Shortboy

After years of driving too fast, too aggressively, taking risks, picking up bad habits, etc, etc, I think maybe it’s time I did some advanced driver training – for the road, not the track. I picked up some leaflets from the Institute of Advance Motorists at the motor show, which looks interesting, but I’m not sure if it’s right for me. Has anyone had any experience of the IAM? Is it all feeding-the-wheel & learning stopping distances or is it worthwhile & relevant (no offence to any members, honest !)?

wrxmania

Hi Shortboy,

I am an IAM member and I pride myself in my driving. I can identify with everything you say there - those driving traits which I am guilty of (especially around other Impreza drivers) is the reason I think sometimes of selling mine.

It is not all about feeding the wheel - it is about many things but everyone developing their driving skills, being more aware of hazards particularly in residential areas and making good progress, usually legally.

Most driving is for a purpose and that is when the IAM skills and their training will enable you to avoid more accidents, keep our licence clean and be a better all round driver.

Worth it for very little outlay. Whatever people may say about the IAM and the "you don't need to be a member to be a good driver" - which is true - the skills you learn and taking additional instruction leading to the IAM Advanced Driving Test - do make you a better driver.

Brian

Bully3176

iTrader: (1)

I havent done an IAM course mate but I think you would find it benficial, they show you how to read the road, look a head for your overtakes and overall just smooth out your drivin? I havent done their course bcause I did my advanced driving with the Police. Great crack. I think you would enjoy it especially in a scooby??

Mockingbird

Heya, I'm a new driver (Shhh! ) Been driving for a month now and will be taking the Pass Plus lessons soon.

Everyday driving is COMPLETELY a different world from lessons (...stating the obvious). I feel that other drivers love to cut me up, being a young driver in a scooby, especially those damn transit vans. And often see people crossing their hands when turning... use one hand to turn.. drive while chatting on their mobile. Luckily I haven't picked up any bad habits that I know of, and the Pass Plus should reinforce this.

Never heard of this IAM... I'll look into it

Shortboy

Thanks all.

Brian - a couple of questions, if you don't mind. Is the test all practical, or is there any theory thrown in (i.e. do I need to dig out my dog-eared highway code & start revising)? And are members generally happy to provide tuition? It says so in the leaflet, but I can't quite believe people would give up their free-time!

Cheers.

bavers

Mockingbird, new young driver in a scooby! Driving for a month!

Good luck to you mate but how did you get insurance cover? I've got 20 years on the road and full no claims but I still lost an arm and a leg for insurance.

Chip

IAM is well worth it. You'll learn a lot about driving ie reading the road, commentary runs etc.

Chip.

Nick

Hi

I passed my IAM test a few years back. Lessons are given completely free by other IAM members. These members have taken additional tests to be able to teach people. The test itself costs about £60 IIRC & I was tested by a police trainer. These guys dont miss anything & will give a very constructive rundown at the end of your driving test.

You can get a boook "How to pass your IAM test" from places like WH Smith. You will need this book, together with an up to date Highway code. There's no boring stuff to remember in the training, but you will need to learn to remember everything you see on the road & also be able to give a short driving commentary of what you're doing. Training about spotting hazards is excellent.

Good luck.

Elliot

I have been a member of the IAM for about 7 yrs now and reckon it is well worth it. I took the test having been driving for about 3 yrs at the request of the company I worked for to bring down their company car insurance premiums (doesn't seem to have an effect on private policies though!).

Had about 5 lessons with the same instructor who taught me to drive in the first place. This really helped prepare me for it and then took a test (about one hour long IIRC) with a Police examiner.

I was amazed at how much more it taught me and as a result I reckon I am still a much more "aware" and safer driver.

Would recommend it to anyone, well worth doing.

Cheers
El

PS: Get yourself a copy of RoadCraft, it is one of the books which is recommended to help get you through the test and will teach you loads on its own !

alistair

It's sounds like you're in the same frame of mind I was a few years back, in which case it's definately worth doing. As stated above, find & join your local IAM group who will help you prepare. I had an instructor who took me out for around 10 hours over a number of weeks for free (I bought him a case of decent wine afterwards).

The test is a lot tougher than I expected, but passing it is a fantastic acheivement. I was amazed how good the examiner was - he was the regional Police chief examiner, so he should have been good I suppose - in the de-brief he even picked up on things I had been thinking !!!!

Unfortunately, my local IAM group seemed to be made up of old blokes with crap cars and I didn't have much in common with them, so I stopped going. I had really hoped that I'd find some like minded individuals there. Maybe I should have hung on a bit longer, but I let my membership lapse........my driving has changed forever though !

Mockingbird

I drive a sport my04, insurance with dad is just under 2k with Tesco. I'm a careful driver I like to think And don't get carried away with the car and just enjoy driving. It's more than adequate on these tight london roads scattered with cars parked left and right and traffic lights everywhere.

Alan C

Shortboy.. I too highly reccomend an advanced course.

I took mine 5 years ago and feel that it has helped me enjoy my driving more. It gives you a new sense of confidence and sharpens you up enourmously.

I was lucky to take the 'observer' training straight (as I had the improving bug quite bad) after and did some roadcraft training too. The guy who taught me was an ex-pat Met Instructor who was living in Cyprus and doing this as a side line for Military guys and the local Cypriot Police.

The IAM way (back then) was to take you out for a few hours and give you loads of constructive criticism with the task of going away for a week or two to practice. You then went back for another two hours and prgressed that way until you could prove you were ready for the test.

This was a similar thing where you went through two hours of practical and a little bit of theory on the highway code.

The main things this guy stressed were anticipation, vision and gear selection & control approaching junctions and obtacles. eg.. looking ahead and being in the right gear at the right speed giving a commentary on on what was going on around. He would occassionally put his hand on the rear view mirror and ask what type of car was behind, and behind that... All mirror checks every 10-15 seconds.. this type of thing.

There's no point doing it for the kudos. It is something you should pass and then improve upon. That is the reason I went for 'Observer' (being able to take him around for two hours picking up his mistakes) in order to improve myself.. I then went and did some roadcraft stuff with 'pursuit' and other specialised techniques.

Fantastic stuff.. My memberhsip lapsed a year or so ago as I wasn't sure of the direct benefits as the magazine was a little poor. I was surprised that the majority of Insurance companies don't recognise IAM or ROSPA in lowering the quotes. Those that do appeared to be expensive.. But that is my experience and may be different today...

In summary.. go for it.. you will benefit personally. You will be a more confident, better, safer and more considerate driver for other road users and your passengers (important).

Shortboy

Thanks guys, I'm gonna do it. I think I owe it to the innocent drivers and pedestrians of south London...



Alistair, I know what you mean. The IAM magazine is full of pictures of old geezers in cardigans and adverts for cod liver oil .

MrDBM

another vote for the IAM from me as well

the 'skill for life' pack includes everything you need to get going including the test fee. I think it's about £85 now, but try the iam.org for more info.

you don't actually need to join a group to take a test at all, but I would heartily recommend it, as the group has regular contact with the examiners and have a great idea of what they are looking for.

as has been said, the 'PYADT' book is a great start, and has all of the essentials. Roadcraft is much more in depth, which I prefer.

you'll probably find that you enjoy your driving all the more, as you can make excellent safe progress. My observer had a 911 and did not hang about at all... (made the scoob feel like a morris minor!)

anyone who thinks the IAM is for slowboys, old men or plebs is a t*t. In most cases, people mock advanced driving becuase they haven't got the ***** to let a class 1 copper rip your driving to shreds for an hour and a half!!!

go for it, you won't regret it! Interestingly, you get MORE of a bollocking when you actually pass than fail!

ps. although you MAY be able to get cheaper insurance, don't count on it if your scoob is imported or modded, IAM Select told me to go jump Still, there are loads more benefits to be had