.  Ah!  the Good Ole Days….

So whilst the DSA celebrate 75 years of ‘progress’ motorcycle schools continue to close down and for those that struggle on, are faced with travelling up to 200 miles round trip in some instances to find a test centre.

And as for getting a test at these non existent test centres!  I called the DSA Booking Centre today and I was told that there were no motorcycle tests available for as far ahead as the DSA system would allow the operator to check. Progress? Oh they said there was a full programme just come up for tomorrow!  How can you plan and prepare candidates for that kind of service.

So where have all the examiners gone.  For South West Wales in the ‘good ole days’ there were examiners working at Cardiff, Bridgend, Merthyr, Newport, Cwmbran, Monmouth and part time at Llandrindod Wells.  But now it is the norm to have just one conducting tests in Newport.  Add in the fact that training schools from as far afield as Hereford are also trying to get tests slots in Newport and the situation quickly becomes a joke.

Backlog…What backlog.

So my message to Rosemary Thew, DSA Chief Executive is this.  Happy Birthday to you and your test.  Have your party, and then pull your finger out and sort out the mess that you, as Chief Executive, are totally responsible for.

Related posts:

1. New Motorcycle Test
2. New Motorcycle Test
3. Motorcycle Training South Wales

Another blow to the struggling Motorcycle Training Industry Testing System.  With only a small amount of  Motorcycle Testing Sites striving to serve the UK the DSA announced yesterday (31st of  March -at least it wasn’t an April Fools Day announcement) that due to a BT Fire the DSA payments system is ‘down’.

This means that you can not book motorcycle tests via the telephone system or online as the DSA can not process the payments for the tests.  The DSA recorded announcement states that it is unlikely to be rectified ‘within the week’.

This is a huge blow and a great inconvenience to clients and trainers alike.  With Motorcycle Training already hit by a reported 62% drop since the introduction of the New Motorcycle Test this is another major setback.

What does this mean for you if you are looking for Direct Access Training or CBT in Cardiff.  We are pleased to announce that CBT bookings are not affected and we can continue to serve you with the delivery of CBT courses.

Direct Access Training can still go ahead in preparation for your test but we are currently unable to book your test or fix a date.

The DSA booking centre staff can only advise us of any vacancies for tests but they can not be booked or even reserved.  They state that it would simply be a question of a free for all when the lines are repaired and the system is back up and running, as Training Schools fight to get available tests to clear their back log of waiting students.  That’s reassuring then!

This throws the whole system into disarray.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you but it is completely beyond our control.

CBTs are unaffected.

The DSA Booking line number is 0300 200 1122.   Our Direct Booking Line is; 0845 467 0165.

Related posts:

1. New Motorcycle Test
2. Direct Access Training. What’s the Cost?
3. New Motorcycle Test