OCTOBER 2008 - Welcome to Mark Rowse who has joined us to deal with our ever increasing work load. To date we have trained well in excess of 12,000 students since we started. Predictably October has been very busy due to the delay in the law change; but has been made exceedingly chaotic by the DSA's last minute decision to try and move all the tests left, right and centre. To everyone's credit we have managed this with no hic cups, but in the words of Roger Waters: "It's not easy banging your head against some mad bugger's wall".
SEPTEMBER 2008 - Absolutely unbelievably with only two weeks notice the DSA have postponed the new test until the end of March 2009. The DSA have held a series of meeting with the training schools, which were largely acrimonious, at which they promised to listen to the training industry. The reality is that they will make absolutely sure that they do not leave themselves so exposed to litigation come next March. Even so credit where credit is due, it was a brave choice and given what a disaster it was about to be, the right choice. So well done DSA, and to everyone who perhaps didn't get the chance to take their test in time there is an extra six months to get it done.
AUGUST 2008 - An awful month with endless 'phone calls from people we did not have places to give. We have covered every test centre in southern England from Warwick to Winchester, the staff have worked every hour they can and we have used every resource we have got. Well done to all the staff, but particularly well done to Ben who has had to manage the diary and deal with the 'phone and the myriad of little details that go with booking a course. Thanks Ben!
JULY 2008 - This month ended with there being just 13 tests left before the 29th September. We have tried everything possible to get as much availability as we can however, as ever the DSA have sunk to the challenge. We still do not know where our local test centre will be, what the times for the new test are and what days of the week they will be run. The DSA has delayed making these announcements twice; so at present the earliest we will know for sure is six weeks before the new test is due to take place. The level of incompetence at the DSA has reached a new low. We consider that the CEO - Rosemary Thew should resign in recognition of the utter chaos the DSA has brought to the industry.
JUNE 2008 - Hello to Gordon Holloway, Dave Goodwin and Steve Smith all of whom have joined to help deal with the absolutely huge demand for motorcycle training. Sadly, Terry Welch leaves us to take up a more senior post with a training school in Wales. We wish him all the best.
MAY 2008 - Celebrity month! Lightning has been secretly training a top celebrity. Happily he passed. This month we have been investing in Honda CBF500's fitted with ABS (anti-lock brakes) which we think will give our students the best chance for the proposed new test. Sadly we have been forced to pass on the outrageous cost of fuel onto our course prices. We hope that our customers understand that this is not really something we can avoid.
APRIL 2008 - Welcome to Paul Williams who joins as a motorcycle instructor. This month we have been practicing the maneuvers for the new test. We are fortunate in that we can perform all the new maneuvers on our large training sites. This means that we will not have to pass the cost onto our customers.
MARCH 2008 - We have started to replace our fleet of Yamaha SR125's with new AJS Eco 125's - very nice they are too. Pass rate so far this year is 83% with well over 290 CBT's and 110 tests taken so far. Bit worried about July, August and September gulp!
FEBRUARY 2008 - Already we are very busy. After a bit of restructure we have settled for Jonathan Harrison as our new Chief Instructor and Michael Palmer as our Senior Instructor. Welcome to Terry Welch who has been known to Lightning Motorcycle Training for over 10 years; he is seriously "old-school" as he started as an instructor in 1992. If you see a violently tank slapping Suzuki TL1000 it is probably Terry, but don't worry he likes it like that.
JANUARY 2008 - The Final Countdown! Well not quiet but this is the year that we see the most changes to the motorcycle test for 10 years. The DSA had a large meeting with the nation's training schools at the National Motorcycle Museum. It was a mixed bag - the new test looks very interesting and in many ways presents a fairer way of testing people with relatively straight forward objectives. As a training school we do not expect this to significantly add to the overall cost or training required (about an extra £70.00 in costs and an extra half day in training). Alas the implementation of the new test is an absolute fiasco. The DSA are proposing to introduce the new test with less than half of the new network of test centres operational; so the current 200+ centres will be replaced with about 30 if we are lucky. To be absolutely honest the DSA are seriously proposing that we lube up and bend forward! In their own words we can "go on holiday" until all the new test centres are opened. Happily we will use our "holiday" period, if it comes to it, to sit outside car test centres, lobby MP's and all the normal stuff that goes with bringing the government to account. Be absolutely certain that this implementation is compliance for compliances sake and that not one person will have their life saved by this, and far more likely that people will go unlicensed and untrained as a result and deaths will rise.
DECEMBER 2007 - The usual Happy Christmas and New Year to one and all. Massive collective intake of breath as we prepare for next year which is set to by the busiest for more than 10 years with the changes in the motorcycle test coming into effect on the 1st October 2008. If you don't have a licence now then if you want to avoid having to pay substantially more next year will be the year to take the test. Well done to Rob for passing his Direct Access Scheme at Cardington.
NOVEMBER 2007 - After 10 long years as an instructor (and more recently Chief Instructor) Alan Grimes has decided to hang up his radio mike and instructor jacket having been lured by the warmth of an DSA Examiners chair. Yes, Alan has gone to join the "Dark Side" and to give valuable IQ points to an organisation that is sadly lacking in that department. Best of luck Alan...
OCTOBER 2007 - Congratulations to Rob Waugh on gaining his supervisory grade for CBT training at Cardington. Also welcome back Emma who is now able to give us part-time work.
SEPTEMBER 2007 - Welcome to David Merricks who joins as a part-time instructor after several years as an instructor with Elite Motorcycle Training in London. Congratulations to Alex Deutsch on gaining his supervisory grade for CBT training at Cardington. Theory Test fee has increased to £28.50, and the number of questions has increased to 50 of which candidates need to get 44 correct.
AUGUST 2007 - Goodbye to Emma Ward who has taken time out for personal reasons; an excellent instructor who we hope to see again in the future. Good luck Emma!
JULY 2007 - No news is good news; too busy training (30% up on last year) to check the news!
JUNE 2007 - After some fairly futile exchanges of letters between ourselves and Rosemary Thew (Chief Execuitve of the Driving Standards Agency), she finally acknowledges that the new test will go ahead on 28th September 2008 even if there are not enough centres open simply to "save national embarrassment". Frankly this is bad news as it shows no foresight and will have grave implications for the training industry.
MAY 2007 - The prospect of a law change next year has meant an increadibly busy start to the season. Our new On-Line Booking section has proved to be very popular, especially since it has been possible to book all the courses we offer. Welcome to Rob Waugh who starts as a full time instructor having previously been one of our students, and to Alex Deutsch who is a part time instructor,
APRIL 2007 - Motorcycle test fee has increased to £60.00. In April 2000 the test fee was £45.00, which means that the test fee has risen 33% in seven years. The only thing that comes close to that is MP's wages.
MARCH 2007 - the DSA announced that the Motorcycle Theory Test is to have 15 more questions. This makes 50 questions in total of which 43 must be answered correctly. The Theory Test fee is to increase by £7.00; making each question worth about an extra 50 pence. This change will come into effect from 3rd September 2007. Congratulations to Alex Deutsch, who has qualified as a CBT instructor - welcome aboard.
FEBRUARY 2007 - We have a new forum which will allow members of the public to make comments. There is also a new Glossary of Terms to help make some sense of the jargon.
JANUARY 2007 - Well done Emma for passing her Direct Access Scheme grade at Cardington with the DSA. And congrats also to Alan, who has passed the 10 year mark as an instructor! Thanks go to Harpers of Cowley for the four new Honda CG 125's we took delivery of this month.
DECEMBER 2006 - Happy Christmas!
NOVEMBER 2006 - Get well soon Steve Steadman, who has been the unfortunate victim of some lunatic driver. The first Steve knew that this bloke was in a hurry to get home was when he lying on his back staring at the oncoming traffic. We wish Steve a speedy recovery, and to the driver who hit him we wish for one or two brain cells from Santa for Christmas.
OCTOBER 2006 - Well done to Emma Ward for completing her CBT Supervisory grade at the DSA HQ in Cardington, Bedfordshire. This means that Lightning does not have any instructors who are not supervisory grade.
SEPTEMBER 2006 - The DSA have appointed their new CBT Managers. These are tasked with ensuring that CBT standards are maintained. This is very good news for the industry, as it makes for a level playing field. It is also good news for the public in that they can now expect to get better tuition where ever they go. CBT Managers can visit a training school at any time unannounced. Having met one already - Kevin Parsons - we can confirm that they are very knowledgeable and very helpful.
AUGUST 2006 - A good year for students, but a miserable one for some of the low lifes in Oxford and Reading. Having suffered from arson in Oxford in June, it is now sad to report that Reading has suffered a break-in. To all those that were affected by this and showed such patience a big thank you. Without the help of our customers both of these events would have been much harder to cope with. We also owe a big thank you to all the local dealers in Reading and Oxford who helped out. Without exception all did their best to help us; in particular MTC Motorcycles (as ever!), Kings Two Wheel Centre and A4 Scooters. Cheers guys.
JULY 2006 - More well dones to Lee Thompson, who is now qualified to teach people on any bike. Also welcome to Emma Ward, who starts as a new instructor. It is nice to have a female instructor, something that Lightning has been missing since Michelle left.
JUNE 2006 - Well done to Lee Thompson, who keeps up Lightning's excellent record for first time passes at Cardington, by passing his CBT Supervisory Grade. What a star!
APRIL 2006 - The Driving Standards Agency has again put the price of the Motorcycle Test up; this time to £58.00. The price in 2000 was £45.00, which makes nearly a 30% increase during this period. Presumably wages have risen by the same amount, or perhaps test fees are linked to house prices? Ever get the feeling that we get a raw deal out of this government?
MARCH 2006 - Contrary to speculation Lightning Motorcycle Training has not been acquired by Oxford Motorcycles.
FEBRUARY 2006 - Well done to Steve Steadman who is now the real deal and can advise people about MAG on 125's and 500's since passing his DAS at Cardington.
JANUARY 2006 - Congratulations to Steve Steadman, who has successfully passed his CBT supervisory grade at Cardington.
DECEMBER 2005 - Welcome to Lee Thompson, who has joined as a full time instructor in Reading.
OCTOBER 2005 - Goodbye to Gary Austin, the Driving Standards Agency's Chief Executive Officer, who did much to increase the cost of taking a motorcycle practical and theory test during his time in the job. Hello to Rosemary Thew, who takes as the new Chief Executive, to whom we look to see a more balanced and consultative approach to motorcycling.
SEPTEMBER 2005 - Well done to Mat Sparrow, who is now a fully qualified to run Direct Access Scheme (DAS) courses.
AUGUST 2005 - Welcome to Nick Botting who has join as a part time instructor in Oxford. Sadly, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has decided to increase the cost of both the motorcycle test and Theory Test, and we have had to pass these costs onto our customers. The increase in costs is to fund the ridiculous law changes that are due to come into effect in 2008. In the meantime the DSA studiously refuse to address real issues like the problems with CBT, the pointlessness of the U-turn in the test, the need for the CBT supervisory grade for instructors before they can teach the Direct Access Scheme. To date the DSA have not had a focus meeting with the industry for two years. Something to hide?
JULY 2005 - Congratulations to Mat Sparrow who has passed his CBT supervisory grade at Cardington.
JUNE 2005 - Hello to Ben Dyche who starts as an Office Manager to help with the ever increasing work load, and goodbye to Michelle Slaymaker who leaves to become an ambulance driver after several years as an instructor.
MAY 2005 - Congratulations to Liegh Hutt who has passed both his CBT supervisory grade and his Direct Access Scheme (DAS) qualification first time. Good man that Hutt!
APRIL 2005 - Welcome to Steve Steadman who joins as a full time instructor in Reading - when he's not away at rallies!
MARCH 2005 - Welcome to Mat Sparrow, who starts as part time instructor. Also congratulations to Geoff Smithers who passed his Direct Access Scheme (DAS) qualification.
FEBRUARY 2005 - On behalf of all the staff at Lightning Motorcycle Training we would like to wish Mike Palmer a speedy recovery after his recent accident. Our thoughts also go out to Nicky, his wife, and Sebastian, his son. Take care Mike, get better soon.
JANUARY 2005 - We would like to make a warm welcome to Geoff Smithers who has started in Reading as a part-time instructor. Geoff brings with him his supervisory grade for CBT training. Also welcome to Liegh Hutt, who starts as a full time instructor.
DECEMBER 2004 - The Driving Standards Agency announce that the Motorcycle Test fee is to rise from £48.00 to £51.00.
NOVEMBER 2004 - Motor Cycle News (MCN) announces that the government seems likely to change the current Direct Access Scheme (DAS) format before the other law changes occur in 2008. The announcement suggested that the DAS would be scrapped and is to be replaced with the current Restricted Licence. After 2 years people would be able to take a Full Licence test, which will be a revised version of the current test. This would mean everyone would have to ride for 2 years on a 33bhp, or lower, machine, before taking another test to get a Full Licence. This, apparently, will make motorcycling safer - but with no explanation as to how.
AUGUST 2004 - More congratulations to Jonathan Harrison for passing his Direct Access Scheme (DAS) course at the DSA's HQ in Cardington. Also a warm welcome to Kevin Brady and John James who started as part-time instructors.
JULY 2004 - Having had an unexpectedly busy year to date Lightning Motorcycle Training has added a further two new Suzuki GS 500's to its fleet as of July 2004.
JUNE 2004 - Congratulations to Jonathan Harrison who has passed his CBT Supervisory grade qualification at Cardington on 15th June 2004. This has been well earned - next stop Direct Access Scheme.
MAY 2004 - We are pleased to announce that on the 4th May 2004 Michael Palmer started with us as a full time motorcycle instructor. Michael is already fully qualified to run all the courses that we offer, and has five years of experience under his belt. Michael is a valuable asset to the company.
APRIL 2004 - Lightning Motorcycle Training has taken delivery of three new Honda CBF 500's and a new Honda CG 125 to complement our existing fleet of 26 motorcycles and mopeds.
MARCH 2004 - The DSA announce that BMW’s C1 is no longer suitable for either the CBT or practical Motorcycle Test. Difficulties with visibility and getting the machine on and off the stand have been cited. In the same announcement, the issue of three wheeled mopeds was clarified. For a three-wheeled moped to be, suitable for CBT and practical test “the distance measured between the centres of the area of contact with the road surface of any two wheels is less than 460 millimetres.” This means that models such as the Secma FT 50 Fun Tech are not suitable.
MARCH 2004 - The DVLA announce that they will no longer fax D441 (Certificates of Entitlement) to training centres for students taking the CBT. The DSA advise that all students must bring both parts of their licence.
MARCH 2004 - Lightning Motorcycle Training has slightly increased its prices to off set the rising cost of Public and Employers Liability Insurance. We hope that our customers will be understanding over this matter
FEBRUARY 2004 - has seen industrial action among Driving Examiners, who are seeking parity in their wage structure with other workers within the Department of Transport. So far, this has resulted in a two-day strike and subsequent working to rule. The working to rule is particularly disruptive and divisive. Candidates taking their tests have been turned away from the test centre as the examiner claims the previous test "over ran" and therefore the examiner was unable to have his five-minute rest period and start the next test on time. Some centres are more affected than others are. For our part, we do not support this action as the DSA do not provide an alternative service and consequently the public have been forced to bear the cost and consequences of this action.
SEPTEMBER 2003 - As of the 1st September 2003, all practical motorcycle tests will have Show me/Tell me questions at the beginning of the test. A failure to answer these questions properly will result in one driving fault (minor). For a full list of the questions, please visit the Driving Standards Agencies web site at www.dsa.gov.uk .
SEPTEMBER 2003 - Also from the 1st September 2003, the cost of the Motorcycle Theory Test has risen to £20.50.
AUGUST 2003 - The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has announced at the National Motorcycle Training Focus Group meeting on the 14th July 2003 that it is unlikely that the second European Directive will be implemented before 2008. The second European Directive deals with changes to the current motorcycle test, and with new manoeuvres that need to be taken off-road.
In the meantime the third European Directive is looming which may well see the end of the current Direct Access Scheme (DAS) and replace it with a stepped licence (i.e. a compulsory restricted licence for a number of years).