Take Charge Training

Negative experience: I paid the full DAS upfront and had a nightmare experience. After just one assessment, James decided I wasn’t ready for my MOD tests and postponed them without giving me new dates. Lesson organisation was chaotic, with random emails about times and locations. While MOD1 lessons were okay, James constantly overreacted to small mistakes, shouting instead of supporting. During MOD2 practice, I was already nervous from his behaviour and made some errors like missed checks and a gear change mistake. When I accidentally over-revved his bike, he completely lost control, screamed at me, stopped the lesson in front of another trainee, and told me he wouldn’t continue my DAS. He even called a recovery truck, operated by his wife, for a bike that wasn’t damaged, charged me £150, and refunded less than half of what I had paid. James’s lack of professionalism and emotional control makes him completely unsuited to teaching. I strongly recommend AVOIDING THIS SCHOOL!!!!

Fantastic experience: Great experience getting through DAS Mod2. Calm and helpful. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: I originally did my cbt with James and sonia in 2022 and then did it again when it ran out in 24. I like the way he teaches and makes sure you understand where you went wrong and helps you correct the issue. I have passed my mod 1 and 2 with the massive thanks to James been a great instructor from day 1 of my riding journey, he only has your best interest and safety in mind you have to be prepared to learn and take on board what he tells you. 100% recommended this awesome couple, we had some good laughs and an enjoyable experience, thanks again James massively appreciate you for getting me through my tests.

Fantastic experience: Started my biking experience with James and Sonia at TCT late last year, successfully completing my CBT back in November. Took some time out, before returning several months later for the Module 1 and Module 2 course, passed successfully. Completed the training and took the tests on my Maeving RM1S Electric Motorcycle, with James and Sonia allowing me to recharge my battery level on occasions before heading home after our training sessions, for which I was truly grateful. Their knowledge, understanding, patience and encouragement gave me the confidence to ride and enjoy the freedom 2 wheels can bring to your life. Sonia excelled in planning and communication, while James consistently demonstrated enthusiasm and safety awareness for the trainees, himself and other road users throughout our time together. If your even considering taking up motorcycling, get in touch with Take Charge Training, I had a brilliant time, and most of all they made it fun and enjoyable. Many thanks James and Sonia…..

Negative experience: I attended a CBT at the start of May 2025 with Take Charge Training. If you are in a rush, the take home message is - I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY. We will go with a 'pros/cons' list and I'll expand later. Pro - - Easy access location. - The training area is in the carpark if a motorbike showroom. So it's quite inspiring to see all the cool bikes as you learn. - Good coffee machine within the showroom that students have access to. - It's competitively priced. - The assistant instructor (Sonia) is good. Cons - - The training area is in the carpark of a motorbike showroom. This means the instructor (James) is on eggshells throughout the CBT incase one of his students plough through some expensive showroom bikes. And this nervous, negative energy is directed at students. - The instructor (James) expects/demands that students have prior experience on motorbikes before attending his CBT. - You have very little actual training time in the saddle. On the day of my CBT, I was one of three students on my CBT. I was a newbie, one student had done a CBT a couple of years ago and one student had failed his last CBT with the instructor (James) the previous week. The start to the course was good. Warm hello from the assistant instructor (Sonia) and James. We had an introduction to what a CBT is and to a 125cc bike. All well so far. Then the instructor (James) asks us what experience of bikes we have. When I replied that I have none, the instructor (in front of everyone) told me that 'You aren't here to be trained on how to ride a bike, you should already have experience on how to ride a bike before attending.' When I asked how I am supposed to get experience, the instructor replied 'Most people ride their family or friends bikes first'. I told the instructor (James) that nowhere during the booking - in process (via email) did it say I had to have previous biking experience. I was actually asked what experience I had on the email (none) and neither Sonia or James said anything. It literally states on the TCT website - Compulsory Basic Training or CBT is where it all starts, this course is designed to help people get familiar with motorcycles and show you how to ride them safely on the road...' He actually asked, in a condescending tone, if I could ride a push bike. Twice, during my CBT with TCT, the instructor (James) has to be taken away by the assistant instructor (Sonia) and calmed down if a student over - revved an engine or stalled or something equally trivia. James's lack of emotional control is concerning, considering he is supposed to be a trainer. I overheard James stating to his wife that '...I have to worry about all the Shirlaws bikes...'. If you are worried about the small chance of a student crashing into a showroom bike, to the point you can't keep your cool, you shouldn't have your training area in a showroom car park. I was stopped from progressing through the CBT after lunch. I have no idea why, James never bothered telling me. The bloke that failed his last CBT with James failed again. so two out of three fails that day. The reason I chose TCT is because I was actually recommended James (instructor) as an instructor. He trained a biking colleague of mine back when James was an instructor for a different ATB. Given what I experienced, I reckon James may have been a good instructor but the pressure of teaching when it's his own business makes him too nervous. I'll try to end this on a good note, TCT did offer to give me an auto CBT course for free six weeks later, which I politely declined. I wanted to ride a bike, not a scooter. I then found another CBT course that doesn't expect it's trainees to be proficient in motorbike riding and passed.