RIDE - Rider Intervention Developing Experience

Motorcyclists make up about 1% of traffic and are involved in around 25% of all serious injury or fatal collisions. There are many reasons why this is the case, however the very nature of motorcycling and the mindset of some motorcyclists exposes them to extreme dangers.

RIDE is aimed at motorcyclists and scooter riders reported for riding without due care and attention by the police. RIDE does not deal with riders referred for speeding offences, these are referred to the National Speed Awareness Course.

Booking a place on a RIDE course

If you have been offered the option of a RIDE course by the police and would like to book a place in Kent, or require further information email RIDE@kent.gov.uk or call us on 08458 247 800.

You can attend only 1 RIDE course in 3 years. Any further offending will be dealt with by way of a prosecution.

The correct course for you

There are 2 types of RIDE course and your referral to either depends on the size of bike you were riding at the time of being stopped by the police.

Under 500cc

For young and inexperienced riders, riding machines of under 500cc, RIDE is a split theory and practical course lasting 6¼ hours (including breaks). For the practical element you are required to provide a suitable bike of similar capacity to that which you committed your offence on. Courses are often arranged at locations that fit with the majority of clients attending.

500cc and over

For experienced bikers on large bikes, RIDE is a theory only course lasting 6¼ hours (including breaks). Courses are normally delivered in Ditton, near Maidstone.

Attending the course

• The course fee is currently £150 and is non-refundable
• Each course lasts 1 day and deals with up to 20 people in the same situation as you
• The scheme is delivered by staff with professional driver training backgrounds and follows national guidelines. Many of our instructors are practical motorcyclist trainers. Kent Police do not participate in the course
• You must bring your driving licence and photo identification to prove your identity
  • If you have a photocard licence you must bring both the card and paper counterpart
  • If you have an old style paper licence you are required to bring photo identification too, for example your passport
• You will fail the course before it starts if you cannot prove your identity  
• If you arrive late it is likely that you will be refused entry, hence you would fail the course
• The course is not a driving test, but you can fail it by not participating positively or by missing parts of the course, for example by arriving late or by riding in an unsafe manner causing your practical drive to be ended by the instructor
• We provide drinks

RIDE course information

The RIDE course invites offenders to question their own assumptions about their ability and competency to ride a motorcycle and to alert them to the vulnerability that reckless, careless or anti social riding can attract. The aim of the course is to prevent riders from reoffending or worse, becoming a casualty.

As with all diversionary schemes delivered by us, RIDE is an opportunity for you to get something positive from an otherwise negative event, that previously would have been dealt with by prosecution.

For course content information and a list of service providers nationwide, visit the National Association of Driver Intervention Providers website.