I didn't see anyone calling you retarded. It's a shame that training is expensive (although I can see why it costs what it does!) In my opinion too many people look at training as some kind of expensive chore. I guess it depends whether you just want to be trained to pass a test, or be trained because you believe that it might make you safer on the roads. Is £400 really THAT much if it gives you the chance to be a more skilled and safer rider? In my opinion no! A lot of people spend £400 on a helmet (because it has the "right" name! ) to improve their chances of survival on the roads, why do some people think spending money on training is such a low priority?