GET Regular RIDING TIPS
Sign up to get Riding Tips and advice directly to your inbox
Already A Member? Sign In
Already A Member? Sign In
Knowledge is a key part of advanced riding because good decisions are not made by guesswork. A rider may have years of experience, but experience alone does not always mean their understanding is correct, current or complete.
Advanced riders should not rely purely on habit, hearsay or what they were told many years ago. They should understand the newest version of the Highway Code, the principles of advanced riding and the course material well enough to apply them consistently on the road.
This matters because knowledge affects judgement. It influences positioning, speed choice, overtaking decisions, use of signals, following distance, restraint, hazard response and how the rider interacts with other road users.
At an advanced level, the question is not simply whether the rider can control the motorcycle. The question is whether the rider understands why they are making each decision.
Many riders treat the Highway Code as something they studied only to pass their original test. That is a mistake because updated versions are released from time to time to update any changes that are made.
The Highway Code is the foundation document for road use in the UK. It explains rules, advice, road signs, markings, priorities and responsibilities. Advanced riding should build on that foundation, not bypass it.
A full licence does not mean the rider no longer needs to learn and study. Road layouts change, rules are updated, and interpretation can become rusty over time. Riders who have not looked at the Highway Code for years may be relying on outdated or incomplete thinking and knowledge.
An advanced rider should be able to connect the Highway Code to real riding decisions. For example, following distance is not just a theory question. It affects safety every time the rider follows other traffic, and speed limits are not simply legal restrictions. They form part of the rider’s responsibility to manage risk and ride within the law.
Advanced riding course material helps you understand how to apply knowledge in a structured way. It gives meaning to the ride rather than leaving you relying on instinct alone.
Material linked to IAM RoadSmart, Roadcraft principles, IPSGA, other guidance and professional training resources can all help develop understanding. These resources explain how observation, positioning, speed, gear and acceleration work together as a system.
Home study can also support development. Watching professional videos, such as Motorcycle Riders Hub development tools and reading more professional material, allows you to revisit topics between rides and build understanding away from the pressure of the road. Theory test resources within a subscription can also help riders keep their knowledge sharp, especially around signs, rules, road markings and legal responsibilities.
The important point is that course material should not simply be read and forgotten. It should change how the rider thinks, plans and rides.
Knowledge only matters if it is applied. A rider may know the Highway Code, understand IPSGA and explain advanced riding principles, but if road decisions do not reflect that knowledge, the learning is incomplete.
For example, a rider may know the importance of safe following distance but still sit too close to the traffic in front of them. They may understand positioning but still place the motorcycle where they cannot see or be seen. They may understand restraint but still accelerate when the view or road conditions do not support it.
Advanced riding requires you to turn knowledge into judgement. You should be able to explain why you chose that position, why you adjusted speed, why you held back, or why you chose not to overtake.
This is where understanding becomes visible. The ride begins to show informed, legal and responsible decision making rather than habit.
There is a huge amount of riding advice available, but not all of it is reliable. YouTube videos, social media posts, riding groups and experienced riders can all be useful, but they can also pass on poor habits and wrong information. Years as a biker does not make someone a good educator with the correct guidance.
Riders should prioritise trusted sources. The Highway Code, recognised advanced riding material, professional instructors, structured observers and high-quality educational resources should carry more weight than casual opinion.
Joining the right group can also help. A good group should encourage learning, discussion and development, not ego or one-upmanship. Riders should feel able to ask questions, compare ideas and broaden their understanding without being made to feel stupid.
It is also reasonable to work with different observers or trainers if you want a wider spread of knowledge. Different educators may explain the same principle in different ways, which can help you build a deeper understanding.
Sign up to get Riding Tips and advice directly to your inbox
In advanced training or assessment, knowledge is not usually judged by asking the rider to recite rules like a classroom test. It is seen in the riding, a good phrase to use is – let your riding do the talking!
The rider’s understanding shows through their positioning, speed choices, anticipation, restraint, overtaking decisions, use of signals, courtesy and response to hazards. A rider who understands the Highway Code and course material will normally make clearer, more consistent decisions.
An observer or examiner may also discuss decisions after the ride. The rider should be able to explain their thinking in plain English. This does not need to sound rehearsed or complicated, it simply needs to show that the rider had a reason for what they did.
Good knowledge gives the rider confidence. It removes guesswork and helps the rider make decisions that are lawful, planned and defensible.
Staying updated and in touch with modern and current legislation is necessary to stay informed. It will help you ride your best ride every time.
Some riders assume they still know the rules because they passed their test years ago. Road rules, signs, markings and guidance can change. Advanced riders should keep their knowledge current.
Riders often copy habits from friends, groups or online videos. Some advice may be useful, but it should always be checked against the Highway Code and recognised advanced riding principles.
Some riders can explain the correct answer but do not ride that way consistently. Advanced riding is not about knowing the theory in isolation. It is about applying it on the road.
Developing better knowledge requires regular study and honest reflection. Reading the Highway Code, reviewing course material and using professional learning resources all help keep the rider sharp.
The rider should also connect study to real rides. After a journey, it is useful to reflect on decisions. Good knowledge grows when study, practice and feedback work together. The aim is not to become academic, the aim is to become a better-thinking rider.
On your next ride, reflect on how your knowledge affects your decisions. Ask yourself:
Improving your knowledge of the Highway Code and course material will make your riding more consistent, lawful and controlled. It will also help you make better decisions because you will understand not only what to do, but why you are doing it.
Sorry. You must be logged in to view this form.
"*" indicates required fields
Unsure about diving into a course? Try it out for free!
