IAM / RoSPA benefits
Discussion
I enjoy driving and like to think that I'm a "keen to learn" driver, way way improved from when I first passed my test at 18 but still with much to learn. I'm 25 now and would like to get "more" from driving, I feel that experience comes with time and a willingness to learn. I am willing to improve and freely accept that next year I'll have more experience and will be more likely to be a better driver (and so on).
Feedback for IAM / RoSPA seems to be, "I got loads from it, especially going out with the instructor" and this is what I want. I don't want to drive "faster" on the roads but nor do I want to wear driving gloves and post videos online of people making innocent mistakes. Treating driving as a science / educational journey I feel like I'm plateauing now and the pace of improvement is slow. Is there much to gain from doing my Advanced Test? Can anybody share experiences of their local community (ideally in the Cheshire West area) meets? I'm torn between the Advanced Test or getting track experience (better driving days etc).
P.S. Apologies for any ramblings / coherence issues in the above post. Caffeine has stopped working.
Feedback for IAM / RoSPA seems to be, "I got loads from it, especially going out with the instructor" and this is what I want. I don't want to drive "faster" on the roads but nor do I want to wear driving gloves and post videos online of people making innocent mistakes. Treating driving as a science / educational journey I feel like I'm plateauing now and the pace of improvement is slow. Is there much to gain from doing my Advanced Test? Can anybody share experiences of their local community (ideally in the Cheshire West area) meets? I'm torn between the Advanced Test or getting track experience (better driving days etc).
P.S. Apologies for any ramblings / coherence issues in the above post. Caffeine has stopped working.
Thanks both. The "learning from little mistakes" bit sounds good, as does smoothness. Reading R_U_LOCAL's post about gear changes was what put me onto the advanced test, his tips have improved my gear changes massively. It's hard to get objective feedback on driving and the grown-up-in-the-car bit must bring you on.
sixpistons - how difficult was the test and how much training did you have beforehand? Did you opt for the fast track package or the community supported one? And the cherry on top... has your insurance fallen noticeably?
sixpistons - how difficult was the test and how much training did you have beforehand? Did you opt for the fast track package or the community supported one? And the cherry on top... has your insurance fallen noticeably?
Thanks all for the replies!
Is RoSPA the one which requires retests every X years?
johnao said:
This is my advice, as an IAM Observer of many years.
FAST TRACK: Don't go the fast track route. My local group has picked up a couple of very poorly trained "fast trackers" who had failed the test. The group, well me actually, coached one of the candidates who got a F1RST on his second attempt at the test.
HOW DIFFICULT (Part 1): The national pass rate is approx 83%. A good group will be achieving 93%. Ask the group what its pass rate percentage is. If they say they don't know then they either don't want to tell you or they're so antiquated they haven't yet started using the IAM's group database system. Either, walk away and find a group that does know, or say to them... "Oh, that's interesting, I thought the group were supplied with that information on a regular basis by the IAM?"
HOW DIFFICULT (Part 2): Most associates who are committed to completing the course (see below for "how much training") and are determined to pass the test, will pass. The vast majority of "failure to complete the course" or "failure on test" are because of a lack of commitment and/or determination. Very, very rarely is it because of an innate inability to drive. Sometimes its brought about by an inability to listen to what they're being told, though.
HOW MUCH TRAINING: The typical Skill for Life course usually consists of between 10 and 15 observed drives each of approx one and a half hours duration. So, (say) twelve drives, one per week, will take approx three months to complete. The most important part of the training is the practise you put in between observed drives.
INSURANCE: The IAM does have a tie-up with an insurance broker/scheme. Many members have benefitted from a reduction in their insurance.
THE CHERRY ON TOP: I wouldn't describe the savings on insurance premiums as "the cherry on top". The insurance reduction is a nice consequence of passing the test but, I would reserve the "Cherry on top" accolade for the following sort of comments made by many of my associates over the years:
"I enjoy driving much more than I ever did before I did the course.
I feel much more in control of the car and my piece of road.
I feel much more confident as a driver than before.
I now feel more able to judge the correct speed for the bend. Before, I just used to drive through them on a "wing-and-a-prayer".
Why wasn't I taught all this for my "L" test?
I've been driving for 40 years, and I never knew that!"
Hope that helps.
Very insightful, I thought as much about fast track. It seemed to offer a shortcut to something which should be done with time taken to do it right and learn. I'll get in touch with my local IAM group and see what they are like and if I get on with them, the pass rate stuff is useful validation. My insurance cherry on top view is that it's the cherry on top of something very brilliant already - the sentiments in your comments are what I've heard from people on the internet and folk who I know. It seems to give so much more than the insurance kudos and confidence, control and improved judgement are all good skills to have!FAST TRACK: Don't go the fast track route. My local group has picked up a couple of very poorly trained "fast trackers" who had failed the test. The group, well me actually, coached one of the candidates who got a F1RST on his second attempt at the test.
HOW DIFFICULT (Part 1): The national pass rate is approx 83%. A good group will be achieving 93%. Ask the group what its pass rate percentage is. If they say they don't know then they either don't want to tell you or they're so antiquated they haven't yet started using the IAM's group database system. Either, walk away and find a group that does know, or say to them... "Oh, that's interesting, I thought the group were supplied with that information on a regular basis by the IAM?"
HOW DIFFICULT (Part 2): Most associates who are committed to completing the course (see below for "how much training") and are determined to pass the test, will pass. The vast majority of "failure to complete the course" or "failure on test" are because of a lack of commitment and/or determination. Very, very rarely is it because of an innate inability to drive. Sometimes its brought about by an inability to listen to what they're being told, though.
HOW MUCH TRAINING: The typical Skill for Life course usually consists of between 10 and 15 observed drives each of approx one and a half hours duration. So, (say) twelve drives, one per week, will take approx three months to complete. The most important part of the training is the practise you put in between observed drives.
INSURANCE: The IAM does have a tie-up with an insurance broker/scheme. Many members have benefitted from a reduction in their insurance.
THE CHERRY ON TOP: I wouldn't describe the savings on insurance premiums as "the cherry on top". The insurance reduction is a nice consequence of passing the test but, I would reserve the "Cherry on top" accolade for the following sort of comments made by many of my associates over the years:
"I enjoy driving much more than I ever did before I did the course.
I feel much more in control of the car and my piece of road.
I feel much more confident as a driver than before.
I now feel more able to judge the correct speed for the bend. Before, I just used to drive through them on a "wing-and-a-prayer".
Why wasn't I taught all this for my "L" test?
I've been driving for 40 years, and I never knew that!"
Hope that helps.
watchnut said:
For me the "ROSPA" test is the better one....tougher, and based more on the Police "Roadcraft" handbook.
The mag for both is rather tedious reading and both as dull as dish water they could do more for making it a magazine that you would like to pass around the office
By doing both tests you will always come out of them a better safer driver, smoother, more fuel efficient, and actually get from a to b quicker than your old ways of driving. We all have faults that others will not point out to you for fear of offending, the boys and girls from IAM and ROSPA will "suggest" better ways of approaching your driving, and the rest is down to you.
How long will it take?...again down to you.....I took one "observed" drive with the Southampton chapter of IAM , didn't agree with the observer that I would be ok after about 6 months, slapped in for the test, and passed it about 3 weeks later
Rospa was "different", I went out with an "observer" twice, and took the test, and to my shame only got a "silver" as I missed a speed limit change after a right turn (I went back later and saw that the signs were hidden very well by hedges....but, no excuse I missed them) and also for not "pushing on" as much as the examiner would like when I could. I felt the ROSPA test was trying to make you drive like you were a "response" vehicle......and thrashing the car to the limits I feel is not about safer driving.....but it's their game so i will play it their way when i take it again in a few weeks time.
I have also passed an ADI's driving test, and the test required for becoming a "Fleet registered ADI" the Fleet registered test for me has been the hardest one I have done, but, I feel maybe because it cost me so much and so much resting on it.
The toughest driving test outside of the Police is the "Cardington Special Test". There is bound to be someone on here who could advise you on that.
As already said, if you are thinking of doing IAM/ROSPA then you are already on the way to be coming a better driver. I do a shed load of "Fleet" work, many drivers who claim they know it all and resent having to come out with me often change their tune if they are honest with themselves once "suggestions" are made to them about the way they drive, and how they can be safer, quicker, use less fuel, more vehicle sympathetic, tolerant of other road users, and less stressed.
good luck
It sounds like both IAM and RoSPA are worth doing as they offer different experiences and have different focus. I think I will need and will want more contact / training before the test, I'm open to learning and don't mind being told on what I can improve on. I have no bloke hang ups about finding out I'm not the best driver in the world, I want useful criticism ("suggestions" as you put it!) and will build on these.The mag for both is rather tedious reading and both as dull as dish water they could do more for making it a magazine that you would like to pass around the office
By doing both tests you will always come out of them a better safer driver, smoother, more fuel efficient, and actually get from a to b quicker than your old ways of driving. We all have faults that others will not point out to you for fear of offending, the boys and girls from IAM and ROSPA will "suggest" better ways of approaching your driving, and the rest is down to you.
How long will it take?...again down to you.....I took one "observed" drive with the Southampton chapter of IAM , didn't agree with the observer that I would be ok after about 6 months, slapped in for the test, and passed it about 3 weeks later
Rospa was "different", I went out with an "observer" twice, and took the test, and to my shame only got a "silver" as I missed a speed limit change after a right turn (I went back later and saw that the signs were hidden very well by hedges....but, no excuse I missed them) and also for not "pushing on" as much as the examiner would like when I could. I felt the ROSPA test was trying to make you drive like you were a "response" vehicle......and thrashing the car to the limits I feel is not about safer driving.....but it's their game so i will play it their way when i take it again in a few weeks time.
I have also passed an ADI's driving test, and the test required for becoming a "Fleet registered ADI" the Fleet registered test for me has been the hardest one I have done, but, I feel maybe because it cost me so much and so much resting on it.
The toughest driving test outside of the Police is the "Cardington Special Test". There is bound to be someone on here who could advise you on that.
As already said, if you are thinking of doing IAM/ROSPA then you are already on the way to be coming a better driver. I do a shed load of "Fleet" work, many drivers who claim they know it all and resent having to come out with me often change their tune if they are honest with themselves once "suggestions" are made to them about the way they drive, and how they can be safer, quicker, use less fuel, more vehicle sympathetic, tolerant of other road users, and less stressed.
good luck
Is RoSPA the one which requires retests every X years?
sixpistons said:
I did the regular non-fast track on and off for about 6 months, depending on when I was free. You could do it more quickly though. The test was fairly straightforward to be honest - it's just an observed run with commentary which I'd done before, and the examiner was a sound bloke so I was pretty relaxed. If you follow the advice you're given by your observers and focus on actually improving when you're driving on your own in between you should pass. You only have to do commentary for part of the run but I still little bits throughout the test to highlight any observations I'd made that may not be obvious to the examiner.
I'm not sure how it'll affect my insurance as I've not renewed yet. I'm 29 and only pay £400 at the minute so I'm not expecting a drastic change. As said, it's secondary benefit anyway.
Seems like attitude is more important than raw ability (eagerness to improve etc). I'm 25 and am wafting around in a 272 PS 330i for £400 (no porkies, with business use) and an E30 325i for £120 on a classic policy so the insurance overlords are already looking down upon me kindly!I'm not sure how it'll affect my insurance as I've not renewed yet. I'm 29 and only pay £400 at the minute so I'm not expecting a drastic change. As said, it's secondary benefit anyway.
It's good to know that the advice is a starting point - similar to religion I guess (not that I'm religious), you listen and interpret for yourself. I'm keen to get out with experienced drivers and listen to what proper grown ups have to say, some of my friends are still at the boy racer stage and my Dad has a heavy right foot so I don't have the most objective bunch to ask for advice at the moment.
I suspect after IAM / AD I will get the itch and want to do more!
I suspect after IAM / AD I will get the itch and want to do more!
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