Advice on doing an advanced driving course

[jasmine]

Hello, first post, please be gentle

I want some advice on whether or not to pursue doing an advanced driving course.

Some background info that maybe relevant: I'm a 38 year old woman who really enjoys cars and driving but isn't a piston head by any stretch of the imagination. I'm also a wheelchair user due to incomplete paraplegia. My right leg and foot works ok, my left not so much. I use an automatic, but have driven a manual with a hand control for the clutch.

So, is it possible to have some advanced driving lessons using an automatic? Does it have to be a manual? Does one have to be a piston head to join the IAM? What do you see as the pitfalls for me?

Many thanks in advance

[7db]

90% of advanced driving is observational skill and processing. 10% is attitude, and the rest is just smugness.

There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn't get an awful lot out of advanced driving. You don't need to be a petrolhead, just keen to improve.

[Distant]

I agree with 7db, the only thing you need to take advanced training is the desire (and possibly funds) to do so. You'll find a wide variety of petrol and non petrol heads from all walks of life in the IAM, nothing you've mentioned in your post should get in your way.

Good luck!

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

If you enjoy driving, then it's worth doing an IAM (or RoSPA) course. Using an automatic isn't a problem, and the most useful parts of advanced driving are the mental skills anyway.

You might also consider joining up at Advanced-Driving.co.uk - the members-only part of the forum there has details of informal driving days where you could get an introduction to what advanced driving is all about.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

[ADJimbo]

I would support the view that you should contact your local IAM or RoSPA Group as well. They are staffed by enthusiastic volunteers who will advise you on any questions you have. You do not have to be a petrol-head - in fact, some of the best Advanced Drivers I know, have little, or no interest in cars...

I would suggest you contact the Training Manager of one of the above groups and explore the possibility of meeting someone for a demonstration drive cum assessment of your driving and take it from there.

Auto Boxes will not cause any issue.

Give it a try, have a look into it and see if you enjoy it - even if you do not go onto a test and grading, you will still pick-up some useful and safe tips and hints.

Not sure where you are in the world, but if you are in Yorkshire then drop me a line as the offer of a discussion / drive out is always available.

Jimbo

[jasmine]

Thank you all very much.

I'll get cracking!