Anyone done this at 17?
Discussion
BOF said:
JonRB said:
As I understand it, the IAM positively encourage it to the extent of giving big discounts to young drivers.
(Happy to be corrected)
CORRECT - best time to do it!(Happy to be corrected)
BOF
Best wishes all,
Dave.
It's a good thing to do - I passed my driving test just before I was 18 and did my IAM about 18 months later before any really bad habits had got hold. If you have a real interest in getting the best from your driving and a desire to learn it is a great time to do it. You also might encourage a few mates to be interested which would be a good thing as you all pull each other up.
mccarn said:
Kinda my thinking behind doing it. Wrote off my car in June after getting a bit sideaways on a roundabout. I take it I buy a pack off the IAM site?
Join here...http://www.iam.org.uk/
BOF
mccarn said:
Recently passed my test in February and just about to do my pass plus. Want to do a bit more though and was just wondering if anyone has done the IAM training at my age? Thanks
I did the IAM when I was 19 (Many moons ago now). Do it, it's a great eye opener and might get you a discount in insurance. Be prepared to fail, the test is quite difficult, but persist with it. It makes you more aware of what's going on around you and helps you prepare for the unexpected. Did I mention you might get cheaper insurance? 
robwales said:
Will my insurance really be cheaper though? (it's not my main reason for doing IAM BTW).
When I did Pass Plus, the insurers which accepted it were still more expensive after discount than the cheapest ones.
Hi Rob,When I did Pass Plus, the insurers which accepted it were still more expensive after discount than the cheapest ones.
I wouldn't guarantee you'll get cheaper insurance. Some companies don't accept it, and with some companies it makes next to no difference. With others it does, I think the IAM has it's own insurance scheme but I don't think it was very competitive when I tried them. I'm afraid the long and the short of it is, you're basically shafted insurance wise for the next 3-4 years, even if you drive something with a tiny engine. One tip I found is to put your mum or dad on as a named driver (So long as one of them has a clean(ish) licence that is), this often results in lower premiums.
I would definately recommend the IAM course as it does genuinely make you a better driver. It teaches you how to appreciate and react to developing situations on the road and how to avoid getting into a situation in the first place. It teaches you about how to position your car correctly and how to control it properly. Some of the things it teaches you, you will use every day, other things will just stay in the back of your mind. I have to admit I was a bit of a lunatic in the car at the age of 17/18 as my old man was foolish enough to insure me on his BMW. The IAM changed that ad made me appreciate the risks of driving.
Costs wise I think it cost me in the region of £150-200 but don't quote me on that.
Good luck with whatever you decide, and if I might impart on piece of advice that I learned the hard way as a young driver: Imagine there is an oncoming vehicle around the next bend and always assume that the imaginary oncoming vehicle is doing the same speed as you and leave enough room to stop!
Mar10
Cheers.
I've already joined and had my third observed drive today.
It's going fine but I'm not very good at the random "what was the last road sign we passed?" question which will be in the test. And of course a few bad habits need ironing out, and parallel parking perfected (have a driveway so almost never do it).
I'm 20 BTW so insurance is not as bad as it used to be.
You do accompanied drives with an IAM Observer (volunteer) which prepares you for a test.
Don't know what happens if you fail, I hope I won't find out!
I've already joined and had my third observed drive today.
It's going fine but I'm not very good at the random "what was the last road sign we passed?" question which will be in the test. And of course a few bad habits need ironing out, and parallel parking perfected (have a driveway so almost never do it).
I'm 20 BTW so insurance is not as bad as it used to be.
junder said:
so how much does it cost ? do you do any formal training or is it just take the test ? Also i take it you have to pay each time you take the test if you fail ?
J
£79 if you're under 25 to join, plus your petrol for observed runs in your car.J
You do accompanied drives with an IAM Observer (volunteer) which prepares you for a test.
Don't know what happens if you fail, I hope I won't find out!
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