IAM

[Fat Audi 80]

I am seriously thinking joining the IAM in order to train to pass the test. Has anyone else done this found it educational and enjoyable. I like to think i already have a high standard of driving but would like it on paper!

Cheers,

Steve.

P.S. I haven't done a search on this so sorry if anyone is repeating themselves, I haven't had my own topic for a while either!

[Don]

Yep. Done it. I certainly recommend it. I've gone on to become an "Observer" (Instructor by another name) and also hold a Rospa RoADA Gold grading.

Everyone gets something out of it - even if they don't pass. You may not agree with everything you're taught - but that's OK too, so long as you can do it on test day.

You'll enjoy your driving more, you'll learn something for sure, and when the other half bitches about your driving you can ask if she has any additional driving qualifications to her name.

Feel free to ask any questions you like...

[Fat Audi 80]

Don said:

Yep. Done it. I certainly recommend it. I've gone on to become an "Observer" (Instructor by another name) and also hold a Rospa RoADA Gold grading. Everyone gets something out of it - even if they don't pass. You may not agree with everything you're taught - but that's OK too, so long as you can do it on test day. You'll enjoy your driving more, you'll learn something for sure, and when the other half bitches about your driving you can ask if she has any additional driving qualifications to her name. Feel free to ask any questions you like...

Thanks Don, I think that sums it up and sounds like my attitude too. I have read "Roadcraft" and try to practice the techniques outlined in there. Will that be a help or hindrance??

Cheers,

Steve.

[Streetcop]

Steve.
Well worth doing it..
You'll hear critisism from some quarters and praise from others about IAM.
However, if it benefits you only slightly, it'll be worth the £80 fee..(that's test, books and membership for a year)...
Email me and I'll give you all the info you require.

Gary

[Fat Audi 80]

Streetcop said:

Steve. Well worth doing it.. You'll hear critisism from some quarters and praise from others about IAM. However, if it benefits you only slightly, it'll be worth the £80 fee..(that's test, books and membership for a year)... Email me and I'll give you all the info you require. Gary

Thanks Gary,

I have been on the IAM website which explains most of the admin proceedure, so I am fairly au fait with that, just wondered what experiences PH'ers had of it.

I will definitely join up later this year in order to start training in the summer.

P.S. Its £85 now! (£75 for under 25's)

[Streetcop]

You're welcome Steve..

A lot depends on your actual club and it's 'observers'....Dare I say it; but sometimes some of them are a bit too old...

I'm mentioned at my local club (that I don't visit that often)...that they are turning out CAUTIOUS drivers and not necessarily ADVANCED drivers..

[Don]

Fat Audi 80 said:

Thanks Don, I think that sums it up and sounds like my attitude too. I have read "Roadcraft" and try to practice the techniques outlined in there. Will that be a help or hindrance?? Cheers, Steve.

A big help. With most IAM groups its really you who does all the work, reads 'Roadcraft', watches the video*, and changes your driving. Your Observer critiques your efforts and should help you put into practice what you've learned from the book.

You will also find that having a "demo" drive from someone good offers a HUGE amount. Just seeing how the different phases of the system are used, where the gearchanging happens and the observation that allows it all to happen smoothly really helps when you are struggling, at first, to put it all together. Just like a good "demo" lap on a track day really helps with braking points, turn-in points and learning the right line.



*The Roadcraft video is teeth-itchingly dreadful - but is EXCELLENT in terms of showing you the system. The "people-ey" bits are just cringeworthy...

[splodge s4]

Streetcop said:

You're welcome Steve.. A lot depends on your actual club and it's 'observers'....Dare I say it; but sometimes some of them are a bit too old... ..

Agreed, i've been along to the local club a few times & its like a coffin dodgers reunited meeting... they have a raffel & nice cakes for sale... go along just to hear the Police instructor talks though, fascinating.

[TripleS]

Streetcop said:

You're welcome Steve.. A lot depends on your actual club and it's 'observers'....Dare I say it; but sometimes some of them are a bit too old... I'm mentioned at my local club (that I don't visit that often)...that they are turning out CAUTIOUS drivers and not necessarily ADVANCED drivers..

Good morning Gary,

I am so glad you said that. Obviously there will be variations of attitude between different areas, different groups and indeed individuals within a group, at least I hope so based on what I've seen.

Not for a moment would I criticise the creation of cautious drivers (I believe I am a cautious driver) but if they are producing goody goody self righteous drivers, it is not an organisation that appeals to me very much.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[medicineman]

Agree with the above comments I think its very much down to the individual groups. My last associate passed, the look on his face when I rolled the car out for the demo drive was a picture. He was also of the opinion that the IAM was full of retired, hat wearing, slow driving individuals.

[Fat Audi 80]

You're not painting a fantastic picture of these groups.

Lets hope my local one has some "real" drivers!

Cheers All.

Steve.

[TripleS]

Fat Audi 80 said:

You're not painting a fantastic picture of these groups. Lets hope my local one has some "real" drivers! Cheers All. Steve.

Yes I hope you get on well with your local group Steve, I expect you'll let us know in due course.

In the meantime I trust you will make your own contributions to any debates as to the best ways to proceed. I certainly hope you will not approach it on the basis that their 'experts' are always right. Even IAM people are still learners - or should be!

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[ca092003]

I attended one meeting of IAM after passing my test and the same for RoADA. Average age of about 108.

However, I've recently decided that if they want to attract younger people then they have to start appealing to them.

So I am going to offer some time to the local IAM club and see where that takes me.

[gh0st :)]

Streetcop said:

I'm mentioned at my local club (that I don't visit that often.

"...and sometimes this really odd copper comes down and leers at the tea lady."

[markmullen]

I've just signed up, start mid February. The guys at the introduction meeting were mostly older (apart from the bikers) but were a nice friendly bunch and seemed genuine car enthousiasts.

At 26 I was the youngest there by a long shot but I am looking forward to it. I thought it would be helpful to have on my CV too working with cars.

[Streetcop]

[quote=gh0st ]

Streetcop said:

I'm mentioned at my local club (that I don't visit that often.

"...and sometimes this really odd copper comes down and leers at the tea lady." [/quote]

Hey..that's me...!

[8Pack]

IAM motto: I Think!..................Therefore, I AM! (OK so I pinched it) catchy though

[hiasakite]

I've done the IAM runs, currently waiting for a test date. Had a different observer each time and found it very interesting.

I didn't agree with 100% of what the IAM ways is.. but that didn't stop me learning alot. Most of it is common sense which if you thought about it, you'd work out yourself.. its just helpful to have someone point it out.

I found also v. useful to explain why I drive the way I do, since every car is different so you adapt to drive in the way most suited to the particular vehicle.. (I drive a torquey big engined LHD car.. so its different from driving many other cars)..

[OBSERVER]

I would have been quite interested in joining the IAM except for the fact that I could not bring myself to be associated with an organisation which impliedly endorses the policies of a person who is on record as stating: "There is no more excuse for drifting over the speed limit than there is for drifting a knife into someone".

Instead, I have chosen to buy advanced driver coaching from private organisations like Ride-Drive (www.ride-drive.co.uk) - and very good it is too.

Guest speaker at the IAM Annual Lunch was North Wales Chief Constable and ACPO Head of Road
Policing Richard Brunstrom.


>> Edited by OBSERVER on Monday 24th January 14:30

[ca092003]

OBSERVER said:

I would have been quite interested in joining the IAM except for the fact that I could not bring myself to be associated with an organisation which impliedly endorses the policies of a person who is on record as stating: "There is no more excuse for drifting over the speed limit than there is for drifting a knife into someone". Instead, I have chosen to buy advanced driver coaching from private organisations like Ride-Drive (www.ride-drive.co.uk) - and very good it is too. Guest speaker at the IAM Annual Lunch was North Wales Chief Constable and ACPO Head of Road Policing Richard Brunstrom.

I used to share your view but recently came to the conclusion that if you want to change the thinking of an organisation you firstly need to engage it.