Are there any restrictions on vehicles for the IAM?

[plasticpig]

I am thinking of doing the IAM Skill for life. I would probably want to use my Scimitar which only has a drivers side wing mirror and interior mirror. Being a convertiable it also has restricted rear visibility. Is this likley to be a problem?

[JonRB]

May dad passed his IAM test many years ago in a Lotus Esprit S3 that he'd only taken delivery of a day earlier.

[Vaux]

Any car that's legal (lights, mirrors etc.) and can reach and maintain NSL speeds. And two seats.
I think inside and driver's are the legal mirror reqs?

[WhoseGeneration]

It's legal, therefore must be ok.
However, I would not want to drive on today's roads without a mirror to the nearside.
Classic notwithstanding.

[plasticpig]

WhoseGeneration said:

It's legal, therefore must be ok.
However, I would not want to drive on today's roads without a mirror to the nearside.
Classic notwithstanding.

With the hood down it dosent pose much of a problem. I reckon driving it has improved my obvservation skills and I have a lot more awareness of what is behind me and where it is located than I did five years ago. I am sure there is plenty of room for more improvement which I why I want to do the IAM course.

[WhoseGeneration]

plasticpig said:

With the hood down it dosent pose much of a problem. I reckon driving it has improved my obvservation skills and I have a lot more awareness of what is behind me and where it is located than I did five years ago. I am sure there is plenty of room for more improvement which I why I want to do the IAM course.

Hood up?
I'm not criticising, if you are happy, yet this must mean you have to do a shoulder check to the n/s?
Ok in town perhaps but on a Motorway or Dual Carriageway that must mean less time having your eyes to the front, a head movement taking longer than an eyes movement.
I learnt the value of exterior mirrors a long time ago when interior ones were the only standard fitment.
Not long after I had read a book on driving by Paul Frere.
Other books I later read suggested that his approach was not the best.
One author, whose name escapes me, said, and I paraphrase, "The problem with Paul is that he assumes every other driver is of his standard".

[plasticpig]

WhoseGeneration said:

plasticpig said:

With the hood down it dosent pose much of a problem. I reckon driving it has improved my obvservation skills and I have a lot more awareness of what is behind me and where it is located than I did five years ago. I am sure there is plenty of room for more improvement which I why I want to do the IAM course.

Hood up?
I'm not criticising, if you are happy, yet this must mean you have to do a shoulder check to the n/s?
Ok in town perhaps but on a Motorway or Dual Carriageway that must mean less time having your eyes to the front, a head movement taking longer than an eyes movement.
I learnt the value of exterior mirrors a long time ago when interior ones were the only standard fitment.
Not long after I had read a book on driving by Paul Frere.
Other books I later read suggested that his approach was not the best.
One author, whose name escapes me, said, and I paraphrase, "The problem with Paul is that he assumes every other driver is of his standard".

Yes I do a shoulder check on the n/s. On m'ways and DC's it means I tend to stay out longer than I would in another vehicle to ensure I have cleared the vehicle I am passing. I also try to maintain a longer distance from vehicles in front of me and will not usually pull in if I have a vehicle overtaking me to allow for a shoulder check and also because the brakes arent as effective as a modern vehicle. Its not ideal but I do try and compensate for the problem.

[Slacey]

They were happy enough for me to use my Griffith (visibility with the roof down is poor, especially with my rollbar) and I didn't encounter any problems.

[JonRB]

plasticpig said:

Yes I do a shoulder check on the n/s. On m'ways and DC's it means I tend to stay out longer than I would in another vehicle to ensure I have cleared the vehicle I am passing. I also try to maintain a longer distance from vehicles in front of me and will not usually pull in if I have a vehicle overtaking me to allow for a shoulder check and also because the brakes arent as effective as a modern vehicle. Its not ideal but I do try and compensate for the problem.

To be honest, I'm not sure I'd want to drive without a N/S mirror these days personally. And for an older car I'd upgrade the brakes and to hell with the authenticity.

[naetype]

As a guide and maybe to take into consideration:

There are cars which are specifically 'banned' from being used for the DSA test. I'm sorry I can't find where the list is just now but a bit of hunting through Google would find it. The one that sticks in my mind is the new Mini convertible due to its very poor rearward visibility.

[TripleS]

naetype said:

As a guide and maybe to take into consideration:

There are cars which are specifically 'banned' from being used for the DSA test. I'm sorry I can't find where the list is just now but a bit of hunting through Google would find it. The one that sticks in my mind is the new Mini convertible due to its very poor rearward visibility.

Oh, is it particularly bad? I would have thought there are lots of cars around that would have much worse visibility to the rear, especially some of the more sporty/exotic type cars.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[BIG DUNC]

Having owned both, the rear view from the Scimitar with the roof up is about the same as the Griff with the roof down!!
I always wanted to fit a N/S mirroe to the Scimitar, but never found one that even closely matched the off side mirroe. Like the O/P I adgusted my driving style to suit.

[naetype]

TripleS said:

....
Oh, is it particularly bad? I would have thought there are lots of cars around that would have much worse visibility to the rear, especially some of the more sporty/exotic type cars.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/DG_4022543

From the DSA site:

"Convertible vehicles

Some convertible vehicles are unsuitable for the driving test – eg the Ford KA convertible and Mini convertible due to the lack of all-round vision for the examiner. If you propose to use a convertible vehicle for the driving test please check its suitability when you book."

[djohnson]

naetype said:

Some convertible vehicles are unsuitable for driving anywhere – eg the Ford KA convertible and Mini convertible due to the occupants looking like complete gayers in such cars.

Corrected the quote.

[chris_tivver]

DSA said:

Some convertible vehicles are unsuitable for the driving test – eg the Ford KA convertible and Mini convertible due to the lack of all-round vision for the examiner. If you propose to use a convertible vehicle for the driving test please check its suitability when you book."

Does that mean that the view is bad just from the passenger seat for the examiner, or the view is so bad generally that the car is unsafe and you shouldn't buy it? (have to say that neither are on my shopping list but I'm interested in the answer if anyone knows)