Passed IAM today!
Discussion
Took my IAM test this morning and passed. I didn't think it had actually gone that so it was a bit of a surprise to hear of my success. Started off with the examiner (Andy Poulton) realising one of my back tyres was only just legal. My commentary was poor then fizzled out and I forgot the last road sign when he asked. However he is the chief examiner so I suppose if he thinks I'm of IAM stnadard then I am 
Just got to keep improving now and make every drive as good as it can be!
Just got to keep improving now and make every drive as good as it can be!MagicalTrevor said:
Congratulations mate, I guess you must be around Bristol too then if Andy was your Examiner?
I'll tell you what, the IAM course really helped when driving around in this snow.
That's right. I live in Bristol so am affiliated to the Bristol group. I read your IAM diary some time ago and found it very interesting, but found I didn't go thought a 'lull' like you and many others experienced - but maybe it's because I only learnt to drive in Jan, so am still used to being instructed and less set in my ways so to speak. I'll tell you what, the IAM course really helped when driving around in this snow.
JPJPJP said:
well done, hopefully santa brought you some new rubber
Thanks. I got the tyres the next day. In fact here's my thread about them: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...Congratulations. You will find that it will help you for years to come. Even though you may not use the system all the
time, it is still there.
I passed my IAM car test in 1984 and have since passed the motorcycle test. Both of which help your appreciation of other
drivers and factors around you.
Safe driving.
Andy..
time, it is still there.
I passed my IAM car test in 1984 and have since passed the motorcycle test. Both of which help your appreciation of other
drivers and factors around you.
Safe driving.
Andy..
Just a little update on my advanced driving 'progress' for all who are interested...
After my test in January I felt I needed a little time to reaffirm and 'bed-in' what I had learnt, but, having missed the event in 2010, decided to go to the HPC Young Drivers' Day in August. And what a great day it was. Had drives with two top guys (both had Porsches funnily enough, but then this was HPC!) as well as seminars on some very pertinent topics. Being driven by these guys gave me the elusive (but hard to convey) feeling of both fast progress yet absolute security, an ethos I aim to reflect in my own driving.
Following this, I decided that HPC entry was the direction I wanted to take my driving in, so I took up the very kind offer of a day's tuition from another highly rated HPC member. I found this day much more productive as it was one continuous session which gave me plenty of time to work on what I was being told, but just as enjoyable as the YDD.
I then attended my local IAM group's '3-in-a-car' session. This involves members going into groups of three and taking turns to drive, with the two passengers providing comments and criticism on the driver. As luck or good fortune would have, I was trio'd with not just one of the group's senior observers, but also the familiar face of Andy Poulton. It turned out to be one of my worst drives for a long while, which I was annoyed with myself about, but Andy very kindly offered to take me on another occasion for a proper one-to-one session, which I accepted without hesitation.
And I think this session with Andy turned out to be my most productive so far. I soon adapted to Andy's unique style and after a shaky start, I felt like my driving had made a discernable improvement. This session (as they all all do) also showed me how far I still have to go but I now feel one small step closer to being the driver I want to be.
So, what next? I'm lining up half a day with an HPC gatekeeper to see in I'm ready to take the entry course and I'll take it from there. I also hope to be able to show my face at a few ADUK days by the end of the year. I'd love to go into observing for my local group but I've missed the boat for a while (and not being 'in' with the influential members doesn't help my case) so I'll be looking for other opportunities of a similar nature. However if anyone has any ideas whatsoever then please get in touch.
After my test in January I felt I needed a little time to reaffirm and 'bed-in' what I had learnt, but, having missed the event in 2010, decided to go to the HPC Young Drivers' Day in August. And what a great day it was. Had drives with two top guys (both had Porsches funnily enough, but then this was HPC!) as well as seminars on some very pertinent topics. Being driven by these guys gave me the elusive (but hard to convey) feeling of both fast progress yet absolute security, an ethos I aim to reflect in my own driving.
Following this, I decided that HPC entry was the direction I wanted to take my driving in, so I took up the very kind offer of a day's tuition from another highly rated HPC member. I found this day much more productive as it was one continuous session which gave me plenty of time to work on what I was being told, but just as enjoyable as the YDD.
I then attended my local IAM group's '3-in-a-car' session. This involves members going into groups of three and taking turns to drive, with the two passengers providing comments and criticism on the driver. As luck or good fortune would have, I was trio'd with not just one of the group's senior observers, but also the familiar face of Andy Poulton. It turned out to be one of my worst drives for a long while, which I was annoyed with myself about, but Andy very kindly offered to take me on another occasion for a proper one-to-one session, which I accepted without hesitation.
And I think this session with Andy turned out to be my most productive so far. I soon adapted to Andy's unique style and after a shaky start, I felt like my driving had made a discernable improvement. This session (as they all all do) also showed me how far I still have to go but I now feel one small step closer to being the driver I want to be.
So, what next? I'm lining up half a day with an HPC gatekeeper to see in I'm ready to take the entry course and I'll take it from there. I also hope to be able to show my face at a few ADUK days by the end of the year. I'd love to go into observing for my local group but I've missed the boat for a while (and not being 'in' with the influential members doesn't help my case) so I'll be looking for other opportunities of a similar nature. However if anyone has any ideas whatsoever then please get in touch.
Edited by Synchromesh on Sunday 14th October 14:54
erdnase said:
Synchromesh said:
On a side note, the last thing Andy taught me just before we finished was how to change gear without touching the clutch. Not an AD technique I know, but insanely cool nonetheless.
How do you do that?I often find that pausing in neutral for a second helps
to set off from a stop with no clutch - engine off, select first gear, turn key and release handbrake at same time - you're off
R0G said:
erdnase said:
Synchromesh said:
On a side note, the last thing Andy taught me just before we finished was how to change gear without touching the clutch. Not an AD technique I know, but insanely cool nonetheless.
How do you do that?I often find that pausing in neutral for a second helps
If you are used to your car you will probably already know instinctively how to match gears/revs, and will find it quite easy.
Different gearboxes might differ, but I've done it in Hondas, Fords, BMWs, Vauxhalls et cetera with no issue.
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