Mag1calTrev0r's IAM 'Skill for Life' Diary
Discussion
Thanks for these updates, they are appreciated!
Had my first observed run last night having after getting the IAM package this year. Really enjoying it so far. The local group has been very welcoming, enthusiastic and well organised. First 2 classroom sessions were held by a serving traffic cop who had previously instructed at Tulliallan, very interesting, lots of questions asked!
Really happy with my observer too who, conveniently, lives next door and is evidently a petrol head (type-r owner).
His comments on our first run were that my driving was generally good, gear change excellent and decent steering which I was pleased with having only recently adopted the pull/push after 11 years of probably quite poor technique.
Areas I've to improve on include honing the 'system' (still getting to grips with brake/gear/steering separation), improving observation (hazards on the road I can see but seem to miss a lot of road signs, especially for some reason NSL/de-restriction signs which incidentally was also the reason I failed my L test the first time!) and drive with a bit more 'fizz' although I think this was due to first drive nerves / being over cautious and also driving on unfamiliar roads at night.
Just like yourself I can already see an improvement in my own driving and I am genuinely enjoying it more using the systematic approach. And no I don't work for the IAM, just a positive report from a new member!!
Had my first observed run last night having after getting the IAM package this year. Really enjoying it so far. The local group has been very welcoming, enthusiastic and well organised. First 2 classroom sessions were held by a serving traffic cop who had previously instructed at Tulliallan, very interesting, lots of questions asked!
Really happy with my observer too who, conveniently, lives next door and is evidently a petrol head (type-r owner).
His comments on our first run were that my driving was generally good, gear change excellent and decent steering which I was pleased with having only recently adopted the pull/push after 11 years of probably quite poor technique.
Areas I've to improve on include honing the 'system' (still getting to grips with brake/gear/steering separation), improving observation (hazards on the road I can see but seem to miss a lot of road signs, especially for some reason NSL/de-restriction signs which incidentally was also the reason I failed my L test the first time!) and drive with a bit more 'fizz' although I think this was due to first drive nerves / being over cautious and also driving on unfamiliar roads at night.
Just like yourself I can already see an improvement in my own driving and I am genuinely enjoying it more using the systematic approach. And no I don't work for the IAM, just a positive report from a new member!!
Oops, I've neglected this diary.
I've not actually been out much recently due to both my observer and I having other commitments/holidays, etc. I'm pretty much getting geared up for the final push towards taking the 'test' (if that's it's correct name). My observer tells me I'm pretty much ready but I have my own doubts. I guess with the whole IAM course you only notice when you seemingly regress in your ability and don't notice the improvements you're really making. I notice how much I've improved when I go out as a passenger with friends/family.
I recently went out with my Dad, he was driving his new Audi S3 with 300bhp. It's fair to say that he wasn't hanging around, however I did notice that I was noticing the hazards before he was reacting to them. He's not a bad driver of course, maybe he doesn't have the same level of hazard awareness?
A friend I went out with was frequently pulling up at traffic lights without leaving any sort of gap, not even for people to roll back (as they do). I did comment on this (we respect each other enough to do this
) and he commented that I leave too big a gap (tyres on tarmac and all that). Once I explained the reasons why an advanced driver does this and he accepted this.
Anyway, I went out at the weekend for an observed drive and I was really chuffed to get a really good overtake in
I'd travelled along this road heading South and couldn't get a safe overtake along this part
so continued on and had another opportunity here
As you can see, there is an opening on the right hand side but it's just a access track and not a proper road. Care was given to pass this before I moved out to overtake.
It was around this point that I started my overtake
I've not actually been out much recently due to both my observer and I having other commitments/holidays, etc. I'm pretty much getting geared up for the final push towards taking the 'test' (if that's it's correct name). My observer tells me I'm pretty much ready but I have my own doubts. I guess with the whole IAM course you only notice when you seemingly regress in your ability and don't notice the improvements you're really making. I notice how much I've improved when I go out as a passenger with friends/family.
I recently went out with my Dad, he was driving his new Audi S3 with 300bhp. It's fair to say that he wasn't hanging around, however I did notice that I was noticing the hazards before he was reacting to them. He's not a bad driver of course, maybe he doesn't have the same level of hazard awareness?
A friend I went out with was frequently pulling up at traffic lights without leaving any sort of gap, not even for people to roll back (as they do). I did comment on this (we respect each other enough to do this
) and he commented that I leave too big a gap (tyres on tarmac and all that). Once I explained the reasons why an advanced driver does this and he accepted this.Anyway, I went out at the weekend for an observed drive and I was really chuffed to get a really good overtake in
I'd travelled along this road heading South and couldn't get a safe overtake along this part
so continued on and had another opportunity here
As you can see, there is an opening on the right hand side but it's just a access track and not a proper road. Care was given to pass this before I moved out to overtake.
It was around this point that I started my overtake
Edited by Mag1calTrev0r on Wednesday 19th May 16:24
Mag1calTrev0r said:
... he commented that I leave too big a gap (tyres on tarmac and all that). Once I explained the reasons why an advanced driver does this and he accepted this.
Interesting, isn't it? Many experienced drivers somehow feel it's better not to leave too big a gap. There must be some sort of (mis)perception or psychological thing going on, so "too big" a gap just isn't right in many driver's minds.It's a bit like driving on motorways and dual carriageways, where the majority often leave a 1-second gap and presumably feel this is a good, safe stopping distance.
Mag1calTrev0r said:
My observer tells me I'm pretty much ready but I have my own doubts. I guess with the whole IAM course you only notice when you seemingly regress in your ability and don't notice the improvements you're really making.
Interesting observation there (see the pun) 
Everyone seems to go through this low. Although it's not really a low at all - just a perceived one. All good news of course
It's not a low it's a lull.
Everyone on the AD course goes through it. The pace of change and improvement seems to slow down. In fact - it does! It's because all the easy stuff got fixed. Now the harder bits come to light (different for everyone) and they take more time.
"Suddenly" it all comes good and it seems to rush together at the end...
I've done this enough to know how it works...
Don't give up because it seems to slow down: that's just part of it!
Everyone on the AD course goes through it. The pace of change and improvement seems to slow down. In fact - it does! It's because all the easy stuff got fixed. Now the harder bits come to light (different for everyone) and they take more time.
"Suddenly" it all comes good and it seems to rush together at the end...
I've done this enough to know how it works...
Don't give up because it seems to slow down: that's just part of it!
Hi Trevor,
Thanks for you last posting...glad you enjoyed the course and well done on passing! The comments by the examiner do seem little out of place but it couldn't be you're heightened sensitivity under the stress of the test could it? Everyone's nervous on test...as an aside, I had an associate who was so nervous they fluffed the first 10 mins and the examiner stopped her and said: "let's forget the last few mins and start again" - she was still nervous but did much better and passed. I don't suppose you were like that but perhaps the examiner's attempt at humour fell on stoney ground?
Please don't give up on AD...or the IAM...it's only 1 examiner after all...as you've found, there are plenty of good'uns in the groups and beyond.
I hope you're tempted to come to the ADUK Bristol driving day on Saturday...
Thanks for you last posting...glad you enjoyed the course and well done on passing! The comments by the examiner do seem little out of place but it couldn't be you're heightened sensitivity under the stress of the test could it? Everyone's nervous on test...as an aside, I had an associate who was so nervous they fluffed the first 10 mins and the examiner stopped her and said: "let's forget the last few mins and start again" - she was still nervous but did much better and passed. I don't suppose you were like that but perhaps the examiner's attempt at humour fell on stoney ground?
Please don't give up on AD...or the IAM...it's only 1 examiner after all...as you've found, there are plenty of good'uns in the groups and beyond.
I hope you're tempted to come to the ADUK Bristol driving day on Saturday...
I'm coming on Saturday (posted in the AD forum) so see you all there 
I think I'll give IAM a wider berth for the next few months whilst I try something different. The HPC club sounds good to me so I will have a chat to a few people on Saturday about that, seems like a good step up from IAM.
I do also want to learn more about car control, things like how to handle a car when it all goes wrong. Obviously this is something for an airfield but I think it would be good to know
I think I'll give IAM a wider berth for the next few months whilst I try something different. The HPC club sounds good to me so I will have a chat to a few people on Saturday about that, seems like a good step up from IAM.
I do also want to learn more about car control, things like how to handle a car when it all goes wrong. Obviously this is something for an airfield but I think it would be good to know
blearyeyedboy said:
Interesting read. I'm really giving IAM a think- might manage a few days off work to fit in with a course too.
Thanks. Not sure I'd necessarily do the fast track course myself. I learnt a great deal from the relationship with my observer and allowed me time to go out on my own before taking the test.It's up to you. I enjoyed going out on a Sunday morning... besides it's cheaper!
MagicalTrevor said:
Thanks. Not sure I'd necessarily do the fast track course myself. I learnt a great deal from the relationship with my observer and allowed me time to go out on my own before taking the test.
It's up to you. I enjoyed going out on a Sunday morning... besides it's cheaper!
Sorry Trevor, I should elaborate- I work irregular shift patterns as a doctor, so I have random days off in the middle of the week. With a bit of planing, they might fit in with an IAM, but I'd be interested in a long term thing, not a fast track. It's up to you. I enjoyed going out on a Sunday morning... besides it's cheaper!
blearyeyedboy said:
Sorry Trevor, I should elaborate- I work irregular shift patterns as a doctor, so I have random days off in the middle of the week. With a bit of planing, they might fit in with an IAM, but I'd be interested in a long term thing, not a fast track.
I know a chap who's a doctor and he did his 'blue light' training. Is that an option for you? Would surely fit in with work?MagicalTrevor said:
I know a chap who's a doctor and he did his 'blue light' training. Is that an option for you? Would surely fit in with work?
Funnily enough, I was wondering that. But I get a green light to use in emergencies, not a blue one. Hardly any docs get blue lights and they're are usually assigned to special roles (like London's HEMS when they can't fly the helicopters in bad weather).Brief ranting moment- it's amazing how many people don't give way when my car's got a flashing green light on.
(I imagine Trevor knows, but for anyone who doesn't- green lights are only used when a doctor's answering a serious emergency. We don't use lights for routine calls, so they're not used very often. We can't break speed limits, traffic laws or run red lights, so we depend on people getting out of the way. Please, please, please do. Thank you.) :-)
blearyeyedboy said:
Sorry Trevor, I should elaborate- I work irregular shift patterns as a doctor, so I have random days off in the middle of the week. With a bit of planing, they might fit in with an IAM, but I'd be interested in a long term thing, not a fast track.
Different IAM groups work in different ways. Ours would be happy to accomodate something like that.I joined my local IAM Group only 14 months after passing my D/Test which I passed 1st time at 48 yrs old (young) and then did the full course - then I applied for the IAM Test after 12 months - after said Test my Tester said that I had completed the Test very well which would have been a Pass but he felt I just hadnt got enough Experience for a proper Pass. Although feeling a bit miffed at the time but now 25 years later I can see exactly where he was coming from.
It makes me cringe when I see Driving School Adverts for Instructors with minimum 3 years Licence which was until a few years ago I year minimum Licence - what Experience can they draw on to Instruct 'Learners'
When you see some of the blatant lack of Respect and antics shown by under 25's you dont have to guess where it comes from, mostly under 25's D/School Instructors
My Instructor 25 years ago was Hot on Acknowledgment and Give way which you rarely see nowadays.
I still drive the IAM way and Acknowledge when Respected - and am Happy to thank the IAM for the many valuable lessons learnt while on the Course.
It makes me cringe when I see Driving School Adverts for Instructors with minimum 3 years Licence which was until a few years ago I year minimum Licence - what Experience can they draw on to Instruct 'Learners'
When you see some of the blatant lack of Respect and antics shown by under 25's you dont have to guess where it comes from, mostly under 25's D/School Instructors
My Instructor 25 years ago was Hot on Acknowledgment and Give way which you rarely see nowadays.
I still drive the IAM way and Acknowledge when Respected - and am Happy to thank the IAM for the many valuable lessons learnt while on the Course.
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