Been driving almost two years...what next?
Discussion
I really want to improve my driving.
I don't consider myself a bad driver by any means and had no trouble passing my test, no accidents and I'm reasonably confident I can make quick progress. I would like to consider myself above average but, really, who doesn't? Especially those who like their cars.
But I want to take it to the next level.
What sort of training / courses are available to me?
I don't consider myself a bad driver by any means and had no trouble passing my test, no accidents and I'm reasonably confident I can make quick progress. I would like to consider myself above average but, really, who doesn't? Especially those who like their cars.
But I want to take it to the next level.
What sort of training / courses are available to me?
It's been just over a year since I started learning to drive, and about 10 months since I passed my test with one minor (and pass plus). I recently had the same thought and came to the conclusion that you can either go through the 'driver training' route which costs a few hundred quid a day, or though IAM or Rospa, with which I got a free course on am IAM Skill for Life course, which is normally still only £139 or so. With that you get unlimited lessons at no extra cost (as it's run by volunteers, but you use your own car, and hence petrol etc) until you pass your IAM test, which normally takes about 6 months. To be honest I'd recommend this as a starting point, and then go on to more specialist (read: expensive) stuff from there.
Synchromesh said:
It's been just over a year since I started learning to drive, and about 10 months since I passed my test with one minor (and pass plus). I recently had the same thought and came to the conclusion that you can either go through the 'driver training' route which costs a few hundred quid a day, or though IAM or Rospa, with which I got a free course on am IAM Skill for Life course, which is normally still only £139 or so. With that you get unlimited lessons at no extra cost (as it's run by volunteers, but you use your own car, and hence petrol etc) until you pass your IAM test, which normally takes about 6 months. To be honest I'd recommend this as a starting point, and then go on to more specialist (read: expensive) stuff from there.
Thanks for your post. Cost is definitely a consideration, so IAM sounds like a good starting point.
The various routes into Advanced Driving have been discussed here before, and a look through the old threads should help answer some questions.
You could also have a look at Advanced-Driving.co.uk - forum regulars organise driving days which are a great way to dip a toe in the water, although I think last weekend's Swindon-based day (surprisingly great roads) may have been the last for this year.
Your local IAM or RoSPA group should be friendly and talk you through the options, or you could even try a drive with one of the regulars here - there's a wealth of experience available if you ask nicely.
Oh - and for the next step after IAM, put the HPC Young Drivers' Day on your to-do list for next year. More info here.
You could also have a look at Advanced-Driving.co.uk - forum regulars organise driving days which are a great way to dip a toe in the water, although I think last weekend's Swindon-based day (surprisingly great roads) may have been the last for this year.
Your local IAM or RoSPA group should be friendly and talk you through the options, or you could even try a drive with one of the regulars here - there's a wealth of experience available if you ask nicely.
Oh - and for the next step after IAM, put the HPC Young Drivers' Day on your to-do list for next year. More info here.
what do you drive? if its rwd, get down a car control day! You may be fine when all the wheels are pointing the same direction, but i bet it'll all go pete tong the first time you get properly sideways.
or failing that, do a trackday! nothing like hooning it round a track for a fix, and learning to be smooth on a track will make you a better driver.
or failing that, do a trackday! nothing like hooning it round a track for a fix, and learning to be smooth on a track will make you a better driver.
brillomaster said:
...do a trackday!...learning to be smooth on a track will make you a better driver.
That's a different kind of 'good driver' though - most driving courses will concentrate on the mental skills, rather than car control at the limit.fulvia griff said:
...for the £139 it costs it is definitely worth it!
Buy it before Christmas, and it's only £125: Linkyal1991 said:
Yeah I've been looking at the IAM test that's likely to be the first port of call I think.
I think one of the key points is to identify what you want to get out of it. With any service run by volunteers the observer you are assigned (and to a lesser extent the group you belong to) will dictate how much you get from the course and and how inspired you are to keep improving your driving further.My suggestion would be pop along to your local IAM/RoSPA groups and meet the people and see some demo drives before splashing the cash. Of course, this assumes you have more than one advanced driving group nearby
Chris
S. Gonzales Esq. said:
... put the HPC Young Drivers' Day on your to-do list for next year. More info here.
I recommend this regardless whether or not you've completed IAM Skills for Life. You'll have an utterly brilliant day not to mention learning an awful lot 
If you decide to complete an IAM course subsequently, then the HPC Young Drivers' Day will have given you a massive head start.Whilst I recommend the IAM, and I've coached people through their IAM test myself, I recommend professional training even more highly. Check out the range of options from RideDrive:
www.ridedrive.co.uk/shop-standard-cars.htm
Good luck whatever you decide - and enjoy your driving! Do let us know how you get on too
brillomaster said:
what do you drive? if its rwd, get down a car control day! You may be fine when all the wheels are pointing the same direction, but i bet it'll all go pete tong the first time you get properly sideways.
I'd not limit that to RWD.You get taught to drive in control of your car; sometime something will happen that means you lose control... and then you've got no idea.
I'd recommend a skidpan session (in fact, I reckon it should be part of the test....). They're good fun, as well as building a new set of reflexes
Synchromesh said:
It's been just over a year since I started learning to drive, and about 10 months since I passed my test with one minor (and pass plus). I recently had the same thought and came to the conclusion that you can either go through the 'driver training' route which costs a few hundred quid a day, or though IAM or Rospa, with which I got a free course on am IAM Skill for Life course, which is normally still only £139 or so. With that you get unlimited lessons at no extra cost (as it's run by volunteers, but you use your own car, and hence petrol etc) until you pass your IAM test, which normally takes about 6 months. To be honest I'd recommend this as a starting point, and then go on to more specialist (read: expensive) stuff from there.
Interesting that you have ruled out the 'driver training' route (don't worry I'm not touting for business). I often do advanced test prep for the companies I work on behalf of. Generally after one initial days defensive driver training only one more intensive training day is needed then they go for it. Usually doing well (RoSPA Gold or Silver) as long as they're prepared to go away & do some practice on the points covered. Just want to point out that professional training may not be too expensive an option compared with preparing over six months & may suit some people's cirmumstances. brillomaster said:
what do you drive? if its rwd, get down a car control day! You may be fine when all the wheels are pointing the same direction, but i bet it'll all go pete tong the first time you get properly sideways.
or failing that, do a trackday! nothing like hooning it round a track for a fix, and learning to be smooth on a track will make you a better driver.
I'd agree with this.or failing that, do a trackday! nothing like hooning it round a track for a fix, and learning to be smooth on a track will make you a better driver.
When you're young, dumb and full of cum, learning how to control the car you'll inevitably overcook, is more relevant than roadcraft, which IMO young drivers (and I use myself as an example here) simply haven't got the maturity to utilise.
Great Pretender said:
brillomaster said:
what do you drive? if its rwd, get down a car control day! You may be fine when all the wheels are pointing the same direction, but i bet it'll all go pete tong the first time you get properly sideways.
or failing that, do a trackday! nothing like hooning it round a track for a fix, and learning to be smooth on a track will make you a better driver.
I'd agree with this.or failing that, do a trackday! nothing like hooning it round a track for a fix, and learning to be smooth on a track will make you a better driver.
When you're young, dumb and full of cum, learning how to control the car you'll inevitably overcook, is more relevant than roadcraft, which IMO young drivers (and I use myself as an example here) simply haven't got the maturity to utilise.
Roada http://www.roada.org.uk/ or IAM I would say
Have a few hours with a decent observer from either of these organisations and it will give you plenty to think about for a while.
Have a few hours with a decent observer from either of these organisations and it will give you plenty to think about for a while.
waremark said:
Great Pretender said:
brillomaster said:
what do you drive? if its rwd, get down a car control day! You may be fine when all the wheels are pointing the same direction, but i bet it'll all go pete tong the first time you get properly sideways.
or failing that, do a trackday! nothing like hooning it round a track for a fix, and learning to be smooth on a track will make you a better driver.
I'd agree with this.or failing that, do a trackday! nothing like hooning it round a track for a fix, and learning to be smooth on a track will make you a better driver.
When you're young, dumb and full of cum, learning how to control the car you'll inevitably overcook, is more relevant than roadcraft, which IMO young drivers (and I use myself as an example here) simply haven't got the maturity to utilise.
waremark said:
Great Pretender said:
brillomaster said:
what do you drive? if its rwd, get down a car control day! You may be fine when all the wheels are pointing the same direction, but i bet it'll all go pete tong the first time you get properly sideways.
or failing that, do a trackday! nothing like hooning it round a track for a fix, and learning to be smooth on a track will make you a better driver.
I'd agree with this.or failing that, do a trackday! nothing like hooning it round a track for a fix, and learning to be smooth on a track will make you a better driver.
When you're young, dumb and full of cum, learning how to control the car you'll inevitably overcook, is more relevant than roadcraft, which IMO young drivers (and I use myself as an example here) simply haven't got the maturity to utilise.
However, I cannot think of anyone at that age who isn't 'ambitious' with their driving style. IMO, some training won't do much to sort that. Not that it'll do any harm of course, but one needs a mature mind to drive maturely.
I'm still working on that after ten years.
waremark said:
Roadcraft is about learning to avoid the limit handling situations which you probably would not recover from in the available road space even if you had a bit of skid pan training. Get the right roadcraft training and you will enjoy avoiding the limit handling situations, instead of only getting your kicks from being a prat. Consider some limit handling training for fun, but roadcraft training (IAM and Rospa offer far the best value for a proper course, ADUK days or the HPC day for a taster) for safety and enjoyment on the public road.
I think it's a bit unfair to label the OP/young drivers a "prat" for being out of control of their car. It's more about inexperience and failure to read the road properly (which the other training will also help fix) but can happen to any driver at any time. I recommend the skid pan as a couple of young lads I know had low speed offs which I'm fairly sure they could have caught before hitting something solid, if they'd only have known how. Lessons and the test in no way prepare you for this - even understanding how locked wheels affect your car; what ABS feels like when its working; what to do if you have overcooked it slightly or maybe hit diesel or water mid-bend; how to stay out of the ditch when oncoming traffic trying to overtake a scooter kindly forces you onto the verge whilst braking to avoid hitting them (that one's my one ). Also, a skid pan session is a one-off, reasonably cheap, fun, thing that doesn't require so much on-going practise, which can be hard to commit to or keep up when you're younger.
I'm not talking about the sort of person who rolls themselves 5 times over into a field - that's a whole different kettle of fish. And I don't expect they'd be asking for advice in this forum in the first place!
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