Direct Access

The DA (Direct Access) course.

Before booking your course, please read the important notes you will find here.

A candidate will only qualify for a direct access course if they can satisfy the instructor (through discussion and practical demonstration) that they have sufficient proficiency, competency and previous experience and if they satisfy one or more of the following criteria:-

  • If they have carried out a full CBT/DA within the last 5 years
  • If they have previously carried out a full CBT/DA course and have held a valid provisional or full motorcycle licence within the last 5 years and state that they have ridden during this period.

For all the above criteria, the experience must have been gained on a manual motorcycle if wishing to ride a manual motorcycle.  A candidate who has only had previous experience of riding an automatic motorcycle will be required to carry out the full CBT course if wishing to ride a geared motorcycle.

 

Who needs to complete the DA course?:
If you have held a provisional or a full licence in categories P or A1 and are upgrading to a new category in the same type of bike (i.e. scooter to scooter or geared bike to geared bike) or if your licence has expired then you must not drive or ride your motorcycle or scooter on a public highway until you have successfully completed the DA course for motorcyclists and have been issued with a certificate of completion. YOU MUST HAVE TAKEN AND COMPLETED CBT OR DA SINCE 2009.

If you are renewing your provisional licence in the same category, i.e. not upgrading or changing to a new category, then you must complete the DA course within one month of the ‘valid from’ date of the new licence.

(Note, if you have held a full A1 licence for at least 12 months and you wish to upgrade to an A licence, you do not need to undertake the DA course.) 

What does the DA course involve?
The course is designed for those with some experience of riding a motorcycle or scooter and takes place over one session. Your instructor will arrange to meet you at a convenient time and after he has checked that all the paperwork is in order, he will conduct a road ride with you which will last a minimum of 120 minutes.

During this time you will be expected to demonstrate that you have good control of your motorcycle and that you can competently manage to ride in traffic and using different styles of road junctions and road formats.

Have you just got a new bike?                                                                                      Are you picking up a new bike and would like to have a 1-hour lesson prior to your Direct Access then please tell your instructor when they call to make the booking.

How much does it cost?
Fees for the courses can be found here:

Will any kind of bike do?
For safety reasons and also because some motorbikes or scooters are not representative of their class, there are some motorbikes you cannot do your course on.  These bikes include (but not limited to) ‘Thumps’ and the original Honda ‘Monkey Bike’.  If you have any doubts please contact us.

Please note.

From time to time the road ride may be filmed from the instructor’s bike, this is for training and safety purposes only.  if you have any objection please tell your instructor.
Booking your DA course:

Things for you to arrange beforehand:
• Complete the booking form, noting the number of your previous license and the date of its expiry. You will find the booking form here.  Print out and keep a copy of the confirmation page that you will receive once your booking has been made.

• Make an early application for your new driving license and ensure that it is valid from the date of your training or earlier.

• Ensure that you have applied for your insurance in good time and that it is valid from 08:55 or earlier on the day of your course.

• Ensure that your motorcycle is in proper working order, roadworthy and legal. We suggest that you have second-hand machines checked by a motorcycle dealer to ensure compliance.

Important note:
Your motorcycle will be checked by your instructor before the course starts. If he is not satisfied that it is roadworthy and legal, he may decide not to let you continue, in which case you will be required to re-book your course for another day. A re-booking fee may be charged in addition to the course fee. (See details of the fees here.) All motorcycles and scooters must have ‘L’ plates securely fitted in the proper and correct fashion.

Items that you must bring with you on the day:
• Provisional Driving Licence (Plastic and Paper counterpart) in the correct category for the motorcycle you will be using while training.

• Valid insurance certificate.

• A safety helmet in good condition conforming to current regulations, and which is a proper fit for you. We do not recommend using a second-hand or used helmet.

We also strongly recommend that you bring the following items of clothing with you, irrespective of the season or the weather:
• A stout jacket, preferably designed for use with a motorcycle.

• Waterproof outer layer. When not in use, this may be stowed in a convenient place on your motorcycle.

• Warm inner layer.

• Gloves, preferably designed for use with a motorcycle and which, as well as providing warmth, will give good protection against knocks and abrasions to the hands and fingers.

• Stout footwear. Ideally, your footwear must cover your ankles and have good rubber soles.

Items of outer clothing which by themselves are not acceptable during training
• Shorts.

• Skirts or dresses.

• ‘Flip-flops’, sandals, or high-heeled shoes.

• T-shirts.

Important note:
If your instructor feels that you are inappropriately dressed and are unable to put the matter right before your ride starts, he may decide not to let you continue, in which case you will be required to re-book your course for another day. A re-booking fee may be charged in addition to the course fee. (See details of the fees here.)

Special needs:

If you have Special Needs of any sort then please ensure that you make this known at the time of booking.

Good Luck and enjoy the course!

Teaching safe and responsible riding in Guernsey