book motorbike training with ATB Rider Training in Sheffield

About ATB Rider Training

ATB Rider Training is a wholly family owned motorcycle training school with good old fashioned family values.

Three generations of the Bickerstaff family, along with a fantastic team of experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructors ensure that our training school can cater for anyone. We welcome all ages, genders and motorcyclists with any level of experience to our friendly, relaxed environment. We pride ourselves on not only teaching pupils to achieve the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) National Standard for motorcycling, but to a level far beyond that. Exceeding the normal levels of training and service you would expect from a motorcycle training school.

Whether you are looking to ride for pleasure or to commute we can offer a course to suit your needs, from Compulsory Basic Training (CBT), to a full license through the Direct Access Scheme (DAS). We have bikes and scooters that cover the full range of training needs including 50cc scooters, 125 cc motorcycles up to 650cc machines, all maintained to the highest standards.

For more experienced riders we offer courses that include the highly regarded Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS) in conjunction with the Derbyshire Road Safety Team and Advanced Training, as well as Back to Biking for those who have taken a bit of time out of the saddle.

We can build a course to suit your specific requirements, so whether you are in Sheffield, Rotherham, Chesterfield, Barnsley or coming back to the area on leave from the Forces we will deliver a tailored service with quality second to none.

Over the years we have created an extended family of ex-pupils who constantly drop in for tea, coffee and a chat, we organise charity events and ride outs to which everyone is welcome!

We are the most recommended training school in South Yorkshire, our post course evaluation proves that 100% of our customers would recommend us to friends or family, and we firmly believe that we have have built a reputation as Training School to Get Results we do not pick and choose pupils; we believe that as professionals we can teach anybody to ride all you have to remember is:

Every goal that has ever been reached began with just one step and the belief that it could be attained. When the road becomes hard to travel and it feels as if youll never reach the end. Look deep inside your heart and you will find the strength you never knew you had.

Believe in yourself and remember all at ATB Rider Training do too!

What are the different types of motorcycle licence I can get in Sheffield?

There are 4 main types of full motorcycle licence issued by the DVSA. The first three (AM, A1 and A2 motorcycle licences) have restrictions on the type of moped or motorcycle you can ride, the fourth (the full A motorcycle licence) has no restrictions.

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The AM restricted moped licence

This is the only licence available to you when you are 16 years old. This licence allows you to ride a moped of 50 cc or less which has a top speed of 28 mph, with a passenger and without Learner plates. If you are only interested in riding a moped and nothing more then this licence could be right for you. If you want to ride a more powerful motorcycle then you might find it better to wait until you are 17. From the age of 17 onwards you can take the A1 motorcycle test which allows you to ride motorcycle up to 125 cc and with some restrictions on its power to weight ratio.

The A1 restricted motorcycle licence

The minimum age to take this test is 17. According to the DVSA website it will allow you to ride a "Light motorcycle up to 11 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.1 kW per kg) and 125 cc". This means it's up to a 125 cc motorcycle with some restrictions to make sure it cannot accelerate too fast - a really good idea when you are new to riding a motorbike!

Requirements to take the A1 motorcycle test - You must have a UK provisional or full driving licence, a valid theory test certificate and a valid CBT certificate. Once you have taken this test you will not have to keep renewing your CBT certificate every 2 years, you can ride on motorways and you can take a pillion passenger on the back of your motorbike.

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The A2 restricted motorcycle licence

For this licence you need to be at least 19 years of age, have completed your CBT or have had an A1 licence for at least 2 years. As with the A1 test you also need to have a UK provisional or full driving licence and a valid theory test certificate . The main benefit of getting an A2 licence is you can ride a more powerful motorcycle. The law states a "standard motorcycle up to 35 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.2 kW per kg)". So it's a more powerful bike, but still not completely un-restricted. To find A2 legal motorbikes you are best visiting your local motorcycle dealer and asking them to show you the A2 legal bikes, as otherwise it's very difficult to work out just looking at the tech specs.

The full A motorcycle licence, or DAS licence.

This is the licence that allows you to ride almost any motorcycle without restrictions, so it's the ultimate motorcycle licence. No limits on power outputs or power per kg or engine size! It is also called a 'DAS' licence as it can be obtained from the 'Direct AccesS' route. There are two ways you can get this licence:

1) If you are 24 or over you can take the tests for an A licence. You must also have a UK provisional or full driving licence, a valid theory test certificate and a valid CBT certificate

2) If you are at least 21 years of age and you have held an A2 category licence for at least 2 years. This is sometimes referred to as the 'progressive access' route as you progress from one licence to another.

When taking the test the biggest difference is that you have to use a bigger, more powerful motorcycle. It will have a power of at least 40kw and an engine cc of at least 595 cc. Your local training school will make sure you have the right size bike for your test.

There is also a flowchart (click here) that the DVLA have produced that shows these different licences and how to obtain them.

To get more detailed guidance on what licence is right for you then talk to your local motorcycle training school. You can search for them here and they are qualified to speak to you on the right type of training for you.

What are the main parts of a motorcycle test?

CBT is only part of motorcycle training. To get your full motorcycle licence you need to pass the following tests:

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Theory and hazard perception tests

These are completed at your local DVSA theory test centre. The theory test is a 57 minute test taken under exam conditions. It will check that you have a thorough knowledge of the Highway Code and check that you understand the theory of riding a motorcycle. The hazard perception test takes about 15 minutes and is taken straight after the theoury test. You will be shown a set of videos that show road situations from a motorcycle riders point of view. As you are watching the videos you have to indicate where you think a possible hazard is developing. The sooner you identify a hazard the higher the score you will get.

There are some useful resources for helping you pass your motorcycle theory test. Firstly is the DVSA video on passing your theory test, just click this link. There is also a video to help with your hazard perception test here. If you'd like to practice the theory test then click this link, and there is also a practice for the hazard percption test here.

Compulsory basic training - CBT

This is the training that takes a day to complete, sometimes longer and contains a mixture of classroom theory, off road practice and on road riding. It is completed at a motorcycle training school, you can find your closest motorcycle training school by clicking here. You can read up about all the details of compulsory basic training here.

The module 1 (mod 1) test

You can view a video from the DVSA all about the module 1 test here. This test normally takes about 20 minutes and is taken in a completely off road setting. You will be taken to a large tarmac area where you will need to demonstrate your ability to carry out the following manoeuvres:

  • wheeling the moped or motorcycle and using the stand
  • riding a slalom and figure of 8
  • a slow ride
  • a U-turn
  • cornering and a controlled stop
  • cornering and an emergency stop
  • cornering and hazard avoidance

Once you have completed the test you will be told if you have passed or failed. You must pass the module 1 test before taking the module 2 test. Therefore be careful when you book, as if your module 2 test is too soon after your module 1 test and you fail the module 1 you will not be able to take your module 2 test.

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The module 2 (mod 2) test

You can view a video from the DVSA all about the module 2 test here. This test involves riding on road and takes about 40 minutes in total. You will need to carry out the following things:

  1. an eyesight check
  2. show me, tell me vehicle safety questions
  3. road riding
  4. independent riding

You must bring your module 1 pass certificate to the module 2 test, you cannot take the module 2 test without a module 1 pass certificate.

The eyesight check involves reading a number plate from 20 metres away. 'Show me, tell me' is where you will be asked 2 vehicle safety questions from this list. As well as answering you must show the examiner what you are talking about by demonstrating it on the motorcycle. With the road ride the examiner will give you instructions through a radio link and will normally follow you on a motorcycle to observe your riding. The last 10 minutes will be independent riding which is designed to assess your ability to ride safely while making your own decisions. After telling you a set of directions you will be expected to carry them out safely and independently.