IAM - Is this the course for me?
Discussion
Hi all, I'm not normally in this part of the forum.
I want to improve my driving on the road so I was looking at IAM. First of all, is this the correct course to go for? Are there any other alternatives that I should consider?
I'm sorry that this has quite feasibly been asked before but I'm not really sure what I'm searching for.
Thanks for your advice.
I want to improve my driving on the road so I was looking at IAM. First of all, is this the correct course to go for? Are there any other alternatives that I should consider?
I'm sorry that this has quite feasibly been asked before but I'm not really sure what I'm searching for.
Thanks for your advice.
I think it depends on how you're hoping to improve your driving and what you've expecting to be provided.
The big upside of doing the IAM advanced driving test (or the ROSPA one, which by all accounts is very similar) over any other sort of tuition is that being a charity, you pay a relatively cheap fee and in return get all the tuition you need.
The downside is that IAM is a road safety charity first and foremost and therefore their teaching is designed to make people, many of whom aren't driving enthusiasts, safer drivers in the most efficient way possible, not necessarily by helping you with the skills you want to learn or improve. So for one example, they teach very little about controlling slides, because for most people most of the time, there's much more of a safety improvement to be gained by improving their observation and planning to avoid getting into a slide in the first place. Also, being a charity with volunteer teachers (called observers), you might find a variation in the quality and style of teaching depending on who you end up with.
Given the inexpensiveness of doing it, I'd certainly recommend giving it a go. Even if you don't get on with it or don't agree with all of the teachings, you can take what you want from it and may pick up some things that improve your driving. Buy the book Roadcraft, upon which the IAM course is based, to give yourself an idea of what's expected beforehand.
The big upside of doing the IAM advanced driving test (or the ROSPA one, which by all accounts is very similar) over any other sort of tuition is that being a charity, you pay a relatively cheap fee and in return get all the tuition you need.
The downside is that IAM is a road safety charity first and foremost and therefore their teaching is designed to make people, many of whom aren't driving enthusiasts, safer drivers in the most efficient way possible, not necessarily by helping you with the skills you want to learn or improve. So for one example, they teach very little about controlling slides, because for most people most of the time, there's much more of a safety improvement to be gained by improving their observation and planning to avoid getting into a slide in the first place. Also, being a charity with volunteer teachers (called observers), you might find a variation in the quality and style of teaching depending on who you end up with.
Given the inexpensiveness of doing it, I'd certainly recommend giving it a go. Even if you don't get on with it or don't agree with all of the teachings, you can take what you want from it and may pick up some things that improve your driving. Buy the book Roadcraft, upon which the IAM course is based, to give yourself an idea of what's expected beforehand.
Perhaps to set expectation...the IAM advanced driving thingy is not really a "course" in a way you might expect. You get coaching from the observors on observed drives. The exact way it is done and the quality of observors is variable and not to some people's tastes.
This is not meant to put you off, but you may have to work at getting the best out and dealing with perhaps some narrow minded views.
You may be absolutely fine with sensible observors, but if not persevere and don't be put off.
Also if a Rospa group is nearer you or does things as or more conveniently they would do as well as IAM (some say better, it just depends).
If you are an argumentative type like me who wants things done when they want them, then paid for instruction is an alternative!
Bert
This is not meant to put you off, but you may have to work at getting the best out and dealing with perhaps some narrow minded views.
You may be absolutely fine with sensible observors, but if not persevere and don't be put off.
Also if a Rospa group is nearer you or does things as or more conveniently they would do as well as IAM (some say better, it just depends).
If you are an argumentative type like me who wants things done when they want them, then paid for instruction is an alternative!
Bert
I did the Skill for Life course over the summer. I'm 19, and I'm glad I took the plunge into advanced driving.
After one drive, I despised it - didn't 'get' their way of doing things. From then on, things got better, and now I'm glad that I did it. It takes a while to become accustomed to their very methodical and systematic way of driving, but once you've done the test you can adapt your driving as necessary.
As a result of the course, I have adapted my driving (even though after the first observed drive I was determined not to), and I believe I am now a better driver for it.
Apologies for the plug, but I did a blog post on it (from my experience), in case you're interested: Advanced driving: what it's all about
After one drive, I despised it - didn't 'get' their way of doing things. From then on, things got better, and now I'm glad that I did it. It takes a while to become accustomed to their very methodical and systematic way of driving, but once you've done the test you can adapt your driving as necessary.
As a result of the course, I have adapted my driving (even though after the first observed drive I was determined not to), and I believe I am now a better driver for it.
Apologies for the plug, but I did a blog post on it (from my experience), in case you're interested: Advanced driving: what it's all about
I think ROSPA do an alternative if I'm not mistaken?
I'm completely biased and IAM all the way though. Great set-up and, in my experience, pleasant people. I'll be using them again once I get my bike licence.
It also seems to be more widely accepted by insurance companies but it won't count for much (I wish the IAM would stop plugging it as a big saver!). They have just hiked their prices for young drivers as well though!
I'm completely biased and IAM all the way though. Great set-up and, in my experience, pleasant people. I'll be using them again once I get my bike licence.
It also seems to be more widely accepted by insurance companies but it won't count for much (I wish the IAM would stop plugging it as a big saver!). They have just hiked their prices for young drivers as well though!
G_T said:
I think ROSPA do an alternative if I'm not mistaken?
They do. It's just as good. The only difference is that to maintain your membership you must do a retest every three years. Although I am an IAM Observer I maintain a ROSPA membership as well to keep me sharp.For the willy wavers amongst us ROSPA also grade their results into Bronze, Silver and Gold. For those who like to think they're good at it the challenge of maintaining an unbroken record of "Gold" test results adds a little something ...
Just a quick update to say thanks for your advice. I start the course next Wednesday (in Bristol). Looking forward to getting started.
It's all been very positive so far, the Drive Check part went very well (cheers again Tony) and is recommended to everyone, whether you go on to do the course or not.
Just hoping I get involved with a good group of fellow learners now
It's all been very positive so far, the Drive Check part went very well (cheers again Tony) and is recommended to everyone, whether you go on to do the course or not.
Just hoping I get involved with a good group of fellow learners now
Blimey, it takes me back to my first run with my assigned observer.
I rocked round to his house ... a stock 3-series beemer; and c-class merc on the drive .... knocked on the door and this 70+ year old gent appeared. My heart sank as all my pre-conceived nightmares were coming true
He then said he'd take me out first in his car; to show me a route and how to drive it. We wandered back out onto the drive. He then walks towards his garage and opens it .... to reveal a Merc 190e Cosworth
And boy did he drive it
From that moment on, my opinions totally changed. And I genuinely loved every moment I had with him.
I rocked round to his house ... a stock 3-series beemer; and c-class merc on the drive .... knocked on the door and this 70+ year old gent appeared. My heart sank as all my pre-conceived nightmares were coming true
He then said he'd take me out first in his car; to show me a route and how to drive it. We wandered back out onto the drive. He then walks towards his garage and opens it .... to reveal a Merc 190e Cosworth
And boy did he drive it
From that moment on, my opinions totally changed. And I genuinely loved every moment I had with him.
I'm thinking of doing the Skills for Life course soon ( have asked my wife to buy me the package as my birthday present in a month's time).
I only know what I've read on the website so far so my question is:
I assume you do the session in your own car? Does this have to be a manual gearbox car? Despite owning six cars currently it struck me that I now no longer own a single manual car!
Thanks
I only know what I've read on the website so far so my question is:
I assume you do the session in your own car? Does this have to be a manual gearbox car? Despite owning six cars currently it struck me that I now no longer own a single manual car!
Thanks
derin100 said:
I assume you do the session in your own car? Does this have to be a manual gearbox car? Despite owning six cars currently it struck me that I now no longer own a single manual car!
First of all, the course is a bargain for what you learn.To answer your question, I'm pretty sure I've read somewhere that you can use an automatic. It would be strange to exclude automatics, it would just be a case of learning different skills/techniques. Of course, there will be somebody else who can give a better answer.
derin100 said:
I assume you do the session in your own car? Does this have to be a manual gearbox car? Despite owning six cars currently it struck me that I now no longer own a single manual car!
Yes you use your own car.I had an autobox at the time but decided to use the GF's manual car (a micra).
You can do it with an auto but you'll get the most from the course by using a manual.
The Skill For Life course is great value because it's delivered by volunteers - there's no way a commercial organisiation could give you 20 to 40 hours training for £139.
I'd think you'd usually get the most from the course by doing it in your everyday car. Use of the gearbox is covered whether it's auto or manual, and either is OK for the test if you're using it correctly.
The remaining 95% of the course content (Observation, Anticipation, Planning, Positioning, Hazard Perception, Smoothness, Use of speed etc.) is the same whatever vehicle you use, and applicable to everything else you'll drive in the future.
Looking forward to the seeing the OP's diary of his course - I'm sure it'll help others understand what's involved.
I'd think you'd usually get the most from the course by doing it in your everyday car. Use of the gearbox is covered whether it's auto or manual, and either is OK for the test if you're using it correctly.
The remaining 95% of the course content (Observation, Anticipation, Planning, Positioning, Hazard Perception, Smoothness, Use of speed etc.) is the same whatever vehicle you use, and applicable to everything else you'll drive in the future.
Looking forward to the seeing the OP's diary of his course - I'm sure it'll help others understand what's involved.
Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff