Difference between IAM and RideDrive

[MrCooper]

I'm coming to the end of a course with the IAM and in so doing improved my basic skills and developed a safe technique. I want to do something where the focus is more on enjoying an open road and using the potential of my car. One option is to do some limit handling, another is to do the '8 hour performance car skills course' with RideDrive. I understand that RideDrive teach the roadcraft system, so a similar basis to IAM. Is this the case and what would doing the ridedrive course offer me a lot if I've completed IAM? One side of me say maybe not if its the same stuff, another thinks that it would give me the chance to build on those skills in a more focussed context.

Would RideDrive fit the bill or are there other programmes I should consider?

Thanks for any advice.

Steve

[BOF]

Look at your IAM course as 'O' levels...some of us go to RoSPA as the next step, but if you want to go for pro training, have a look at the nearest to you - Ride Drive is highly thought of.

Read up on some others to see if what you are looking for is a specialty of that outfit?

For my level and style of driving, I would go back to John Lyon or try Mark at Bespoke if I could afford either, but there are many good coaches out there (and on here).

BOF.

See this thread...

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

Edited by BOF on Tuesday 28th October 10:56

[A - W]

What he said. ^^

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

BOF - I believe that young people these days will be more familiar with the term 'GCSE'.

I'm afraid that 'O Levels' means something else now...

[MrCooper]

John's website does not provide any price details unfortunately.

Thanks for the advice. Why do you say ROSPA are a wothwhile next step - what do they do beyond IAM?

[BOF]

IAM is pass or fail - RoSPA is graded and has three year retest.

I did NOT write this chart, but shows A ladder, not the ONLY ladder...where HPC is, you could insert any of the pro coaches..and you might prefer to miss some of the steps...



BOF

PS - http://www.roada.org.uk/

Edited by BOF on Wednesday 29th October 09:20

[stefan1]

I know that BOF has said that the chart above was not his chart, but just to clarify I don't think these charts are very helpful. Certainly I don't think one can compare the operational driving skills of the police to civilian driving standards (because the objectives are so very different), and as ever the heirarchy above completely ignores the fact that within any organisation there are a wide range of skills. I have no doubt some IAM members are better drivers than some RoSPA members and HPC members, for example. Each organisation has its own documented standards, and whilst there are some clear differences, they are all basically aiming for the same thing and are all rooted in Roadcraft. HPC's standards can be found at http://www.hpc.org.uk/standards/index.html.

To the OP, I think the best advice is to call the various advanced driving instructors that have been suggested and discuss over the telephone what you want to achieve, and how you best you learn. Hopefully you can get a sense of the individuals and whether their course will work for you.

I have personal experience of John Lyon, Mark Kendrick, Andy Morrison, Clive Jones, John Cave among others, and would recommend any and all of these. However, they are all very different in style, which is why it is worth giving them a call and seeing whether what they offer fits what you want.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like a more personal take on some of these trainers.

Have fun!

Kind regards

Steve

[nutsytvr]

Ride Drive give you real world instruction on fast, safe, driving on public roads, with BIB Class 1 drivers as instructors.
Priceless IMHO. Went with them in my TVR - recommend it to anyone.

Nutsytvr

[SVS]

Hi MrCooper,

Do RideDrive

Quite aside from learning loads, you'll have an utterly brilliant day that's extremely enjoyable

RideDrive is a world away from the IAM in terms of both learning and enjoyment. (I speak as someone who's done IAM Observing, RoSPA and more.) Incidentally, I too find the aforementioned chart unhelpful.

[p1esk]

nutsytvr said:

Ride Drive give you real world instruction on fast, safe, driving on public roads, with BIB Class 1 drivers as instructors.
Priceless IMHO. Went with them in my TVR - recommend it to anyone.

Nutsytvr

If some of the recent comments by Mg6b (who I understand is, or was, a RideDrive instructor) are representative of what happens, you won't be doing any fast driving on public roads. My impression has been that NSL excesses are forbidden - but then of course I may have misunderstood him.

Nevertheless, my guess would be that sessions with RideDrive will do a lot more good than sessions with the IAM, even though most people should find the IAM very helpful - and of course much cheaper - but you've already done that.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

Edited by p1esk on Saturday 8th November 17:00

[ADJimbo]

May I reccomend Club Driving (www.clubdriving.co.uk) - you can access a wide group of mentors (minimum RoSPA Gold Standard)who will work with you on a voluntary basis.

There is a small joining fee, but you do get access to the mentors and the forum.

Only a thought...

[teabelly]

Can ordinary people do class 1 or is just limited to members of the police force?

I have just done a ride drive half day and I thought it was really good. Looked at IAM but I got the DSA manual which basically says at the front that the most important thing is to stick to speed limits and that speed cameras work so I was so irritated I didn't pursue it further.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

There's an idea for your local cash-strapped coppers - I'd certainly pay to do that course.

Six weeks of blue lights and exemptions, TPACs, pursuit exercises, and all in nice fast cars. I'm amazed they're not already offering them to the public.

Sorry - I've just spotted that it was your first post, and in retrospect a sarcastic response seems a little harsh. 46 months? Top lurking!

Edited by S. Gonzales Esq. on Monday 17th November 11:56

[teabelly]

Obviously I meant the advanced driving and observation bit rather than the cops and robbers bit...

[Strangely Brown]

BOF said:

IAM is pass or fail - RoSPA is graded and has three year retest.

I did NOT write this chart, but shows A ladder, not the ONLY ladder...where HPC is, you could insert any of the pro coaches..and you might prefer to miss some of the steps...

I think that chart is tosh. From personal experience, the IAM observer grades are far too high.

Edited by Strangely Brown on Monday 17th November 14:52

[waremark]

Training in a police driving school will only be available to those with a current emergency services requirement. However, a number of trainers who used to teach in the police schools offer their services to civilians - various are mentioned above or in the linked threads.

I am not sure what document put you off IAM - you refer to 'the DSA manual' which does not sound like an IAM document. It is true that as a road safety charity IAM feels it has to demonstrate respect for speed limits, but the main focus in preparation for the IAM test is on observation, anticipation and planning. IAM or Rospa training is exceptionally good value in that it is carried out 'free' by volunteers once you have joined the organisation, but for the same reason the standard of training will be variable, and rarely as high as that offered by the professionals whether from RideDrive or the other recommendations. If you are setting your sights on a police standard of driving, you should probably choose a trainer who has trained police drivers!

[teabelly]

It's the one with the forward by Nigel Mansell. I think it is produced in association with the DSA.

I am currently reading through Don Palmer's driving manual that someone else posted the link to which is excellent.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

If it's Nigel then you've probably got 'How to be a Better Driver', which is the course book of the IAM 'Skill For Life' package.

I'm sure you understand that as a high-profile road safety charity, the IAM can't condone breaking the law.

In a similar way, many of us IAM Observers prefer not to say how we regard some speed limits.

[WilliBetz]

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

I'm sure you understand that as a high-profile road safety charity, the IAM can't condone breaking the law.

It's just a shame that they don't do more to engage with the various think tanks and government bodies that inform and shape the law... one facet of the CEO's role, until the CEO role went away.

[waremark]

WilliBetz said:

S. Gonzales Esq. said:

I'm sure you understand that as a high-profile road safety charity, the IAM can't condone breaking the law.

It's just a shame that they don't do more to engage with the various think tanks and government bodies that inform and shape the law... one facet of the CEO's role, until the CEO role went away.

Do you think that public campaigning for raising speed limits would do the organisation more harm or good?