Support for IAM and RoADA observers
Discussion
Quick answer,
What support are you looking for?
The IAM has many more Groups than RoSPA nationally, so is easier to join, locally.
It is generally understood that the IAM is 'O' levels and that RoSPA is towards 'A' levels...and that there are further steps up the ladder of driver education.
For me, a major point of RoSPA is that you have a three year re test.
Both organisations are charitable, the people helping are volunteers and the Examiners are serving or retired Class 1 Police Traffic men.
Does that help answer your question?
BOF.
What support are you looking for?
The IAM has many more Groups than RoSPA nationally, so is easier to join, locally.
It is generally understood that the IAM is 'O' levels and that RoSPA is towards 'A' levels...and that there are further steps up the ladder of driver education.
For me, a major point of RoSPA is that you have a three year re test.
Both organisations are charitable, the people helping are volunteers and the Examiners are serving or retired Class 1 Police Traffic men.
Does that help answer your question?
BOF.
You are much more likely to find an IAM Group local to you - if you find a local RoSPA Group, go for it.
The basics do not differ a great deal, both are based on Roadcraft...without knocking the IAM in any way (I am an Observer) you benefit from RoSPA by being tested every three years.
Many IAM Observers also go on to take RoSPA - I have been a memmber of both for some years..RoSPA is also graded so can be seen as more of a challenge...
""The test itself lasts about sixty to seventy minutes over a route covering a wide variety of traffic and driving conditions, and is designed to detect any weaknesses or potentially dangerous driving habits. It may be taken in cars, commercial vehicles or on motor cycles. The successful candidate must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the Highway Code and Roadcraft - the Essential Police Driver's Handbook, both in the driving and in the question and answer session at the end of the drive. On completing the test the candidate is graded Gold, Silver or Bronze. If the standard is lower than that needed for a Bronze the candidate will fail. All candidates receive from HQ a comprehensive report on all aspects of their test.
As the standard is far higher than that taken by learner drivers, a person is unlikely to achieve the higher grades without assistance. These tough standards ensure that the person who gains a Gold award has succeeded in gaining the highest award open to a civilian driver in the UK, and probably in the world. One of the strengths of the RoADA is its requirement that all members must take a retest every three years. This is unique in civilian driving. If the retest is not taken, the person ceases to be a member. These regular retests are free of charge.""
Hope this helps...
BOF.
PS - Rewards? You get to go to monthly meetings (If you really want to) and my Group gives me £10 every year. The real reward is when your punter phones you to tell you they have passed!
The basics do not differ a great deal, both are based on Roadcraft...without knocking the IAM in any way (I am an Observer) you benefit from RoSPA by being tested every three years.
Many IAM Observers also go on to take RoSPA - I have been a memmber of both for some years..RoSPA is also graded so can be seen as more of a challenge...
""The test itself lasts about sixty to seventy minutes over a route covering a wide variety of traffic and driving conditions, and is designed to detect any weaknesses or potentially dangerous driving habits. It may be taken in cars, commercial vehicles or on motor cycles. The successful candidate must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the Highway Code and Roadcraft - the Essential Police Driver's Handbook, both in the driving and in the question and answer session at the end of the drive. On completing the test the candidate is graded Gold, Silver or Bronze. If the standard is lower than that needed for a Bronze the candidate will fail. All candidates receive from HQ a comprehensive report on all aspects of their test.
As the standard is far higher than that taken by learner drivers, a person is unlikely to achieve the higher grades without assistance. These tough standards ensure that the person who gains a Gold award has succeeded in gaining the highest award open to a civilian driver in the UK, and probably in the world. One of the strengths of the RoADA is its requirement that all members must take a retest every three years. This is unique in civilian driving. If the retest is not taken, the person ceases to be a member. These regular retests are free of charge.""
Hope this helps...
BOF.
PS - Rewards? You get to go to monthly meetings (If you really want to) and my Group gives me £10 every year. The real reward is when your punter phones you to tell you they have passed!
Edited by BOF on Saturday 22 March 10:19
BOF - quite right to run for cover. You are of course mixing up teaching and driving qualifications.
Very controversial to put IAM pass on a level with Rospa Bronze. An examiner who examines for both organisations has posted that he considers IAM pass to equal Rospa Silver, saying 'Anything even slightly better than DSA Pass qualifies for Rospa Bronze'.
To answer the question about which organisation provides the most supportive environment for Observers/Tutors, I believe that this depends on your particular local group, and on the Chief Observer (or whatever your group may call him/her) who trains observers. The qualification structures are similar, and the examiners to whom you go for Senior Observer/Advanced Tutor tests have the same qualifications and could even be the same individuals.
Very controversial to put IAM pass on a level with Rospa Bronze. An examiner who examines for both organisations has posted that he considers IAM pass to equal Rospa Silver, saying 'Anything even slightly better than DSA Pass qualifies for Rospa Bronze'.
To answer the question about which organisation provides the most supportive environment for Observers/Tutors, I believe that this depends on your particular local group, and on the Chief Observer (or whatever your group may call him/her) who trains observers. The qualification structures are similar, and the examiners to whom you go for Senior Observer/Advanced Tutor tests have the same qualifications and could even be the same individuals.
Not mine Mark,
Taken from ADUK some time ago and used to give a general idea to the less experienced among us...
"BOF - quite right to run for cover. You are of course mixing up teaching and driving qualifications."
Not sure what you mean pal?
I have no 'driving qualifications' and I am not a 'teacher'... I just enjoy passing whatever experience I have to drivers who have less experience, and who come to the IAM for further education.
Until the Government give serious thought to driver education, which might reduce the fatalities of the ten drivers who have died today on our roads (on average)..I will continue to use any tools I can find to encourage young drivers to look 'up the ladder'.
We are on the same wavelength I think...?
You do a more accurate or informative graph...I will use it...Promise!
BOF
Taken from ADUK some time ago and used to give a general idea to the less experienced among us...
"BOF - quite right to run for cover. You are of course mixing up teaching and driving qualifications."
Not sure what you mean pal?
I have no 'driving qualifications' and I am not a 'teacher'... I just enjoy passing whatever experience I have to drivers who have less experience, and who come to the IAM for further education.
Until the Government give serious thought to driver education, which might reduce the fatalities of the ten drivers who have died today on our roads (on average)..I will continue to use any tools I can find to encourage young drivers to look 'up the ladder'.
We are on the same wavelength I think...?
You do a more accurate or informative graph...I will use it...Promise!
BOF
Edited by BOF on Monday 24th March 19:00
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