advanced driving courses
Discussion
Are you after a general course to get you started with the subject, or something more specific?
Here's a local IAM group in the area: http://www.staffordiam.org.uk/
Here's a local IAM group in the area: http://www.staffordiam.org.uk/
ive never done anything like this before, but figure i'd enjoy doing it and hopefully will learn a lot from it, ive always had performance cars and consider myself relatively capable and safe, but would like to learn a lot more around the performance side of things.
not looking for anything specific as such, just a good general all round course to learn as much as possible.
thanks for the link, i'll make some enquiries.
not looking for anything specific as such, just a good general all round course to learn as much as possible.
thanks for the link, i'll make some enquiries.
Yes - it's the Skill For Life course and test, but delivered by a professional (one of the IAM Fleet trainers IIRC) over two days.
If you're in a rush it's not bad value at all. However, if you can take a bit more time over things I suspect the learning will 'stick' better if it's spread over a few months.
I have no experience of RideDrive, but they get good reviews here. Bear in mind that there's only so much you can earn in one day though - permanent change is likely to take longer. I've been at it for many years now, and I'm still nowhere near finished.
If you're in a rush it's not bad value at all. However, if you can take a bit more time over things I suspect the learning will 'stick' better if it's spread over a few months.
I have no experience of RideDrive, but they get good reviews here. Bear in mind that there's only so much you can earn in one day though - permanent change is likely to take longer. I've been at it for many years now, and I'm still nowhere near finished.
There isn't much info on the skills for life course either. I prefer the idea of the shorter course as from when I looked at IAM before it was mainly Sundays, which doesn't really fin in well with my commitments. A 1 day/2 half days course would work better for me.
I did have a serious look at it about 5 years ago, when the local police force were doing a scheme where they paid (or contributed) for under 25s to join IAM, but as a student I worked every Sunday, so couldn't do it.
I did have a serious look at it about 5 years ago, when the local police force were doing a scheme where they paid (or contributed) for under 25s to join IAM, but as a student I worked every Sunday, so couldn't do it.
RideDrive is (exclusively?) taught by class 1 or equivalent trainers so you may find it better value for money once you've got the basics down sorted and the regular IAM/RoADAR route is hard to beat for this.
What's your motivation for wanting to do a course? I'd echo Mr Gonzales' concerns about whether an intensive course is as good long term as the regular course and the training schedule you've encountered previously will be down to your local group - my experience of IAM/RoADAR (across 4 groups) is that an observer/tutor is assigned and you negotiate when you're both free to do the drives. If the local group are inflexible, take your custom elsewhere
Chris
What's your motivation for wanting to do a course? I'd echo Mr Gonzales' concerns about whether an intensive course is as good long term as the regular course and the training schedule you've encountered previously will be down to your local group - my experience of IAM/RoADAR (across 4 groups) is that an observer/tutor is assigned and you negotiate when you're both free to do the drives. If the local group are inflexible, take your custom elsewhere
Chris
It's more for continuous learning. I've been driving 10 years and had an assessment 5 years ago, that said I was pretty good, but gave me a few pointers, now I just want to up my game a bit as I occasionally drive high performance cars at work (asked them to pay, but instead published a "Safe driving policy") and my next car will be more powerful than my MX-5.
Can anyone shed any light on what the Coventry IAM group are like?
Can anyone shed any light on what the Coventry IAM group are like?
Craikeybaby said:
There isn't much info on the skills for life course either. I prefer the idea of the shorter course as from when I looked at IAM before it was mainly Sundays, which doesn't really fin in well with my commitments. A 1 day/2 half days course would work better for me.
I did have a serious look at it about 5 years ago, when the local police force were doing a scheme where they paid (or contributed) for under 25s to join IAM, but as a student I worked every Sunday, so couldn't do it.
Each IAM local group sets its own way of assisting candidates (associates, as the IAM refers to them) to reach the necessary standard to pass the IAM test. Some groups insist that a theory course is attended before any observed drives take place. Some, as you have foumd, do all observed runs on a Sunday. The group for which I am Membership Secretary run 4 theory courses each year but candiates can attend a course at any time during their time with the group. New candidates first have a drive with the Senior Observer and are then assigned to an Observer. All drives are scheduled to suit the candiate. However, we are in Gloucestershire so too far from you.I did have a serious look at it about 5 years ago, when the local police force were doing a scheme where they paid (or contributed) for under 25s to join IAM, but as a student I worked every Sunday, so couldn't do it.
I suggest you contact more than one group and ask how they approach assisting candidates. There is a list of local groups, with contact details, on the IAM web-site www.iam.org .
Some groups do not allot a particular observer to an associate but do a sort of pot luck system on a set day where all meet up at the same time/place
IMO that can cause particular issues with female associates having various new male observers
It also means that the first part of every drive is really an assessment
IMO that can cause particular issues with female associates having various new male observers
It also means that the first part of every drive is really an assessment
Hiya,
There are pros and cons to each. Having done IAM and RideDrive, and know others who have too, I reckon:
HTH
There are pros and cons to each. Having done IAM and RideDrive, and know others who have too, I reckon:
- IAM FastTrack might be the best route, because the trainers should be professional instructors. It's very good value for money too, IMO, and passing gives you the various benefits of IAM membership. Has anyone here experienced IAM FastTrack?
- RideDrive is also excellent. The advantage is that all the trainers will be police Class 1, which means they will truly know their onions about driving. The downside is that RideDrive instructors vary in how much instructional expertise they possess. My RideDrive instructor was brilliant, but then he had been a pursuit instructor in the police. (You don't want to be the very first client for a brand new RideDrive instructor, however much experience s/he may have as a police driver.) I did an OCN-accredited course on the bike with RideDrive, which I gots tons of value out of; it was very good fun too
- Regular IAM Skills for Life has the advantage of spreading your learning over time, so that it can sink in. However, it has the disadvantage that 'instructors' aren't professional instructors, but amateur volunteers. Some are great, but a few aren't. None will have the wealth of expertise of a police Class 1 driver.
HTH
Edited by SVS on Thursday 7th March 11:00
From the various reports I have seen for FASTTRACK there is an issue
It seems great for passing the test but severely lacks staying power with the driver
As you pointed out, the usual SFL route instills a new style over a longer period which then become part of everyday driving
It seems to come down to - pass a test or instill an ongoing new driving style
It seems great for passing the test but severely lacks staying power with the driver
As you pointed out, the usual SFL route instills a new style over a longer period which then become part of everyday driving
It seems to come down to - pass a test or instill an ongoing new driving style
SVS said:
Hiya,
There are pros and cons to each. Having done IAM and RideDrive, and know others who have too, I reckon:
HTH
That does help, thanks! I had been swaying towards the IAM FastTrack, as IAM seems to be more widely recognised and RideDrive don't list any instructors in my area. It won't be for a few months, but I will update with how I get on.There are pros and cons to each. Having done IAM and RideDrive, and know others who have too, I reckon:
- IAM FastTrack might be the best route, because the trainers should be professional instructors. It's very good value for money too, IMO, and passing gives you the various benefits of IAM membership. Has anyone here experienced IAM FastTrack?
- RideDrive is also excellent. The advantage is that all the trainers will be police Class 1, which means they will truly know their onions about driving. The downside is that RideDrive instructors vary in how much instructional expertise they possess. My RideDrive instructor was brilliant, but then he had been a pursuit instructor in the police. (You don't want to be the very first client for a brand new RideDrive instructor, however much experience s/he may have as a police driver.) I did an OCN-accredited course on the bike with RideDrive, which I gots tons of value out of; it was very good fun too
- Regular IAM Skills for Life has the advantage of spreading your learning over time, so that it can sink in. However, it has the disadvantage that 'instructors' aren't professional instructors, but amateur volunteers. Some are great, but a few aren't. None will have the wealth of expertise of a police Class 1 driver.
HTH
Edited by SVS on Thursday 7th March 11:00
brisel said:
The HPC co-drivers are all current or past police instructors and have a great deal of experience of adapting and adding to their police skills for the training of enthusiastic civilians.Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff