Become an Instructor

Updated:  02-2012

Do you have strong interpersonal communication skills and work well with others?

Do you have a passion for safe(r) motorcycling and a desire to help reduce crashes and fatalities?

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

WMSP instructors love teaching and helping others. As eclectic as our riding community, we represent a wide variety of ages, interests, riding styles, bike types, and skill levels. And yet, we try to help riders (new-to-the-hobby or experienced) self discover and practice the art of "choice': 
    - considering the consequences of our actions to make safe(r) choices 
    - SEE'ing hazards where not they may not have been seen before
    - identifying how, and why, there is a need to practice, practice, and practice some more
    - identifying how to place the front wheel exactly where we want it –every time 
    - recognizing how/when to apply life-saving hazard avoidance skills/techniques 
      (e.g. cornering, swerving, quick stops, and the enthusiastically welcomed u-turn "box")
    - discovering how to make choices based upon concepts, consequences, and abilities/limitations 
      (bike, rider, traffic, road/environment conditions, etc.)

A goal of a WMSP instructor is to help participants realize and prioritize risks. As riders, each of us must own and accept the risk level we are (personally) comfortable with. Instructors help riders understand how safe(r) street strategies and techniques (can) reduce risk. Instructors facilitate class discussions and on-bike exercises to identify and practice riding skills, choice(s), safety margin, personal responsibility, motorcycle control and response, and how safe(r) street strategies can save lives.

As example:

Instead of teaching "the" correct position or lane choice, Instructors empower students to make good decisions by understanding options and "how" and "why" their choice(s) would be important as well as the "consequences" of. (A lane and/or position may be (much) better than others to "SEE" and be seen!)

Our Instructors love what we do. We are a positive, patient, and enthusiastic group trying to help riders and the general public understand motorcycling and motorcyclists.

Yes, it takes a lot of work to become a certified motorcycle safety instructor. You'll need to practice both communications and riding skills. Being an Instructor requires an on-going commitment of improving riding, coaching, and interpersonal communication skills.  It takes a lot of dedication and sacrifice. (It is not for everyone.)

Instructors offer entry-level skills for (new) riders to practice.  (The beginning course does not attempt to produce superb/expert riding skills.) Our courses support rider empowerment to take skills/strategies home and practice on their own bike. Our courses are used to teach "a" way to ride. (They do not try and teach "the only way" to ride.)

This may or may-not be what you expected.  

IF this sounds like something you want to try, WMSP recommends that you contact your local training provider. They will help answer questions.

WMSP hosts Instructor Candidate Orientations throughout the year to help explain the program and the process. 

Our orientations include information about:
    - Defining WMSP, Sponsor, Instructor relationships 
    - Introducing the "adult learning environment" used to conduct courses 
    - Explaining Instructor pay
    - Introducing time commitments and Instructor Prep (IP) eligibility requirements
    - Clarifying IP training and certification processes and standards 
    - Outlining expectations
       - Attitude and communication skills
       - Rules of Professional Conduct
    - and a lot more!

WMSP Orientations are scheduled based upon candidate/sponsor need.   Please contact your local training provider and WMSP for additional info and support!

WMSP Instructor Prep Workshops are scheduled based upon candidate/sponsor need.  

Please contact your local training provider and WMSP for additional info and support!

To download Candidate Eligibility Requirements:              Eligibility Requirements

To download Instructor Candidate Application:               Application   

An email to  motorcycle@dol.wa.gov  works best to be added to the Orientation interest list.
We will respond with event details and information.

For more information, please continue to our next page of How To Become An Instructor 

If you need assistance, please call (800) 962-9010