IAM Membership and Fees

[Kuroblack350]

All,

I passed my IAM test way back, maybe ten years ago. I’ve always paid the membership fees (£30ish at the moment?) but I’m struggling to see the benefit? Admittedly I’ve not changed my address so I don’t get the magazine but from memory it was pretty much an advertising medium for a host of junk..?

I’m assuming I can still tick the ‘IAM Pass’ button when doing the annual confused.com insurance job?

Thanks all

[R0G]

IAM surety cornmarket insurance could be one reason to remain a current member

[TartanPaint]

There is no benefit.

The magazine goes in the bin, unopened. The insurance has never been close to cheapest for me. The IAM probably wastes a good chunk of my cash on a bunch of ineffectual management tosspots, and the local groups get insufficient funding (if any, I don't know) and have to charge a separate memebership fee. I don't think it's exactly good value for money. But I pay every year anyway.

I see it purely as a charity donation. If everyone did their Skill for Life course and then gave nothing back (fundraising, becoming an observer, paying membership fees, etc) there would probably be no IAM. I want it to still be around so my kids can do it too. I think of it as paying in installments for the next generation, so a fairly selfish reason to pay.

I also gave my time as an observer for a while, but wasn't able to really commit to it while working unpredictable hours, which is, I guess, why a good proportion of observers are retired or semi-retired. I want the IAM to still be around so I can go back to it when I can finally retire, probably aged 95!

EDIT to add: Actually, I think I do get some benefit from membership: A little bit of pleasure. I guess as social creatures we define a bit of who we are by the clubs we are a part of, and driving is a big part of who I am, so yeah, I think I'd actually miss being able to just say I'm a member. Sad? Maybe a bit. I guess my donations are not entirely altruistic.

Edited by TartanPaint on Wednesday 7th December 09:46

[R E S T E C P]

TartanPaint said:

The insurance has never been close to cheapest for me.

They used to have a "we beat any quote for IAM members" type of deal... I don't think they do any more, but I've been with them about 7 years and they have agreed to match the cheapest quote I can find every year so far, even though the conditions of the cheaper quote are worse.

[Ramona]

I've been a member ever since I passed my test back in 1990.

This year I cancelled my membership. Just wasn't getting any benefit whatsoever - the magazine has gone seriously downhill (the last copy I read didn't have a single article on advanced driving techniques), and I have no faith in the current management.

[K12beano]

I've paid every year since 1982.

Don't know why.

Perhaps I've been hoping for a decent magazine just once.


Oink, flap, oink, flap......

[watchnut]

I am in the driver training industry....I am a member so that I can shoot down parents /clients who boast they are members of IAM/ROSPA

Both mags are very boring, as are the websites, the insurance benefits of being a member of either are nil in my experience, and "Suriety" being very expensive for quotes on renewal, but better if you are going there from another company.

I often wonder why I send money to them myself.....but then I can claim it back as a "business expense"

For me the best bit about both is the actual driving assessments, making sure your driving skills are still high

[Blakewater]

Ramona said:

I've been a member ever since I passed my test back in 1990.

This year I cancelled my membership. Just wasn't getting any benefit whatsoever - the magazine has gone seriously downhill (the last copy I read didn't have a single article on advanced driving techniques), and I have no faith in the current management.

The problem with everyone walking away because they don't like the management is there ends up being no one left to turn things around and the organisation becomes more and more defined by the people the more old school types don't like.

What are the issues anyway?

[martine]

I reckon the IAM magazine has been a lot better recently - don't just put it in the bin - you might be surprised.

As for IAM's insurance broker: they have been consistently the cheapest for several years on my focus ST and I do 'compare' - I know this is not true for everyone/every car however.

The current IAM's CEO: Sarah Sillars is doing a pretty good job in my opinion...best thing to happen recently was HQ moving from expensive Chiswick to much cheaper premises in Welwyn Garden City.

My main gripe with IAM HQ are some of their PR gets drawn into general road safety issues rather than focussing on driver education - which is what we should be all about in my opinion.

[SVS]

Martin, I'd agree with your comments. A number of things have improved significantly.

[pespro]

I would like some advice regarding ROADAR and IAM.

Tried to sign up to my local South Yorkshire ROADAR but was told there is a 6 month waiting list. Chap who emailed me back suggested i sign up for the IAM instead, as it was similar.

Would you guys agree its very similar, just more expensive for the IAM? I know the ROADAR has retests every 3 years.
I'd have liked to get some training in soonish and 6 months is a long wait. But if ROADAR is 10 times better than IAM then...

[angoooose]

The two are broadly similar. IAM use their simplified version of Roadcraft and the tests are much the same. Many examiners test for both organisations

Personally, I prefer ROADaR but you will benefit from either test.

Do you know there isn't a waiting list for your local IAM group?

[casbar]

I passed both tests on the same day (motorcycle). There was no real difference between the tests, both very good. The only difference is IAM is for life, which is daft, as you do not remain an advanced rider and should have a check occasionally. ROSPA test every 3 years, which is good in my books as it keeps you upto a standard. IAM now do a 3 yearly check, but if you happen to fail you are out. ROSPA have bronze, silver and gold, so if your not upto gold standard at least you can still get a silver pass and work on your riding.

[Glosphil]

casbar said:

I passed both tests on the same day (motorcycle). There was no real difference between the tests, both very good. The only difference is IAM is for life, which is daft, as you do not remain an advanced rider and should have a check occasionally. ROSPA test every 3 years, which is good in my books as it keeps you upto a standard. IAM now do a 3 yearly check, but if you happen to fail you are out. ROSPA have bronze, silver and gold, so if your not upto gold standard at least you can still get a silver pass and work on your riding.

Difficult for the IAM to re-test every member once every 3 years as the organisation has around 100,000 members. Over 30,000 re-tests a year - say 600 every week - 100/day, each of 1-1/2+ hours. As examiners are not full time that would probably require at the very least 100 examiners, just for the re-tests.

[casbar]

Good point about IAM members. How many do ROSPA have, much be less then. But that doesn't take away the fact that IAM have members who passed the test years ago and probably if haven't done any training since, probably do not drive to an advanced standard anymore. Not sure what the answer is though.

[Glosphil]

casbar said:

Good point about IAM members. How many do ROSPA have, much be less then. But that doesn't take away the fact that IAM have members who passed the test years ago and probably if haven't done any training since, probably do not drive to an advanced standard anymore. Not sure what the answer is though.

Many groups provide their members with a free assessment drive with a de-brief at the end. Any member can retake the test at any time if they wish. Can also go for Masters.

A new level of IAM membership does require a re-test every 3 years. Supposedly provides cheaper insurance via Surety.