Need a certificate for magistrate's. Yorkshire based.

[ATV]

Hello everyone.

I'm due in court for a proposed driving disqualification due to running a red light. I'm considering taking an Advanced Motoring Course which gives me a certificate or something similar at the end to prove I'm taking things seriously and hopefully getting a good result in court.

Could anyone advise on any programmes which are offering courses from Monday onwards and provide evidence that the course has been satisfactorily completed? Is there a consensus on which programmes are considered "the best"?

I'm based in Yorkshire but willing to travel.

Thank you

[55palfers]

Going back a good while now but our company used "Peak" for a days tuition every two years for high mile drivers.

Mostly ex-Plod/MOD staff. National coverage. Trainer would come to you. Was always impressed and came away with a lot of food for thought.

Can't get a hit on Google though - maybe they've gone.

[waremark]

https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses/skill-for-lif...

[helix402]

I think Reg covers York’s.

[brisel]

My local IAM group (Darlington) are still in lockdown until further notice. Getting up to test standard takes a while. Months, in my case (not Darlington). When are you up before the beak?

[waremark]

brisel said:

My local IAM group (Darlington) are still in lockdown until further notice. Getting up to test standard takes a while. Months, in my case (not Darlington). When are you up before the beak?

Which is why I linked to the Fast Track course, which is delivered by an ADI over a very short period. Most of us (active members of IAM Roadsmart) thinks this is a less good way of improving your driving long term than preparing for an advanced driving test over a much longer period with the help of an Observer, but it could be a way to pass an Advanced Driving Test quickly.

There is no doubt that passing an Advanced Driving Test would evidence to a magistrate an effort to improve your driving. Whether it would reduce the penalty imposed is not certain.

IAM Roadsmart used to restrict drivers with too many points on their license from taking the Advanced Driving Test - I don't know whether they still do, but since I haven't been able to find a reference to it possibly not.

[brisel]

I hadn’t viewed your link before replying. There was some chat in the parallel thread in SPL about pending court cases and it is worth noting in section 3 under Convictions in the link below.

https://www.iamroadsmart.com/terms-and-conditions

[waremark]

brisel said:

I hadn’t viewed your link before replying. There was some chat in the parallel thread in SPL about pending court cases and it is worth noting in section 3 under Convictions in the link below.

https://www.iamroadsmart.com/terms-and-conditions

Ah, you found the bit which I couldn't (I don't follow SPL, should I?):

"If you have a court case for a driving offence pending you will have to wait until the legal process is finalised before taking the test (this includes Fixed Penalty Notices)."

That clearly means the OP will not be able to go to court and wave a brand new Advanced Driving Certificate. It is possible that he might get some kudos by explaining that he has completed the course and will be taking the test shortly. If he decides to go ahead with advanced driver training, then there is probably a slightly higher chance of the magistrates being impressed by a course delivered by a widely recognised organisation such as IAM Roadsmart than by a less well known course - even though training by Reg Local would undoubtedly be better than he would get from IAM Roadsmart Fast Track.

[sociopath]

waremark said:

brisel said:

I hadn’t viewed your link before replying. There was some chat in the parallel thread in SPL about pending court cases and it is worth noting in section 3 under Convictions in the link below.

https://www.iamroadsmart.com/terms-and-conditions

Ah, you found the bit which I couldn't (I don't follow SPL, should I?):

"If you have a court case for a driving offence pending you will have to wait until the legal process is finalised before taking the test (this includes Fixed Penalty Notices)."

That clearly means the OP will not be able to go to court and wave a brand new Advanced Driving Certificate. It is possible that he might get some kudos by explaining that he has completed the course and will be taking the test shortly. If he decides to go ahead with advanced driver training, then there is probably a slightly higher chance of the magistrates being impressed by a course delivered by a widely recognised organisation such as IAM Roadsmart than by a less well known course - even though training by Reg Local would undoubtedly be better than he would get from IAM Roadsmart Fast Track.

As long as he can explain how an advanced driving course will improve his ability to see red lights of course

[waremark]

sociopath said:

As long as he can explain how an advanced driving course will improve his ability to see red lights of course

I guess we don't know whether he ran the red light deliberately, in which case evidence of remorse and improved attitude is relevant, or inadvertently, in which case demonstration of improved concentration and observation will be relevant.

But I have no idea whether the magistrates would actually be swayed.

[ATV]

waremark said:

Ah, you found the bit which I couldn't (I don't follow SPL, should I?):

"If you have a court case for a driving offence pending you will have to wait until the legal process is finalised before taking the test (this includes Fixed Penalty Notices)."

That clearly means the OP will not be able to go to court and wave a brand new Advanced Driving Certificate. It is possible that he might get some kudos by explaining that he has completed the course and will be taking the test shortly. If he decides to go ahead with advanced driver training, then there is probably a slightly higher chance of the magistrates being impressed by a course delivered by a widely recognised organisation such as IAM Roadsmart than by a less well known course - even though training by Reg Local would undoubtedly be better than he would get from IAM Roadsmart Fast Track.

OP here, thanks for the links, yes I rang IAM Roadsmart and they advised I would be able to pay, sign up and do all the training but not the final test until after the court case.

The chap was very friendly and informative, he told me there have been a few instances like mine in the past, no guarantee which way it will go on the day, but it certainly won't harm my position. The instructors will do between 6-8 sessions, 1 hour each at my convenience, almost all are Covid-vaccinated, usually they are ex-police officers and very well trained. I would get a welcome letter which I can then pass onto my solicitor to show I have started the training.

For £149, there's no harm in trying, and having a refresher after 20 years of driving is no bad thing either.

Thanks all

[brisel]

Good luck. Being proactive should help your case and in this Advanced Driving section you won't find many saying that driver training is a bad thing. I'm not a solicitor or judge though.

@waremark - I would be careful about the SP&L forum. Lots of hot air and indignation! If you thought an AD forum was pedantic....!

[Pica-Pica]

sociopath said:

As long as he can explain how an advanced driving course will improve his ability to see red lights of course

Unnecessary.
Quite simply an advanced course will improve observation and anticipation. In many cases, depending on traffic and layout, I travel at the safest/maximum road speed toward traffic lights but lift off in the final braking distance and cover the brake (obvious not showing brake lights) until i past the point where it is safe to stop. Always, but always, glance across the intersection - especially to the right at traffic lights on a fast roundabout.