So I've purchaed IAM Skills for Life... Now what?

[the mini mole]

Do I wait for my local group to contact me, or will I receive more information with my package?
Any other tips like what to expect and what to do/ not do.
I'm 18 with a Polo GTI, so i'm kinda prepared to be looked down upon slightly due to age and inexperience... or be proven wrong in my idea of what might happen.
J

[brisel]

Well done for taking the plunge!

You will need to contact your local group, who can be found using the IAM website. They will find you an observer and put you in touch with him/her.

Don't worry about being frowned upon - you have made a very very good choice in advanced driving. Your age group is the most likely to benefit from AD training and least likely to do any! If you do get some old fart who does seem a bit stuffy, just ring the area coordinator and they will find another one for you.

I seemed to be the only member of my local group who had a hot hatch but my observer (ex-police class 1) was entirely cool about it. His first comment was, "well, I suspect you didn't want to learn to pootle along, but I'll teach you how to not just pootle along, in a safe way!"

[the mini mole]

Thanks for that brisel. I love driving and like to take every opportunity to learn more and advance my skills to become a safer and more competent driver.

I did pass plus after my test but I decided that I wanted to advance my skills further. I looked at RoSPA and IAM, but decided to go down the IAM route now before the SfL package went up in price. I may look at RoSPA too in the near future.

I've also invested in a copy of Roadcraft, but is there any other recommended reading?

Edited by the mini mole on Tuesday 24th March 20:24

[R3v 1]

Good choice!

I am only 23 and started my Advanced Driving in November last year. Passed by January and this month passed my Observer training.

I can only speak for my group but they are a really great bunch of lads. I drive a 2.0 Petrol Focus and was encouraged on my runs to push it abit and make sure I ''Stretched the cars legs'' as they put it!

There is a mixed variety in groups. We have lads from 18 up to 68! Everyone gets along and most have a real passion for cars.

[ADJimbo]

the mini mole said:

Thanks for that brisel. I love driving and like to take every opportunity to learn more and advance my skills to become a safer and more competent driver.

I did pass plus after my test but I decided that I wanted to advance my skills further. I looked at RoSPA and IAM, but decided to go down the IAM route now before the SfL package went up in price. I may look at RoSPA too in the near future.

I've also invested in a copy of Roadcraft, but is there any other recommended reading?

Edited by the mini mole on Tuesday 24th March 20:24

Well done for investing in a copy of Roadcraft, it will help you no end... Part of the barrier of Advanced Driving is understanding that you may have more to learn - you seem to have hurdled this and well done for doing so...

The IAM and RoSPA are both great organisations, you will learn from both. If you are unhappy with your respective obs or tut. then ask for another one...

A good instructor will try to understand what you want to achieve and coach you accordingly, I know I would - if you want progression, then ask for a tutor who will legally show us this, if it's about economy, then someone else will help...

I hope this helps, have pleanty of drive outs with both organisations and make your mind up accordingly...

Good Luck...

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

ADJimbo said:

...have plenty of drive outs with both organisations and make your mind up accordingly...

Good advice - drive with as many people as you can. Every one will be slightly different, and you can pick and choose the elements from each that you want to adopt.

If your group turns out to be a bit short on 'enthusiasts', try joining AD-UK - the members' area has details of their free driving days. I've learnt a huge amount from them, as well as getting rides in some very interesting cars.

Edited by S. Gonzales Esq. on Wednesday 25th March 00:33

[the mini mole]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I think I've made the right decision, as although I don't feel un-confident, I know I can learn a lot more and improve my driving standards.

And thanks for the link Speedy, I will sign up there, I'm sure it will have plenty of useful hints and tips, and I know that I will be posting here more for tips too.
James

[ADJimbo]

the mini mole said:

Thanks for all the advice guys. I think I've made the right decision, as although I don't feel un-confident, I know I can learn a lot more and improve my driving standards.

And thanks for the link Speedy, I will sign up there, I'm sure it will have plenty of useful hints and tips, and I know that I will be posting here more for tips too.
James

You may also want to have a look at www.clubdriving.co.uk for a good mentorship program...

[PeterA]

Going off on a mild tangent, with all this talk of 'Skill for Life' and increasing cost and whatnot, I am seriously considering purchasing it myself soon (had it not been for the increase, I was hoping to wait a bit longer. Such is life).

I won't be free until the summer, so would it be OK to buy it now and start in the summer (ie. June or July)?

Anyway, the main point of me posting is...is there anyone here from the Preston group (this is my nearest group)? If there is, if you could email me (via profile) then that would be grand. Just for any queries I can see myself having!

Regards,
Peter

Edited by PeterA on Thursday 26th March 22:01

[PeterA]

James, I've just joined you (past 10 minutes) in buying 'Skill for Life.' If it wasn't for this thread and the "IAM 'Skill For Life' price increase at beginning of April" one, I probably wouldn't have done yet, so thanks all!

Peter