Looking to join IAM

[anonymous-user]

Hi all,

Looking to start my advanced driving course with IAM in Bristol. Looked at RoSPA but it looks like they don't cover Bristol. Just need to book it up and then get started.

Any advice on how to get the best out of the course?

Unfortunately I drive an old 2004 Honda Civic Type S, what's the expectation regarding vehicle condition; other than of course being road legal!

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

This thread is relevant to my interests...


Top ten tip top tips for success as an IAM associate:


1: Read the book you get.

2: Come to the two seminars, and ask questions about anything you don't understand.

3: Make contact with your assigned observer as early as possible, schedule regular drives

4: Aim to get to test in less than six months - don't let it drag on for ever.

5: Practice between sessions, ask questions about any issues that come up.

6: Don't expect it all to drop in to place overnight, but stick at it.

7: The car you drive isn't important - safe, legal and acceptably clean is all you need.

8: Observers enjoy what they do and give their time voluntarily, but don't take the mickey.

9: If it's not enjoyable there's no point, so find a way to have fun.

10: Advanced Driving is a perishable skill - try to keep it up after you pass the test.


If you're under 25 and doing it with the Bristol group, you can probably get your course fee refunded when you pass the test.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

I should also add that we run four courses a year. The next starts in 10 days, so you might just catch it if you apply right now - otherwise it'll be the July course.

[anonymous-user]

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

This thread is relevant to my interests...


Top ten tip top tips for success as an IAM associate:


1: Read the book you get.

2: Come to the two seminars, and ask questions about anything you don't understand.

3: Make contact with your assigned observer as early as possible, schedule regular drives

4: Aim to get to test in less than six months - don't let it drag on for ever.

5: Practice between sessions, ask questions about any issues that come up.

6: Don't expect it all to drop in to place overnight, but stick at it.

7: The car you drive isn't important - safe, legal and acceptably clean is all you need.

8: Observers enjoy what they do and give their time voluntarily, but don't take the mickey.

9: If it's not enjoyable there's no point, so find a way to have fun.

10: Advanced Driving is a perishable skill - try to keep it up after you pass the test.


If you're under 25 and doing it with the Bristol group, you can probably get your course fee refunded when you pass the test.

Saw the 25 for free and unfortunately I'm 25!

If you don't get on with your observer are you able to change?

I'm aiming for a First, any key points I need to nail or are expected to be perfect on? I've read that IAM can be a bit dogmatic with respect to certain things, would you say this is true?

I don't wash my car, hope that doesn't cause an issue! A vacuum inside is enough for me.

Lastly, practice wise I presume it just involves applying what I've learnt all the time and make it the norm for my driving?

Edit: I've also read regs books and have the roadcraft police drivers book, what do you get from IAM?

Thanks Gonz

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 7th April 10:06

[OverSteery]

AB57 said:

Saw the 25 for free and unfortunately I'm 25!

If you don't get on with your observer are you able to change?

I'm aiming for a First, any key points I need to nail or are expected to be perfect on? I've read that IAM can be a bit dogmatic with respect to certain things, would you say this is true?

I don't wash my car, hope that doesn't cause an issue! A vacuum inside is enough for me.

Lastly, practice wise I presume it just involves applying what I've learnt all the time and make it the norm for my driving?

Edit: I've also read regs books and have the roadcraft police drivers book, what do you get from IAM?

Thanks Gonz

Edited by AB57 on Saturday 7th April 10:06

- Turning up at your test in a clean and apparently well maintained and presented car WILL help.

- Practice your commentary - most people find it difficult and a really good commentary is an opportunity to demonstrate you are F1rst rather than pass material

- it's not rocket science, read roadcraft, practice, and THINK about your driving, don't blindly follow rules.
In my exam I got held up by a car turning right off a 2 lane dual carriageway, with several cars behind him. I decided not to undertake the cars in the right lane, as they weren't turning off. I didn't want to fail for illegal undertaking.
At the end I discussed this will my examiner, ex police including driving royals. His view was I should have "nailed" up the inside and as there was a joining slip road, I could have used that, to give move space between us all.

[ian in lancs]

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

This thread is relevant to my interests...


Top ten tip top tips for success as an IAM associate:


1: Read the book you get.

2: Come to the two seminars, and ask questions about anything you don't understand.

3: Make contact with your assigned observer as early as possible, schedule regular drives

4: Aim to get to test in less than six months - don't let it drag on for ever.

5: Practice between sessions, ask questions about any issues that come up.

6: Don't expect it all to drop in to place overnight, but stick at it.

7: The car you drive isn't important - safe, legal and acceptably clean is all you need.

8: Observers enjoy what they do and give their time voluntarily, but don't take the mickey.

9: If it's not enjoyable there's no point, so find a way to have fun.

10: Advanced Driving is a perishable skill - try to keep it up after you pass the test.


If you're under 25 and doing it with the Bristol group, you can probably get your course fee refunded when you pass the test.

Yup!

Unlearning habits can be frustrating but stick with it! It will all fall into place. Secondly resolve to stick with the ‘system’ between lessons. Don’t revert to ‘normal’ and just put it on for lessons. Thirdly no one is perfect don’t obsess over mistakes, analyse why, learn and move on.

IAM Observer.

[ian in lancs]

AB57 said:

If you don't get on with your observer are you able to change

Edited by AB57 on Saturday 7th April 10:06

We do it differently - same observer for first two sessions then a different one for each of the remaining four.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

AB57 said:

I'm aiming for a First, any key points I need to nail or are expected to be perfect on? I've read that IAM can be a bit dogmatic with respect to certain things, would you say this is true?

We'd generally not recommend getting fixated on a First pass - just do the best you can. The only extra thing a First requires over a standard pass is commentary / spoken thoughts. Everything else is just making fewer mistakes than you'd get away with for a straight pass.

There's a lot less prescription about how things are done these days. If there's something you don't agree with, ask for a justification and make up your own mind.

AB57 said:

I don't wash my car, hope that doesn't cause an issue! A vacuum inside is enough for me.

Clean windows would be the minimum, but a clean-ish car does present better on test. You won't fail on a bit of dirt though.

AB57 said:

Lastly, practice wise I presume it just involves applying what I've learnt all the time and make it the norm for my driving?

Yes, as Ian says it's not possible to only drive to The System some of the time. If you have to think about it consciously, you won't have enough mental capacity for the other elements.

Depending on how long you have between observed runs, you might need some extra solo practice on the right roads to work on things.

AB57 said:

Edit: I've also read regs books and have the roadcraft police drivers book, what do you get from IAM?

It's a course handbook - the new version is actually very good, and a lot easier to digest than Roadcraft.

AB57 said:

If you don't get on with your observer are you able to change?

It's theoretically possible, but very rarely necessary. Observers are usually assigned based on geography and chopping and changing would make the admin a nightmare.

Edited by S. Gonzales Esq. on Saturday 7th April 12:56

[Glosphil]

If you are able to join the Gloucestershire group that group has free courses for 25-year-olds (sponsored by the Gloucestershire Crime Commissioner).

[M1keH]

Belatedly, welcome to the Bristol group from another member.

(if you ever want to pursue any RoSPA aspirations, the closest groups are Swindon or Gloucester. I moved to the latter after the Avon group folded 3/4 years ago).

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for the feedback gents. I'm looking to permanently change my driving style to make myself safer and more relaxed.

Currently I'm inconsistent and do stupid things from time to time so I'm hoping a tutor and a change of perspective can make my driving change for the better.

I presume the best place for commentary is to watch some videos on YouTube? Any tips towards producing good consistent commentaries?

Gloucestershire would be too far and a pain for me unfortunately. Don't mind paying the money anyway, seems like you get a lot of value for money.

Haven't signed up yet as my car needs a check over. Got some warning lights come on in the last few days so need to get those addressed. Frustrating as I don't want to plow any money into the car as I'm looking to get rid of it in a few months.

[carinaman]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I quite liked this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFthvCuZMMU&fe...

It's from this thread:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...


I think it's excellent the local group refunds the costs if you pass.