Does the new ERS raise motorcycle training standards?

DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme (Q&A for ERS Instructors)
Asked by: Julian Nicholls, Biketrain Wales (Cwmbran)
Answered by Chris Parr, Assistant Chief Driving Examiner (DVSA)

Question: Asked by Julian Nicholls, Biketrain Wales (Cwmbran) – “Accident rates are running high in South Wales and we 100% see a place for ERS. We want to embrace it but need reassurance from the DVSA that they will be increasing standards – not decreasing them and that those who go the ‘ERS only route’ – be fully standards checked to ensure they are fully skilled to deliver ERS. Personally, I’m not sure that the ‘ERS only route’ is a good idea. Your comments appreciated Chris.”

Answer: The DVSA will be standards checking all instructors on the register. We are aware that others join the register from other walks-of-life. Most of the ERS instructors on the register who are not associated with an ATB do hold a lot of external qualifications and we should not dismiss them, nor the value they bring to the scheme. We have a lot of Approved Driving Instructors (ADi’s) who are car instructors, who also deliver the Enhanced Rider Scheme. We also have good numbers of former police officers who may have been working in other road safety related fields, who are also delivering ERS. That said, I can assure you that everyone will have to pass their ERS standards check, which is set at a higher threshold and that way we will maintain standards and not devalue the scheme.