RoSPA Diploma: what's it like to become an instructor?

[SVS]

Has anyone done a RoSPA Diploma or equivalent? If so, what's it like?

I'm most interested in any experience of bike instructor (RMPT) courses, but guess I could extrapolate from car courses.

So, who's done an advanced instructor course? What was it like?

[7mike]

I did it about seven years ago. At the time RoSPA were working in partnership a lot with BMW so did it at their Thorne HQ and used their cars (E90 330i). A lot of the time was spent in vehicle but also covered presentation skills & theory etc(expected to know Roadcraft backwards !). The course is accredited by the DSA to enter the fleet register, subject to already being an ADI of course.

[SVS]

Thanks Mike. How difficult's the course? "Gold plus" driving? Much theory to learn? Difficulty of exams?

No need to be an ADI on the bike, of course. Just a RoSPA Diploma and you're straight on the DSA's post-test trainer register.

[7mike]

SVS said:

Thanks Mike. How difficult's the course? "Gold plus" driving? Much theory to learn? Difficulty of exams?

No need to be an ADI on the bike, of course. Just a RoSPA Diploma and you're straight on the DSA's post-test trainer register.

IIRC Theory test was fairly in-depth, HWC/Roadcraft but if you're away from home for a week there's plenty time to swot up; didn't spend too much time in the hotel bar given the amount of driving the next day We were also given a topic within Roadcraft to prepare a short presentation on. "Gold Plus" is probably a good way of describing the standards and a fair bit of commentary, mostly instructional commentary. I'm working tomorrow but if you have any other questions I'll dig out the course work to jog my memory!

[SVS]

7mike said:

... theory etc(expected to know Roadcraft backwards !)

How did you go about learning this? I guess you must have swatted up beforehand. How much did you have to know word for word?

[7mike]

SVS said:

How did you go about learning this? I guess you must have swatted up beforehand. How much did you have to know word for word?

Apologies for the delay!! I've dug out a sample theory paper from my old course work. Happy to scan it in & send if you want to pm me.