RiderCoach Preparation Course
If you are an experienced motorcycle rider currently licensed in New York State with an M1 endorsement, have a very good driving record and good basic riding skills, you may qualify to become an MSF-certified NYSMSP RiderCoach. If you qualify, you will need to complete an intensive RiderCoach Preparation course in order to teach.
During the RiderCoach Preparation (RCP) course you'll learn the fundamentals of teaching the MSF's Basic RiderCourse (BRC).
In New York State RiderCoaches are employed by the training sites. Before contacting MSF to enroll in a RiderCoach Preparation course you should contact the NYSMSP sites in your area to see if they are looking for RiderCoaches, just like applying for any other job. You need to be sponsored into a RiderCoach Preparation course by a NYSMSP-recognized training site in order to be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who teaches the RiderCoach Preparation course?
MSF-certified RiderCoach Trainers teach the course. These specially trained individuals have completed the MSF's RiderCoach Trainer Preparation Course and are authorized to train candidates for MSF RiderCoach certification.
What qualifications do I need to enroll?
You must be sponsored by a NYSMSP training site and have them submit your application to MSF. You must be a licensed motorcyclist who currently rides on a frequent, routine basis. You should have at leaset two years of varied riding experience. As a teacher, you need good communication skills. As a RiderCoach, you'll be called upon to give your time to help teach RiderCourses. Although you may get paid, you won't become rich. A sincere desire to help reduce motorcycle accidents, injuries, and deaths is the prime motivator of RiderCoaches.
Requirements for New York State RiderCoach candidates:
From its inception, the requirements for RiderCoach candidates have been established by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s standards and the Commissioner’s regulations for driving schools (Part 76.15) and for the conduct of the motor vehicle accident prevention course (Part 138.7). With the regulations differing in their minimum requirements, we have followed the strictest requirement to establish the following:
The RiderCoach candidate must:
- Be at least twenty-one years of age
- Have a valid driver's license and at least three years of licensed driving experience
- Have at least two years of recent licensed driving experience on a motorcycle
- Have a high school or high school equivalency diploma
- Have no driver's license suspension or revocation within the five (5)years prior to becoming an instructor and no alcohol related driving conviction within the seven (7) years prior to becoming an instructor;
- Have not been convicted within ten (10) years prior to becoming an instructor of a felony or crime involving violence, dishonesty, degeneracy, moral turpitude, deceit, or fraud, including but not limited to theft, forgery, making false written statements, rape, perjury, fraud or bribery. (Sponsors shall solicit and collect this information on instructor application forms. No instructor application shall be deemed complete until the applicant has disclosed this information and signed the dated application.)
The training sites and/or the state program management must retain the signed application affirming compliance with the requirements, including the proof of education.
What does the course cover and what are the completion requirements?
The RCP is a minimum of 60 hours. Course schedules will vary; you should plan on 7 to 10 days of focused training. NYSMSP RiderCoach Preps are usually conducted over two weekends: Thursday through Sunday each weekend.
As a part of the course, you'll be required to pass a riding-skill test. It is the same test used in the BRC; however, the standards are higher for RiderCoach candidates.
During the RCP, you'll learn how to teach the BRC curriculum. You'll practice teaching in the classroom and learn how to manage the range exercises and how to evaluate and coach students as they develop their riding skills.
At the end of the training portion of the course, you'll be given a knowledge test. You must pass it to continue in the program.
The RCP culminates when you and your classmates teach a complete BRC to a group of new riders. Your teaching performance will be evaluated by the RiderCoach Trainer.
What is the course schedule?
It varies, the schedule is provided to all NYMSP training sites every fall for the coming year.
When is the RCP course offered?
Typically a course is offered when there is a need for RiderCoaches in a particular area. Generally, courses are offered once every few months and could be located anywhere in the United States.
What does the course cost?
By law, there is no charge to a candidate for training to become a RiderCoach. Applicants are responsible for their own traveling expenses.
Be prepared!
- If you enroll in a course, be prepared to ride! Every day! Required riding gear includes a DOT-approved helmet; over-the-ankle, sturdy leather footwear; long pants; long-sleeved shirt or jacket; and full-fingered gloves (preferably leather).
- Be prepared to set aside time during off-class hours to study. This is an intensive program that requires a lot of work and concentration. Do not enroll unless you can attend every class meeting.
- NYSMSP requires you complete a Basic RiderCourse prior to the RiderCoach Preparation (RCP) course.
Ready to enroll?
Contact a training site near you.