Finally someone has twigged that getting your motorcycle licence is not an easy thing to accomplish in the UK, and is trying to offer young motorcyclists a leg up! Honda have looked at this problem, and observed that the business of getting out there on a motorcycle, passing the necessary tests and choosing the right bike, is not the simple straightforward process which it should be in an ideal world! So they are trying to help by running Honda School of Motorcycling courses, with the initial test fees, insurance and fuel costs all included, to get new aspiring motorcyclists through the test as simply and easily as possible.

The first course is the CBT or compulsory basic training course which is required in order to ride a motorcycle up to 125cc. With Honda training, it goes like this...the instructor will go through all the basics and equipment and then will give you the necessary training and practice on an actual bike. This is designed to teach you everything you need to know for the CBT, whereupon you will, hopefully, ride out of the school clutching your very own CBT certificate.
Or there is the Full Course, which involves 6 days training and is quite intense. If all goes well the course will take riders all the way from novice, to a rider with a full licence, able to get any bike they want. This course starts with the CBT, then goes up in engine sizes, but in a training area first, then on the road. Once the instructor feels confident that you have got the hang of it they will help you to progress through Mod 1 and Mod 2.

Honda also run a Step-Up Course for folks who already have a CBT and the theory test, but want to go up to a bigger bike.  Instructors will work with you to get you up to A1, A2 or A standard. This begins with a practice session, manoeuvering on a bigger bike in the training area not the road, and when the instructor thinks you are ready you head to the DVLA with your instructor and take your Module 1 test and then the Module 2 the following day - job's a good 'un!

It looks like a good scheme and will even help you with picking the bike you want and the riding kit and paying for it too - i.e. you can spread the cost of training, testing, riding kit and a new machine to make it manageable.
There's a branch locator on the Honda website to find your nearest school offering this training.
BMW also do a similar thing called Rookie-to-Rider and these schemes are really well thought out to help new riders actually achieve their goals, with the minimum amount of stress.

Have you tried or heard about any schemes like this? We'd like your input if so, did you find it helpful? Comments welcome on Facebook if you fancy it.