Every week I get some version of the same question from riders: "So what actually is the ERS?" Most have seen the letters somewhere — a forum post, a Facebook group, a mate who did it years ago — but the details are usually a bit fuzzy. So here's the straight answer, plus the questions that come up most once people understand the basics.
If you want the full structured breakdown of modules and pricing, that's covered on the main ERS page. This post is more about the questions behind the question — what it's actually like, and whether it's right for you.
Questions I Get Asked Most
Is ERS basically an advanced test?
Not quite. There's no pass/fail moment where you either walk away with a badge or nothing at all. It's coaching, not examination — the whole day is built around developing your riding, with a written assessment at the end that reflects where you got to. If you don't reach the required standard for the certificate on the day, that's genuinely fine — it just means we've identified what to work on next, not that you've failed something.
Do I need to be an experienced rider to do it?
You need a full motorcycle licence, but "experienced" is relative. I've trained riders a few months post-test and riders who passed decades ago and are just getting back into it. The coaching adapts to you — that's the whole point of it being one-to-one rather than a fixed course.
What's the actual point, beyond a certificate?
Genuinely, the certificate is almost secondary. The real value is a full day of structured, honest feedback on your riding from someone qualified to give it — hazard awareness, positioning, how you're actually using the controls, all the things that are hard to self-assess when you're the one riding. Most riders tell me afterwards they noticed things about their own riding they'd never have spotted alone.
Will it help with my insurance?
Some insurers do offer a discount for completing ERS, but policies vary a lot, so I'd always say check directly with your provider before assuming — don't book purely for that reason, but it's a genuine bonus for plenty of riders.
What if I've never done any coaching before, just my CBT and test?
That's completely normal, and honestly one of the most common starting points. ERS doesn't assume you've done anything beyond your test — the assessment ride at the start is specifically there to work out where you are, so the rest of the day can be pitched correctly for you.
Related Reading
Ready to find out for yourself?
Full-day and half-day ERS sessions available across Gloucestershire.