I think I'm going to do RoADAR
Discussion
MagicalTrevor said:
R0G said:
Did you also consider IAM special assessment?
I didn't and know not of it. Do tell me more 
Needs a police class 1 (IAM examiner) who is prepared to give you a few runs out so that you are prepared to do the SA with a staff examiner who conducts the assessment in their area - not yours
Scored as a percentage - starts with 100% and then you start to lose points !!
From what all have said, this is the closest to traffic advanced that a civvy can get
this is above ROSPA gold and IAM F1RST in regards to ones own driving
IAM have SA - tops for your own driving skill
ROSPA have the DIPLOMA - tops for advanced teaching skill
Some may disagree with what I have said but that seems to be the way things are
It's not essential to have a friendly Class 1 in order to prepare for the Special Assessment - I did it with very little input other than what I'd picked up on numerous AD-UK driving days.
It is a bit different to what's expected on the IAM test though - my impression was that getting a reasonable mark requires a definite style.
RoADAR is a good place to go next - there'll probably be more difference between individual observers than between the IAM and RoSPA, but the graded test gives you a much better idea of how you've done.
It is a bit different to what's expected on the IAM test though - my impression was that getting a reasonable mark requires a definite style.
RoADAR is a good place to go next - there'll probably be more difference between individual observers than between the IAM and RoSPA, but the graded test gives you a much better idea of how you've done.
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
RoADAR is a good place to go next - there'll probably be more difference between individual observers than between the IAM and RoSPA, but the graded test gives you a much better idea of how you've done.
Would there be much difference between tutors and observers????I agree that the ROSPA test is graded so the driver gets in effect a graded IAM test - but now IAM have F1RST so that could be seen as a grade
The SA is a step up from the basic IAM/ROSPA and is graded by percentage
R0G said:
Would there be much difference between tutors and observers????
I agree that the ROSPA test is graded so the driver gets in effect a graded IAM test - but now IAM have F1RST so that could be seen as a grade
The SA is a step up from the basic IAM/ROSPA and is graded by percentage
What I was getting at was that given the similar syllabus, the quality of the individual observer / tutor is likely to make more of difference to the experience than which organisation they volunteer for.I agree that the ROSPA test is graded so the driver gets in effect a graded IAM test - but now IAM have F1RST so that could be seen as a grade
The SA is a step up from the basic IAM/ROSPA and is graded by percentage
R0G said:
https://www.iam.org.uk/specialassessment.html
Needs a police class 1 (IAM examiner) who is prepared to give you a few runs out so that you are prepared to do the SA with a staff examiner who conducts the assessment in their area - not yours
Scored as a percentage - starts with 100% and then you start to lose points !!
From what all have said, this is the closest to traffic advanced that a civvy can get
this is above ROSPA gold and IAM F1RST in regards to ones own driving
IAM have SA - tops for your own driving skill
ROSPA have the DIPLOMA - tops for advanced teaching skill
Some may disagree with what I have said but that seems to be the way things are
I'll happily disagree... Firstly, there is nothing in 'civvy' driving that in any way approaches or approximates the driving required for 'traffic advanced'. Any such comparisons are pointless and do a disservice on either side.Needs a police class 1 (IAM examiner) who is prepared to give you a few runs out so that you are prepared to do the SA with a staff examiner who conducts the assessment in their area - not yours
Scored as a percentage - starts with 100% and then you start to lose points !!
From what all have said, this is the closest to traffic advanced that a civvy can get
this is above ROSPA gold and IAM F1RST in regards to ones own driving
IAM have SA - tops for your own driving skill
ROSPA have the DIPLOMA - tops for advanced teaching skill
Some may disagree with what I have said but that seems to be the way things are
Similary, because the SA is a test drive where you are marked, presumably it is entirely possible for any member of IAM to take the test and get a very low mark, so quoting having done the SA without quoting the mark doesn't mean anything in terms of 'tops for your own driving skill'. If it was a pass/fail thing with a published standard that would be different.
StressedDave said:
Similary, because the SA is a test drive where you are marked, presumably it is entirely possible for any member of IAM to take the test and get a very low mark, so quoting having done the SA without quoting the mark doesn't mean anything in terms of 'tops for your own driving skill'. If it was a pass/fail thing with a published standard that would be different.
Scored 84% in 2006That reminds me - must do it again soon ...... and get a better score ....
matt-ITR said:
I'm about to start my first Advanced Driving course and have also decided to go down the RoADAR route.
I considered IAM, but my local group didn't seem as flexible or accepting as my nearest RoADAR group.
I should be doing my first drive next week and I'm looking forward to it.
Good for youI considered IAM, but my local group didn't seem as flexible or accepting as my nearest RoADAR group.
I should be doing my first drive next week and I'm looking forward to it.
Not good that your IAM group was not more positive
May I ask why that was?
I know that some groups have an initial set course for a few weeks and/or meeting times/places and that is not helpful
IMO those groups need to follow the way that our group does it by using an observer co-ordinator and alloting an observer to an associate and not meeting up and getting a different observer most times
I'm ranting on now.....
I agree that comparisons aren't particularly helpful. IMO, it's the training that's valuable.
Nevertheless, many people like to compare. Our local IAM Staff Examiner is also a RoSPA Examiner. He considers 70% in the SA to equate to RoSPA Gold. I've no idea about F1RST; is it the IAM's equivalent to RoSPA Gold?
Nevertheless, many people like to compare. Our local IAM Staff Examiner is also a RoSPA Examiner. He considers 70% in the SA to equate to RoSPA Gold. I've no idea about F1RST; is it the IAM's equivalent to RoSPA Gold?
R0G said:
Good for you
Not good that your IAM group was not more positive
May I ask why that was?
I know that some groups have an initial set course for a few weeks and/or meeting times/places and that is not helpful
IMO those groups need to follow the way that our group does it by using an observer co-ordinator and alloting an observer to an associate and not meeting up and getting a different observer most times
I'm ranting on now.....
I contacted them about a free assessment as you have mentioned on here before.Not good that your IAM group was not more positive
May I ask why that was?
I know that some groups have an initial set course for a few weeks and/or meeting times/places and that is not helpful
IMO those groups need to follow the way that our group does it by using an observer co-ordinator and alloting an observer to an associate and not meeting up and getting a different observer most times
I'm ranting on now.....
They do indeed offer a free drive, but only on a Sunday morning which wasn't suitable for me.
I wasn't prepared to pay for the full course incase I didn't like the course.
RoSPA/RoADAR I have to pay £5 to join the group, but then get as many drives as I want/need until I am ready to take the test, then I have to join RoSPA... I think.
Main thing was they are flexible and have found me a tutor that can do weekdays, which suits me best.
matt-ITR said:
I contacted them about a free assessment as you have mentioned on here before.
They do indeed offer a free drive, but only on a Sunday morning which wasn't suitable for me.
I wasn't prepared to pay for the full course incase I didn't like the course.
RoSPA/RoADAR I have to pay £5 to join the group, but then get as many drives as I want/need until I am ready to take the test, then I have to join RoSPA... I think.
Main thing was they are flexible and have found me a tutor that can do weekdays, which suits me best.
Either the group has limited observers or they are entrenched in a tradition which makes it easy for them - thats the way it reads to meThey do indeed offer a free drive, but only on a Sunday morning which wasn't suitable for me.
I wasn't prepared to pay for the full course incase I didn't like the course.
RoSPA/RoADAR I have to pay £5 to join the group, but then get as many drives as I want/need until I am ready to take the test, then I have to join RoSPA... I think.
Main thing was they are flexible and have found me a tutor that can do weekdays, which suits me best.
My group has a different attitude - we do what we reasonably can to accommodate every associate
That might mean that the observer who can accommodate them is a few more miles from their nearest one
Once the associate and observer are happy with everything then they are left together until the observer considers them to be test ready and at that point they may be invited to do a cross check with another obs or senior obs
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
It's not essential to have a friendly Class 1 in order to prepare for the Special Assessment - I did it with very little input other than what I'd picked up on numerous AD-UK driving days.
It is a bit different to what's expected on the IAM test though - my impression was that getting a reasonable mark requires a definite style.
RoADAR is a good place to go next - there'll probably be more difference between individual observers than between the IAM and RoSPA, but the graded test gives you a much better idea of how you've done.
I agree. I passed the IAM test after about 5 years of gaining my full licence. I am not sure I was aware of the RoSPA test until my IAM examiner said 'If that was a RoSPA test today you'd have got a bronze'.It is a bit different to what's expected on the IAM test though - my impression was that getting a reasonable mark requires a definite style.
RoADAR is a good place to go next - there'll probably be more difference between individual observers than between the IAM and RoSPA, but the graded test gives you a much better idea of how you've done.
It was about a decade before I took the RoSPA test and I did for self interest and something to do. I've passed at silver and gold and the feeback I've had when I've got silver grades has been 'There's a gold in there, just not quite good enough this time.'
I've never been out with an observer. Before my IAM test I went out about three times with a BSM Instructor and I've been out with two other instructors before my RoSPA tests.
I think gen up and go out with an observer or instructor to point out any glaring mistakes or bad habits.
Go for it.
I look forward to learning your results.
How much is HPC?
Edited by carinaman on Tuesday 22 November 21:09
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