Another IAM vs RoSPA thread!

[.blue]

I remember reading that entry for High Performance Club (HPC) was either through a drive with one of their gatekeepers or by doing a certain level of RoSPA test.
However, their website now has no mention of any RoSPA qualification - is anyone aware if this is still the case or entry is now only through an observed drive?

For this reason I was thinking of doing an advanced driving course with RoSPA instead of IAM as perhaps in the future I would like to join the HPC.
Valid reason or is there not really much point in that IAM would still train me up to a similar level?

Thanks!

[vonhosen]

I'm not a HPC member (or IAM, RoADA either), but it is my understanding that HPC membership is via a gatekeeper. It's just that they recommend you going IAM/RoADA route as a foundation towards HPC entry standards.

[.blue]

Ah thanks vonhosen

[dave_gt]

The only method of entry to the HPC is indeed via a gatekeeper. I know that success in the Cadence master drivers course is deemed suitable for entry - Hugh Noblett is a gatekeeper. It is spread over two full days plus a half day assessment drive before you do the course to see if it is appropriate.

Edited by dave_gt on Monday 29th June 21:43

Edited by dave_gt on Monday 29th June 21:44

[stefan1]

The full list of approved courses is here:

http://www.hpc.org.uk/guestjoin.html

Prior training (eg, RoSPA or IAM) is not required, but lots of members do find it very useful to have joined a local group before taking the first drive, or betweeen the first drive (which is usually a half day) and taking the 2 day course.

Cheers

Steve

Edited by stefan1 on Tuesday 30th June 19:07

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

You'd need to be very lucky indeed to find an IAM observer to train you up to HPC entry standard - even then, I don't think there's a way in that avoids the 2 day course with a gatekeeper (or if there is, I haven't found it yet.)

I'm sure it is possible to avoid the IAM / RoSPA route (Steve says it is, and he would know about these things), but my own feeling is that changing your driving more gradually and over a longer period is likely to give better results.

The fundamentals of Advanced Driving (anticipation, planning, car control) are broadly common to all the organisations, so perhaps start off with IAM and then work your way up as your driving develops.

If money is no object I'm sure the gatekeepers could guide you through the whole process, but it might be a bit like doing an English degree before you'd learnt to read or write.

[.blue]

I've still got a way to go in terms of gaining driving experience before I even start considering HPC membership but I'm contemplating starting an advanced driving course and was wondering if there would be any differences by doing RoSPA course vs IAM from the point of view of HPC membership in the future.

Also, this is a bit cheeky, but is there any point 'saving' advanced driving courses in case I get a speeding ticket? If an advanced driving qualification has already been gained, the opportunity to avoid points by participating in an advanced driving course is lost, right?

[stefan1]

.blue said:

I've still got a way to go in terms of gaining driving experience before I even start considering HPC membership but I'm contemplating starting an advanced driving course and was wondering if there would be any differences by doing RoSPA course vs IAM from the point of view of HPC membership in the future.

Also, this is a bit cheeky, but is there any point 'saving' advanced driving courses in case I get a speeding ticket? If an advanced driving qualification has already been gained, the opportunity to avoid points by participating in an advanced driving course is lost, right?

To your first point, the answer is not at all. Both IAM and RoSPA work from an essentially similar syllabus, that is well aligned to the HPC entry standards (see http://hpc.org.uk/standards/index.html).

Re your second point, it doesn't work like that. If you are caught speeding, whether or not you are offered a speed awareness course (or such like) will not be affected by whether you have an advanced driving qualification (indeed, how would they know?). I've not attended a speed awareness course but, from what I understand, they focus on attitude (which is of course important) not advanced driving techniques.

HTH.

Kind regards

Steve

[Z.B]

.blue said:

I've still got a way to go in terms of gaining driving experience before I even start considering HPC membership but I'm contemplating starting an advanced driving course and was wondering if there would be any differences by doing RoSPA course vs IAM from the point of view of HPC membership in the future.

Also, this is a bit cheeky, but is there any point 'saving' advanced driving courses in case I get a speeding ticket? If an advanced driving qualification has already been gained, the opportunity to avoid points by participating in an advanced driving course is lost, right?

Getting the right observer will make more difference than whether you choose Rospa or IAM.

If you go down this route it would be worth letting the training officer at the group know that you see this as a stepping stone to greater things, and asking whether you can be allocated an observer who would be in sympathy with your aim. Also make it clear to your observer when you do start that you are looking to achieve a higher standard in the long run than is required for that organisation. It may make a difference to the help you receive.

[SVS]

Hi there,

Z.B said:

Getting the right observer will make more difference than whether you choose Rospa or IAM.

Yep, can't agree more. And don't be afraid to ask for a different Observer if you want one. (I did in the past.)

However, many in the IAM and RoSPA won't know all about HPC. So you may have to ask around for someone to help you "onto higher things". Once I had IAM behind me, I asked about the IAM Special Assessment as a route to getting some observed drives with a police Class 1; my local IAM Examiner organised this informally for me as a favour. This sort of networking can get you a long way.

As a general rule, RoSPA Gold isn't a million miles away from HPC 'entry level'. Though the HPC entry course is always hard work (but very rewarding).

Good luck, drive safely and enjoy the journey!

[amir_j]

stefan1 said:

Re your second point, it doesn't work like that. If you are caught speeding, whether or not you are offered a speed awareness course (or such like) will not be affected by whether you have an advanced driving qualification

Think the op meant doing excess speeding and then trying to get leniancy in court where his lawyer will say "my client has learnt from this and is a changed man, he has enrolled onto a advanced driving course.."

[AW8]

Z.B said:

Getting the right observer will make more difference than whether you choose Rospa or IAM.

I agree entirely with this...........joined a local IAM group in 1991 and with initially with captain anorak as observer, ( appreciate he was a volunteer in his own time though).

Boredom overload due to method of observing & lack of pace so I met with local group organiser, told him my goal and bagged a Police Triple Class 1 instaed. More pace, more technique, & emphasis on positioning & bend assement. Passed first time & qualification helped me to negate the points on my license which were raised during a later job interview. Skills for life but have since had other roadcraft training & since roadcraft recieved its major overhall.

Joined IAM proper afterward passing but didn't bother renewing subscriptions. Local event content wasn't really for me at the then age of 23.

I think that at the time you needed maintain subsription or IAM status removed after 2 years. I paid into local group initially then nationally. Renewed for 2 years but with young family the subscription was not justifiable year on year.

Not felt need to adorn car with badges since but 19 years later the system has proved a sound basis for the majority of my road driving.

The training I received was a major factor in me having a changed & more responsible driving attitude, (I needed it !).

[

Edited by AW8 on Thursday 23 July 20:28