Discussion
Been driving for over 8 years now and feel I need more training before purchasing and quicker car. Which one would you consider to be the most rewarding and worthwhile? I have been reading the respective websites and have been thinking of trying to pass IAM first and then move onto HPC. Is this a bit overkill? Will I be taught conflicting driving styles?
Cheers
Pete
Cheers
Pete
The mechanics of what you will be taught are the same - they both have Roadcraft as a basis, although there probably is a variation in the application of those mechanics.
I'm not an IAM member but their course is incredibly good value for money, especially when you realise that the HPC courses aren't a case of turning up, paying the cash and then automatically reaching the required standard (http://www.hpc.org.uk/standards) within the 2.5 days of the course. When I did the course it took me an additional couple of half-days before I was considered ready to do the entry course. At around 300GBP per day, the 85 GBP (or 99 GBP if the other posters are correct) for IAM makes great sense if HPC if your final aim. OTOH if you're time-poor and relatively cash-rich, there's no substitute for training with someone who lives and breathes advanced driving as opposed to a gifted volunteer.
I'm not an IAM member but their course is incredibly good value for money, especially when you realise that the HPC courses aren't a case of turning up, paying the cash and then automatically reaching the required standard (http://www.hpc.org.uk/standards) within the 2.5 days of the course. When I did the course it took me an additional couple of half-days before I was considered ready to do the entry course. At around 300GBP per day, the 85 GBP (or 99 GBP if the other posters are correct) for IAM makes great sense if HPC if your final aim. OTOH if you're time-poor and relatively cash-rich, there's no substitute for training with someone who lives and breathes advanced driving as opposed to a gifted volunteer.
HPC is expensive to do, but the training is in accordance with that; bloody amazing. The IAM has a good foundation and will start you on the right tracks, and introduce you to advanced driving. But beware it WILL be taught by retired folk.
I would certainly suggest doing the IAM as a first point, as well as investing tim ein reading "Roadcraft".
Tony (27yr old IAM Observer)
I would certainly suggest doing the IAM as a first point, as well as investing tim ein reading "Roadcraft".
Tony (27yr old IAM Observer)
If you'd like to know more about HPC, do feel free to contact me via PM and we can perhaps arrange to chat over the 'phone - like StressedDave I am long standing member. Many members have been through the same question, and I'd be very happy to give you an open and honest sense of your options. It's a bit quicker and probably a fair bit more insightful (hopefully!) to talk to someone than to write long posts.
Whatever path you take, have fun!
(I should stress that the Club has no financial interest at all in the courses provided by our gatekeepers, other than, I guess, if you join the Club we get a £30 sub (whooho!))
Kind regards
Steve
Whatever path you take, have fun!
(I should stress that the Club has no financial interest at all in the courses provided by our gatekeepers, other than, I guess, if you join the Club we get a £30 sub (whooho!))
Kind regards
Steve
IAM very cost effective thing to do. Definitely consider it as a first step.
ROSPA also good - and nice to achieve a Gold standard.
Neither are the sort of driving club the HPC is. Which is why, whilst still holding both an IAM and a ROSPA Gold I have long considered joining up with the HPC. For the sheer fun of it...
ROSPA also good - and nice to achieve a Gold standard.
Neither are the sort of driving club the HPC is. Which is why, whilst still holding both an IAM and a ROSPA Gold I have long considered joining up with the HPC. For the sheer fun of it...
Exactly my approach Don. In fact, I had a first "lesson" with Stressed Dave last year but the sheer finance to carry it on meant I held back (rather frustratingly as, I must admit, I REALLY enjoyed it).
With the IAM they take you to a certain level and that's it. It's a good level, and one that I pride myself on maintaining (especially as an observer). But going through the route of HPC will take you far far beyong that level, but with a cost associated with it.
My advice, like Don's, is to do the IAM first and then move on to HPC.
With the IAM they take you to a certain level and that's it. It's a good level, and one that I pride myself on maintaining (especially as an observer). But going through the route of HPC will take you far far beyong that level, but with a cost associated with it.
My advice, like Don's, is to do the IAM first and then move on to HPC.
ipsg.glf said:
(removed)
Actually Trading Standards thought the person doing the complaining was vexatious and that the complainee did everything they could to assist. If you are going to libel someone, might I suggest you pick a sight with a 'name and shame' policy rather than one that specifically prevents it.ipsg.glf said:
Finally, ask about the number of people who have resigned from the Club in the last 3 months.
That'll be two...krallicious said:
Been driving for over 8 years now and feel I need more training before purchasing and quicker car. Which one would you consider to be the most rewarding and worthwhile? I have been reading the respective websites and have been thinking of trying to pass IAM first and then move onto HPC. Is this a bit overkill? Will I be taught conflicting driving styles?
Cheers
Pete
IAM first, just conform, it will though, make you a much better driver.Cheers
Pete
More important, a safer one.
Whatever speeds you decide are appropriate in any situation.
Then consider other options.
StressedDave said:
ipsg.glf said:
(removed)
Actually Trading Standards thought the person doing the complaining was vexatious and that the complainee did everything they could to assist. If you are going to libel someone, might I suggest you pick a sight with a 'name and shame' policy rather than one that specifically prevents it.ipsg.glf said:
Finally, ask about the number of people who have resigned from the Club in the last 3 months.
That'll be two...C'mon then Dave, lets have the detail and let people make up their own mind about whether it was vexatious.
(removed)
Edited by ipsg.glf on Tuesday 15th January 20:12
ian in lancs said:
TonyHetherington said:
But beware it WILL be taught by retired folk.
I'm not, my observer wasn't, and you're not! Of the local training team about 7 out of 30 or so are retired.There are lots of gainfully employed Observers out there.
ipsg.glf said:
It isn't libel when it's the truth, Dave.
C'mon then Dave, lets have the detail and let people make up their own mind about whether it was vexatious.
Now to be fair, neither you nor I were born at the moment that is under discussion and the person who raised matters with trading standards wasn't present either. So I'm not a great one for hearsay, and I think that you are attempting to unfairly malign someone who has spent over 40 years improving driver safety, so I have no intention of commenting further.C'mon then Dave, lets have the detail and let people make up their own mind about whether it was vexatious.
ipsg.glf said:
Are you going to comment about the writing off of cars and people caught speeding on events? I thought only Stefan1 was authorised on behalf of the Club to speak ouside of the HPC hallowed fora.
Stefan1 is the person responsible for communication of Club matters on behalf of the Club, but as you and he have a history he is trying not to post in reply because it only seems to antagonise you. Clearly, I do the same, so continuing this discussion seems pointless.As for other driving training I'm booked onto http://www.driverdp.com/index.htm in April (timed to finish my tyres off!). Having looked around it seems the best companion to IAM, road related and conducted off public roads. I also considering their Nurburgring track days if they do one when I can make it.
Edited by ian in lancs on Tuesday 15th January 21:02
ipsg.glf said:
[mod edit]Let's not speculate about anything, please. There are name and shame rules on this site for a reason.
Thanks[/mod edit][/footnote]
Well I for one am getting pretty Thanks[/mod edit][/footnote]
Edited by ipsg.glf on Tuesday 15th January 19:16
ed off by this. I have nothing against you personally ipsg.glf, but as you have a problem with HPC, I suggest that you either post it if it fits in with the PH rules or you just STFU.I have no idea what your gripe is, but IMV it has no place here under PH rules.
Bert
BertBert said:
ipsg.glf said:
...
Well I for one am getting pretty ed off by this. I have nothing against you personally ipsg.glf, but as you have a problem with HPC, I suggest that you either post it if it fits in with the PH rules or you just STFU.I have no idea what your gripe is, but IMV it has no place here under PH rules.
Bert
I find that the HPC crew only want a certaing view of the world under HPC to be public knowledge. Hell, in fact, when incidents occur they do their level best to not let the rest of the members find out of what has gone on.
The public HPC site states this: "In the HPC book there is no excuse for getting into accidents; no matter how or when."
So when accidents involveding HPC members occur, what should happen? Should they be brushed under the carpet, with comments from the then Chairman to suggest he will be most displeased if news of this incident is discussed outside of the HPC fora, or should they be brought out into the open, so that we can properly understand what went wrong and how remedies are needed.
The HPC 'bigs' itself up as being the creme-de-la-creme (comparing themselves to Police Class 1 drivers) when it is nothing of the sort. It is a despicable, dishonest notion.
My upbringing was such that I was always taught to challenge dishonesty and untruths.
BertBert said:
ipsg.glf said:
...
Well I for one am getting pretty ed off by this. I have nothing against you personally ipsg.glf, but as you have a problem with HPC, I suggest that you either post it if it fits in with the PH rules or you just STFU.I have no idea what your gripe is, but IMV it has no place here under PH rules.
Bert
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