A grand day out - Big drive today

[MagicalTrevor]

Thought I'd write this up as I've had a brilliant time today

To bring you up to speed: I wrote a diary when I did the 'Skill for Life' course and I made comments about my test. I won't dwell on the past, you can read my comments for yourselves and I stood by them.

A few weeks ago I contacted Andy (the Chief Examiner(?) for the Bristol group) as I wanted to let him know that I felt that I'd improved on all the things he criticised me for during my test and I felt that the whole experience was really positive. Kindly/stupidly he offered to go out for a "high pressure training run" and I accepted the gesture.

I was out and about the over 3 hours and it was tough but I learnt a HUGE amount. I gained a massive amount of confidence and enthusiasm too.

I've now got a couple of minor things to work on but I think that's just to get things tip-top!

I find it reassuring that I'm still at the right standard (better even) and just goes to show the strength in learning all that stuff.

Brilliant, really pleased with myself

[waremark]

Good to hear from someone who agrees that it is fun and satisfying to go on improving one's driving after passing an advanced driving test.

[MagicalTrevor]

waremark said:

Good to hear from someone who agrees that it is fun and satisfying to go on improving one's driving after passing an advanced driving test.

Absolutely! I've been out a couple of times for a drive, not necessarily under the IAM banner, and I've learnt a huge amount from the experience. I thoroughly recommend it.

[Synchromesh]

Glad you had a good time and learnt a lot. I've also had a day out with Andy and it was certainly very insightful. Probably learnt more that day than any other in my driving 'career'. Interesting style of teaching he's got, but it works if you're prepared to go along with it.

[R0G]

Is the the SA next for you?

[MagicalTrevor]

R0G said:

Is the the SA next for you?

What's 'SA'?

After talking to Andy, I will probably do the FAD (Further Advanced Driving) Course with the local group.

[R0G]

MagicalTrevor said:

What's 'SA'?

After talking to Andy, I will probably do the FAD (Further Advanced Driving) Course with the local group.

IAM Special Assessment
http://www.iam.org.uk/membership-options/after-the...

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Hi Trevor - glad to hear you're firmly back on the AD horse.

The Special Assessment (SA) is currently an option for improvement over and above the standard IAM test, although it has certain issues - there's no organised training for it and the expected standards are somewhat vague. There's no pass or fail - just a percentage mark, and the scoring system makes high marks very difficult to get.

At some point this year the SA is due for a major revamp, currently being trialled in one region of the country. Selected observers will guide prospective candidiates through the process, and presumably there will be a slightly clearer idea of what's required for a good mark. More details to follow when we have them...

Bristol's Further Advanced Driving course starts tonight and is fully subscribed I'm afraid, but there are other options in the group (and on ADUK) to keep you in the loop until next year's course.

Edited by S. Gonzales Esq. on Wednesday 8th February 12:10

[R0G]

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

Hi Trevor - glad to hear you're firmly back on the AD horse.

The Special Assessment (SA) is the currently an option for improvement over and above the standard IAM test, although it has certain issues - there's no organised training for it and the expected standards are somewhat vague. There's no pass or fail - just a percentage mark, and the scoring system makes high marks very difficult to get.

At some point this year the SA is due for a major revamp, currently being trialled in one region of the country. Selected observers will guide prospective candidiates through the process, and presumably there will be a slightly clearer idea of what's required for a good mark. More details to follow when we have them...

For my SA I had one of our examiners train me for it even though I am a senior observer
We did 4 or 5 drives together

Without the assistance of a ex/trafpol driver I would not have scored as well as what I did

[ScoobyChris]

R0G said:

For my SA I had one of our examiners train me for it even though I am a senior observer
We did 4 or 5 drives together

Without the assistance of a ex/trafpol driver I would not have scored as well as what I did

Slightly O/T, but are you able to elaborate on what needed to be changed over and above your senior observer standard of driving?

Chris

[R0G]

ScoobyChris said:

Slightly O/T, but are you able to elaborate on what needed to be changed over and above your senior observer standard of driving?

Chris

MOST Senior obs are not at the standard of a trained police class 1 driver and the SA test is BASED on the criteria for testing police drivers

That is as basic as I can put it - perhaps others might be able to elaborate

[waremark]

R0G said:

ScoobyChris said:

Slightly O/T, but are you able to elaborate on what needed to be changed over and above your senior observer standard of driving?

Chris

MOST Senior obs are not at the standard of a trained police class 1 driver and the SA test is BASED on the criteria for testing police drivers

That is as basic as I can put it - perhaps others might be able to elaborate

Although the IAM use this language, a police advanced course nowadays is mainly about speed and about pursuit. Take those two away and I don't believe you have police advanced. I believe that what you need for a good score in the SA is a much higher level of accuracy and consistency, demonstrated over a more demanding route and with more commentary than for a regular advanced driving test by either of the main organisations. The test is conducted by one of a small handful of staff examiners, and written feedback is given in a format very similar to a Rospa test report.