Preparing for the Test

The below document is published by RoADA. It is very important, and you need to be thoroughly familiar with it's contents. RoADA is much more specific about the standards it expects riders to observe than the IAM and other testing bodies. Some people feel this is both an advantage and a disadvantage.

It helps students to know what is acceptable (and unacceptable) to examiners.

On the other hand some people treat it like some kind of magic formula - if you memorize it and slavishly repeat it you must, they reason, get a 'Gold'. Sadly, life 'ain't like that'. Advanced Riding is all about questions of judgement - about evaluating competing sources of danger and finding the 'best fit' between them.

If you study this advice carefully your chances of a good grade are improved, but never guaranteed. People who have never read it have earned a 'Gold' at their first attempt. If you really want that 'Gold' you will have to study (this and Motorcycle Roadcraft) and practice. There is no replacement for time in the saddle - especially with an objective observer.

Background and origin of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Advanced Drivers’ Association (RoADA)

The origin of the Association was in the early fifties when the ever increasing number of road accidents inspired Louise Duncan of the Finchley Road Safety Committee to form the Finchley League of Safe Drivers.

The League organised driving lectures by the police together with practical training followed by a test conducted by instructors from the Police Driving School at Hendon.

The organisation grew and other areas of the country became involved forming local groups to maintain the aims of the League. It became a national independent body with examiners throughout the UK and introduced graded passes and regular re-tests.

In 1980 it was decided that RoSPA should take over the League. Thus the RoSPA League of Safe Drivers was born. Eventually the name was changed and from 1982 it became the RoSPA Advanced Drivers’ Association.

Motorcycle advanced tests were introduced and specific motorcycle advanced certificates will reflect the different skills required. Members who hold dual qualification will receive two certificates.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Advanced Drivers’ Association (RoADA). The aim of the Advanced Drivers’ Association is to reduce road accidents by raising driving knowledge, standards and skills.

Traffic accidents account for almost half of all accidental deaths, and are the largest single cause of death and injury to young adults in this country. The proportion of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured is greater than that for car drivers, reflecting their vulnerability and highlighting the need further develop defensive riding skills through advanced rider training.

Being a good rider means that you never stop learning. Improving your riding skills and becoming an advanced rider will not only make you safer but you will enjoy your riding more.

Becoming a better rider involves reviewing and adapting your riding skills to keep pace with ever changing road and traffic conditions. This will ensure that you get the best out of your machine.

Because we want to maintain the highest standards, we require that you retake the test every three years. However, the retest is free.

that determines whether you are a safe rider but your ability to identify and respond effectively to hazards. That skill, like many others, can be further developed.

Many riders know that they could become even better but think advanced riding is for others. Some believe that advanced training and the high standards are restricted to police patrol riders. That is not the case. With a little training and support you will realise how good you can become and you will join the ranks of some of the best riders in the country.

RoADA is a section of RoSPA, one of the foremost safety advisory and training organisations in the world.

Local groups have been formed, many with motorcycle sections, to offer free training, support and advice to any rider who wants to improve their riding and pass the advanced test. RoSPA also holds a register of people who hold a Diploma in Advanced Riding Tuition, some of whom will provide paid tuition to prepare you for the test It is a firm principle that we look for candidates to follow the guidance in the current issues of Motorcycle Roadcraft and the Highway Code.

You will be encouraged to display advanced riding skills at all legal speeds, provided it is safe to do so, and you should demonstrate the ability to make appropriate progress.

Groups often work closely with police advanced riders and instructors to ensure that the standards outlined in Motorcycle Roadcraft, the police riders manual, are maintained.

Before taking the test you should study the current editions of The Highway Code and Motorcycle Roadcraft. Without a good knowledge of both you are unlikely to obtain a high grade.

You would be unwise to apply for an advanced test unless you have had some additional training since passing your ‘L’ test. For information about the location of your nearest group you should contact RoADA headquarters or visit our websites, details of which are at the end of this booklet.

All test administration is handled at RoSPA headquarters in Birmingham where you can contact the Administration Officer during office hours (0121 248 2000). Outside office hours there is an answer service. Please preface messages ‘For the Advanced Drivers Association’.

When we receive your application form we shall send it to the Regional Senior Examiner for your area. Within one week he will allocate an examiner who will contact you by phone or by letter within two weeks to arrange your test. This will be carried out on your own machine.

Many examiners are serving police officers who work shifts so please book your test at least a month in advance.

You may be asked to travel a short distance to meet the examiner or to start the test away from a congested area.

All examiners hold a UK police advanced riding qualification and many are also police riding instructors. Your examiner will therefore be one of the best trained riders in the country.

Please bring your driving licence, MoT certificate, if appropriate, and insurance certificate. Tests last about an hour and a half and cover a variety of road conditions.

If at the last moment you are unable to keep your appointment it is unlikely that we shall be able to cancel the test. The examiner may even have taken time off work to test you. Please make sure that you cancel your test only in unavoidable circumstances and not just for your own convenience. If you cancel your appointment at short notice (three days or less) you will be charged £10.

The RoSPA advanced riding test is regarded as the most comprehensive and challenging available to the public. A ‘RoSPA Gold’ is the highest civilian riding standard available and the holder will be a master of his or her art.

If you pass the test you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you really are a good rider.

The following notes give points which examiners will look for during a test, but do not replace the need for full knowledge of Motorcycle Roadcraft and the Highway Code.

The general appearance of a motorcycle says a lot about the rider. The examiner will expect to see that your motorcycle is legal and in a roadworthy condition; it is easy to see a motorcycle transmission and hydraulic fluids. You should ensure that levels and linkages are correct or properly adjusted.

The clothing, both in terms of its physical protection and hi-visibility/conspicuity, you wear as a rider is all important to your own safety. The examiner will expect you to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and will wish to see that your helmet meets British Standards and is in good condition, securely fastened, with a clean, unscratched visor. Any bags or containers must be securely fastened to the machine.

It is unlikely that anyone will gain a high grade without a good knowledge of Motorcycle Roadcraft, the Police riding manual, which is available to the Public at most bookshops. Local groups have experienced and trained tutors who will, free of charge, assess your performance. provide advice and support as you prepare for the test.

You may not be fully practised in the application of the police system of riding as the Advanced police rider. They have spent many weeks of full time training in order to achieve this standard. It is appreciated that most members of the public will not have the riding time to reach this level of excellence. However, the examiner will be looking for a satisfactory display of safe, systematic and smooth riding. He will explain, in the test debrief, any points which are causing difficulty, giving advice and sometimes practical ways of overcoming them.

All Association examiners will have had considerable experience of many types of vehicles at Police Advanced level and many are also Police Instructors.

At the rendezvous, the examiner will do his best to put you at ease; you will be given a route to follow, and the examiner will follow you along this route, normally on another motorcycle. He will consider the skills you demonstrate in the following areas:

Steering. This should be smooth and controlled. He will watch to ensure that you can manoeuvre at low speeds and at higher speeds in line with safety and speed limits.

Clutch. Your use of the clutch should show smoothness, delicacy and timing with the gear change lever.

Gears. The way you use of the gearbox will tell the examiner a lot about your ability. He will consider; the way you make the change, your ability to match engine revolutions to road speed and how you use the gearbox when slowing to a stop.

Brakes. How you use of brakes will play a big part in the examiners final assessment. He will look for smoothness, early braking at the right place in the System, a careful balance of front and rear brakes to avoid ‘pitching’ and skidding, and the progressiveness of the brake pressure to bring the motorcycle to a smooth stop.

Throttle. The throttle mechanism is spring loaded to its closed position. You must accustom yourself to this if smoothness is to be achieved. The examiner will want to see you displaying acceleration sense, and, most important on a motorcycle, varying the power transmitted according to changes in road surface conditions.

Rear Observations. Rear observations play a big part in the System. It is important that the rider is aware of conditions to the rear as well as to the front to enable the early formulation of a riding plan. The timing of rear observation by using the mirror and shoulder checks will be examined. They should be made only when the act of looking away from the front is not in itself a hazard.

Horn. The examiner will note audible warnings given. The horn should only be sounded when necessary, when all other safety features have been implemented.

Visibility. Clean mirrors, windscreen and helmet visor are essential, particularly in wet conditions. Using de-misting fluids and polishes to keep a clear view in the rain is important to a motorcyclist.

Smoothness. Moving off and stopping must be smooth and safe. Good shoulder checks are essential prior to moving off. The rider should be able to control the machine at low speeds. The examiner will expect a careful balance of throttle and brakes. He will note the rider's choice of which foot to put down when stopping. The thinking rider will be able to either place both feet on the ground or balance with one foot while the other one works a control. To prevent the machine from rolling when stationery, one of the brakes should be kept applied where appropriate.

System. The examiner will expect to see you demonstrate your understanding of the system, as outlined in Motorcycle Roadcraft, and the correct sequence of your riding actions. He will observe your hand and foot actions for balance and the timing of your signals. To do this the examiner may not be in the position behind you that you may expect. Do not be disconcerted. He may be checking that your rear observations are really to seek information, and not just a habitual or reflex action. Do not treat him as following traffic for the purpose of considering whether or not to give a signal.

The use of the system as outlined in Motorcycle Roadcraft is the cornerstone of advanced riding and inconsistencies in its application will affect any grade awarded.

To achieve a gold or silver standard you should apply the system consistently throughout the test. A bronze grade may be typified by inconsistencies in its application.

Positioning. The examiner will note how you position your machine for safety, stability and view on the approach to hazards both on the open road and in urban areas. Your use of lanes will be noted.

You should be able to position the machine in order to obtain the best view that is available all the time. You should also understand that at times a position for view or speed will have to be sacrificed for the sake of safety.

When you are riding round bends and corners, and not overtaking you should not cross marked centre lines and should not cut corners when entering marked junctions.

RoADA believes that to do so is potentially dangerous because they may be the result of entering the hazard too fast and it may confuse oncoming and following drivers. This view is supported by the Highway Code.

If anything untoward happened during such a manoeuvre the driver might be seen to be at fault and might then blame RoADA for teaching or condoning this action.

If there are no centre markings then some movement over the centre of the road may be acceptable

It is again emphasised that the mark of an advanced rider is always to be able to place the machine precisely where it belongs under all conditions and that it should be in the right place, travelling at the right speed and with the correct gear engaged.

Cornering. The examiner will watch how you ride around corners and bends both in urban and rural areas. He will look at the line you take to ensure it gives the optimum view and safety margins. You will need to demonstrate that the principles and safety features of cornering are correctly applied.

Signals. It should always be remembered that signals are the language of the road. You will need to consider the use of signals to warn other road users of your presence and intentions. They should therefore be given clearly and in good time. Arm signals should be given when appropriate to reinforce any mechanical signal. All these points will be noted by the examiner, who will also be observing your reaction to traffic signs.

Speed. Advanced riders must be capable of controlling their machine at speeds up to the maximum limit where it is safe to do so. While the use of speed must at all times be safe and legal, the examiner will want to see a brisk ride with good progress being made where possible.

A driving plan that relies on exceeding the speed limit to complete a manoeuvre is unacceptable. If you consistently exceed the speed limit the examiner will stop the test and you will fail.

Overtaking. While overtaking manoeuvres are inherently dangerous, they are a necessary element of the concept of good progress. However, they must be conducted safely and within the speed limit.

Examiners will expect you to overtake if it is appropriate, but remaining in the overtaking position for long period may indicate that you are not looking far enough ahead or may be interpreted as being aggressive. They will look for evidence that the many safety features have been applied but the main one is your ability to regain your correct position on the road before any approaching vehicles - seen or unseen - could come into conflict with you.

Deportment’ Rider and machine must blend harmoniously at all times. The controls should be adjusted so as to almost become extensions of the rider's limbs. Posture should be natural and comfortable. Lying flat on the tank or hanging off the seat when cornering should be treated as unnecessary for the road rider. Quiet efficiency is the hallmark of the good rider. Your consideration for other road users and your self discipline will reveal itself, as will your temperament, which, at least when riding, should be calm and relaxed, but decisive.

Vehicle sympathy. We expect Association members to respect their vehicles and develop motorcycle sympathy to the benefit of the current and future rider.

Observations. One of the principal differences between the novice and the advanced rider is the huge amount which the latter sees and applies to the riding plan. You will be expected to actively seek information about changes in the short, medium and distant views. It is not enough to merely acknowledge a change as the examiner will wish to see evidence of observational links and how you cope with what you have seen.

Judging distance. Your ability to judge distance and relating this to the speed of your own and other vehicles, will be noted together with the way you link this ability with your braking and acceleration.

Motorways and Dual carriageways. Joining the motorway can be from either lane of the slip road and will depend on traffic conditions. The use of the different elevation of the slip road and the motorway may give a better view of the motorway. Acceleration sense should be used to achieve an appropriate merge speed. Speed and following distances should be appropriate for the conditions. When leaving the motorway the candidate should be in lane 1 before the 300 yards marker and, if necessary, signalling that intention.

Knowledge. At the conclusion of the test you will be asked several questions on the Highway Code, Motorcycle Roadcraft and basic motorcycle mechanics. You must be familiar with these two publications. There are a few things about how motorcycles work that every rider must know. Your motorcycle handbook should provide sufficient data for this part of the test. Be assured, no-one will be trying to ‘catch you out’. Know your subject well and you will not go far wrong.

It is worth mentioning that through membership of RoSPA Local Groups you are likely to have many questions answered by the members who have already taken a test. It is unusual for a rider without some form of advanced rider training to obtain a high grade. Local group tutors group can help; and their advice and support is free.

At the end of the test the examiner will discuss aspects of the test and tell you if you have passed and at what level. He will send a report to the Regional Senior Examiner who then has one week in which to clarify any details and return it to us. We shall type your report and issue a certificate. We shall also send you our brochure of regalia from which you may wish to purchase a badge and other items.

“Advanced riding is an ability to control the position and speed of the vehicle safely, systematically and smoothly, using road and traffic conditions to progress unobtrusively with skill and responsibility. This skill requires a positive but courteous attitude and a high standard of riding competence based on concentration, effective all round observation, anticipation, and planning. This must be co-ordinated with good handling skills. The vehicle should be at the right place on the road at the right time, travelling at the right speed with the correct gear engaged and can always be stopped safely on its own side of the road in the distance that can be seen to be clear.” (DSA RoADA IAM 1997).

It is difficult to lay down precise specifications for the Association’s three gradings, as it is very much a matter for the expertise and overall judgement of the examiner. It is important, however, to provide guidelines on how the various grades are determined to ensure consistency, understanding, and above all, confidence in the grading system. The grade decided by the examiner will not be changed, although any appeal will be reviewed by the Chief Examiner, who may offer a retest, or comment in writing on any points raised.

Examiners operate under strict national guidelines to ensure that the Association’s very high standards are maintained. The following guidelines about the requirements for each grade are intended to help you to understand better the criteria applied when awarding a grade.

GOLD - This grade is recognised as the highest riding award available to the public. It will be awarded only to the polished systematic rider, who displays a complete understanding and appropriate application of the principles outlined in Motorcycle Roadcraft. The candidate will display a confidence and ability throughout the whole test which leads the examiner to consider that, if afforded the opportunity, the candidate has the potential with the basics already in place to do well on a police advanced course. The candidate’s performance must be consistent throughout the whole of the test and so any lapses may result in a lower grade. Awards of this grade will therefore be reserved for the very best riders.

SILVER - This grade will be awarded to riders who are well above the average. These riders will produce consistently safe and systematic rides but perhaps without the final polish, flair and smoothness of the Gold riders. They will demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the system of motorcycle control. Candidates must be able to ride up to the permitted speed limit where it is safe to do so but vary speed according to circumstances and conditions. It must be emphasised that Silver is an extremely high grade and a commendable achievement.

BRONZE - This grade will be awarded to riders whose performance is significantly above the standard required to pass the ‘L’ riding test. These riders will show a basic knowledge of Motorcycle Roadcraft but lack the ability to apply the system consistently throughout the test. The ride should be entirely safe, observing traffic signs, responding correctly to hazards and should display advanced riding techniques.

FAIL - Candidates who fall below the minimum pass will be classified as ‘fail’. Riders will fail if they display potentially dangerous faults, persistently infringe speed limits, commit violations of Road Traffic Law or the rules contained in the Highway Code. If the candidate fails to reach the pass standard, the examiner will offer advice on improvement and encourage further training or guidance from a local group.

Occasional minor infringements with a perceived acceptable reason should not result in failure on their own, but may be a reason for a lower grade. As a general rule, the examiner will consider whether the candidate is a driver worthy of displaying the badge of an Advanced rider, i.e. someone who will consistently ride according to the principles of Motorcycle Roadcraft.

If you fail your initial test you may take a free re-test between three and six months later. During this time we hope that you will have received assistance to improve your riding. If you wish to take a re-test before your free test is due you will be expected to pay a retest fee.

If you wish to improve your standard we do suggest that you join a local group. You will then be in touch with other members who will advise and perhaps offer tuition.

When your re-test is due we shall send you a reminder and booking form. You must take your re-test within a reasonable time of the due date in order to keep your membership.

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