cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Anybody done their advanced driving test.

If so could you tell me whats involved throughout the course, how much it costs etc

Also is it just a falicy that insurance companies reduce your premium/excess

Any info would be great guys.

Cheers

messiah

£85. You get instruction for free from volunteers.

Some insurance companies will give you a reduction but it's usually the ones who are expensive anyway.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Great so where do you go for this then. sorry but i just know nothing about it

messiah

institute of advanced motorists

www.iam.org.uk

scoobfan

Not sure about insurance, but you'll get away with doing 159mph

on the motorway


Rob

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Sounds good, thanks for your replies Messiah

FirebirdUK

I passed my IAM test when I was 18 Passes the RoSPA Advanced Driving test when I was 19...

I took lessons for both with a driving instructor - who was qualified to give the advanced lessons (not all instructors have the qualification to teach the advanced lessons). Yes, you can get them for free with volunteers, but I preferred to go with a proper instructor.

I don't think I've ever had a discount with my insurance for passing my test

The only advantage I've had from it was when I got stopped for speeding once - the copper saw the badge and let me off Funny thing was I'd just fitted a radar/laser detector to the car - drove to where I knew a gatso was (to see if it picked it up). Went past the Gatso, sped up and about a mile down the road this copper in yellow jumped out into the middle of the road and was waving me over.

The device didn't beep or anything - stopped the car, and the copper explained I'd been done by laser. Anyway, after he let me go, I had a look at the device - I hadn't plugged the laser detector in Typical of my luck that is...

There's not a lot to the Advanced test - I think the only extra manoueveres they might ask you to make is parallel parking to the right (instead of left as with normal test) and reversing round a corner to the right... It's more to do with your observations on the road and that you're in control of the car at all times.

The RoSPA test get's a bit more tricky - you have to give running commentaries as you're driving, beep your horn when you pass parked vehicles with occupants or see children in between parked cars.

I took the IAM test with a police examiner - the test lasts about an hour and a half. He took me a down a road saying no motor vehicles - I questioned him before turning down there (didn't know if he was trying to catch me out), and on the motorway I stuck to 70mph - he asked what I was doing and told me it was OK to exceed the limit to overtake Didn't want to take it past 80 in case he failed me...

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

WHere do you go to book the lessons, this is the route i would rather go down to be honest. I havent had time to trawl through the website yet so if its in there just let me know. Or do BSM etc do the lessons.


Ta

FirebirdUK

I went through the yellow pages and saw a local instructor advertising IAM / RoSPA tuition, so went with him.

I'm not sure if BSM offer that sort of thing (they might have the odd instructor that does it I suppose)

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Thanks for your help mate. When you pass is there any alteration to your lisense. You mentioned a badge when you where pulled over. whats that?

rjlinney

No - as posted earlier in this thread, your choices are IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) or Rospa/Roada.

I've passed my IAM test with a Police instructor and would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Everything you need to know is on the website at www.iam.org.uk - or post any questions. Really increases your awareness and observation skills. Totally changed my driving.

I want to do Rospa/Roada now.

FirebirdUK

On passing, you get a credit card sized IAM licence (it's not issued through DVLA) - they send you a new one each year when you renew your membership.

Once you're a member you can buy IAM branded merchandise (metallic IAM grill badges, stickers, tax holders, jumpers, etc.) Don't think I'd be geeky enough to buy one of their jumpers though

rjlinney

No!
Just a sticker in your window and a credit card sized membership card!

I think you can order IAM ties and baseball caps tho if you think it would help if you got pulled over!!

rjlinney

SNAP - Firebird!

Power Junkie

iTrader: (1)

I am soon to do My IAM Test. Then I want to do the Rospa test. It is well worth doing for £85. I also have a Police instructor.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Think i might leave the baseball cap, for fear of being called a chav.

FirebirdUK

Scary thing with the RoSPA test - you've got to re-take it every few years and they give you a written report at the end of it...

First time I took it I only achieved a silver - I was in a hired Vauxhall Astra (my car was unreliable at the time - an Orion Ghia Injection - it was 3 years old the time but the engine used to cut out every time it idled). The Astra was slow in comparison, and not being used to how much poke the car had, I didn't attempt to overtake a lorry in a national speed limit - decided to hold back. For my "lack of attempting to make progress" I was marked down... Guess there is such a thing as too safe

rjlinney

According to my IAM examiner - It's virtually impossible for a civilian to get a gold award as the standard required is so high.

I think you should be very happy with your silver award!

Apple

You could take individual lessons if you find an instructor or it's probably better to join a local group. With a group you've a larger range of experience (best instructor to get is a police class 1 driver )

We used to have rides with an observer and then a Skillcheck drive once per month with a different / senior observer as a check on how you were doing. Also had a session on the police skidpad for an evening. Had a pre-test assessment which went Ok then eventually passed at third attempt First one bomberd due to nerves / lost the smoothness. Second one I momentarily touched 35mph in a 30 and 57 in a 50 so instant fail. Nailed it on the third

It can be petty at times but you'll become a smoother driver...