Need some help with my driving
Discussion
Having been squeaky clean for the past four years I've become complacent with my driving. I've always suspected I drove a little too quick at times but have always got away with it. Until this morning.
Having just had an accident this morning, caused by me braking too hard into a corner, it's really made me think about my driving and I feel I must do something to improve it before I have a more serious accident.
So, what do people recommend? I hear a lot about IAM on here, so would that be a good place to start? Or is there a more appropriate course out there?
Having just had an accident this morning, caused by me braking too hard into a corner, it's really made me think about my driving and I feel I must do something to improve it before I have a more serious accident.
So, what do people recommend? I hear a lot about IAM on here, so would that be a good place to start? Or is there a more appropriate course out there?
I'm only a beginner in advanced driving and in driving in general but I would say that the IAM advanced test (or the RoADA advanced test which is very similar) is a good place to start. Whether you will enjoy it depends on what you are hoping for. The IAM teaches very little about car 'handling' so if that's what you are after you'll be disappointed. All of the observers are volunteers who've done the test themselves, so the standard of teaching might be variable. Having said that, most people on here who've done the test, including myself, seem to be pretty pleased with their observers.
It's relatively cheap at £85 pounds for a year's membership, the IAM's driving manual, all the tuition you need and one attempt at the test.
It might be a good idea to buy Roadcraft: The Essential Police Driver's Handbook, the contents of which most if not all advanced driving tuition in the UK is based. It will give you an idea of what to expect from the IAM training. If you decide to do it you'll find that most of the information is duplicated in the IAM's own manual but I found Roadcraft is a good book to have anyway.
There's masses of information about IAM and RoADA on this forum so maybe have a trawl through that.
It's relatively cheap at £85 pounds for a year's membership, the IAM's driving manual, all the tuition you need and one attempt at the test.
It might be a good idea to buy Roadcraft: The Essential Police Driver's Handbook, the contents of which most if not all advanced driving tuition in the UK is based. It will give you an idea of what to expect from the IAM training. If you decide to do it you'll find that most of the information is duplicated in the IAM's own manual but I found Roadcraft is a good book to have anyway.
There's masses of information about IAM and RoADA on this forum so maybe have a trawl through that.
Sorry to hear of the accident, hope everyone and thing are ok.
I'd recommend the IAM/RoSPA to start with.
Once you have that under your belt I would consider maybe doing the other out of the two. Maybe RoSPA second going for a gold grade. If you get it then think about some more professional instruction, such as Cadence/Ride Drive and the like.
I think if you start with the IAM it gives you a good idea what the whole driving ideals are.
Without being patronising, road driving is different to what some expect. It wont be a limited handling course.
I'd recommend the IAM/RoSPA to start with.
Once you have that under your belt I would consider maybe doing the other out of the two. Maybe RoSPA second going for a gold grade. If you get it then think about some more professional instruction, such as Cadence/Ride Drive and the like.
I think if you start with the IAM it gives you a good idea what the whole driving ideals are.
Without being patronising, road driving is different to what some expect. It wont be a limited handling course.
Edited by A - W on Wednesday 21st November 15:13
The IAM test is geared around the twin goals of being in constant control of the car and of being aware of everything that's going on around you; or, to put it another way, not letting the car get away from you and not letting anything surprise you. As has already been said, it's not about getting to know the limits of grip, or going sideways round corners. It is about not actually hitting things, rather than reducing the energy of impact(*). If your original test was a GCSE, then IAM/RoADA is the 'A' level, but there're still degree-level heights to attain.
(*) Subtle dig at Government "safety" policy, there...
(*) Subtle dig at Government "safety" policy, there...
Moose,
Look here for your local Group...
http://www.iam.org.uk/
Braking into a corner is dumb - as you now know...coming here asking for advice is smart...come and join us?
BOF
Look here for your local Group...
http://www.iam.org.uk/
Braking into a corner is dumb - as you now know...coming here asking for advice is smart...come and join us?
BOF
IAM is certainly suitable for you, and is amazing value because all the 'tuition' is given by unpaid volunteers. But if you have more money than time you will get better value for your time out of a professional instructor. You will find a couple of recommendations in the current thread on Track Driving Training.
Thanks for the comments all. I'm not looking for how to drive on the limit, quite the opposite infact! I'm mainly looking for some tuition on how to drive sensibly and safely on the road, as I think I've got a little too complacent lately and I want to ensure I can get back up to a decent standard again.
For £85, IAM does look good value, and according to my local group's website they're offering a free assessment to see if the "skill for life" course is suitable, which all sounds good. I think I'll take them up on that once I've sorted the insurance claim out.
For £85, IAM does look good value, and according to my local group's website they're offering a free assessment to see if the "skill for life" course is suitable, which all sounds good. I think I'll take them up on that once I've sorted the insurance claim out.
I'm absolutely fine and no other cars where involved which I guess are the two positives to come out of this. The car wasn't too badly damaged but being as though it was an S-reg Polo, it wasn't worth much and the repairers have already phoned to inform me it will be written it off. Just waiting for the insurers to make me an offer now.....
BOF said:
Moose,
Look here for your local Group...
http://www.iam.org.uk/
Braking into a corner is dumb - as you now know...
BOF
Well I don't know that, and I don't believe it is true.Look here for your local Group...
http://www.iam.org.uk/
Braking into a corner is dumb - as you now know...
BOF
You can brake into corners - though it contravenes 'the system' - but that's not to say it necessarily creates practical or safety related problems.
The important thing is not to be braking excessively into corners and destablishing the vehicle, but a moderate amount of braking (not harsh panic braking) is perfectly legitimate so long as it is kept in a sensible relationship to the prevailing level of lateral grip required and available.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Im interested in this topic, becuase i can potentally see myself following the OP into a hedge at some point, and am looking at doing a training/track day as well.
- Im also consdering geting a replica seven at some point and possably taking that to a number of track days. I currently drive a 1.6l 306.
I presume IAM/RoSPA runs thoughout the year, and theres no reason not to start over the winter or anything. Jan/Feb proberbly now i guess.
If had a look a the IAM website, and it looka alright, although when i look for instuctors that can do the Advanced driving thing, i get nothing for eather my home/uni/placment postcode? Not sure where to go? (i live in cheshire, uni at loughborough, currently on placement at uttoxeter, splat between the two)
Also i presume you do it in your own car, as its all volentry etc?
- But as its what it is, rather than a handling/racing instruction, it doesnt really matter if its FWD/RWD PAS/ABS or not?
And finally, did i read the website right that you get a passplus cert in with as well usally?
- If so, would that, or the IAMtest make and diffrent to insurence costs (20yo with 1yr noclaims)
Thanks a lot, Daniel
- Im also consdering geting a replica seven at some point and possably taking that to a number of track days. I currently drive a 1.6l 306.
I presume IAM/RoSPA runs thoughout the year, and theres no reason not to start over the winter or anything. Jan/Feb proberbly now i guess.
If had a look a the IAM website, and it looka alright, although when i look for instuctors that can do the Advanced driving thing, i get nothing for eather my home/uni/placment postcode? Not sure where to go? (i live in cheshire, uni at loughborough, currently on placement at uttoxeter, splat between the two)
Also i presume you do it in your own car, as its all volentry etc?
- But as its what it is, rather than a handling/racing instruction, it doesnt really matter if its FWD/RWD PAS/ABS or not?
And finally, did i read the website right that you get a passplus cert in with as well usally?
- If so, would that, or the IAMtest make and diffrent to insurence costs (20yo with 1yr noclaims)
Thanks a lot, Daniel
Hi Daniel,
Yes you do the course in your own car. So it will cost you £85 (less a discount, I believe, as you are under 25!) and the fuel you need for the "lessons".
Observers are all volunteers and are unpaid.
Not sure about "Pass Plus" being included. The IAM course and test is a step up from that but as far as I know you need to go to an ADI for Pass Plus as it's a government scheme. IAM is, of course, not a government department but is, in fact, a road safety charity. What's good about that is that we can (AND DO!) disagree with government from time to time.
The type of car you have makes no difference.
Yes you do the course in your own car. So it will cost you £85 (less a discount, I believe, as you are under 25!) and the fuel you need for the "lessons".
Observers are all volunteers and are unpaid.
Not sure about "Pass Plus" being included. The IAM course and test is a step up from that but as far as I know you need to go to an ADI for Pass Plus as it's a government scheme. IAM is, of course, not a government department but is, in fact, a road safety charity. What's good about that is that we can (AND DO!) disagree with government from time to time.
The type of car you have makes no difference.
Oh...
...you may get an insurance benefit with some insurance companies. Don't do it for this reason, though. Take the view that you'll earn your no claims bonus quicker as you will be significantly less likely to be involved in a prang!
"IAM Select" (the IAM insurance scheme open to member who have passed the IAM test) may be able to help, of course, although they've never been cheaper for me (42 and drives a Porsche).
...you may get an insurance benefit with some insurance companies. Don't do it for this reason, though. Take the view that you'll earn your no claims bonus quicker as you will be significantly less likely to be involved in a prang!
"IAM Select" (the IAM insurance scheme open to member who have passed the IAM test) may be able to help, of course, although they've never been cheaper for me (42 and drives a Porsche).
dhutch:
Yes, both IAM and RoSPA run all year and you do it in your own car, which can have any type of transmission and any or no driver aids.
The 'search for IAM registered instructors' thing on the IAM website is, from what I can gather, a facility to find professional driving instructors who can do training for the IAM test. I wasn't aware that it was possible to do this and have never heard of anyone doing it this way. However, the usual way to do the IAM test is by going on 'Observed Drives' with voluntary 'Observers' (people who have done the IAM test themselves) from one of the IAM 'Groups'. These Groups are individual regional charities that are affiliated to the main, national IAM charity. You can find your nearest one here:
http://www.iam.org.uk/iamgroups/groupdirectory/
Some groups do special offers, especially for young drivers, so if there is more than one group local to you it might be worth checking which, if any, are doing an offer.
As far as I am aware, RoSPA operates in a similar way, although I think there are fewer groups.
It seems that if you do your training with an ADI (professional instructor) you get Pass Plus training as well. If you do it the usual way (with Observers from a Group), you don't. Re. insurance benefits: Pass Plus seems to be worth it for some people and not for others (from a purely financial perspective). It's designed for new drivers though so any insurance benefit may be diminished if you've already been driving for a year or longer. Having done the advanced driving test (IAM or RoSPA) can get you cheaper insurance, but I think that for most people it doesn't. Apparently, most of the insurers that offer a discount have really uncompetitive premiums in the first place. That's certainly what I experienced when shopping around last time.
Yes, both IAM and RoSPA run all year and you do it in your own car, which can have any type of transmission and any or no driver aids.
The 'search for IAM registered instructors' thing on the IAM website is, from what I can gather, a facility to find professional driving instructors who can do training for the IAM test. I wasn't aware that it was possible to do this and have never heard of anyone doing it this way. However, the usual way to do the IAM test is by going on 'Observed Drives' with voluntary 'Observers' (people who have done the IAM test themselves) from one of the IAM 'Groups'. These Groups are individual regional charities that are affiliated to the main, national IAM charity. You can find your nearest one here:
http://www.iam.org.uk/iamgroups/groupdirectory/
Some groups do special offers, especially for young drivers, so if there is more than one group local to you it might be worth checking which, if any, are doing an offer.
As far as I am aware, RoSPA operates in a similar way, although I think there are fewer groups.
It seems that if you do your training with an ADI (professional instructor) you get Pass Plus training as well. If you do it the usual way (with Observers from a Group), you don't. Re. insurance benefits: Pass Plus seems to be worth it for some people and not for others (from a purely financial perspective). It's designed for new drivers though so any insurance benefit may be diminished if you've already been driving for a year or longer. Having done the advanced driving test (IAM or RoSPA) can get you cheaper insurance, but I think that for most people it doesn't. Apparently, most of the insurers that offer a discount have really uncompetitive premiums in the first place. That's certainly what I experienced when shopping around last time.
Right ok, thanks a lot.
That link shows a number fo groups within the area, and the one i looked at in detail gave a £10 discount for under 25's. So £75 all up.
I did my first year as an unnamed driver on a fleet policy, then a year named with directline, so when i took out the first policy in my name four months ago (with directline for the NCB) passplus etc wasnt worth anything anyway, so ive never done it.
- However i guess it might help when i try and insure a seven, who knows. I was just asking for curousity.
Is the RoSPA advavnced driving coarse more expesive for the training then or somthing, or not as good?
- What do you do in there gold thing, just more of the same, in greater detail etc?
Thanks again, Daniel.
That link shows a number fo groups within the area, and the one i looked at in detail gave a £10 discount for under 25's. So £75 all up.
I did my first year as an unnamed driver on a fleet policy, then a year named with directline, so when i took out the first policy in my name four months ago (with directline for the NCB) passplus etc wasnt worth anything anyway, so ive never done it.
- However i guess it might help when i try and insure a seven, who knows. I was just asking for curousity.
Is the RoSPA advavnced driving coarse more expesive for the training then or somthing, or not as good?
- What do you do in there gold thing, just more of the same, in greater detail etc?
Thanks again, Daniel.
dhutch said:
Is the RoSPA advavnced driving coarse more expesive for the training then or somthing, or not as good?
- What do you do in there gold thing, just more of the same, in greater detail etc?
I've not done the RoSPA test but I think the costs are similar to IAM. By all accounts the training and the test are exactly the same in content, the only difference is that with IAM it's pass or fail and once you've passed you never have the retake the test, whereas with RoSPA passes are graded Bronze, Silver and Gold and you have to re-take the test every three years.- What do you do in there gold thing, just more of the same, in greater detail etc?
Daniel,
Look here for RoSPA link...
www.roada.org.uk/groups/index.htm
In very general terms, the progression in driver education is to start with IAM and go on to RoSPA...RoSPA is a bit thinner on the ground than IAM in most areas.
BOF
Look here for RoSPA link...
www.roada.org.uk/groups/index.htm
In very general terms, the progression in driver education is to start with IAM and go on to RoSPA...RoSPA is a bit thinner on the ground than IAM in most areas.
BOF
Edited by BOF on Monday 26th November 13:05
Edited by BOF on Monday 26th November 13:07
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