What It Is
A structured, coached route to Advanced Rider status
Open to anyone who has held a full motorcycle licence for at least three months — from newly qualified riders building good habits, to experienced riders after a structured refresh.
Who it suits: Riders at any stage — new licence holders, returning riders blowing off the cobwebs, and experienced riders wanting a structured check on their skills.
Volunteer Observers
- Paired 1-to-1 with a local Observer
- Observers are themselves Advanced Riders
- Hold an IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) qualification
- Coaching delivered on your own machine
What's Covered
- The IPSGA framework applied to real riding
- POWDERY pre-ride checks
- Cornering, limit points and overtaking
- Building a "safety bubble" around the bike
Typical Structure
- Initial assessment ride with an Observer
- Typically 6–8 observed rides to test-ready standard
- Practice between sessions at your own pace
- Whole programme usually runs 3–5 months
Community
- Joins your local IAM RoadSmart group
- Regular ride-outs and social events
- Many go on to become Observers themselves
- Route into organisations like Blood Bikes
Step by Step
The Advanced Rider course
A pass/fail test at the end of a coached programme — there's no grading, only "ready" or "not yet."
Join & Get Assigned
Purchase the course and you're referred to your nearest local group, receiving one year's Associate Membership and a course log-book.
Observed Rides
Work through a series of rides with your Observer, covering IPSGA in practice — bends, limit points, overtaking, motorway riding — with practice between sessions.
Agree Test Readiness
You and your Observer jointly decide when you're ready to be put forward for the Advanced Rider Test with an Examiner.
Advanced Rider Test
A single pass/fail test. On passing, you're awarded Advanced Rider status and upgraded from Associate to Full Member.
Cost & Benefits
What you get
Course Fee
Around £175, covering Observer-led rides, the course log-book, and your first year of IAM RoadSmart and local group membership. Local groups may ask for a discretionary contribution toward an Observer's fuel.
Ongoing Benefits
- Potential insurance discounts via partner schemes
- Access to the F1RST Register (voluntary skills check)
- Track days and Rider Development Sessions
- A nationwide community of ~70,000 members
Summarised from publicly available course information on iamroadsmart.com. Course details, pricing and timelines are subject to change — check the official site before booking.