Rider development course
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) Rider Development Session offers 4 hours of on-road training designed to refine your riding skills, making each ride more enjoyable.
Tailored to your specific needs, this session is ideal for any licenced motorcyclist with their own bike, regardless of experience level.
About the session
This half-day, 1-to-1 skills development session pairs you with an expert IAM RoadSmart Observer. Designed to sharpen your riding abilities, the session focuses on improving decision-making and making riding more intuitive. Covering five key competencies, you can choose areas to concentrate on (depending on local availability):
- Motorways and Dual Carriageways
- Overtaking
- Junctions and Roundabouts
- Bends and Cornering
- Core Riding Skills
Based on Advanced Riding techniques, this session focuses on developing your Observation, Anticipation, and Planning skills.
You’ll have the opportunity to agree a date and time that suits you.
Advanced rider course
The IAM Advanced Rider course gives you additional knowledge and skills to make your on-road experiences safer and more fulfilling. All you need is a full valid licence and your own motorbike.
We want to help you enjoy your passion, grow friendships, and create memorable experiences on your bike, now and in the future.
About the course
What does becoming a more skilful rider mean to you? Better road positioning? Enhanced observation skills? Or simply greater bike control?
Whichever aspect of riding you’re looking to improve, our course brings your skills up to an advanced level, helping you to get more out of riding and preparing you for any on-road scenario.
For the course, you’ll be paired with one of our highly skilled Observers, themselves Advanced Riders who hold an additional Institute of the Motor Industry qualification.
Our Observers will meet you in location that is convenient for you both. You can discuss where you’d like to meet your Observer once you have been assigned to your Local Group.
Over a series of observed rides, you’ll develop your core riding skills and learn how to continuously apply the ‘IPSGA’ framework (Information, Position, Speed, Gear, Acceleration) to a variety of on-road situations including on bends, motorways, and during overtakes.
We’ll send you a handbook to help you keep track of your progress, and you’ll have time to practise and hone your new skills between each session.
You can even take advantage of your local Group and meet up with others on the course to discuss and share your newfound knowledge and skills.
When you’re ready, your Observer will put you forward for your Advanced Test with one of our Examiners. Upon completion, you’ll gain ‘Advanced Rider’ and ‘IAM RoadSmart Member’ status.
What’s included in the course fee?
- Membership of your local group
- Typically around 6-12 sessions with an Observer
- The Advanced Test
- One year’s membership to IAM RoadSmart as an Associate
Are there any additional costs?
Your allocated Observer is a volunteer and will use their own motorcycle when riding with you to deliver the Advanced Rider course. Some Groups request that a contribution is made to the fuel costs incurred by the Observer.
For more information on both courses see the IAM RoadSmart | UK Road Safety Charity | Advanced Driver & Rider Courses website.
Article written by Nige.
Last update: March 2025
Nige commutes to work on one of his ‘trusty’ bikes in all weather, he has ridden all over the UK and most of Europe, he has had input from Em and Dan to try and help new riders understand more about bikes and riding..
We may receive a commission if you purchase a product using the affiliate links on any page of this website. This is at no cost to the purchaser, however does support our website and helps us to continue to build with more great content.