How fast to accelerate out of junction while on IAM test?

[S7GVC]

I am currently doing the IAM test and so far have had two lessons. The instructor reckons I should book my test and I do understand most tings however the level of acceleration when coming out of a junction confuses me. I drive a focus ST with a few bits done to it and the instructor has insured me that examiners are not afraid of a spirited drive during the test. Last night on the way home from a lesson however, while sitting at a junction, there was a long queue of traffic on the road (60mpr road) I was planning to turn onto. Several times however there were gaps big enough that I could have got into without causing the other drivers to slow, or the wheels to spin, loosed full control etc. but it would have required "pinned to the seat” acceleration (and possibly not the smoothest gear changes).

Question is, would an examiner expect me to sit and wait or to use the power of the car and take the opportunity.

(I did have a quick search for this but found nothing)

[_Neal_]

Not sure there is any official guidance, but FWIW I passed my IAM test in a Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo (v. similar performance to your ST) and used the performance (sensibly) during the test - nice and rapid acceleration at changes in limit, and pulling away briskly from lights/junctions etc but never "pinned to the seat" acceleration. Doing that I reckon you'd risk not seeming fully in control, as well as (as you say) it potentially wrecking the smoothness of the next gearchange.

[7db]

No reason why you can't have smooth gear changes with WoT acceleration - try smoothing the gear changes and using full power. That said, I have no idea what IAM does and doesn't like.

[_Neal_]

Totally agree, but it's quite hard to do it when you're booting it into a gap in traffic (and you may have to slow down quickly too).

[Slacey]

I gave it welly on my IAM test and was complimented on it as the post-test review.

[waremark]

Not the sort of thing on which there would be guidelines - it is up to each examiner's judgement. Whatever you decide to do, your examiner will like to see you do it well. If you were to say: 'Using firm acceleration to fit into the gap without holding anyone up', and you execute the manoeuver well, he will probably be impressed. If on the other hand you do hold someone up, or you fluff the gearchanges, he will not be impressed.

On a drive with our local staff examiner a few years ago, he was happy to have the full beans, with rapid gearchanges, in an Evo 6! Remember these examiners have all spent years extracting maximum performance from relatively high powered police cars.

You are not going to fail for either approach.

I always think it is a good idea to tell the examiner your thinking about any interesting aspect of the drive.

[S7GVC]

Thanks alot, few good points raised there, espically regarding explaining to the examiner what I am doing. Reason I said unsmooth gear changes was due to the decrease in acceleration while changing, not lumpy changes. I expect that if I was to accelerate hard while in gear and ease of slightly when getting near the rmp I plan to change at I could get a good mixture of brisk acceration and smoothness.

[Tonto]

I passed my IAM test in a Honda Integra Type R and I managed to fit in an overtake and get the engine in the VTEC zone (i.e. 7000rpm). Examiner said "......Sounds nice"!

Regarding your lumpy gear change after hard acceleration, try easing off the throttle slightly at the end of the acceleration sequence, (the car will stop accelerating and the transmission load will reduce)and then changing gear.

[mph999]

I used full throttle (but smoothly) on my RoSPA test, lets just say I didn't hang about.
I also at times used full throttle out of a bend (I had the visibility and grip)
He did, in fairness mention I could have changed into second a little sooner on one occassion.
Gold.

[WhoseGeneration]

S7GVC said:

I am currently doing the IAM test and so far have had two lessons. The instructor reckons I should book my test and I do understand most tings however the level of acceleration when coming out of a junction confuses me. I drive a focus ST with a few bits done to it and the instructor has insured me that examiners are not afraid of a spirited drive during the test. Last night on the way home from a lesson however, while sitting at a junction, there was a long queue of traffic on the road (60mpr road) I was planning to turn onto. Several times however there were gaps big enough that I could have got into without causing the other drivers to slow, or the wheels to spin, loosed full control etc. but it would have required "pinned to the seat” acceleration (and possibly not the smoothest gear changes).

Question is, would an examiner expect me to sit and wait or to use the power of the car and take the opportunity.

(I did have a quick search for this but found nothing)

Turning left or right?.
Weather, wet or dry?.
Road surface, wet or dry, good or bad condition?.
"Pinned to the seat" acceleration would not bother an IAM Examiner, mine had hold of the above door hand grip at times.
Lack of a smooth gearchange might bother though, perhaps exhibiting lack of total control of the situation.
Meaning, not properly thought through.

[petermansell]

I don't think you will have a problem if you accecelerate as fast as you like given that its smooth, you're always in full control and its safe to do so. Examiners like progression at all times as long as its safe and leagal to do.

Edited by petermansell on Saturday 12th July 11:12

[Jules2477]

The word PROGRESSIVE as opposed to sheer speed is the link to A/D. and progressive driving can be very apparent even in a 30 without exceeding the limit. Sitting at a junction waiting for Christmas will frustrate, making safe progress will impress. If the car has performance, use it if you know can get out of a junction without causing another driver to alter course or speed. Any examiner knows that you would anyway if he or she was not sitting there. The only thing that will bug is -Wheel spin, Hard on the loud pedal followed by the brake pedal to correct speed and of course the passengers need of a neck brace when you change gear ! Leave that style of driving to reps, white van man, boy racers and the many other idiots who lack any form of finese.

Good luck with test, I am sure that with your commitment to checking out things like this type of scenario rather than chancing your luck, you will be well prepared and do well.

Edited by Jules2477 on Saturday 12th July 18:31