What It Is
Free tutoring, toward a graded national test
Local RoADAR (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Advanced Drivers and Riders) groups provide free tuition on the road to the national RoSPA Advanced Motorcycle Test.
The headline difference: RoSPA doesn't simply pass or fail — it grades your ride against the standard set out in Motorcycle Roadcraft, with Gold recognised as the highest civilian riding award available in the UK.
Volunteer Tutors
- Free tuition from RoSPA-registered Tutors
- Tutors hold their own high-grade pass
- No limit on the number of sessions
- Guideline: ~200 miles practice between sessions
Police Class 1 Examiners
- Test conducted by serving/retired officers
- Test lasts roughly 45–90 minutes
- Followed on your route, on their own machine
- Ends with Highway Code & Roadcraft questioning
Three-Year Retest
- Grade must be renewed every 3 years
- Retest is free if membership is kept current
- Keeps standards demonstrably maintained
- First year's RoSPA membership included in test fee
Knowledge Base
- Deep familiarity with the Highway Code expected
- Grounded in "Motorcycle Roadcraft" (Police Rider's Handbook)
- System of motorcycle control applied consistently
- Some prior post-test training strongly advised
The Grading System
Bronze, Silver, Gold
Every test result is graded — there is no plain "pass." Candidates who don't reach Bronze standard fail the test.
Performance significantly above the standard required to pass the standard motorcycle test. Shows a basic working knowledge of Motorcycle Roadcraft, but not yet applied consistently throughout the ride. The ride must still be entirely safe, observing traffic signs and responding correctly to hazards.
Well above average. A consistently safe, systematic ride demonstrating a thorough knowledge of the System of Motorcycle Control, riding up to the permitted limit where safe — but without the final polish and smoothness of a Gold ride. A high grade and a commendable achievement in its own right.
The highest civilian riding award available. Reserved for the polished, systematic rider who displays complete understanding and consistent application of Roadcraft throughout the entire test, making unobtrusive, safe, and well-planned progress.
At a Glance
IAM RoadSmart vs RoSPA
Both are built on the same Roadcraft foundations, but the pathway and outcome differ.
| IAM RoadSmart | RoSPA | |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Pass / Fail | Bronze / Silver / Gold / Fail |
| Coach | Volunteer Observer (IMI qualified) | Volunteer Tutor (RoSPA-registered) |
| Examiner | IAM RoadSmart Examiner | Serving/retired Police Class 1 rider |
| Retest cycle | None required to keep status | Every 3 years to retain grade |
| Rough equivalence | Broadly comparable to RoSPA Silver | Gold is the highest civilian qualification |
Summarised from publicly available material published by RoSPA and affiliated RoADAR groups, including the official rospa.com advanced test pages and RoADAR test guidance documents. Grading descriptions are examiner guidance, not a guarantee of outcome — check the official site for current test details and fees.