IAM vs RoSPA

[profstoff]

I am considering taking either the IAM or RoSPA and am I looking for advice which. A number of people have suggested that RoSPA is better but no-one has really said why. I assume they to cover the same sort of syllabus, ie driving to "the system" and based on Roadcraft. I have also heard that the IAM can be a bit "crusty" and follow a slovish adherence to such things as push-pull steering, gear-changing.
So what are their pros and cons? Any help is appreciated.

[Vaux]

profstoff said:

I am considering taking either the IAM or RoSPA and am I looking for advice which.

Either is fine. It might come down to a geographical thing - there're more IAM groups out there.

Both are very keen on Pull-Push steering.

I did IAM first (in one part of the country) then RoADA. I did RoADA with an observer who was also an IAM observer, and he was very good - very accurate in his interpretation of Roadcraft and quite demanding. So-if I'd have gone IAM or RoADA and got him I'm sure my experience would have been the same.

It all comes down to the Observer - if you don't click with one, ask for another. (Cue TripleS............ )

RoADA is better, IMHO, in that there is a grading system - you can have something to aim at in terms of improvement, although IAM has Special Assessment. RoADA also requires re-tests every 3 years which gets over the "advanced driver for life" the IAM badge gets you.

[7db]

check with your insurer which they recognise...

[Vaux]

7db said:

check with your insurer which they recognise...

Is that the most important thing?
You can always change insurance companies, and those that give IAM or RoSPA discount seem to be more expensive in the first place.
The course content is the same. It'll come down to geography. If there are IAM and RoADA close by, I'd personally take IAM first, to get the basics down, then take RoADA.

[7db]

Vaux said:

7db said:

check with your insurer which they recognise...

Is that the most important thing?

You'd have to ask the OP; he doesn't reveal why he wants to do one of these two.

[profstoff]

7db said:

Vaux said:

7db said:

check with your insurer which they recognise...

Is that the most important thing?

You'd have to ask the OP; he doesn't reveal why he wants to do one of these two.

Insurance is a consideration but not the overriding factor. I just want to be a more informed and consistent driver.

[Vaux]

profstoff said:

Insurance is a consideration but not the overriding factor. I just want to be a more informed and consistent driver.

That's good as if I was "selling" the IAM package I'd say the insurance premiums are not a real consideration - you'll save more long term in keeping your NCB intact due to your "improved" observations and driving planning. You probably wouldn't recoup the £65-85 cost of the Skill for Life package on the premium?

Depending on your age(?), Pass Plus would have a better impact on your premium.

If cost is a consideration, RoADA is cheaper initially, but you need to keep paying the yearly subs to get your re-tests.

[Don]

The courses are identical. The test is identical. Do either one.

If you want an indication of how good you are do ROSPA as they grade Bronze (not really good enough), Silver and Gold. If you get a Bronze you are supposed to do a retest within one year. If you get a Silver/Gold it's every three.

In either case you need to manitain your membership to get any insurance benefits - which are marginal at best - although a number of insurers do now recognize the qualifications. In my case my IAM and ROSPA test passes neatly cancelled out the extra cost of my speeding conviction.

In both courses Roadcraft is king. You will need to demonstrate you can drive the Roadcraft way. Afterwards you can adapt what you have learned into a driving style that suits you best - but on test day its Roadcraft, Roadcraft, Roadcraft.

HTH. I am an IAM Observer and hold a RoSPA "Gold".

[7db]

Do both? Do other courses? Drive with lots of other people who are interested in driving?

As far as I can tell the qualification is fine as far as it goes, but more important is getting hold of a few drivers that you like to drive with and having a thirst to learn.

If you can't find a driver, then Roadcraft can be used as a poor substitute.



(I'm neither an IAM member, nor RoSPA)

[Vaux]

7db said:

Do both? Do other courses? Drive with lots of other people who are interested in driving?
(I'm neither an IAM member, nor RoSPA)

For me that's the bad side of IAM/RoADA - once you're in there's no going out driving with others (maybe the odd lunch out)(Bikers seem to be much more gregarious). You get to go to a monthly meeting and chat incessantly on email forums.....

This is where ADUK is making headway.

And for £995 plus a skid pan session, (if you can hold it together for two days) HPC is another good option.

[7db]

Vaux said:

7db said:

Do both? Do other courses? Drive with lots of other people who are interested in driving?
(I'm neither an IAM member, nor RoSPA)

For me that's the bad side of IAM/RoADA - once you're in there's no going out driving with others (maybe the odd lunch out)(Bikers seem to be much more gregarious). You get to go to a monthly meeting and chat incessantly on email forums.....

This is where ADUK is making headway.

And for £995 plus a skid pan session, (if you can hold it together for two days) HPC is another good option.

ADUK does seem to be doing well in terms of provding an active area for discussion of the finer points of advanced driving, and fostering some drives with other posters. Whilst there is no opportunity for formal instruction, per se, or qualifications, there do seem to be a few people involved in IAM / RoSPA. Quite a few HPC members active there as well.

I think ADUKs stated purpose is in appealing to younger drivers?

[TripleS]

7db said:

Vaux said:

7db said:

Do both? Do other courses? Drive with lots of other people who are interested in driving?
(I'm neither an IAM member, nor RoSPA)

For me that's the bad side of IAM/RoADA - once you're in there's no going out driving with others (maybe the odd lunch out)(Bikers seem to be much more gregarious). You get to go to a monthly meeting and chat incessantly on email forums.....

This is where ADUK is making headway.

And for £995 plus a skid pan session, (if you can hold it together for two days) HPC is another good option.

ADUK does seem to be doing well in terms of provding an active area for discussion of the finer points of advanced driving, and fostering some drives with other posters. Whilst there is no opportunity for formal instruction, per se, or qualifications, there do seem to be a few people involved in IAM / RoSPA. Quite a few HPC members active there as well.

I think ADUKs stated purpose is in appealing to younger drivers?

I believe so and I think that is a very good thing.

As for meeting up and doing a bit of driving together, I like the informal atmosphere very much and I hope we can retain that option, as an alternative to more formal training sessions. Both have their place I would say.

Best wishes all,
Dave.