The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999

Regulation 59

SCHEDULE 12 ELEMENTS OF AN APPROVED TRAINING COURSE

(A) Introduction

1.  Trainees must be told and must understand:—

• the aims of the approved training course;

• the importance of having the right equipment and clothing.

2.  Trainees' eyesight must be tested. Trainees must be able to read, in good daylight, a vehicle registration mark containing letters and figures 79.4 mm high at a distance of 20.5 metres (with the aid of glasses or contact lenses if worn).

(B) Practical on site training

Trainees must receive practical on site training at the conclusion of which they must fulfil the following requirements, that is to say they must:—

• be familiar with the motor cycle, its controls and how it works;

• be able to carry out basic machine checks to a satisfactory standard and be able to take the bike on and off the stand satisfactorily;

• be able to wheel the machine around to the left and right showing proper balance and bring the motorcycle to a controlled halt by braking;

• be able to start and stop the engine satisfactorily.

(C) Practical on site riding

Trainees must undertake practical on site riding at the conclusion of which they must be able to:—

• ride the machine under control in a straight line and bring the machine to a controlled halt;

• ride the machine round a figure of eight circuit under control;

• ride the machine slowly under control;

• carry out a U-turn manoeuvre satisfactorily;

• bring the machine to a stop under full control as in an emergency;

• carry out controlled braking using both brakes;

• change gear satisfactorily;

• carry out rear observation correctly;

• carry out simulated left and right hand turns correctly using the Observation-Signal-Manoeuvre (OSM) and Position-Speed-Look (PSL) routines.

(D) Practical on road training

1.  Before undertaking practical on road riding trainees must be instructed in the matters set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 below and achieve the objectives mentioned therein.

2.  Trainees must understand the following:—

• the need to be clearly visible to other road users (the use of conspicuity aids);

• the importance of knowing the legal requirements for riding on the road;

• why motor cyclists are more vulnerable than most road users;

• the need to drive at the correct speed according to road and traffic conditions;

• the importance of knowing the Highway Code;

• the need to ride defensively and anticipate the actions of other road users;

• the need to use rear observation at appropriate times;

• the need to assume the correct road position when riding;

• the need to leave sufficient space when following another vehicle;

• the need to pay due regard to the effect of varying weather conditions when riding.

3.  Trainees must be aware of:—

• the effect on a vehicle of the various types of road surface that can be encountered;

• the dangers of drug and alcohol use;

• the consequences of aggressive attitudes when riding;

• the importance of hazard perception.

(E) Practical on road riding

1.  Trainees must undertake on road riding for a period of not less than two hours. They must (subject to paragraph 2 below) encounter all the following traffic situations and demonstrate their ability to handle each one competently and safely:—

• roundabouts

• junctions

• pedestrian crossings

• traffic lights

• gradients

• bends

• obstructions.

2.  Upon application being made by an approved training body for the purpose, the Secretary of State may excuse that body from compliance with a requirement mentioned in paragraph 1 above in respect of practical on-road instruction conducted from premises where the training body provides courses if, having regard to the location of those premises, he is satisfied that it is impractical to comply with that requirement.

3.  Trainees must also repeat the following exercises in normal road conditions:—

• carry out a U-turn manoeuvre satisfactorily;

• bring the machine to a stop under full control as in an emergency.