I just passed....

[Don]

My IAM Advanced Driving Test. I'm chuffed to bits.

ARDS next.......

[thom]

Congrats!
On what car was this?

[Dave_H]

Nice one Don

[johno]

quote:My IAM Advanced Driving Test. I'm chuffed to bits.

ARDS next.......

Don,

Well done !!

What kinda cost and length of time ? I am considering doing this this year.

Cheers

Mark

[mondeoman]

one word - CONGRATS!

[element]

nice one

what did you think of the 'curriculum'?
are you a better driver now?


>> Edited by element on Wednesday 10th April 07:35

[beano1197]

Hope you gave the examiner a good demonstration that you can use the vehicle to it's full advantage

Was it the Tiv???

[JMGS4]

Well done, you now are allowed to drive a 30-year old pale blue morris minor in the outside lane at 69.999 mph holding everybody up and not forgetting the uniform tweed cap tweed jacket preferably with leather patches and gloves with holy fingers and no backs..... :laugh.
Jus razzin you man..............
Lot of hard work... well done......

>> Edited by JMGS4 on Wednesday 10th April 09:09

[mr_tony]

Congrats Don.
So come on then, how long does it take wht do you have to do etc? (do they bang their clipboard on the dashboard so make you slam on the anchors etc?)

[Don]

Thanks guys!

How long: It took me about 8-9 months to do it. I'm certain it can be done faster but the Basingstoke group are keen to maintain a high pass rate so they really do try to make sure you'll pass before you finally take your Plod Class 1 examiner out. Wise really.

How much: £28. Unbelievably cheap. The reason is the IAM is a charity that's staffed by volunteers. Volunteer "observers" (read "Instructor" sort-of) take you out for practice drives. Its the done thing to volunteer your services as an observer after you pass to "pay back" the favour as it were. I'll probably do some of that.

Emergency stop: no you don't have to do that but parallel parking, three point turns and reversing around a corner do feature! They want to check you have full control of the car at any speed from dead slow to NSL.

Am I better driver: Yes. Definitely. But this is only the first step. An IAM pass is a useful check on my progress but I intend to keep on going learning everything I can. A program of on-track instruction is next !

[Don]

I happened to take the test in my Porsche but I practiced in the Tiv as well. Its a good comparison, really. The Porsche has every driver aid ABS, PSM etc and the Tiv has.....the nut behind the wheel.

[JMGS4]

quote:
reversing around a corner
endquote:
WTF!?!?! reversing around a corner (without someone guiding you who has full overview of the road) has been illegal since 1948 so how the F*** does the IAM make you do this????
Still congrats....... just hope you're not going to teach anyone else these illegal acts!!!

[ellingtj]

JMGS4,
I feel you have confused reversing around a corner from a main road into a side road with going from side road to main road. The first case is carried out on the standard driving test.
Tim.

[JMGS4]

Not lived now in GB for over 27 years but then ANY reversing round a corner had to be guided...... I may be wrong but....... Certainly everywhere in continental Europe thats a "lose licence" or 5 points offence!!!
Can XPLOD, JonRobson, or relaxitscool clarify?

>> Edited by JMGS4 on Wednesday 10th April 12:10

[mel]

I hope not ! I do it most mornings, as long as you actually reverse in to the lesser road I thought it was fine, certainly not a pointer or license loser

[gb61390]

Well done Don!
I passed my IAM Test 3 years ago and think that it does change your driving attitude for the better.
I did my test in a 200SX with the examiner and the examiner's assessor. The assessor wedged himself in the back and then fell asleep! Smooth driving or what!

JMGS4 - you can only reverse into a minor road not vice-versa!

Cheers........ Andrew

>> Edited by gb61390 on Wednesday 10th April 12:20

[JMGS4]

gb61390/mel
JMGS4 - you can only reverse into a minor road not vice-versa!

Yet another instance where GB does not comply with EU law then! You are not allowed to reverse into ANY road on the continent. You (technically) even have to leave your drive facing forward..... unless of course you have the guide! OH dear, back to the days of the chap in front with the red flag!

[simpo one]

Shame that IAM membership is worth F all when Plod catches you. The rules don't recognise ability. Ironically you are probably better trained than they are, yet they can speed with impunity.

[JonRB]

quote:Ironically you are probably better trained than they are

Unless they happen to hold a Police Class 1 driving license, in which case you are not.