My IAM Experience
Discussion
I've posted a few questions in this forum about what course to go on, so I thought it was only fair that I start a thread to share my experience.
My driving history is that I learnt to drive off road in my early teens, then took proper driving lessons when I was 17, I was quite lucky in the my driving instructor was also an IAM observer, so I think even back then I was being taught some advanced driving principles. In my early twenties I started on the Northamptonshire Police Roadkraft scheme, but I only got as far as the assessment drive with a traffic officer (feedback was generally positive, just that I needed to leave more space to the car in front when stopped in traffic), I wasn't able to do the IAM/RSOPA course as they were run on weekends which clashed with work. I looked at the IAM a few times, but was put off by stories from mates who had been and found they weren't really receptive to younger drivers, so dismissed it. These days I mainly drive an MX-5, but that will be upgraded to something quicker soon, I also regularly drive other cars ranging from my girlfriends FIAT 500 to 500BHP+ cars through work (who dismissed my suggestion that employees testing powerful cars should have some form of advanced driver training).
I was initially going to do the RideDrive performance driving course, but due to feedback on here that the quality of instructors can be a bit hit and miss with RideDrive and the fact the IAM is more widely recognised, which may be more useful for insurance discounts etc made me choose the IAM Fast Track course, so far I have paid my £250, got the book and arranged my first of 2 half day sessions for the 18th July.
On reading the documentation I have already hit a snag, currently my tax disc is on its way to the DVLA, via the lease company, so I can get my private plate transferred off my car before it goes back to the lease company. The documentation states that the training won't go ahead if the student's car doesn't have a tax disc, so I'm currently waiting for the IAM to confirm if I will be able to do the training as my car is actually taxed, just not displaying the disc.
I've also been reading the "Be a better driver" book, and am pleasantly surprised to see that I am already doing most of what it suggests, the things I think I will need to focus on before the 18th are: separating braking and changing gear (I've always used heel and toe for down changes) and block shifting up through the gears.
My driving history is that I learnt to drive off road in my early teens, then took proper driving lessons when I was 17, I was quite lucky in the my driving instructor was also an IAM observer, so I think even back then I was being taught some advanced driving principles. In my early twenties I started on the Northamptonshire Police Roadkraft scheme, but I only got as far as the assessment drive with a traffic officer (feedback was generally positive, just that I needed to leave more space to the car in front when stopped in traffic), I wasn't able to do the IAM/RSOPA course as they were run on weekends which clashed with work. I looked at the IAM a few times, but was put off by stories from mates who had been and found they weren't really receptive to younger drivers, so dismissed it. These days I mainly drive an MX-5, but that will be upgraded to something quicker soon, I also regularly drive other cars ranging from my girlfriends FIAT 500 to 500BHP+ cars through work (who dismissed my suggestion that employees testing powerful cars should have some form of advanced driver training).
I was initially going to do the RideDrive performance driving course, but due to feedback on here that the quality of instructors can be a bit hit and miss with RideDrive and the fact the IAM is more widely recognised, which may be more useful for insurance discounts etc made me choose the IAM Fast Track course, so far I have paid my £250, got the book and arranged my first of 2 half day sessions for the 18th July.
On reading the documentation I have already hit a snag, currently my tax disc is on its way to the DVLA, via the lease company, so I can get my private plate transferred off my car before it goes back to the lease company. The documentation states that the training won't go ahead if the student's car doesn't have a tax disc, so I'm currently waiting for the IAM to confirm if I will be able to do the training as my car is actually taxed, just not displaying the disc.
I've also been reading the "Be a better driver" book, and am pleasantly surprised to see that I am already doing most of what it suggests, the things I think I will need to focus on before the 18th are: separating braking and changing gear (I've always used heel and toe for down changes) and block shifting up through the gears.
I appreciate that a longer course of training would be better, but it simply doesn't fit in with my other commitments, and tbh the bad feedback on the local IAM group from my peers put me off.
I've just been told that even though my car is taxed I can't do the training while my tax disc is at the DVLA to get my number plate swapped over.
I've just been told that even though my car is taxed I can't do the training while my tax disc is at the DVLA to get my number plate swapped over.
I can see why they're doing it, but it is a bit frustrating, it's the sort of thing I meant on previous posts where I suggested that the IAM were a bit vague with information on their website pre-purchase, if I'd known I'd have waited until I was in a position to actually do the training. I just have to wait for the DVLA to get my tax disc back to me, before rebooking - hopefully I have time before my car goes back.
There may be a wait, but I will keep you updated.
There may be a wait, but I will keep you updated.
As all the observation is self taught I'm sure there's plenty of scope for improvement, but I often find myself following a car, spotting a hazard in the distance and being on the brakes before the car in front.
I went out for a quick drive last night and tried the thumb pointing down when selecting first/second gear and up for fifth/reverse. It felt a bit strange, but I can see the logic of it, so will continue to practice.
I went out for a quick drive last night and tried the thumb pointing down when selecting first/second gear and up for fifth/reverse. It felt a bit strange, but I can see the logic of it, so will continue to practice.
So I had my first lesson yesterday. The first part was admin, and a presentation about the IAM and the course. The presentation then changed into a mini quiz, with the instructor asking me questions about what I would do/hazards I could see in various situations. I assume this was to give her a better idea of to pitch her training. Then it was outside, to check the car; which was fine, as I regularly check oil/tyres etc.
It was a good 45 minutes before we actually driving and before I'd even got to the end of my road the instructor had already pulled me up on having my thumbs through the spokes of the steering wheel, rather than on the front of the wheel - hopefully an easy habit to get out of. The first part of the drive was a mixture of roads, leading to the centre of Leamington, then after a few loops around town we stopped for some feedback. The things I needed to work on were slowing down late at junctions and overall smoothness, mainly on gear changes and roundabouts.
The instructor then did a demonstration drive and when I got back in the car we did a few more laps of town, including a reverse round a corner, which after some pointers I was able to improve on the second attempt. Leaving town we focussed on road positioning on NSL roads, whilst also working on smoothing out gear changes and cornering on roundabouts. At one point a chav in a Fiesta shouted some abuse at me, suggesting I should learn to drive :lol:, because I didn't overtake some cyclists on a blind bend and eased off to give extra room to the car in front as they were hanging on my bumper. The drive finished with a motorway section, the only thing that was picked up was that I didn't leave quite enough time between signalling and pulling out.
I've got my next session on the 25th, so I have a lot to work on before then. The one thing I'll need to double check with the instructor is slowing down before junctions, normally I'll lift off then brake, aiming to stop at the line, but I was told that I was both braking too late and should have been lifting off, but also that I should show brake lights and not use engine braking.
I came out feeling like the instructor had picked up a lot of problems with my driving, but was told that overall I was a good driver, but that there was room for improvement. It was a lot to take in, so I can see that maybe a longer course would help, but as that wouldn't fit in with me, I'll have to practice, and maybe book my test after the PH driving day so I can squeeze in some extra practice.
It was a good 45 minutes before we actually driving and before I'd even got to the end of my road the instructor had already pulled me up on having my thumbs through the spokes of the steering wheel, rather than on the front of the wheel - hopefully an easy habit to get out of. The first part of the drive was a mixture of roads, leading to the centre of Leamington, then after a few loops around town we stopped for some feedback. The things I needed to work on were slowing down late at junctions and overall smoothness, mainly on gear changes and roundabouts.
The instructor then did a demonstration drive and when I got back in the car we did a few more laps of town, including a reverse round a corner, which after some pointers I was able to improve on the second attempt. Leaving town we focussed on road positioning on NSL roads, whilst also working on smoothing out gear changes and cornering on roundabouts. At one point a chav in a Fiesta shouted some abuse at me, suggesting I should learn to drive :lol:, because I didn't overtake some cyclists on a blind bend and eased off to give extra room to the car in front as they were hanging on my bumper. The drive finished with a motorway section, the only thing that was picked up was that I didn't leave quite enough time between signalling and pulling out.
I've got my next session on the 25th, so I have a lot to work on before then. The one thing I'll need to double check with the instructor is slowing down before junctions, normally I'll lift off then brake, aiming to stop at the line, but I was told that I was both braking too late and should have been lifting off, but also that I should show brake lights and not use engine braking.
I came out feeling like the instructor had picked up a lot of problems with my driving, but was told that overall I was a good driver, but that there was room for improvement. It was a lot to take in, so I can see that maybe a longer course would help, but as that wouldn't fit in with me, I'll have to practice, and maybe book my test after the PH driving day so I can squeeze in some extra practice.
Thanks.
I've just driven down to Watford, trying to put as much into practice as I can. I've found that on a busy motorway the signalling for 4 seconds before moving out is harder than it sounds, but does make you plan manoeuvre further bin advance.
I forgot to add yesterday, that on the mixed run I was about 8mpg better than a normal mixed run, mainly due to changing up early (1500rpm in 4th for 30mph still doesn't feel right in my car though).
I've just driven down to Watford, trying to put as much into practice as I can. I've found that on a busy motorway the signalling for 4 seconds before moving out is harder than it sounds, but does make you plan manoeuvre further bin advance.
I forgot to add yesterday, that on the mixed run I was about 8mpg better than a normal mixed run, mainly due to changing up early (1500rpm in 4th for 30mph still doesn't feel right in my car though).
AnotherGareth said:
Craikeybaby said:
That is exactly what I thought, MX-5 is pretty gutless under 2000rpm, so third is safer if you need to accelerate.
Assuming 4th works at 30 mph with a light touch on the throttle, the idea of observing well and planning ahead means you should always be in the position to change into 3rd, (or 2nd), if you decide you'll be needing more acceleration than 4th can supply.It's not very 'advanced' to be staying in a lower gear just because you may need the extra acceleration at some undetermined point in the future.
I've got my second lesson tomorrow, so have been out practicing. The main thing from last week I'm struggling to get my head around is slowing down/braking for a junction.
Before I would lift off or brake lightly, stopping at the line, unless it is safe to go. However, on my lesson last week this was one of the main things the instructor picked up on. I was told I should lift off the accelerator early and roll up to the junction, whilst showing brake lights to cars behind. Other than the conflicting instructions, lifting off the throttle in a higher gear in town doesn't really slow me down. So I've been out practicing this and feeling pretty downhearted about it as just getting myself more and more confused. Reading the "How to be a better driver book" all it really says is brake progressively and smoothly.
To take a break from that I also practiced manoeuvring, last week I was told that to improve reversing round a corner I should aim to keep the kerb in the middle of my nearside wing mirror, but dip the clutch and pause to look around as I start the turn, mid turn and as I straighten up. I tried this a few times at different places, but couldn't get the hang of it, my nearside rear wheel kept connecting with the kerb. I tried again, looking out the back window as I would normally do, but adding the extra pauses to look around. I assume that will be OK for the test?
In all my drive home today with a few detours to practice from last week was the first time I'd been out in my MX-5 and not enjoyed it. Hopefully tomorrow can sort a few things out.
Before I would lift off or brake lightly, stopping at the line, unless it is safe to go. However, on my lesson last week this was one of the main things the instructor picked up on. I was told I should lift off the accelerator early and roll up to the junction, whilst showing brake lights to cars behind. Other than the conflicting instructions, lifting off the throttle in a higher gear in town doesn't really slow me down. So I've been out practicing this and feeling pretty downhearted about it as just getting myself more and more confused. Reading the "How to be a better driver book" all it really says is brake progressively and smoothly.
To take a break from that I also practiced manoeuvring, last week I was told that to improve reversing round a corner I should aim to keep the kerb in the middle of my nearside wing mirror, but dip the clutch and pause to look around as I start the turn, mid turn and as I straighten up. I tried this a few times at different places, but couldn't get the hang of it, my nearside rear wheel kept connecting with the kerb. I tried again, looking out the back window as I would normally do, but adding the extra pauses to look around. I assume that will be OK for the test?
In all my drive home today with a few detours to practice from last week was the first time I'd been out in my MX-5 and not enjoyed it. Hopefully tomorrow can sort a few things out.
Thanks for the input - it has helped me to get it clearer in my head.
I'm back from my lesson and feel much better about it now. I discussed it with my instructor before we set off and put it into practice in the first part of the drive. It was more about being prepared for the hazard well in advance, but being prepared to show brake lights earlier. If anything it's more like what I was originally doing, but maybe initiating it slightly earlier and modifying slightly according to the road/traffic conditions.
I feel like I've improved a lot over the course of the lesson, so need to get my test booked now!
I'm back from my lesson and feel much better about it now. I discussed it with my instructor before we set off and put it into practice in the first part of the drive. It was more about being prepared for the hazard well in advance, but being prepared to show brake lights earlier. If anything it's more like what I was originally doing, but maybe initiating it slightly earlier and modifying slightly according to the road/traffic conditions.
I feel like I've improved a lot over the course of the lesson, so need to get my test booked now!
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