DVSA Requirements for DAS Instructors
Your driving licence should be from Great Britain or Northern Ireland. If not, use form D9 to register a non-GB licence. Other key requirements include:
- Being at least 21 years of age
- Having held a full category A2 or A motorcycle licence for a minimum of three (3) years.
- Completing the two-day assessment to become a DVSA assessed compulsory basic training (CBT) instructor.
Note: A half-day assessment (conducted at DVSA training and development centre in Cardington, Bedfordshire) is required before you can give DAS training to learners.
How to Book a CBT Instructor Assessment
You can book the direct access scheme (DAS) instructor assessment through the GOV.UK website. There is no charge and they conduct two assessments per day (starting at 8.30am and 1pm).
After filling in the application form you should send it to the address written on the document. It will stay valid for six (6) months). Once DVSA have finished checking your application they will contact you to schedule your assessment date.
What if You Cannot Attend Your Assessment?
If you can’t go to your assessment you will need to inform the DVSA (e.g. by email or by post). They will need at least five (5) working days of advance notice (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays).
DVSA Training and Development Centre
Email: [email protected]
Harrowden Lane
Cardington
Bedford
MK44 3EQ
Preparing for the CBT Instructor Assessment
It is important to study the DAS motorcycle training guidance before taking the assessment. You can also sign up for email alerts to get any updates on the training guidance notes.
Other preparation should include studying the official Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency publications (available from most high street and online book shops):
- The Highway Code
- Know your traffic signs
- The Official DVSA Guide to Learning to Ride (Driving Standards Agency) Paperback
- The Official DVSA Guide to Driving: The Essential Skills
- The Official DVSA Theory Test for Motorcyclists Book
What to take to an Assessment
When you take part in the DVSA assessment for becoming a direct access scheme (DAS) motorcycle trainer it is important to have:
- Valid driving licence
- CBT1 card (and your joining instructions)
- Fully taxed, insured, and roadworthy motorcycle (the power output should be at least 20kW)
- Full-face safety helmet
Note: The DVSA will cancel your assessment if you don’t have the minimum requirements. You can take a pen and notebook (or training aids).
DAS Motorcycle Instructor Assessment Procedures
The assessor will provide a full explanation before you start the three (3) direct access scheme (DAS) instructor assessment sessions.
Session 1: Theory (15 minutes)
During the theory session, an assessor from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will act out the role of a rider who:
- Has already completed their compulsory basic training (CBT) on a 125cc motorcycle.
- Is inexperienced and new to riding larger and more powerful motorbikes.
Your role will be to show and tell the ‘new rider’ about the main differences between riding large motorcycles and smaller motorcycles used for CBT courses. This part takes place alongside the actual motorcycle.
Session 2: On-site Handling Assessment
The second session is a scenario of a rider who has already taken the CBT and is having some difficulties in the basic control of a large motorcycle (e.g. when riding it on private land).
Your role is to determine how the rider can overcome the difficulties and then give instruction to help develop their basic off-road skills. It will include two of these riding skills:
- Moving off and stopping the motorbike
- Controlled braking
- Gear-changing
- Slow riding skills
- Slow controlled turning (like the CBT ‘figure of 8’ exercise)
Session 3: On-road Assessments
The assessor plays the part of a ‘trainee’ in the final session – which usually lasts for about ninety (90) minutes.
You will give three (3) on-road lessons during the third session (taken from):
- Positioning in 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
On-road riding assessments include:
- Giving any necessary instructions to the trainee.
- Correcting any riding faults if and when they occur.
Note: The procedures allow you to ask a trainee to pull up and stop. It may be necessary to give extra guidance or face-to-face instruction.
DAS Assessment Results Process
The DVSA assessor will give you your result, along with a debrief, at the end of your DAS assessment. You will also receive confirmation of the results by post.
Note: Informing your approved training body (ATB) of your result is your responsibility (not the DVSA).
If You Pass Your Assessment
After passing, you will need to apply to be authorised as a certified motorcycle instructor (using form 4) to be able to conduct compulsory basic training (CBT) courses.
The application form asks whether you have any motoring or non-motoring offences (within the last four years). DVSA would take these into account when they assess your suitability for authorisation and registration.
You must not conduct direct access scheme (DAS) courses for trainees until you get your registration certificate.
Note: If you fail your assessment the DVSA will send you another DAS assessment application form so you can rebook it.