Just joined the IAM

[Ricky_M]

As part of my new years resolution, I've just bought the "Skill For Life" package from the IAM website for £65.

What happens next? the website seems a bit vague.

Any tips you could give a 19 year old with just 2.5 years driving experience? I've already read the Roadcraft "The essential police drivers handbook" and I have just started to read it again.

Any help, wise words or helpful contribution would be hugely appreciated!

[Vaux]

Ricky_M said:

As part of my new years resolution, I've just bought the "Skill For Life" package from the IAM website for £65.

What happens next? the website seems a bit vague.

Well done on your decision. (And saving money as the prices go up in April!)

I think the IAM head office will send you details on groups local to you and you can choose one to join. They'll send you a book on advanced driving too (based on Roadcraft, but with more pictures). You could look at the local group(s) via the IAM web page to see which is closest - you'll be meeting an Observer in that area.

[mph999]

Once you get the paperwork from the IAM, call the group you want to join and they'll explain the process, it may vary a little from group to group.

Martin

[Don]

Ricky_M said:

As part of my new years resolution, I've just bought the "Skill For Life" package from the IAM website for £65.

What happens next? the website seems a bit vague.

Any tips you could give a 19 year old with just 2.5 years driving experience? I've already read the Roadcraft "The essential police drivers handbook" and I have just started to read it again.

Any help, wise words or helpful contribution would be hugely appreciated!

For a start: this is the perfect time to do the IAM. Good choice!

Reading "Roadcraft" is a very good start. You should get sent details of your local group who will help you to pass the IAM test.

Advice I can give is...passing the IAM test is just the first step. Its a very good step - but it is only the first. If you feel there is more to learn after you have passed - there IS! But getting this under your belt is a great way to get going on your driving career.

You should find everything makes sense when you think it through - if it doesn't ASK and make sure you get an explanation - you learn best when you know why something is done the way it is...

If you need more explanation on something - ask your Observer (Tutor) and ask on here. There are some very knowledgeable people on this forum.

All the best - and remember to have fun whilst you are at it.

[Kinky]

Ricky,

Nice move

One thing you can try is go through the IAM group directory to find your local group: http://www.iam.org.uk/iamgroups/groupdirectory/

You might be lucky and your local group have a comprehensive website - but read through all the local groups websites - it makes fascinating reading.

My 2 local groups have nice info on their websites:

Basingstoke: http://basingstokeadvancedmotorists.org.uk/

Thames Valley: http://www.tvgam.org.uk/

K

ETA: I guess that Swansea is you local group? http://www.sbgam.org/

Edited by Kinky on Sunday 23 March 09:23

[Ricky_M]

Kinky said:

Ricky,

Nice move

One thing you can try is go through the IAM group directory to find your local group: http://www.iam.org.uk/iamgroups/groupdirectory/

You might be lucky and your local group have a comprehensive website - but read through all the local groups websites - it makes fascinating reading.

My 2 local groups have nice info on their websites:

Basingstoke: http://basingstokeadvancedmotorists.org.uk/

Thames Valley: http://www.tvgam.org.uk/

K

ETA: I guess that Swansea is you local group? http://www.sbgam.org/

Edited by Kinky on Sunday 23 March 09:23

I think Cardiff is, there was a dropdown list on my registration page and Cardiff was the closest to me. But I'll have a look at Swansea's site.

Thanks for your inputs everyone!

[SVS]

Hi Ricky,

Nice one, well done Welcome to the gang

I second everything that Don said in his post.

If you've read Roadcraft, you might also enjoy the Roadcraft DVD:
www.amazon.co.uk/Roadcraft-Police-Drivers-Advanced...

Enjoy Skills for Life and remember you can always post any queries here.