My IAM Experience
Discussion
Yes, the IAM have apologised.
I'm not sure what to expect from the test, my plan was to discuss with the examiner what he wanted before the test started. I didn't really do much commentary driving during my training, although the examiner demonstrated it. I tend to find the constant talking distracting and struggle to get across everything I've observed.
I'm not sure what to expect from the test, my plan was to discuss with the examiner what he wanted before the test started. I didn't really do much commentary driving during my training, although the examiner demonstrated it. I tend to find the constant talking distracting and struggle to get across everything I've observed.
Had my test this morning, but failed 
The main reasons were hazard management and not enough shoulder checks. Most of the other things on the sheet were rated 2 with a few 1s so I'm not too far away. I'm going to wait a few months to get used to my new car, then have a few sessions with the local group and try for a test again towards the end of the year or early next year.
The main reasons were hazard management and not enough shoulder checks. Most of the other things on the sheet were rated 2 with a few 1s so I'm not too far away. I'm going to wait a few months to get used to my new car, then have a few sessions with the local group and try for a test again towards the end of the year or early next year.
SVS said:
Hi Craikeybaby,
You're in good company! I took a couple of goes to pass.
However, my frustration at failing was useful, because it spurred me on to develop my riding. Sometimes failure and annoyance can provide useful energy. I've got a F1RST now.
It sounds like you've got a good plan. Don't worry what your local IAM group is like. Do worry what your individual Observer is like. Remember that you can always change Observer to ensure you get a good one; I did.
Thanks for the positive advice!You're in good company! I took a couple of goes to pass.
However, my frustration at failing was useful, because it spurred me on to develop my riding. Sometimes failure and annoyance can provide useful energy. I've got a F1RST now.
It sounds like you've got a good plan. Don't worry what your local IAM group is like. Do worry what your individual Observer is like. Remember that you can always change Observer to ensure you get a good one; I did.
Thanks for the advice - it's very useful.
The shoulder checks I missed were on the dual carriage way, rather than before moving off. I'd done them on the busier motorway, but on the dual carriageway I knew it was clear to pull out from multiple mirror checks on the approach to the hazard - should I still be shoulder checking in this situation? Maybe if I was doing commentary this would have been clearer
One of the other things picked up was not checking mirrors when I spot a hazard, the example he used I'd been checking my mirrors more than normal as there was an XC90 right on my tail - during the test should I have been more blatant in checking the mirrors?
I'm going to order the new roadcraft when that comes out, I'm particularly interested in what it says about checking mirrors, as I tend to check all the time, but got told I should be checking as I spot a hazard.
The shoulder checks I missed were on the dual carriage way, rather than before moving off. I'd done them on the busier motorway, but on the dual carriageway I knew it was clear to pull out from multiple mirror checks on the approach to the hazard - should I still be shoulder checking in this situation? Maybe if I was doing commentary this would have been clearer
One of the other things picked up was not checking mirrors when I spot a hazard, the example he used I'd been checking my mirrors more than normal as there was an XC90 right on my tail - during the test should I have been more blatant in checking the mirrors?
I'm going to order the new roadcraft when that comes out, I'm particularly interested in what it says about checking mirrors, as I tend to check all the time, but got told I should be checking as I spot a hazard.
Thanks for sharing your experience. When I did the training/test I had an MX-5, but that has now been replaced by an MR2.
Throughout the training/test nothing was mentioned about brake/gear overlap, I used heel & toe as normal. You're right though, a lot of it does feel unnatural after 13 years of driving, but I'm getting more used to it.
I was told by my insurer that passing the IAM test wouldn't affect the cost of my policy, so after I redo the training/test I doubt I will renew my membership.
Throughout the training/test nothing was mentioned about brake/gear overlap, I used heel & toe as normal. You're right though, a lot of it does feel unnatural after 13 years of driving, but I'm getting more used to it.
I was told by my insurer that passing the IAM test wouldn't affect the cost of my policy, so after I redo the training/test I doubt I will renew my membership.
I was on a speed awareness course this afternoon and interestingly the instructor (who is also an IAM instructor) recommended using 3rd gear in a 30mph - which I was criticised for doing during my IAM training.
This has also given me the kick I need to get in contact with the local group and get some more training, before going for my test again.
This has also given me the kick I need to get in contact with the local group and get some more training, before going for my test again.
I got the membership renewal request through from the IAM, so I thought I'd bring this thread to a conclusion.
A couple of months ago I got in touch with the local IAM group, who proved to be most unhelpful, saying that because I joined as a fast track member they wouldn't be able to help me and that I should call "London" and pay them more money. So I got back in touch with the London office, who had sent me to the local group in the first place and was told that the local group would be able to help me - which they insisted they wouldn't. I'd heard from friends that the local IAM group were a bit of a nightmare to deal with and one of the reasons I was looking at the fast track option.
After once again getting caught up in the IAM's poor organisation/comminication I've decided not to renew my membership. Even though I haven't passed the IAM test, I feel I've become a better driver over the last 12 months and have continued to improve since the test, working on the feedback I recieved.
When I started my advanced driving journey my only goal was to improve my driving skills, which I feel I have accomplished, but due to them being a nightmare to deal with I don't think I can reccomend the IAM as an organisation.
A couple of months ago I got in touch with the local IAM group, who proved to be most unhelpful, saying that because I joined as a fast track member they wouldn't be able to help me and that I should call "London" and pay them more money. So I got back in touch with the London office, who had sent me to the local group in the first place and was told that the local group would be able to help me - which they insisted they wouldn't. I'd heard from friends that the local IAM group were a bit of a nightmare to deal with and one of the reasons I was looking at the fast track option.
After once again getting caught up in the IAM's poor organisation/comminication I've decided not to renew my membership. Even though I haven't passed the IAM test, I feel I've become a better driver over the last 12 months and have continued to improve since the test, working on the feedback I recieved.
When I started my advanced driving journey my only goal was to improve my driving skills, which I feel I have accomplished, but due to them being a nightmare to deal with I don't think I can reccomend the IAM as an organisation.
I did take the test, after a no show, then 2 reschedulings by the examiner. I failed the test and was advised by the IAM to get some more training with my local group, then to retake the test.
When I was looking at options for advanced driver training I had misgivings about the IAM, but was convinced to give them a chance, but from now on I'll stick to things like ADUK.
When I was looking at options for advanced driver training I had misgivings about the IAM, but was convinced to give them a chance, but from now on I'll stick to things like ADUK.
trashbat said:
I can't agree with that. Why should a customer, and they are customers because they pay, be expected to accept arbitrary splits between group and national? As far as you as a customer are concerned, you pay your money and you deal with the IAM.
Whether the group or franchise or whatever it is gets the right amount of money from head office is an internal problem that they shouldn't be leaking out into how they behave towards members of the public. I understand that it's volunteers and amateurs but if anything that makes it harder to excuse.
That is my view exactly. If the IAM head office hadn't suggested I went to the local group I wouldn't have. After the problems getting my test booked I shouldn't have been surprised that it didn't go smoothly.Whether the group or franchise or whatever it is gets the right amount of money from head office is an internal problem that they shouldn't be leaking out into how they behave towards members of the public. I understand that it's volunteers and amateurs but if anything that makes it harder to excuse.
My perception of the IAM was of a large commercial organisation, obviously there's a bit of a disconnect there by using volunteers to do a lot of their training.
Glosphil said:
As I quoted from the IAM web-site - "Our Fast Track programme condenses weeks of training into two half days intensive one-to-one road-training sessions with a Professional Instructor". No mention of local, volunteer group involvement and the local groups do not have Professional Instructors. Also no mention of drives outside the 'two half days'. Unfortunately some paid members of the IAM staff do tend to expect the local group volunteers to act as if they are salaried members of the IAM.
Having bought one product (Fast Track) is it reasonable to expect part of another product ('standard' Skill For Life) free of charge? Despite the group having received no money from the IAM I, and a member of another group, have stated our groups would have provided assistance provided the group was joined. Group annual subscriptions vary from £10 to £25 as local subs are set by group committees not the IAM.
From your description of your direct dealings with the IAM I would have thought you would be complaining to the IAM rather than moaning on a motoring forum about local volunteer groups. My experience of over 100 associates taking the IAM test is that, with our group at least, it is the associates messing about with pre-arranged test appointments with the examiners not the other way around.
I didn't expect to recieve the extra training from the local group - the examiner and IAM HQ both told me that was what I should do. I also did complain to the IAM HQ about being messed around by them/the examiner, they offered me a free retest, after I'd had the training with the local group. After getting pissed off trying to arrange the training I gave up on the IAM. I only posted on here as I find it annoying when people start a thread like this and don't follow it up.Having bought one product (Fast Track) is it reasonable to expect part of another product ('standard' Skill For Life) free of charge? Despite the group having received no money from the IAM I, and a member of another group, have stated our groups would have provided assistance provided the group was joined. Group annual subscriptions vary from £10 to £25 as local subs are set by group committees not the IAM.
From your description of your direct dealings with the IAM I would have thought you would be complaining to the IAM rather than moaning on a motoring forum about local volunteer groups. My experience of over 100 associates taking the IAM test is that, with our group at least, it is the associates messing about with pre-arranged test appointments with the examiners not the other way around.
SVS said:
I hope the OP joins an ADUK driving day instead.
This certainly won't be the end of my journey into advanced driving, I just won't be going forward with the IAM.Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff