Our main website proclaims that at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff we use only Instructors who have acheived the covetted Police Class 1 Riding Grade. (Also known as a ‘Grade 1’).
So what does this mean. There has been a recent re-vamp of the Police Grading System and modern day thinking is that there is no Grade 1 or 2 etc. You have either reached an Advanced Level or you have not. They have done away with the numbered system. But how it was, was the Police Driving and Riding Grading System was made up of 5 Grades. Grade or Class 1 being the highest.
On a ‘Standard’ Car or Bike Course you could only acheive as high as a Grade 3, and this was needed before you could be considered to transfer on to the Traffic Department.
Grade 5 was needed to drive a Panda Car
Grade 4 was needed to drive the Divisional Response Van, and a Panda Car.
Grade 3 was needed to drive any of the above, and the smaller cc engined cars on the Traffic Department Fleet. Also the speeds that you were allowed to travel was also curtailed by your driving grade.
After a period of practical, live driving duties an Intermediate Course could be undertaken and whilst this wasn’t used to up-grade your certification it was used as a step up before undergoing an Advanced Course.
It was only on the Advanced Car or Bike Course that either of the Advanced Grades (Grade 1 or Grade 2) could be achieved.
Whilst a Grade 2 was seen as a high Grade, a Grade 1 was reserved for those who displayed an expert ability, matched with having shown maximum safe progress and a high degree of flair. Only a small percentage of personnel achieved this Grade 1.
A Grade 1 was needed before officers could be considered for further training for VIP Escort Work, and the escorting of high risk prisoners.
By using only officers, or former officers with a Class 1 Grade I know my instructors have undergone stringent and extensive training at all levels, and they have an ability to handle and control safely the vehicles in their charge, which is second to none.
In passing this disciplined systematic approach on to our students we can instill in you the foundation of safe driving and riding for life.
1st Class Rider Training by 1st Class Instructors on First Class Machines.
“Safe riding is no mistake”.