Should I .... ?
Discussion
Please forgive me if you get asked this a lot, but should I sign up with the IAM for a course of lessons which I understand culminates in an advanced driving qualification & a years membership of the Institute?
You will not be surprised that the idea stems from a recent speed awareness course. Yes, guilty as charged, I was travelling in excess of 30mph in a 30 limit so I paid the money, avoided the points and spent an afternoon with a group of equally guilty people.
I enjoy driving and found plenty of common sense in what was said and like to think that, generally, I am not a bad driver. I was a biker a long time ago & always feel that serves me well in that I expect the worst of the drivers around me.
My questions are:
Is this a good time of year to sign up (it is for me as not much motoring stuff going on 'till later in the year)?
Will I enjoy it (or is there some danger of being bored)?
Will it be some old codger turning up to put me in my place?
You will not be surprised that the idea stems from a recent speed awareness course. Yes, guilty as charged, I was travelling in excess of 30mph in a 30 limit so I paid the money, avoided the points and spent an afternoon with a group of equally guilty people.
I enjoy driving and found plenty of common sense in what was said and like to think that, generally, I am not a bad driver. I was a biker a long time ago & always feel that serves me well in that I expect the worst of the drivers around me.
My questions are:
Is this a good time of year to sign up (it is for me as not much motoring stuff going on 'till later in the year)?
Will I enjoy it (or is there some danger of being bored)?
Will it be some old codger turning up to put me in my place?
The answers to your first and third questions are going to depend on what your local IAM group is like. You should also check out whether there's a RoSPA group around, as they do essentially the same thing.
Best thing to do would be to ring them up for a chat, or find out if they do free assessments. You can then decide if you get on with the people and the aims of the organisation.
As for the second question, I think you'll get out as much as you put in. Even if you struggle with one or two elements of it, thinking about your driving more and finding ways to do it better is something that lots of us find endlessly engaging.
It's a shame you're not a bit further South as I'd be happy to go out for a drive and a chat.
Best thing to do would be to ring them up for a chat, or find out if they do free assessments. You can then decide if you get on with the people and the aims of the organisation.
As for the second question, I think you'll get out as much as you put in. Even if you struggle with one or two elements of it, thinking about your driving more and finding ways to do it better is something that lots of us find endlessly engaging.
It's a shame you're not a bit further South as I'd be happy to go out for a drive and a chat.
+1 on everything in the previous response. If you are thinking it might be an idea to do IAM I would suggest that you are right.
Regarding your queries:
1)Yes now might be a good time because you can go out with an observer in bad weather which is useful, plus as you progress the weather will be getting better, depending on the group it may take up to six months, at which time you'll be getting in some nice summer drives too. Best of both worlds.
2)If you have an open mind to the training and don't worry too much about certain aspects of it (the dreaded bgol, if you read about that here, which I don't recommend until you know a little more about the concept, don't get too hung up on it, it isn't that much of a big deal and doesn't come in until you are almost test-ready) then yes it can be very enjoyable, it isn't going to be all about going slow and you may be surprised at the 'progress' rate of an IAM driver. The hazard perception side, forward observation side, sign-awareness and vehicle control side are imo, excellent and contribute heavily to the increased confidence that having AD training breeds, so yes it can be very enjoyable imo.
3)Yes of course you'll have some old codger berating you!
That is how people assume it must be, it isn't! That is completely untrue ime, as SG stated a lot depends on the group but there are a lot of not-so-old codgers and women observers in local groups nowadays who provide observed drives, your 'observer' is in fact your 'instructor' although usually it's quite informal, so no it isn't a given that it's all old men. And it isn't a given that it'll be all formal and fuddy-duddy. You could always contact your local group (at no charge) and go along and see what female or younger observers may be available.
At 140ish quid, (others will say if the price has changed much, I doubt it has) for what is called the 'skill for life' IAM AD course it's very reasonably priced as far as driver further training is concerned. I'd go for it if I were you!
PS: I don't work for IAM and am not a member, although I have done it and rate it very highly.
Edited to add, yes as SG says, there is also RoSPA which is very similar and often has the same examiners and has the same methodology, RoSPA is also very good imo.
Regarding your queries:
1)Yes now might be a good time because you can go out with an observer in bad weather which is useful, plus as you progress the weather will be getting better, depending on the group it may take up to six months, at which time you'll be getting in some nice summer drives too. Best of both worlds.
2)If you have an open mind to the training and don't worry too much about certain aspects of it (the dreaded bgol, if you read about that here, which I don't recommend until you know a little more about the concept, don't get too hung up on it, it isn't that much of a big deal and doesn't come in until you are almost test-ready) then yes it can be very enjoyable, it isn't going to be all about going slow and you may be surprised at the 'progress' rate of an IAM driver. The hazard perception side, forward observation side, sign-awareness and vehicle control side are imo, excellent and contribute heavily to the increased confidence that having AD training breeds, so yes it can be very enjoyable imo.
3)Yes of course you'll have some old codger berating you!
That is how people assume it must be, it isn't! That is completely untrue ime, as SG stated a lot depends on the group but there are a lot of not-so-old codgers and women observers in local groups nowadays who provide observed drives, your 'observer' is in fact your 'instructor' although usually it's quite informal, so no it isn't a given that it's all old men. And it isn't a given that it'll be all formal and fuddy-duddy. You could always contact your local group (at no charge) and go along and see what female or younger observers may be available.At 140ish quid, (others will say if the price has changed much, I doubt it has) for what is called the 'skill for life' IAM AD course it's very reasonably priced as far as driver further training is concerned. I'd go for it if I were you!
PS: I don't work for IAM and am not a member, although I have done it and rate it very highly.
Edited to add, yes as SG says, there is also RoSPA which is very similar and often has the same examiners and has the same methodology, RoSPA is also very good imo.
Edited by 25NAD90TUL on Friday 17th January 22:33
IAM
http://advanced-driving-herefordshire.org.uk/
RoSPA
http://www.herefordroadar.org/Hereford_ROADAR/Welc...
http://advanced-driving-herefordshire.org.uk/
RoSPA
http://www.herefordroadar.org/Hereford_ROADAR/Welc...
Edited by 25NAD90TUL on Friday 17th January 22:40
If you want to combine learning to be (in some sense) the best driver you can be with having a great time in the Aston and getting to appreciate it even more, I suggest you consider jumping to one of the top 'high performance' driving coaches. Mark Kendrick of Bespoke Driver Training is apparently based near Worcester, or you could consider one of the High Performance Club 'gatekeepers' - Andy Morrison based in Banbury and Clive Jones based in Wales. There are others of comparable calibre.
From these guys, by comparison with many of the amateurs (like me) who do 'Observing/Tutoring' for IAM and Rospa, you would get less of the 'If you want to pass your advanced driving test you have to do it this particular way' - which some people find annoying - and more tailored coaching on how to move forwards from where you are now.
I am in no way anti IAM/Rospa, indeed I am an active participant. A course with either is stunning value, will make anyone a better driver, and will probably be enjoyable. But whoever you get as an Observer there is no way the quality of teaching matches that available from the top professionals, and at about £300 a day their services are still very good value.
If you decide to go the IAM/Rospa route, as advised already make contact with your local group and have a chat. Try to give them some idea of the sort of driver you are and of your interests (in our group if someone comes along who drives a sporty car they would be allocated an observer who was more appropriate for their interests).
From these guys, by comparison with many of the amateurs (like me) who do 'Observing/Tutoring' for IAM and Rospa, you would get less of the 'If you want to pass your advanced driving test you have to do it this particular way' - which some people find annoying - and more tailored coaching on how to move forwards from where you are now.
I am in no way anti IAM/Rospa, indeed I am an active participant. A course with either is stunning value, will make anyone a better driver, and will probably be enjoyable. But whoever you get as an Observer there is no way the quality of teaching matches that available from the top professionals, and at about £300 a day their services are still very good value.
If you decide to go the IAM/Rospa route, as advised already make contact with your local group and have a chat. Try to give them some idea of the sort of driver you are and of your interests (in our group if someone comes along who drives a sporty car they would be allocated an observer who was more appropriate for their interests).
I very strongly endorse all Waremark's advice. Andy Morrison, Clive Jones and Mark Kendrick are world-class instructors: very highly recommended 
You'll get more, and more fun, out of your car after learning from any of these three instructors. Don't miss the chance to get more out of your Aston!
You'll get more, and more fun, out of your car after learning from any of these three instructors. Don't miss the chance to get more out of your Aston!
Edited by SVS on Thursday 13th February 22:30
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