The DVSA enhanced rider scheme is a voluntary scheme to help motorcyclists get more from their riding.

You’re never too good, and the DVSA enhanced rider scheme lets you improve the skills that will help make your riding safer and more fun.

How the scheme works

You book an appointment with an expert trainer. The trainers are passionate bikers who want to share their experience and advice to help you get more from your riding.

You’ll get for a ride out with them for between 1 and 2 hours so they can see what you’re good at and any areas you might be able to improve.

If you don’t need any training, there’s nothing more to do. You’ll be sent a DVSA enhanced rider scheme certificate.

But if you do need some training, you’ll work with your trainer on a personalised training plan. When you’ve done the training, you’ll be sent a DVSA enhanced rider scheme certificate.

The cost of the scheme is set by individual trainers. Some local councils also offer a subsidy to help with the cost. Check with your trainer or local council.

Helping you through a lifetime of safe riding

Mark Winn, DVSA Chief Driving Examiner, said:

DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe riding.

You’re never too experienced to learn more safety skills, and the DVSA enhanced rider scheme is all about helping make a ride out even more enjoyable.

While experience and riding regularly help, there’s no substitute for the training, advice and tips you’ll get from an expert trainer.

Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users

In 2016, 319 motorcyclists died in incidents on Great Britain’s roads, and 5,553 were seriously injured. Serious injuries include things like a broken neck or back, severe head injuries and internal injuries.

During the same time, 16,785 motorcycles were involved in all reported accidents.

Taking extra training can help reduce the risk of being involved in a collision, and make any ride out more enjoyable. The DVSA enhanced rider scheme includes modules on topics including:

• defensive riding and hazard awareness
• progress and use of speed
• effective braking techniques

David, currently working in the Cross-Government Border Delivery Group, will take up the role from 1 July, becoming Director General of the Solicitor’s Office and Legal Services Group and joining the department’s Executive Committee, reporting to our Chief Executive Jon Thompson.

There will be an open recruitment process in the coming months to fill the role permanently.

David has more than 20 years’ legal experience. He trained in the Inland Revenue and has worked extensively on tax matters, leading large HMRC legal teams dealing with tax policy and legislation in relation to UK business and environmental taxes including Corporation Tax, VAT, Customs and Excise duties, oil and gas taxation, Landfill Tax, Climate Change Levy and betting and gaming duties.

He has also led HMRC’s litigation activity, overseeing about 10,000 cases at any one time involving billions in revenues. He was promoted into the Senior Civil Service in 2008 and in 2012 became a legal director at HMRC.

In 2017 David moved to the Border Delivery Group led by Karen Wheeler, a cross-UK government team focusing on the operational and practical impacts that EU exit may have on the UK’s border.

He lives in Bristol and is married with two sons.

We will confirm any new arrangements in Border Delivery Group in due course.

A Veterinary Medicines Pharmacovigilance Annual Review 2016: Summary (PDF, 262KB, 6 pages) of the key results from the Veterinary Medicines Pharmacovigilance Annual Review 2016.

The annual review summarises the 6559 UK adverse events in animals, humans and the environment after use of veterinary medicines and other products reported to VMD in 2016.

Full review