Rospa Test

lennymc

So I want to go for my rospa test - anyone on here done it recently (some of the threads I found were 5 yrs old. What is the procedure for doing it - any tips of info welcome

veetwin

I did it a few weeks ago. You book your test on-line and the tester rings you a few days later and arranges a mutually suitable time. You meet up at the Maxol in Templeouge and go through the POWDERS check. Then the tester (Mick) explains the route and off you go.

Basically you do a loop around the area then head out towards Firhouse, Brittas, Saggart, Naas Rd, M50 back to the Maxol. Stick religiously to the speed limits and ride to the system of motorcycle control and its no bother. Get the Police Riders handbook if you can and stick to the principles of that.

Best advice would be to try and talk to a ROSPA instructor as they are the one best qualified to offer advice on the actual riding.

lennymc

veetwin wrote: »

I did it a few weeks ago. You book your test on-line and the tester rings you a few days later and arranges a mutually suitable time. You meet up at the Maxol in Templeouge and go through the POWDERS check. Then the tester (Mick) explains the route and off you go.

Basically you do a loop around the area then head out towards Firhouse, Brittas, Saggart, Naas Rd, M50 back to the Maxol. Stick religiously to the speed limits and ride to the system of motorcycle control and its no bother. Get the Police Riders handbook if you can and stick to the principles of that.

Best advice would be to try and talk to a ROSPA instructor as they are the one best qualified to offer advice on the actual riding.

Cheers VTwin

Rafal

I have recertified last November. Pretty much as described above. I did my training with IART, a volunteer group officially affiliated with RoSPA, see http://www.rospaiart.ie/. Costs €25 for the year and well worth the effort, both in terms of preparation for the exam and general learning.

Training and testing is currently on hold, hopefully to resume in mid-July in line with phase 4 of the Covid plans. However, if you are volunteering your riding services to the likes of Blood Bikes or something similar you can get a test arranged as long as it is a requirement to your volunteering.

newmember2

Rafal wrote: »

I have recertified last November. Pretty much as described above. I did my training with IART, a volunteer group officially affiliated with RoSPA, see http://www.rospaiart.ie/. Costs €25 for the year and well worth the effort, both in terms of preparation for the exam and general learning.

Training and testing is currently on hold, hopefully to resume in mid-July in line with phase 4 of the Covid plans. However, if you are volunteering your riding services to the likes of Blood Bikes or something similar you can get a test arranged as long as it is a requirement to your volunteering.

What are the other advantages of getting this certification?

veetwin

Training is on hold. Testing is going ahead as normal. For me the reason I did it is that I was over 10 years off the bike and wanted to reassure myself I was still doing all the right things. My insurance was renewed in February but I would hope that next year I might be able to negotiate a better discount as a Rospa rider.

galwaytt

newmember? wrote: »

What are the other advantages of getting this certification?

I've now done mine 3 times (you resit it every 3 years). I originally did it as I knew it existed, but after a small off on my bike I was spitting fire that it happened and shouldn't have and after prevaricating for so long went off and did it in Galway. Subsequently that opened doors to me to riding for Blood Bike West and then BikeMarshals.ie and that has turned into a great social aspect to the whole thing.

For me, my riding is changed completely. When I think about it.........I didn't know how 'bad' some of my habits were until I did it.

It's safer primarily, but I also find it makes riding simpler, more comfortable, less stressful. Which is more enjoyable. 99% of bikers like honing their skills, and so I've found the sense of purpose adds to motorcycling even more.

From a nuts & bolts point of view you pick up good skills, from a financial point of view you get insurance discount(s), and from a safety point of view......it helps with self-preservation - always a ++ :pac:

Not sure where you're based, but there's the mentions above, plus
Munster Advanced Riders if you're down that way. https://munsterriders.ie/

In the West there's Rob at West Coast Motorcycle Training : http://westcoastmotorcycletraining.com/

Anything else, ask away.

lennymc

Just applied for the test there - will see how it goes. Just need to practice now...

The QuietMan

Doing the test is on my long list of things to do, nonetheless I’ll get around to it, I purchased this over the weekend to kick off the whole process.

Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider's Handbook https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0117081884/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pd7YEbG753NQP

zubair

Rafal wrote: »

I have recertified last November. Pretty much as described above. I did my training with IART, a volunteer group officially affiliated with RoSPA, see http://www.rospaiart.ie/. Costs €25 for the year and well worth the effort, both in terms of preparation for the exam and general learning.

Training and testing is currently on hold, hopefully to resume in mid-July in line with phase 4 of the Covid plans. However, if you are volunteering your riding services to the likes of Blood Bikes or something similar you can get a test arranged as long as it is a requirement to your volunteering.

I found it almost impossible to contact IART the last time I tried and just gave up.

galwaytt

zubair wrote: »

I found it almost impossible to contact IART the last time I tried and just gave up.

where are you based ?

H_Lime

lennymc wrote: »

Just applied for the test there - will see how it goes. Just need to practice now...

If I rode like an angry copper was behind me would I pass this Lenny?

lennymc

No comment h_lime....

H_Lime

Lol, was I that bad?

H_Lime

Ah yaed wanna see me now tho!:pac:

myclist

Might sound like a stupid question, But can ROSPA be done before you have done your driving test?

lennymc

H_Lime wrote: »

Lol, was I that bad?

no comment.....

zubair

galwaytt wrote: »

where are you based ?

I'm in Newbridge, Kildare.

galwaytt

myclist wrote: »

Might sound like a stupid question, But can ROSPA be done before you have done your driving test?

You mean whilst still on a learner permit ??

myclist

That's what im asking!

two wheels good

No is the answer. The examiner will want to see licence and ins. on test
TBH it is makes more sense to get some experience under your wheels before doing the test. Once you have the licence some exposure to the adv training will be useful. The instructor will advise about the pace of training depending on your skills.

galwaytt

two wheels good wrote: »

No is the answer. The examiner will want to see licence and ins. on test
TBH it is makes more sense to get some experience under your wheels before doing the test. Once you have the licence some exposure to the adv training will be useful. The instructor will advise about the pace of training depending on your skills.

Yes, but an LP and insurance makes him legal.

Is it actually written down that he couldn't?

Same with the riding test: I don't understand why you have to wait 6 mths after IBT to even apply. If you're competent you'll pass, and if not you'll fail.

My young lad is on that treadmill now. Skills, he has..He's been riding since he was 4, and did his first Ron Haslam day at Donington at 14.

He's ready for his test now...

Wonda-Boy

Soon as this lockdown ****e is over Im gonna make it my business to do the test.

The QuietMan

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Soon as this lockdown ****e is over Im gonna make it my business to do the test.

There’ll be queues of us all over the country :pac:

rowanh

galwaytt wrote: »

Yes, but an LP and insurance makes him legal.

Is it actually written down that he couldn't?

Yes, it says on the Rospa site you need a license.

Wonda-Boy

The QuietMan wrote: »

There’ll be queues of us all over the country :pac:

But I am far more important then mere common folk.....:rolleyes:

The QuietMan

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

But I am far more important then mere common folk.....:rolleyes:

Please forgive me Sir

Wonda-Boy

The QuietMan wrote: »

Please forgive me Sir

Im sorry, you will be shot at 1st light.....assuming my butler wakes me accordingly.

The QuietMan

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Im sorry, you will be shot at 1st light.....assuming my butler wakes me accordingly.

Firing squad? might need a sniper to take out the butler :pac:

lennymc

did the test, got a silver. 'my lifesavers could have been earlier, but i'm well on the way to gold' was the main feedback. happy days.
if anyone haas any questions, ill do my best to answer them

galwaytt

lennymc wrote: »

did the test, got a silver. 'my lifesavers could have been earlier, but i'm well on the way to gold' was the main feedback. happy days.
if anyone haas any questions, ill do my best to answer them

well done - Silver will keep you keen for the next one - that's how it happened to me too.

H_Lime

Congrats Lenny, no small feat;)
Describe the test?

thos

Well done Lenny, what's your overall biking experience and did you find much specific prep to get ready for the test?

zubair

How did you train for this with lockdown?

zubair

How did you train for this with lockdown?

lennymc

backround - 20 + years riding, ex racer, lots and lots of commuting in all weather and previous training. Took a break from riding for a year or so, came back. Started volunteering with blood bikes, they like their riders to have ROSPA, so did an assessment, the guy reckoned I was well able for the test, applied and did it last week. The test itself, was a couple of questions about POWDERS, and then following a route that the examiner told me, he followed, watching my use of the system (IPSGA) , and then gave me the feedback.

Being a blood biker, i was out and about during the covid lock down on essential runs, was able to train when on the bike (although, to be fair, I didnt do that much training), but have spent 20 yrs riding and building on my safety skills.

Anyone thinking of doing it should look at getting an assessment done, and work on whatever feedback you get. It's a nice thing to have, and saves a few quid on insurance apparently

Rafal

Congratulations, @lennymc. Your insurance premium should go down at the next renewal. When I went from Bronze (I did too many lifesavers!) to Gold a few months later I saw my premium drop again, though the biggest difference was getting the first result. It definitely keeps you engaged and learning if you don’t get Gold straight away.

Anyone looking for tuition for the test, consider joining RoSPA IART. They have helped me all the way. It is all volunteer and the membership costs €25/year only. A good few Blood Bikers there, otherwise a mix of everyone from Mondello racers to casual riders, even a few healthcare professionals.

H_Lime

Must look into doing some training next year and who knows I might start eyeballing the rospa down the line.
Ps: do you actually get a medal and are ye wearing it round yer neck all the time?

ratracer

Where are IART based, are they predominantly Dublin?

curiousb

lennymc wrote: »

did the test, got a silver. 'my lifesavers could have been earlier, but i'm well on the way to gold' was the main feedback. happy days.
if anyone haas any questions, ill do my best to answer them

Well done Lenny! Did you get extra training or did you do it yourself?

lennymc

i looked at IART, but they werent taking new members during the lock down as far as I could see.

No medal h_lime, unfortunately. I love medals.

Some extra training, but mostly 20 yrs riding and practicing the safe stuff (quiet h_lime, the gap back in the day doesn't count), reading books like the police riders handbook, understanding what the bike is doing, and lots and lots of miles.

galwaytt

ratracer wrote: »

Where are IART based, are they predominantly Dublin?

There's a very good group in Munster - Munster Advanced Riders - https://munsterriders.ie/


There are also individual trainers around the country that bring people to RoSPA standard - e.g. Rob McGrath of West Coast Motorcycle Training in Galway http://westcoastmotorcycletraining.com/

Mo Garvey in Clare I think does it as well: https://www.motorcyclelessons.ie/

A quick Google RoSPA trainers Ireland showed up others in different places. The RoSPA test itself you apply directly to RoSPA for once training is done.