Become a direct access scheme (DAS) motorcycle instructor
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1. Overview
You can apply to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to become a direct access scheme (DAS) certified instructor.
All provisional licence holders training on a motorbike over 125cc and 11kW power output must be trained by a qualified DAS instructor.
Rules for becoming a DAS instructor
To become a DAS certified instructor you must have a driving licence from either:
- Great Britain or Northern Ireland
- the EU or EEA - but you must register it first
You must also:
- be 21 or over
- have had a full category A2 or A motorcycle licence for at least 3 years
- have passed the 2-day assessment to become a DVSA assessed compulsory basic training (CBT) instructor
- have passed a criminal record check
You鈥檒l have to take a 2-day assessment at a DVSA training and development centre.
When you qualify
When you pass you鈥檒l be able to give DAS training.
2. How to book your assessment
The direct access scheme (DAS) instructor assessment lasts for half a day. You can book a:
- morning assessment, which starts at 8:30am
- afternoon assessment, which starts at 1pm
Fill in the application form to book your assessment and send it to the address on the form. There鈥檚 no charge for the assessment.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will contact you to arrange a date after checking your application.
Your application will be valid for 6 months.
If you cannot go to your assessment
Tell DVSA by email if you cannot attend your assessment.
You must give at least 5 working days鈥� notice - Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays do not count as working days.
DVSA assessments
[email protected]
3. Preparing for the assessment
Study the training guidance before you take the assessment.
to be told when the guidance is updated.
Other preparation
You should also study the following official Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) publications:
You can buy them from most high street and online book shops.
4. What to bring to your assessment
You need to bring:
- your valid driving licence
- your CBT1 card
- your joining instructions
- a fully taxed and roadworthy motorcycle with a power output of at least 20kW
- a full-face safety helmet
If you have an EU or EEA licence, you must also bring confirmation of your Great Britain (GB) driver number. You need to register your licence to get a GB driver number.
Your assessment will be cancelled if you do not bring these.
You鈥檙e allowed to bring relevant training aids and preparation material with you.
5. What the assessment involves
There are 3 main sessions in the direct access scheme (DAS) instructor assessment. You鈥檒l get a full explanation before the assessment starts.
Session 1 - theory
This session lasts around 15 minutes. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) assessor will play the role of a rider who:
- has done their compulsory basic training (CBT) on a 125cc motorcycle
- is new to riding larger and more powerful motorcycles
You have to show and tell them the main differences between large motorcycles and the smaller motorcycles used for CBT. You鈥檒l do this alongside the motorcycle.
Session 2 - on-site handling assessment
In this session of the assessment you鈥檒l be given the scenario of a rider who has:
- already taken CBT
- difficulties in the basic control of a large motorcycle when riding it on private land
You have to:
- decide how to overcome the difficulties
- give instruction to develop the rider鈥檚 basic skills off-road
The scenario will include 2 of the following riding skills requiring attention:
- moving off and stopping the bike
- controlled braking
- gear-changing
- slow riding skills
- slow controlled turning (similar to the 鈥榝igure of 8鈥� exercise on CBT)
Session 3 - on-road assessments
This session of the assessment will last for around 1 hour 30 minutes. The assessor will play the part of a trainee.
You鈥檒l have to give 3 on-road lessons during this session.
The assessor will select the lessons 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
During the on-road assessments
During the ride you鈥檒l be expected to:
- give any instruction you feel necessary
- correct any riding faults that may occur
You can ask the trainee to pull up so that you can give face-to-face instruction or guidance.
6. Your assessment result
You鈥檒l be given your result and a debrief at the end of the assessment by the assessor. You鈥檒l be sent confirmation of your result by post.
It鈥檚 your responsibility to tell your approved training body your result.
Passing the assessment
If you pass, fill in Form 4 to apply to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for registration as a direct access scheme (DAS) certified instructor.
You鈥檒l have to give details of any motoring or non-motoring offences you鈥檝e got within the last 4 years on your application form. These will be taken into account when DVSA assesses your suitability to be authorised.
You are not allowed to conduct DAS courses until you鈥檝e got your registration certificate.
Failing the assessment
If you do not pass, you鈥檒l be given a report of your assessment explaining why.
The first time you fail, you can apply to take another assessment right away. Use the application form to book your assessment.
If you鈥檝e failed the assessment twice, you鈥檒l need to show that you鈥檝e taken extra training before you can apply again.
If you鈥檝e failed 3 times, you鈥檒l need to wait 12 months to apply again, starting from the date of your third assessment.