My IAM Experience

[Craikeybaby]

I've posted a few questions in this forum about what course to go on, so I thought it was only fair that I start a thread to share my experience.

My driving history is that I learnt to drive off road in my early teens, then took proper driving lessons when I was 17, I was quite lucky in the my driving instructor was also an IAM observer, so I think even back then I was being taught some advanced driving principles. In my early twenties I started on the Northamptonshire Police Roadkraft scheme, but I only got as far as the assessment drive with a traffic officer (feedback was generally positive, just that I needed to leave more space to the car in front when stopped in traffic), I wasn't able to do the IAM/RSOPA course as they were run on weekends which clashed with work. I looked at the IAM a few times, but was put off by stories from mates who had been and found they weren't really receptive to younger drivers, so dismissed it. These days I mainly drive an MX-5, but that will be upgraded to something quicker soon, I also regularly drive other cars ranging from my girlfriends FIAT 500 to 500BHP+ cars through work (who dismissed my suggestion that employees testing powerful cars should have some form of advanced driver training).

I was initially going to do the RideDrive performance driving course, but due to feedback on here that the quality of instructors can be a bit hit and miss with RideDrive and the fact the IAM is more widely recognised, which may be more useful for insurance discounts etc made me choose the IAM Fast Track course, so far I have paid my £250, got the book and arranged my first of 2 half day sessions for the 18th July.

On reading the documentation I have already hit a snag, currently my tax disc is on its way to the DVLA, via the lease company, so I can get my private plate transferred off my car before it goes back to the lease company. The documentation states that the training won't go ahead if the student's car doesn't have a tax disc, so I'm currently waiting for the IAM to confirm if I will be able to do the training as my car is actually taxed, just not displaying the disc.

I've also been reading the "Be a better driver" book, and am pleasantly surprised to see that I am already doing most of what it suggests, the things I think I will need to focus on before the 18th are: separating braking and changing gear (I've always used heel and toe for down changes) and block shifting up through the gears.

[R0G]

I have an issue with these very short courses because I don't believe they can change driving habits long term but in your case it might be different

It takes on average 6 months for a persons driving habits to change to a different permanent style and that is a figure I have come to after helping well over 100 to do so

[Craikeybaby]

I appreciate that a longer course of training would be better, but it simply doesn't fit in with my other commitments, and tbh the bad feedback on the local IAM group from my peers put me off.

I've just been told that even though my car is taxed I can't do the training while my tax disc is at the DVLA to get my number plate swapped over.

[LordGrover]

... which is fair enough. Isn't it an offence to drive without a valid tax disc on display?

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

I think the offence is failure to display, rather than not actually being taxed. I'm sure someone will provide more detail shortly.

Ideally, improving your driving is a life-long process. I'd agree with R0G that a longer course might be preferable, but as long as you continue to work on what you learn on the Fast-Track then the short nature of it needn't be a problem.

Unfortunately, in my experience most people that pass the IAM test breathe a sigh of relief, tick off that achievement and then gradually slip back into their old habits.

It's great to get the approval / validation of a test pass, but the future improvement and learning will come from the bits where you didn't do so well.

Have fun, and please keep us updated.

[SVS]

Sorry to disagree with you ROG, but I'd argue that it isn't that simple. Firstly, without repeat training, people are going to forget some of what they learn, regardless whether they did a long or short course.

Secondly, sound words of advice from a good instructor can last for many years. Words still echo in my ears from an outstanding 1-day course with Rapid Training long after the event, because the instructor was superb. If the advice is personally meaningful to the learner, it will probably stick with them.

Thirdly, who knows how Associates drive after they pass their IAM test? I bet some IAM things stick and others don't.

Fourthly, I'd argue that it's far better to do a short course with a good instructor, not a long course with a poor instructor.

I agree that it's more likely for someone to develop better habits over a longer peroid of time. However, it isn't as simple as "long course = better driving habits", because the quality of the instructor has a massive impact.

[Craikeybaby]

I can see why they're doing it, but it is a bit frustrating, it's the sort of thing I meant on previous posts where I suggested that the IAM were a bit vague with information on their website pre-purchase, if I'd known I'd have waited until I was in a position to actually do the training. I just have to wait for the DVLA to get my tax disc back to me, before rebooking - hopefully I have time before my car goes back.

There may be a wait, but I will keep you updated.

[trashbat]

Ordinary IAM training is geared towards slow change. At least when I did it, you get a session a month and you have to try and improve in the meantime, which you do to an extent, but also fall back from a bit because you're unsupervised. You then get a brief bit of supervision which will maybe monitor your progress on what you've changed, mixed in with a bit of everything else.

I'm not saying it's bad - just that it is bound to result in slow adaptation by the pupil. It's not proof that Fast Track can't work.

[R0G]

trashbat said:

Ordinary IAM training is geared towards slow change. At least when I did it, you get a session a month and you have to try and improve in the meantime, which you do to an extent, but also fall back from a bit because you're unsupervised. You then get a brief bit of supervision which will maybe monitor your progress on what you've changed, mixed in with a bit of everything else.

I'm not saying it's bad - just that it is bound to result in slow adaptation by the pupil. It's not proof that Fast Track can't work.

I agree

I never said FT would not work but just that I do not think it works nearly as well as the traditional method

With FT there is an instructor - with the usual method there is an adviser

[martine]

Craikeybaby said:

I've also been reading the "Be a better driver" book, and am pleasantly surprised to see that I am already doing most of what it suggests, the things I think I will need to focus on before the 18th are: separating braking and changing gear (I've always used heel and toe for down changes) and block shifting up through the gears.

I hope you enjoy it when you get underway. Interesting you've picked up on 2 mechanical control techniques rather than stuff outside the car...i.e. extended observation and anticipation. For me these are much more important but I guess you may be good at those already.

Keep posting.

[Craikeybaby]

As all the observation is self taught I'm sure there's plenty of scope for improvement, but I often find myself following a car, spotting a hazard in the distance and being on the brakes before the car in front.

I went out for a quick drive last night and tried the thumb pointing down when selecting first/second gear and up for fifth/reverse. It felt a bit strange, but I can see the logic of it, so will continue to practice.

[Glosphil]

trashbat said:

Ordinary IAM training is geared towards slow change. At least when I did it, you get a session a month and you have to try and improve in the meantime, which you do to an extent, but also fall back from a bit because you're unsupervised. You then get a brief bit of supervision which will maybe monitor your progress on what you've changed, mixed in with a bit of everything else.

I'm not saying it's bad - just that it is bound to result in slow adaptation by the pupil. It's not proof that Fast Track can't work.

How often you have observed drives varies from group to group. Our group aims to have 7-14 days between drives but leaves the actually timing up to agreement between the associate and the observer. One of the group's observers has one associate at any one time but manages to get 6 a year through the IAM Advanced Driving test. He usually schedules a week between drives.

As an observer I currently have 2 associates and schedule a drive with each one every week.

[R0G]

Glosphil said:

How often you have observed drives varies from group to group. Our group aims to have 7-14 days between drives but leaves the actually timing up to agreement between the associate and the observer. One of the group's observers has one associate at any one time but manages to get 6 a year through the IAM Advanced Driving test. He usually schedules a week between drives.

As an observer I currently have 2 associates and schedule a drive with each one every week.

My observed drives are done mainly once every 4 weeks unless the driver is doing hundreds of miles each week for a living

That has worked perfectly for over 14 years and well over 100 associates

[MC Bodge]

Craikeybaby said:

the things I think I will need to focus on before the 18th are: separating braking and changing gear (I've always used heel and toe for down changes) and block shifting up through the gears.

martine said:

Interesting you've picked up on 2 mechanical control techniques rather than stuff outside the car...i.e. extended observation and anticipation. For me these are much more important but I guess you may be good at those already.

Believe it or not, he may well be good at observation and anticipation without having previously been on the IAM course.

The specified 'mechanical control technique' rules are frequently argued/debated ad nauseam on here.

Edited by MC Bodge on Saturday 6th July 14:06

[R0G]

What you see, how soon you see it followed by what you do about it are far more important than any of the handling stuff

Remember there are no set rules for the use of the controls and if anyone says otherwise then go elsewhere for advice

[p1esk]

SVS said:

....it's more likely for someone to develop better habits over a longer peroid of time. However, it isn't as simple as "long course = better driving habits", because the quality of the instructor has a massive impact.

Mine has been a long course. It started round about 1955 and it's still going on. I'm a slow learner.

The other problem is that I've been both the pupil and the tutor. I'm sure there are better systems.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[Glosphil]

R0G said:

Glosphil said:

How often you have observed drives varies from group to group. Our group aims to have 7-14 days between drives but leaves the actually timing up to agreement between the associate and the observer. One of the group's observers has one associate at any one time but manages to get 6 a year through the IAM Advanced Driving test. He usually schedules a week between drives.

As an observer I currently have 2 associates and schedule a drive with each one every week.

My observed drives are done mainly once every 4 weeks unless the driver is doing hundreds of miles each week for a living

That has worked perfectly for over 14 years and well over 100 associates

I wasn't suggesting that there was anything wrong with a group that offers associates one observed drive every 4 weeks. You have confirmed my point that different groups have different frequency of drives. Our group's system also works as we average one test failure per year and even they pass on the second attempt (if they do re-take). We aim to get associates a test pass within 3 months of the IAM notifying the group that the associate has paid for SFL. Realistically it is more usual to take between 3-6 months.

[R0G]

Glosphil said:

Realistically it is more usual to take between 3-6 months.

Same here 3 to 6 months but done in a lot less drives than your group

[Glosphil]

R0G said:

Glosphil said:

Realistically it is more usual to take between 3-6 months.

Same here 3 to 6 months but done in a lot less drives than your group

I didn't state the number of drives until a test is passed! Last year our average was 7.9 including initial assessment drive. Average time between drives was around 16 days. There is often a delay between notification from IAM of an associate and the associate actually starting - usually due to the associate but occasional we don't have an observer immediately available.

[Craikeybaby]

Well it seems that all the paperwork has sorted itself out, so I'm having my first lesson tomorrow afternoon.