Learning to ride doesn’t have to stop the moment you pass your full motorcycle test; in fact, passing your test is usually just the beginning of your biking journey.

Whether you’ve been riding for five minutes or five years, each of us can benefit from learning some new tricks and techniques to allow us keep yourself safe. When it comes to bikes, there is no such thing as having too much knowledge!

In this blog, we are going to run down everything you need to know regarding the types of advanced motorcycle riding courses that are available in the UK, as well as explaining their benefits.

So, without further ado, let’s get into it!

First things first, we are going to answer what advanced motorcycle riding is.

The word ‘advanced’ can sometimes seem intimidating. Perhaps it seems like the training is only for the best and most skilled riders out there, and it is all about going as fast as possible. However, this is certainly not the case. Advanced rider training is about safety, learning new skills, and boosting confidence.

Today, there are several types of advanced motorcycle riding courses available for you to take part in, which we will discuss a little further down, so there truly is a course for everyone.

Advanced motorcycle training is for anyone who has passed their full motorcycle test and wants to learn and develop as a rider.

Whether you’re someone who has just passed your test and wants to build your confidence up, or perhaps you’re someone who has had their motorcycle stored away for a few years, and you’re looking to freshen up, whatever the circumstance, advanced riding courses are there to help!

If you take part in an advanced motorcycle riding course, you are proven to be a safer rider, reducing your accident risk and exposure to bike damage. As we will mention below, a recognised advanced riding course can also save you money on insurance, as well as keeping your long-term costs down, such as fuel consumption and general motorcycle wear and tear, according to RoSPA.

With that in mind, here are a few quick tips based on the type of riding you might do most.

If you have just passed your test, advanced training can be a great way to build confidence without feeling like you have to push on to improve. The main benefits include:

• A focus on safety and good habits, helping you feel more comfortable on the bike every time you go out
• Improved observation and planning, so you spot hazards earlier and give yourself more time to react
• Better control and braking, which can make corners and day‑to‑day riding feel much calmer
• A steadier way to build experience, rather than taking on everything at once
• Progressing at your own pace, working up to busier routes, roundabouts, wet weather, and night riding when it suits you

If you want someone to look over your riding and point you in the right direction, the DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme is a good place to start. If you catch the bug and want to take it further, IAM RoadSmart and RoSPA RoADAR are both well-known routes into advanced riding.

Of course, if you are riding every day for work, the priorities can look a bit different.

If you ride for work as a courier, or you are out doing food deliveries for companies such as Deliveroo or Uber Eats, you will be spending a lot of time in traffic. Advanced training can help by offering:

• Smoother, more consistent riding, which really matters when the roads are busy and the day is long
• A strong focus on observation and defensive riding, especially around junctions, parked cars, and when filtering
• Better braking discipline and slow‑speed control, which comes in handy if you are stopping constantly or riding with a load
• Improved control in traffic-heavy environments, helping you stay calm, measured, and predictable even in stop‑start conditions

For most delivery riders, the DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme is a solid shout because it can focus on the kind of riding you do every day. If you want something more in-depth, IAM RoadSmart or RoSPA RoADAR are worth a look, and BikeSafe is another handy option for sharpening up your road awareness. Also, make sure your insurance matches business use, such as delivery rider insurance.

If you commute in towns and cities, you will know it can feel like something is happening in every direction at once. Advanced training helps by offering:

• Improved observation, positioning, and planning, helping you slow things down and make sense of busy urban environments
• Greater confidence at junctions, roundabouts, and when filtering, where a small mistake from a driver can quickly turn into a near miss
• Better awareness of road surfaces and hazards, making it easier to spot poor surfaces, drain covers, and other common city risks
• Stronger gap management and focus, helping you keep a sensible distance and stay switched on when you ride the same route every day

If city riding is your day-to-day, BikeSafe can be a great confidence booster, especially for hazards and junctions. The DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme is also useful if you know what you want to improve, and IAM RoadSmart or RoSPA RoADAR are there if you want to work towards a recognised advanced qualification. It is also worth making sure your cover matches your use, such as commuter motorcycle insurance.

Now, let’s look at one of the big questions people ask before they book anything.

You’ll be pleased to know that some motorcycle insurance providers can potentially give you a discount, provided you have attained an advanced riding qualification.

Different insurers will accept different qualifications, so it is always worth checking exactly which courses are eligible and could save you a few pennies!

Advanced training can sometimes have a positive impact on your insurance premium, because it shows you have taken extra steps to improve your riding and reduce risk. That said, it is not a guaranteed discount, and it will depend on the insurer and the type of qualification you hold.

In most cases, insurers will look at things like your overall riding experience, your bike, where it is kept, and your claims history, then consider training as one extra piece of the puzzle. Some will only recognise certain schemes, so it is always worth checking what they accept before you book a course, especially if saving money is one of your main goals.

If you are shopping around, it helps to mention any advanced qualifications when you get a quote and keep your certificate details handy. And of course, make sure your policy matches how you actually use your bike, whether that is commuting or riding for work. If you want to compare cover and get a quote, take a look at our motorcycle insurance options.

Throughout the UK, you will find a variety of advanced training courses available for you to check out. However, we have compiled a list of the most popular:

Starting with arguably the most practical and important course on this list, we have advanced motorcycle training.

Advanced motorcycle courses are suitable for anyone who has a bike licence. Whether you have just recently passed your test, or perhaps you’re a seasoned rider who has had your bike stored in the garage for a few months and wants to brush up on your riding skills, advanced courses can help you reduce any bad habits you have picked up through independent riding, or keep you up to date regarding the ever-changing Highway Code.

Which one you choose will depend on your own preference and what is available in your area, so I would recommend checking them all out to see which one you like the sound of most. However, the focus and basic principles will be the same.

An expert instructor will look at your riding and advise you about things you could work on to become a better and safer rider.

You can then embark on your one-to-one training course and receive a certificate when you have attained the required standard.

I think it is fair to say that adventure bikes have become extremely popular over the last few years, especially thanks to new models entering the market, such as the Honda XL750 Transalp & QJMotor SRT 450 RX, which we recently got to test.

There are a variety of off-road schools throughout the UK, specialising in teaching you all of the skills required to go on an off-road adventure with your motorcycle, as well as maintenance and workshop training to help you in the event of a breakdown, miles from civilisation, all in a fun and friendly learning environment.

Courses worth checking out include one here in East Anglia named ‘Adventure Bike Training’, as well as former British Enduro Champion Alex Snow’s Off-Road Motorcycle Training (based in the South West of England) in partnership with KTM.

Next up, we have track days. While they are a popular pastime for a wide variety of riders (including those who want to live out their MotoGP dreams), you’d be surprised how much receiving specialised training on a track can help with every aspect of riding on public roads.

According to gov.uk national statistics, between 2018 and 2022, one of the highest causes of incidents within the UK was due to loss of control, so increasing a rider's level of control over their bike by enhancing their advanced skills and training can only be a good thing.

Courses such as the British Superbike School were set up to reduce traffic collisions by teaching the skills required to control your bike away from road hazards, the physics behind stopping, turning, and accelerating a motorcycle, as well as how to respond to rider inputs.

The answer to this question will depend on what you are looking to get out of your advanced motorcycle riding course.

If you are looking for a course to enhance your road riding skills, or perhaps ways to try and bring down your insurance, it is worth taking a look at some of the recognised courses out there, such as:

One great option to consider when carrying out an advanced motorcycle riding course is the DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme assessment and training. You can join this course regardless of your previous (or lack of) riding experience and will be assessed by an expert trainer over seven different modules, including:

• Structured Planning Approaches to Riding
• Hazard Awareness and Defensive Riding Techniques
• How you use & progress with speed
• Overtaking & Filtering
• Bends and cornering
• Control at slower speeds
• Development of riding attitude

Once you have completed these modules, the expert will decide whether you will need further training. If the answer is no, you will immediately attain the DVSA certificate of competence.

On the other hand, if the assessment deems that you require further training, then you and the trainer will draw up a training plan in the form of an all-day session or a few shorter sessions.

BikeSafe is a national, police-led motorcycle safety initiative, delivered by serving or retired motorcycle officers and supported by many UK police forces. I

t is aimed at helping riders become safer and more confident on real roads, with a focus on the things that most often lead to collisions, such as observation, anticipation, road positioning, speed management, and junction approach.

A typical BikeSafe workshop combines an interactive classroom session with an observed ride, followed by detailed feedback from the police rider(s). It is not an exam, and there is no pass or fail; instead, you get practical, personalised guidance you can apply straight away to everyday riding, whether you are commuting, touring, or riding for work.

For many people, it also works well as a stepping stone into more formal advanced qualifications like the DVSA Enhanced Rider Scheme, IAM RoadSmart, or RoSPA RoADAR.

Another training course well worth considering is the Advanced Motorcycle Training course from RoSPA.

This training course will run over four days and will teach riders how to approach pre-ride motorcycle checks, the effects attitude and fatigue can have on their riding, as well as helping you to develop a systematic yet defensive approach to hazard management and risk when out on the roads.

Once the training is complete, you will then be ready to take the RoSPA's nationally recognised Advanced Motorcycle Course. To obtain a good grade, RoSPA states you must have a good knowledge of the Highway Code as well as Motorcycle Roadcraft.

The final training course to consider is the IAM RoadSmart Advanced Rider course.

Before you start the course, you will be paired with one of the company’s highly skilled observers who already hold an additional Institute of the Motor Industry qualification.

Once matched, you will meet the trainer at a convenient location for both of you. Then, over a series of observed rides, you will learn the skills required to develop your core riding technique, as well as how to apply the ‘IPSGA’ framework (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration) to a variety of on-road situations, including bends, motorways, and overtakes.

Alternatively, if you are looking for more of a ‘fun’ advanced training course, such as one to enhance your off-roading capabilities or even to learn how to do a wheelie, we would suggest looking at something like:

Kicking off the slightly more ‘entertaining’ courses, if you’ve ever wanted to pop out some impressive wheelies on your bike, then wheelie school might be the one for you!

These training courses let you learn how to do a wheelie in a safe environment, rather than trying it on UK roads, even if they seem quiet or secluded.

Attempting wheelies on the road is highly dangerous, could result in prosecution for Dangerous Driving under the Road Traffic Act 1988, and is in no way recommended.

How is it possible to learn how to wheelie safely, you ask? Training schools such as the Next Level Wheelie School use state-of-the-art wheelie machines. These machines can let you get used to the technique and control required to pull a giant wheelie without any risk of flipping the bike or dropping it.

Similar to the track training that we mentioned earlier, motocross training can give a different experience than you are used to and help develop skills that you can take back to the road. It’s a fun and exhilarating experience that makes for a great day out and can make you a better rider!

Schools such as DR Lee Dunham Racing offer taster sessions, half-day or full-day sessions, which can either be carried out one-to-one or in small groups. Providing you with all of the gear you require, you will receive tuition from former British and European champion Lee Dunham and his team.

You will also learn safety and control techniques as well as how to read the circuit and choose proper positioning - all handy skills to pick up and use when riding on UK roads!

Another interesting course to look into is the Knee-down Riding Training by i2i - perfect for those who wish to live out their MotoGP dreams!

The i2i Motorcycle Academy created this course due to the high demand, and whilst this course was originally orchestrated to learn how to slide a knee when going around corners, i2i found that the riders gained much more experience and techniques applicable to UK roads than ever expected!

So, there you have it, here is my guide to everything you need to know regarding Advanced Motorcycle Training courses…

Last but not least, if you are looking for motorcycle insurance, make sure to get a quote direct with Lexham!