Become An Instructor

If you want to help others learn riding skills...

If you're interested in giving back to your community...

If you are a people-person, a good communicator, and have solid interpersonal skills...

Then... maybe you should consider becoming a motorcycle safety instructor.

Puget Sound Safety is a school dedicated to helping every motorcycle rider and instructor become the best they can be! Leading by example, our team encourages a "life-long learner" philosophy to improve abilities, enhance skills, and gain experience. The PSS continuing education model helps our instructors better relate with students. PSS even offers continuing professional development for all of its instructors to ensure they are on the leading edge.

We are not just another safety school. We strive to be the best!

Our instructors are not just "instructors", they are invested, passionate and strive to be the best!

If you subscribe to the continuing education principle, then you may be the future instructor we're looking for.

What Does It Mean To Be An Instructor?

It can be an incredibly rewarding, 'give-back-to-my-community', 'teach someone how to ride', extension of your hobby, and part time job. It means believing in leading by example. Being an instructor with PSS means to help others understand the risks and rewards of riding. It means to be an ambassador of safe(r) motorcycling.

Our team of instructors embodies a wide variety of personalities, ages, unique personal and professional goals, types of bikes ridden, skill levels, and involvement within our riding community. Just like the customers we serve - we are a very diverse group of individuals.

As an instructor, it means you'll be able to help riders, and the general public, realize our hobby is risky and that we (as riders) manage and minimize our own risks through safer street strategies. We try to enable riders through education to make safer choices that could save their lives!

It means that you'll be a part of an elite group of highly trained professionals who represent the primary, and often only, exposure the general public has to rider skills training and safer motorcycling street strategies.

How Do I Get Started?

Taking the first step is easy: attend a PSS New Instructor Info/Interview Session.

These one-hour info sessions are designed to answer questions about instructing, eligibility requirements, the training process, and define the Department of Licensing Washington Motorcycle Safety Instructor certification process. We also introduce and explain the PSS Instructor Development Program.

Our training program is designed to help prepare you for your Washington Motorcycle Safety Program (WMSP) instructor certification workshop and to make sure you are successful and competent as an instructor. We want you to have as much fun teaching as the students have learning.

If this sounds like something you would want to invest in... Email Bruce (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to RSVP for an Info/Interview Session.

When Is Your Next Info/Interview Session?

These sessions are scheduled about once every month or two for a couple hours in the evening. For location and additional information about Info/Interview Sessions - email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• June 4th, 2013
• September 13th, 2013
• October 22nd, 2013
• January 14th, 2014

What Are The Eligibility Requirements To Be Certified As An Instructor?

To ensure our instructors are the 'best' in the industry, PSS insists on more stringent standards than the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) or the WA Department of Licensing (WMSP), as well as most other private training schools. To support PSS principles and philosophies, and to be eligible for sponsorship by PSS as a candidate, the following requirements must be met:

Instructor Candidates will:

Meet the WMSP requirement to have, and maintain, an acceptable driving record and background check. A candidate's driving records must reflect:

• No more than 3 moving traffic infractions within the preceding 12 months, and no more than 4 moving traffic infractions in the preceding 24 months.
• No conviction, finding, or administrative action, within the previous 7 years, of the following:
• Driving under the influence
• Physical control of vehicle under the influence
• Alcoholic beverages – drinking or open container in vehicle on highway
• Disguising alcoholic beverage container
• Vehicular homicide
• Vehicular assault
• Negligent driving – First degree
• A disqualification of CDL endorsement pursuant to RCW 46.25.090
• No driver's license suspension, cancellation, revocation, or denial within the preceding 5 years.

A candidates background check must reflect:

• No convictions or history of violence.

Other eligibility prerequisites are:

• Meet all requirements set by MSF and WMSP for instructor candidates.
  (WMSP Instructor Eligibility Requirements)
• Be an experienced motorcyclist who owns and regularly operates a registered motorcycle, complying with all applicable vehicle laws and codes that will not subject students, instructors, or general public to excessive or unusual noise.
• Maintain an internship contract with PSS and respond to surveys and questionnaires in a timely manner.
• Conduct themselves in a professional manner that includes appearance, appropriate language (written/verbal) communication, and positive interaction with others that is free from intimidation, sexual harassment, or threat, and is consistent with the interests of student safety, PSS, and our life-long learning model.
• Submit a (PSS provided) CV/Professional Development Qualification Resume.
• Honor the PSS Confidentiality Agreement.

How Much Time And Effort Does The PSS Training Program Take?

The PSS Training Program supports self-paced candidate development. All candidates are given self-guided assignments to be completed during their internship period prior to instructor certification training.

A PSS internship supports instructor development by preparing candidates for the WMSP/MSF training and certification, improving personal riding and teaching skills, and supporting development after completing the WMSP/MSF instructor certification training.

Certification Internship:

• Attend a PSS Interview/Info Session
• Participate in a PSS Performance Measure Testing and Skill Assessment.
• Intern BRC classes and complete self-guided assignments. (These assignments offer an opportunity to record ideas and notes for reference during the WMSP/MSF certification training.)
• Participate in range riding sessions. (These are designed to help candidates learn how to perform demonstrative riding, learn important components of range-riding, coaching skills, and prepare for a successful WMSP IP evaluation.)

To participate in Range Sessions you will ride your motorcycle throughout the training. Please ensure you have appropriate (and required) protective gear:

• Helmet - (US DOT Compliant)
• Eye Protection - (glasses, goggles, or face shield)
• Gloves - (full-fingered, leather palmed, motorcycle specific)
• Long pants - (jeans or riding pants)
• Long sleeves - (shirt / jacket)
• Footwear - (reinforced, over-the-ankle footwear)

Why Am I Required To Have Taken A BRC Within The Past Year?

There are three reasons why all instructor candidates are required to take a Basic Rider Course:

• A BRC offers a candidate experience in the riding skills and techniques – student's experience.
• A BRC offers a candidate experience in course structure and flow – student's experience.
• A BRC offers a familiarization with the curriculum and the adult learning environment that is expected to be used to facilitate both classroom and range techniques.

If you have not taken a Basic Rider Course within the past year, schedule one!

Where Can I Go For Additional Information?

• Email Instructor Development Questions - Contact Us
• To download the Candidate Eligibility Requirements: Eligibility Requirements (PDF)
• To download the Instructor Candidate Application: Application (PDF)
• To download the Instructor Candidate Registration: Registration (DOC)
• WA Department Of Licensing Web site: www.DOL.wa.gov
• WA DOL - WMSP Endorse Your Sport Web site: www.EndorseYourSport.com