Become an Instructor

Updated:  07-2010

Do you have strong interpersonal communication skills and like working with others?

Do you have a passion for safe(r) motorcycling and want to help others be safe(r)?

Then, perhaps, becoming a motorcycle safety instructor is for you.

WMSP motorcycle instructors are a mixed and eclectic group. Just like our riding community, we represent a wide variety of ages, interests, riding styles, and skill levels. And yet, we all have two things in common:

 - we truly like working with people

 - we want to help save people's lives helping them to make better/safe(r) riding choices.

Most instructors start off wanting to share ALL the knowledge they have gained through personal experience. Sharing their  ‘good' and ‘no so good' personal stories is common.  However, they quickly realize that it's better to use student experience(s) to help them self-discover important skills, techniques, and safe(r) street strategies.   (From ‘telling' to ‘teaching'.)

Our common goal for ‘new to the hobby', or ‘experienced' students, is to get them to start thinking as motorcyclists:

 - to SEE hazards where they had not before.

 - to make safe(r) choices based upon current conditions, traffic, awareness, and ability.

 - to practice putting the front wheel exactly where they want it –every time

 - to practice life-saving skills/techniques (e.g. cornering, swerving, quick stops)

 - to continue, on their own motorcycle, to practice, practice, and practice some more.

Becoming a motorcycle safety instructor isn't for everyone. It's a lot of hard work. It takes a lot of dedication.  It takes practice, practice, more practice… oh, and even more practice! It's continued development of riding skills, coaching skills, teaching skills, and interpersonal communication skills.  

The first step to becoming an instructor is to attend a WMSP Orientation. 

Orientations are a 6 hour workshop where you will be introduced to the adult learning environment that we use to conduct courses.  Topics also include: 

 - Training Sponsors

 - Instructor pay

 - Time commitments

 - Eligibility Requirements

 - Training and Certification process called Instructor Preparation (IP)

Orientations  for  2010:

Orientations are scheduled throughout the year –based upon need.

Please send an email to WMSP  (motorcycle@dol.wa.gov) to request an Orientation Schedule. 

Remaining IP (Instructor Preps) for  2010:

IP #3 – Renton       CHANGED   (Dates and Location)

  27 Aug            Fri/Sat/Sun        Olympia            Wk #1 – Intro   

  03 Sept           Fri/Sat/Sun        Olympia            Wk #2 – Peer Teaching

  24 Sept           Fri/Sat/Sun        Olympia            Wk #3 – Peer Teaching / Coaching / Demos

  01 Oct             Fri/Sat/Sun        T.B.D. *            Wk #4 – Student Teaching

 * Student Teaching will be scheduled based upon candidate logistics and Sponsor resources.

 * Other/Additional  IPs may be scheduled based  upon candidate/sponsor need.   
    Contact your local contractor for additional info!

For more information, please email:  motorcycle@dol.wa.gov

To download Candidate Eligibility Requirements:              Eligibility Requirements

To download an Instructor Candidate Application:           Application

To download an Instructor Candidate Registration:          Registration

To download an Instructor Rules of Conduct:                 Conduct

To download an DOL Sexual Harassment Policy               Harassment Policy