The typical IP includes approximately 49 to 56 hours of formal instruction scheduled primarily on weekends over an 8 to 10 week period. The schedule usually includes one three hour evening orientation session and one eight hour session on Saturday and Sunday usually every other weekend.

 

A prospective applicant must be able to commit to the entire training schedule.  Ideally an applicant must be available every weekend through the entire IP.  If a session had to be rescheduled and an applicant not be able to attend the new date, he or she could be dismissed from the course.

 

Attendance at each course session is mandatory. Instructor Candidates arriving late to, or missing a scheduled session will be dropped from the course. Candidates will also average approximately six hours of at home preparation and study per week. The required instructional materials are provided by the MVA and remain the property of the MVA until the candidates successfully complete the course. Candidates electing to drop or who are counseled out of the course will be required to return the materials to the MVA.

 

Throughout the course candidate performance is evaluated. Candidates not achieving the minimum performance standards will be counseled out of the course. To successfully complete this course, a candidate must:

• Attend all scheduled course sessions;

• Complete and submit all assignments;

• Demonstrate the ability to use learner centered teaching activities in the classroom;

• Demonstrate correctly all the riding exercises;

• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, coach and correct student performance;

• Pass a riding skill evaluation;

• Pass all the knowledge tests; and

• Pass student teaching.

 

The final phase of the IP is Student Teaching during which candidates will demonstrate their knowledge and skill by teaching a group of new riders enrolled in a basic rider education course. Student Teaching adds about 22 hours to the IP.

 

Minimum Qualifications for an Instructor Applicant

To enroll in the IP and qualify for instructor certification, applicants shall:

• Be at least 21 years old;

• Be a high school graduate or equivalent;

• Hold a valid motorcycle license (Class M) for at least one calendar year;

• Have held a valid driver’s license for at least three previous consecutive years;

• Have a satisfactory driving record for the previous three consecutive years – no more than 3 points, no suspensions, revocations or a series of citations or convictions that indicate poor driving behavior;

• Be in good health and be reasonably physically fit; and

• Have not been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude (accepted applicants will be required to sign an Authority of Release of Information from so a background check can be completed).

 

Applying to Enroll in an IP

Our training centers hire Instructors to work at their locations.  To apply for enrollment in an IP, interested individuals should first contact a training center near them, or one where they want to work, and inquires as to whether the center is looking to hire any new Instructors.  Our training centers conduct the initial interview of potential applicants and then sponsor the individuals they select in the MVA IP courses.  Selected individuals will submit a complete application through their sponsoring training center.  A complete application must include:

• A letter of sponsorship from a licensed training center;

• An Instructor Candidate Application Form; and

• A complete certified copy of a driving record.

 

The Instructor Candidate Application Form is available from the sponsoring training center.  The Motorcycle Safety Program will only consider applications from individuals sponsored by one of its training centers.

 

There is a three-step qualification process to be accepted as an IP candidate.  Applicants accepted by the Motorcycle Safety Program will be notified and invited to participate in a specially conducted Basic Rider Course.  

 

An applicant must pass the Instructor Candidate on-cycle skill test administered at the end of the course to continue in the qualification process.

 

To be accepted into the IP as an Instructor Candidate (IC) an applicant must pass the Instructor Candidate Knowledge Test administered at the start of the first IP session.

 

Instructor Work Schedule

Certified Motorcycle Safety Instructors are required to be available to teach a minimum of one course (approximately 7 to 22 hours depending on course) per month throughout the training season (March through November) and to attend all required professional development workshops and meetings. Work schedules are assigned by the training centers. Individuals unable to complete work assignments will be released.

 

Training centers have a variety of course schedules, but most rider education courses are taught during evening (Thursday and Friday 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM) and weekend hours (Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM to 5:00PM). The instructor hourly pay rate may vary from $19 per hour to $25 per hour depending on the training center.

 

All applicants are required to attend an Orientation Session.  At this session applicants will be given a pre-course assignment.  The intent of the assignment is to prepare the applicant for the Instructor Candidate Knowledge Test. 

 

This assignment must be completed and turned in before moving on

the final step of the qualification process.