RoSPA Vs. IAM

[GC8]

Does anyone have practical and recent experience of both IAM and RoADAR advanced tuition? Id be very interested to hear about their similarities, differences ans opinions and which is better, for what and why.

[GC8]

I have to say that Im looking towards RoSPA now, having previously favoured (and taken) the IAM route.

[ScoobyChris]

I've done both fairly recently and to be honest there wasn't much to choose between them - in fact my RoSPA tutor was the IAM group's chief observer. Both observers were a tad dogmatic (possibly as a result of that relationship) and if I was to do it again, I would have asked more questions rather than just accepting that's the way to do it. Driven with other IAM/RoSPA observers since who seemed far less dogmatic so make sure you get an observer you're happy with.

Same syllabus, same System, same examiners (Police Class 1). RoSPA's cheaper, graded and includes 3 yearly retests as part of your membership fee (around £20 a year). IAM more widely recognised by insurance industry and also IAM Surety insurance scheme.

Chris

[anonymous-user]

I say it depends where you are. Some local groups are great, some are not so great

Also, you might get on better with the observer from one group rather than the other

Try both locally to you and choose then

[GC8]

Its the IAM group to group variations which concerned me (particularly the way that some local groups insist on only offering the minimum required number of observed rides), hence my other recent thread.

As a previous IAM member I hadnt really considered RoSPA, but Ive been looking recently and they seem hapy for you to come along and take as much time, and as many rides, as you like. Added to that Nottinghams possible access to the skid pan and police instruction at Butterley Hall and theyre looking like the winners.

They do appear to be a good deal cheaper too.

[ScoobyChris]

I think the number of rides/drives may be down to the group rather than the organisation as a whole. My IAM observer insisted on doing a full 8 drives even though I'd already done RoSPA and was at the required standard. For RoSPA, it's worth establishing whether the number offered is to pass the test or to pass the test at an agreed target grade, imhe

Chris

[GC8]

If youre not going for gold then Im not sure what the point would be.

One local IAM group suggested that you could have a few more, whilst another were adamant that you only got the number referred to in the Skills for Life brochure, which is far from ideal, as I have approaching twenty years of raod and track driving under my belt since doing this the last time, and I want the training to match my requirement rather than a be the least that they can get away with...

On the other hand, one local RoSPA group are happy to give all that you wish to take, whether you take the test, or not.

[R0G]

GC8 said:

On the other hand, one local RoSPA group are happy to give all that you wish to take, whether you take the test, or not.

Same as my IAM group - Leicester

[waremark]

ScoobyChris said:

Same syllabus, same System, same examiners (Police Class 1). RoSPA's cheaper, graded and includes 3 yearly retests as part of your membership fee (around £20 a year). IAM more widely recognised by insurance industry and also IAM Surety insurance scheme.

Chris

Everything else varies as much between individual groups as between the two organisations.

I think the experience of a group imposing a maximum number of drives is probably unusual - again in either organisation. Even in groups which run standard length courses there is normally flexibility.

[anonymous-user]

you can go out as many times as you want with our RoADAR group's observers, all included in the £20 annual membership

you can do the test if you choose as well, but its not necessary

[ClassicMercs]

Availability of local groups is a big thing. If you are in / near a larger city you have few problems. If you are more rural you may have less choice. You may find many Rospa members are also IAM - but IAM of course has the greater membership roll.
Rospa / Roadar do insist on three yearly re-tests. IAM are only just coming round to that idea - I'm told.
Roadar for me - just did my re-test today. Gold again.

[GC8]

The IAM seem to have two or three times as many local groups as RoSPA, certainly in my particular part of the country.

That said though, I think that Im going to jump ship and join my semi-local RoADAR group.

[timbob]

I'll also be looking to get involved with either/both the IAM and/or RoSPA soon. I've just passed my ADI part 2 however, so don't want to confuse matters by learning another system before I'm through my part 3.

Curiously though, I've looked at the website for my local RoSPA group, and they make it quite clear on the application form that they very rarely accept PDIs/ADIs as members... Any idea why?!

[ScoobyChris]

timbob said:

Curiously though, I've looked at the website for my local RoSPA group, and they make it quite clear on the application form that they very rarely accept PDIs/ADIs as members... Any idea why?!

Perhaps they've seen too many "career ADIs" who take the free training to put on their CV and then don't give anything back to the group and decided to make it a policy. Quite surprising though - may be worth asking them to clarify what it means

Chris

[R0G]

timbob said:

I'll also be looking to get involved with either/both the IAM and/or RoSPA soon. I've just passed my ADI part 2 however, so don't want to confuse matters by learning another system before I'm through my part 3.

Curiously though, I've looked at the website for my local RoSPA group, and they make it quite clear on the application form that they very rarely accept PDIs/ADIs as members... Any idea why?!

Good idea for the first paragraph

The IAM do not have any such restrictions - in fact - many observers are also adis - mainly grades 5 and 6

[Glosphil]

R0G said:

Good idea for the first paragraph

The IAM do not have any such restrictions - in fact - many observers are also adis - mainly grades 5 and 6

3 of the observers in 'my' group are ADIs. Also no restriction on number of observed drives before taking test. From memory one member took his test after one run and passed. Another member had around 15 runs before she passed.

[Vaux]

timbob said:

I'll also be looking to get involved with either/both the IAM and/or RoSPA soon. I've just passed my ADI part 2 however, so don't want to confuse matters by learning another system before I'm through my part 3.

There're not a million miles apart IMHO - it's possible to equate MS-PS-LADA to IPSGA. Some ADI trainers even include a "G" phase in the DSA version - as in MS-PS/G-LADA.
Well done on passing Part2 though.