Our members join for a range of reasons:

• To improve riding skills
• To increase confidence on the motorcycle
• Improve situational awareness
• To develop a better riding technique
• To become a better overall rider
• To become a volunteer tutor
• For the social engagement with other like-minded riders
• To continue to maintain safety riding practices even after passing the ROSPA test
• To gain the accreditation required to volunteer for other organisations, such as Blood Bikes
• To supplement training sessions from paid instructors with free tutoring by accredited ROSPA tutors
• To get back into riding after a lengthy period out of the saddle
• To maximise safety on the bike
• To improve specific skills such as cornering, motorcycle control, and forward planning
• To gain ROSPA Advanced Rider accreditation

If you have more questions before joining, simply visit the Contact Us page on our website and send us your questions. A member of the team will respond.

If you're ready to join, visit our Subscribe page and complete the form.

There is a nominal administration fee of €25/year.

ROSPA IART (officially known as ‘RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders Ireland Riders') is a non-profit organisation. It is not a charity or limited company. It is completely run by non-paid volunteers.

Payment of the membership fee provides access to a free tutor who will guide your learning through a series of mentoring sessions that usually leads to the ROSPA test. Member status to ROSPA IART (officially known as ‘RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders Ireland Riders'), also provides voting rights at the AGM in order to shape the ongoing direction of the organisation.

No, the tutoring sessions are free for members.

No, tutors give their time free of charge and receive no payment. They also do not accept any formal payment from associates (our name for students). However, offering to cover the tutor’s fuel costs and the occasional coffee is very welcome.

Tutoring sessions will be a combination of group rides and one-to-one sessions. Group rides typically involve 3 to 4 associates, where each associate takes the lead position and is observed by the tutor. After a period of leading the ride, the group stops, and the tutor reviews the lead rider's technique and discusses improvements with the group. One-to-one sessions are also conducted as needed and are particularly helpful as the associate approaches their test date to sharpen their skills ahead of the test.

That's great news. However, believing you are a great and safe rider is not the same as being accredited as one. But the skills required to pass the ROSPA test are often techniques that the average rider is not aware of, and don't practice on a day-to-day basis. Many 'good riders' would struggle to gain a passing grade on the ROSPA test without being able to consistently demonstrate these advanced techniques.

The minimum grade for ROSPA Rider tutors is a Silver passing grade. However, the vast majority of our tutors have achieved a Gold passing grade.

Additionally, tutors undertake a tutoring course with our Advanced Tutors and must gain a passing grade on that test.

Finally, tutors are re-certified by ROSPA examiners every three years, and this test covers their riding standards and their tutoring capabilities.

It depends... Obviously, a key factor is how experienced a rider you are when you start and how quickly you absorb the advanced riding techniques. Additionally, getting the kilometres in between rides with your tutor is key to your progress.

With that said, most people who join the group take somewhere between six months to one year to prepare for taking the test, but it can be as little as a couple of months.

No, taking the test is not mandatory, but it is strongly encouraged. Working towards a test means that you more meaningfully absorb and put into practice the techniques you are shown. However, our key aim is to improve the riding standards of our members, so if you do not wish to gain formal recognition by achieving a passing test grade, just let us know and the tutor will work with you accordingly.

1. The most obvious requirement is that you must have passed the standard motorcycle test and hold at least an A1 licence (covering Motorcycles with an engine capacity not exceeding 125 cc, with a power rating not exceeding 11 kw and with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.1 kw/kg. Motor tricycles with a power rating not exceeding 15 kw.)
2. You must be at least 18
3. We would normally expect people who join the group to have held a full driving licence for at least a year, but this is not a fixed rule.

We are always looking for more volunteer tutors to cover more of the country. To volunteer, members must have passed the ROSPA Test with at least a Silver grade. They then complete our tutoring program and must pass a tutoring assessment. Once you are a volunteer tutor you will need to commit to accepting your own group of associates. This can range from a single associate to a group of 3 to 4. You then organise to meet them regularly at a time that suits you. Most tutors meet their associates on weekends and will ride for between 2 to 4 hours. On average you would run sessions every 2 to 4 weeks, allowing associates to practice between sessions.

ROSPA examiners are based in various parts of Ireland. In most cases the nearest examiner to you will be within an hour’s ride from your home location. Each examiner will provide the meeting point details for your test.

You can find a list of ROSPA groups in Ireland here (See the Download Link on this page):

https://www.rospa.com/policy/road-safety/rospa-advanced-drivers-and-riders/join-a-group

ROSPA IART is dedicated to motorcycle training. We do not cover other types of vehicles.

No, ROSPA IART only provides the tutoring required to reach the standard where you can apply for your test. When you are ready (which your tutor will confirm) you apply directly to ROSPA UK via their website. Based on your location they will assign an examiner who will contact you and organise the date and location for your test.

No, ROSPA IART only provides the tutoring required to reach the standard where you can apply for your test. When you are ready (which your tutor will confirm) you apply directly to ROSPA UK via their website. Based on your location they will assign an examiner who will contact you and organise the date and location for your test.

Yes, we hold monthly group training rides with on average 25 riders. Typically, there will be 5 or so tutors spread within that group who observe and provide general feedback to the group. On request a rider can ask a tutor to spend some time with them on the ride observing their technique and general skills and will provide direct feedback during a break.

All members of ROSPA IART can join the monthly group training rides once they have been assessed as meeting the minimum safety requirements to join the rideout by their assigned tutor.

During a test, riders will be graded in one of four categories as follows:

GOLD

This grade is recognised as the highest riding award available to the public. It will be awarded only to the polished systematic rider who displays a complete understanding and appropriate application of the principles outlined in Motorcycle Roadcraft. With all this in place the gold standard rider will be able to make unobtrusive, planned, polished progress consistent with safety and the law.

The candidate will display a confidence and ability throughout the whole test which leads the examiner to consider that the candidate has the potential to do well on a police advanced course. The candidate’s performance must be consistent throughout the whole of the test and so lapses may result in a lower grade. Awards of this grade will therefore be reserved for the very best riders.

SILVER

This grade will be awarded to riders who are well above the average. These riders will produce consistently safe and systematic rides but perhaps without the final polish, flair and smoothness of the gold rider. They will demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the system of motorcycle control.

Candidates must be able to ride up to the permitted speed limit where it is safe to do so but vary speed according to circumstances and conditions. It must be emphasised that silver is a high grade and a commendable achievement.

BRONZE

This grade will be awarded to riders whose performance is significantly above the standard required to pass the L-riding test. These riders will show a basic knowledge of Motorcycle Roadcraft but lack the ability to apply the system consistently throughout the test. The ride should be entirely safe, observing traffic signs, responding correctly to hazards and should display advanced riding techniques.

FAIL

Candidates who fall below the minimum pass standard will fail. Riders will fail if they display potentially dangerous faults, persistently infringe speed limits, commit violations of Road Traffic Law or the rules contained in The Highway Code. If the candidate fails to reach the pass standard the examiner will offer advice on improvement and encourage further training or guidance from a local group.

Occasional minor infringements with perceived acceptable reasons will not be condoned but may not on their own be a reason for failure. As a general rule, the examiner will consider whether the candidate is a rider worthy of displaying the badge of an advanced rider, i.e. someone who will consistently ride according to the principles of Motorcycle Roadcraft.

The main benefit is your increased safety when in the saddle. To be clear, the ROSPA accreditation does not, in itself, make you safe. It is your application of the System that increases your safety. Of course, everyone can be unlucky and even Gold riders can fall foul of random bad road users. But even in these cases, applying the System should mean that you walk away from an incident with nothing more than damage to your bike.

Because of this, some insurers provide discounts on premiums when you achieve a passing grade on the ROSPA test.

Some insurers may provide discounts on premiums when you achieve a passing grade on the ROSPA test. Check with your insurer for specific details.

If you have more questions before joining, simply visit the Contact Us page on our website and send us your questions. A member of the team will respond.

Please send an email to secretary@rospaiart.ie outlining the issue you are facing and your contact details.