IAM Course - Whats involved??

[XDA]

I have signed up for the IAM skills for life course, and I am just wondering whats involved etc?

I have read that some groups offer information evenings, where the "theory" of the IAM course is discussed. Do all groups do this type of thing?

Apart from the observed drives, is there anything else involved in learning the course? Are there many evening type meetings involved? I dont really want to give up my evenings, as they are busy enough due to work commitments.

How and where do you first meet your observer? How long on average does it take before you are ready for the advanced test? How many observed drives do you normally have and how long do they last?

Sorry for all the questions, but these things are playing on my mind!

Thanks.

[mph999]

XDA said:

I have signed up for the IAM skills for life course, and I am just wondering whats involved etc?

I have read that some groups offer information evenings, where the "theory" of the IAM course is discussed. Do all groups do this type of thing?
>>Nope. but some will offer something similar I expect.

Apart from the observed drives, is there anything else involved in learning the course? Are there many evening type meetings involved? I dont really want to give up my evenings, as they are busy enough due to work commitments.
>> All that is required is the observerd runs. When these happen is upto the group/ you.


How and where do you first meet your observer? How long on average does it take before you are ready for the advanced test? How many observed drives do you normally have and how long do they last?
Depends on the group. EG. Guildford group meet once a month, eveone turns up and out they go for the drives. Test standard is hopefully achieved after 6 runs (= 6 months).

Newbury group don't meet as such for the observer runs, simply the individual associate and the obersver meet up as they arrange between themselves. Usually, weekly is aimed for, and test standard is hopefully achieved after about 10 runs.

You can never say how long somewoe will take to pass, some are average, some under, some over.

Martin


Sorry for all the questions, but these things are playing on my mind!

Thanks.

[waremark]

XDA, there may well be more than one group in easy reach of where you live. If so, you might like to ring each, and ask them how they work.

Can I mention that you are expected to study the current version of the Highway Code (a better book than most people remember) and the book issued to you by the IAM as well as taking Observed Drives?

[Glosphil]

The group for which I am Membership Secretary and an Observer run theory courses roughly once every three months on a Saturday from 10 - 4.

An observer is allocated to each associate and it is left to them to decide when, and how often, they undertake observed drives.

My first associate had three observed drives before he passed his test. I reckon he would have passed it without any observed drives. His score sheet was 5 '2's and the rest were '1's - on the test around 30 aspects of driving are marked from 1-5 with 1-3 being pass marks. Other associates have required 15 observed drives before passing the test. Attitude is as important as aptitude.

Hopefully you will be allocated an observer that will make it all an enjoyable experience. I thoroughly enjoy the drives with 'my' associates as they have all been eager to learn and I have liked being in their company.

Edited by Glosphil on Sunday 13th December 21:47

Edited by Glosphil on Sunday 13th December 21:47

[XDA]

mph999 - Thanks for the reply. Thats answered my questions. Thanks.

waremark - There is only 1 group in my "region". The next closest would be atleast 35 miles away. I wasnt aware that I had to read up on the Highway code, will need to look my copy out! I have been reading the book that the IAM has issued me, very interesting.

Glosphil - Thanks for your response, thats put mind at ease!

Can I just ask how long the observed drives last for?? 1-2 hours or is it upto you and the observer?

Thanks all.

[Vaux]

XDA said:

I wasnt aware that I had to read up on the Highway code, will need to look my copy out!

They used to give you a copy with the other book. It's quite important!

XDA said:

Can I just ask how long the observed drives last for?? 1-2 hours or is it upto you and the observer?

Up to you/Obs.

[PeterA]

Sorry...I've already linked to this on another thread, so I feel guilty plugging it again. Please forgive me everyone. But my thoughts on the course are here - hopefully they'll answer some questions asked, and answer some that weren't.

I did the course over the summer and didn't have aclue what to expect. At first I hated it, but then I started to change my driving, and it all got a lot easier and more enjoyable from there on.

Again, sorry for this bit of tragic plugging - I couldn't think of an alternative. Please don't hurt me.

Regards,
Peter

[Glosphil]

XDA said:

mph999 - Thanks for the reply. Thats answered my questions. Thanks.

waremark - There is only 1 group in my "region". The next closest would be atleast 35 miles away. I wasnt aware that I had to read up on the Highway code, will need to look my copy out! I have been reading the book that the IAM has issued me, very interesting.

Glosphil - Thanks for your response, thats put mind at ease!

Can I just ask how long the observed drives last for?? 1-2 hours or is it upto you and the observer?

Thanks all.

The IAM test lasts for around 1½ hours so I aim to make observed drives about the same. Actually vary from 1¼-2 hours. Over 1½ hours is only if the Associate wants to carry on beyond 1½ hours.

[XDA]

Vaux No highway code book - Just got sent a copy of the IAM magazine and the driving skills book.

PeterAInteresting info there. Thaks for sharing.

GlosphilThanks again for the info mate!

[WhoseGeneration]

XDA said:

I have signed up for the IAM skills for life course, and I am just wondering whats involved etc?

I have read that some groups offer information evenings, where the "theory" of the IAM course is discussed. Do all groups do this type of thing?

Apart from the observed drives, is there anything else involved in learning the course? Are there many evening type meetings involved? I dont really want to give up my evenings, as they are busy enough due to work commitments.

How and where do you first meet your observer? How long on average does it take before you are ready for the advanced test? How many observed drives do you normally have and how long do they last?

Sorry for all the questions, but these things are playing on my mind!

Thanks.

To be blunt, the IAM course could help to save your life and the lives of anyone else in your car.
Does that put your "work commitments" into context?
You should become proactive rather then reactive, to use modern jargon.
To be able to avoid conflict situations, to anticipate others' movements, to consider potential situations rather than assuming anything.
A more intellectual approach to an activity that requires control of a potentially dangerous machine.
A machine we let many loose with upon passing a still basic test, with no further examination.
Unlike with so many other machines.

[XDA]

WhoseGeneration I will also be blunt. Simple fact is that my employer has paid for me to do the course. Now they usually have me working until 7pm most nights, so excuse if I dont want to give up any more evening time for the benefit of my employer! I would like some family time, just like everyone else? I have already committed my weekends off to doing the IAM course, bearing in mind that I work every second weekend - Thats both saturday and sunday. I appreciate the importance of the course, hence why I have agreed to do it in my own limited free time.

Edited by XDA on Tuesday 15th December 14:43

[Vaux]

XDA said:

WhoseGeneration I will also be blunt. Simple fact is that my employer has paid for me to do the course. Now they usually have me working until 7pm most nights, so excuse if I dont want to give up any more evening time for the benefit of my employer! I would like some family time, just like everyone else? I have already committed my weekends off to doing the IAM course, bearing in mind that I work every second weekend - Thats both saturday and sunday. I appreciate the importance of the course, hence why I have agreed to do it in my own limited free time.

XDA, I can't ascertain if the group you're thinking of joining does fixed length courses (meet every Sunday somewhere) or allocates an individual Observer and you can choose when and how long you drive for.
If you only get every other weekend off, it's going to make a fixed length course difficult? But some fixed length groups will allocate an Observer due to shift work etc.
To make efficient use of your time, I'd get hold of a copy of the Roadcraft DVD/video and have a watch - a picture's worth a thousand Observer words........

[markmullen]

XDA said:

WhoseGeneration I will also be blunt. Simple fact is that my employer has paid for me to do the course. Now they usually have me working until 7pm most nights, so excuse if I dont want to give up any more evening time for the benefit of my employer! I would like some family time, just like everyone else? I have already committed my weekends off to doing the IAM course, bearing in mind that I work every second weekend - Thats both saturday and sunday. I appreciate the importance of the course, hence why I have agreed to do it in my own limited free time.

I'm taking a guess you're in the motor trade? Those hours sound strangely familiar.

The time it will take will depend on your current level, I passed after 3 observed runs and 1 demo drive, one of my associates took 7 runs, one 8, one 5, one 6, the current one is on his 6th and has his test scheduled. The runs will usually be arranged at a time to suit you and your Observer (my current associate works funny hours for example so we've never yet been out in daylight), some do weekends, some evenings, some daytimes, whatever suits you both. My observed runs usually last between an hour and an hour and a half, I am of the belief that any longer and stuff would stop sinking in.

The best advice I can offer is practice what you do with your Observer in the intervening days between runs, my best associates have been the ones who've spent the week putting into practice what we've covered, they've come on leaps and bounds.

Our local group does two classroom sessions, they really are useful to associates, if your group does I really recommend going to them.

Have fun and anything I can do to help just let me know, feel free to email me through my profile.

[Two Stallions]

XDA said:

IAM Course - Whats involved

Growing a beard and being scared of going 1MPH over the speed limit.

I did the test 25 years ago, forget the IAM and get some proper driver training, something like the course at North Weald.

[Dr Jekyll]

Two Stallions said:

XDA said:

IAM Course - Whats involved

Growing a beard and being scared of going 1MPH over the speed limit.

I did the test 25 years ago, forget the IAM and get some proper driver training, something like the course at North Weald.

That's just about car control. What would you suggest for 'proper driver training' from a more road orientated point of view?

[Two Stallions]

Dr Jekyll said:

Two Stallions said:

XDA said:

IAM Course - Whats involved

Growing a beard and being scared of going 1MPH over the speed limit.

I did the test 25 years ago, forget the IAM and get some proper driver training, something like the course at North Weald.

That's just about car control. What would you suggest for 'proper driver training' from a more road orientated point of view?

Something like the Paul Ripley course, presuming he's hasn't retired.

[markmullen]

Two Stallions said:

XDA said:

IAM Course - Whats involved

Growing a beard and being scared of going 1MPH over the speed limit.

Nonsense.

So you passed 25 years ago and now feel qualified to comment on what the IAM is all about now?

I am an IAM Observer and also spend my days driving some of the fastest cars in the world, do you think that would happen if it was like you say?

[SVS]

Hi Colin,

Two Stallions said:

Something like the Paul Ripley course, presuming he's hasn't retired.

I believe Paul Ripley moved to Canada. However, any one of these guys would be as good or better:
www.hpc.org.uk/guestjoin.html

www.ridedrive.co.uk/index2.html are brilliant too, with courses starting from just £140.

In terms of value for money, however, it's hard to beat the IAM. Nowadays, the IAM is a great option for many drivers.

[waremark]

Fully agree with the above recommendations. However, as a point of fact Paul Ripley is back from Canada, although he does not seem to do 1 to 1 driver training nowadays:

http://paulripleymedia.com/index.php?option=com_co...