Creating safer riders and new connections in Powys with the enhanced rider scheme
Published 8 September 2026
Last updated 8 September 2026
Powys County Council has delivered the enhanced rider scheme for over 7 years. Here, Road Safety Project Officer, Miranda Capecchi, shares her experience of the scheme.
Getting your motorcycle licence is a huge achievement, and one worth celebrating, but passing your test doesn’t mark the end to the learning process. Every time you get on your bike, whether that’s a quick trip to the shops or a long ride through the countryside, you're picking up new skills, perhaps without even realising it.
We encourage anyone who's passed both their module 1 and 2 tests to keep developing their riding skills – including by completing DVSA's enhanced rider scheme (ERS). The scheme is a fun and enjoyable way to work on your technique and improve your knowledge on roads you might not usually ride on.
Helping create safer riders in Powys and beyond
Don’t just take our word for it. There are ERS training providers all across Great Britain, including Powys County Council. The council has been delivering the ERS for over 7 years.
Road Safety Project Officer, Miranda Capecchi, is one of the people who helps make it all possible. As part of her job, Miranda books riders onto the course, makes sure they have all the information they need and is on hand to answer any questions. She says:
“ERS is aimed at anyone who wishes to undertake the training, from wherever they come from in the UK, as long as they use Powys roads either on a daily or seasonal basis.
“It’s designed to train riders to feel more confident out on the road and keep them safer while riding, hopefully helping to reduce the amount of road traffic incidents involving motorcyclists within our county and within Wales and Great Britain in general.”
But while safety and progression are at the heart of the ERS, for Miranda the benefits go far beyond this. As well as boosting people’s skills and confidence, she has seen the programme create new bonds between riders:
“ERS isn’t just about the training, which of course is highly beneficial to any of those undertaking it as it helps them to learn to ride more safely and keep themselves safer on the road.
“It’s also about meeting new people and connecting with others through a mutual interest – creating a support network for motorcyclists across Powys and Wales as a whole and also spreading the word to other motorcyclists through word of mouth, encouraging them to undertake the training.”
What the training involves
Although the ERS assesses your riding, there’s no formal test involved. That means there’s no exam you need to sit or essays you need to write. Instead, you’ll ride with your trainer in a variety of road and traffic conditions where you’ll be assessed against 7 core modules.
These are:
- structured planned approach to riding
- defensive riding and hazard awareness
- progress and use of speed
- overtaking and filtering
- bends and cornering
- slow control
- developing the correct rider attitude
The initial ride will usually last between 1 and 2 hours, though this can vary. If you show you can do all the core modules well during the assessment, you'll get your 'DVSA Certificate of Competence' straight away without requiring further training. This can be used to get discounts with some motorcycle insurers.
If there are any areas you need to improve on, you and your trainer will work together to develop a personalised training plan based on your needs. The tailored lessons will target your personal weak spots rather than make you repeat things you’re already good at. Once you’ve completed this training, you’ll get a Certificate of Competence to mark the milestone too.
You can also add additional modules to your training plan if there are specific skills you’d like to develop. These modules cover topics such as motorways and dual carriageways, advanced dynamics like group riding and environmental conditions including bad weather. There are currently 12 extra modules on offer, so there’s plenty more to choose from.
Listening to what you have to say
With its experience delivering the ERS, Powys County Council has helped a whole host of riders gain more experience on the roads over the years. As everyone is different, various aspects of the course appeal more to each rider – though the feedback is invaluable for the council. Miranda says:
“We get lots of brilliant feedback for our courses from those who have undertaken them and all this is valuable to us as a provider. We welcome both the positive and negative feedback, as it helps us to do what we need to for those undertaking ERS.”
At present, Powys County Council offers the ERS free of charge to motorists who use its roads on a regular basis, though it’s worth noting that cost of the ERS depends on the trainer and your training needs. Miranda says:
“The majority of riders enjoy the course and recommend it highly to others. They thank us for running it and free of charge, which ensures anyone, regardless of their means, is able to access the course. This is something we get a lot of praise for.”
Others have praised other parts of the course, such as the instruction received. One rider, who passed their test just a few months before taking the course, said:
“I passed my test just a few months ago, very little riding experience and always riding solo which can be daunting as a female rider. The trainers encouraged me out of my comfort zone, tackling difficult bends and manoeuvres with ease and confidence whilst always prioritising my safety. I feel empowered to take my bike anywhere I want without the hesitation I had before!”
Some have praised the quality of the training itself:
“My instructor was fantastic, provided a wealth of knowledge which was very well prepared. Excellent at delivering instructions which I feel will help with my riding and safety going forward.”
And for others, the course has sparked a wider ambition to keep developing their skills:
“I strongly recommend anyone riding a bike to take this course, regardless of riding experience. I'm inspired to keep on learning, levelling up on further courses and hopefully join the Blood Bikes as a rider.”
Get more from your motorcycling
If you're still unsure whether ERS is right for you, Miranda has some advice:
“I would encourage them to do it, and if they want to, to have a chat with the trainers before they book or talk to someone who has already done it. I point them towards information online about ERS and encourage them to read it before booking.”
Find out more about the ERS.