Institute of Advanced Motorists
Discussion
Done my test, became an observer, then senior observer and demo driver. Do I get much out of it? Loads! Biggest advantge is in observation and anticipation. It still amazes me how many people can drive a car really well (smooth, careful and sympathy) but can't read a road to save their life. Some are really shocking ..... and these are the hardest aspects to teach!
I would highly recommend every one gives it a serious go. Some is a little regimental and strictly by the book but having some one experienced giving constructive critisism can really be an eye opener.
Paul.
I would highly recommend every one gives it a serious go. Some is a little regimental and strictly by the book but having some one experienced giving constructive critisism can really be an eye opener.
Paul.
I would recommend that if you want to really enjoy your motoring in a high performance car it is an absolute must. Once you have learnt the system and adhered to the rules of the IAM test which Ultimapaul rightly states can be a bit regimented, then you can really develop your own style based around what you have learnt.
ROSPA also offer a similar course. There is little to chose between either of them.
ROSPA also offer a similar course. There is little to chose between either of them.
Do the IAM first, then the ROSPA. The IAM is a pass/fail and for life. It is a good introduction to better driving.
When you have passed the IAM do the Rospa test. You are retested every 3 years and graded.
The courses are different. Rospa is fine tuning and goes into much more details. The test is likewise harder and looking for more details.
I passed the IAM 6 years back, and at gold standard for ROSPA I am also lucky enough to be an observer for ROSPA and try and help others.
Your observation will improve by say 50% by doing the IAM, then the ROSPA will further increase that by say about 20%. You learn so much and it opens your eyes to more of the hazards on the roads.
When you have passed the IAM do the Rospa test. You are retested every 3 years and graded.
The courses are different. Rospa is fine tuning and goes into much more details. The test is likewise harder and looking for more details.
I passed the IAM 6 years back, and at gold standard for ROSPA I am also lucky enough to be an observer for ROSPA and try and help others.
Your observation will improve by say 50% by doing the IAM, then the ROSPA will further increase that by say about 20%. You learn so much and it opens your eyes to more of the hazards on the roads.
I'm an IAM Observer (not senior like, Paul) and I'd heartily recommend it. You will learn a lot. The most important aspects being observation and anticipation. i.e. How to be in the right place at the right time and avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
It also makes you concentrate on treating your car kindly and proving you and your passengers with a smooth comfortable ride - always useful when driving the mother-in-law.
I have heard (as said by superlightr) that the ROSPA test is "harder". One of our IAM group is doing the ROSPA course right now to report back to our IAM Group - and is finding it, in comparison, err pernickity...I'd suggest that actually means additional finesse is required.
Once you have done the course and passed you may find you want to take your driving further - I know I do - and you may adopt driving techniques that aren't part of the Roadcraft system - the important thing is that you do so knowingly and still use the observation and anticipation skills.
It could save your life. It is fun. I heartily recommend it.
It also makes you concentrate on treating your car kindly and proving you and your passengers with a smooth comfortable ride - always useful when driving the mother-in-law.
I have heard (as said by superlightr) that the ROSPA test is "harder". One of our IAM group is doing the ROSPA course right now to report back to our IAM Group - and is finding it, in comparison, err pernickity...I'd suggest that actually means additional finesse is required.
Once you have done the course and passed you may find you want to take your driving further - I know I do - and you may adopt driving techniques that aren't part of the Roadcraft system - the important thing is that you do so knowingly and still use the observation and anticipation skills.
It could save your life. It is fun. I heartily recommend it.
I did the IAM and then the RoSPA through work a while ago. Both extremely worthwhile IMO just for it to show you exactly how bad your observation really is.
When you are making progress and your instructor says 'Careful, theres a HGV parked on the brow of the next but one hill' you do realise just how subject to Tunnel Vision you can become without knowing.
Matt.
When you are making progress and your instructor says 'Careful, theres a HGV parked on the brow of the next but one hill' you do realise just how subject to Tunnel Vision you can become without knowing.
Matt.
Its true. I was driving into work today along the A30 and caught a glimpse of the top of the digger arm of a JCB through the trees, so was not in the least bit surprised to find a slow-moving JCB round the next bend.
I'm sure that without the observation training I received from the IAM that I would have missed that and had a bit of a "pants on head" situation.
Of course, I'm sure many people will now be thinking "Pah! I'd have seen that too, and I haven't had any namby pamby string-backed-glove so-called advanced driver training". Fine, maybe you would - I worship at the feet of the worlds greatest drivers - but I know that I probably wouldn't have without the training.
I'm sure that without the observation training I received from the IAM that I would have missed that and had a bit of a "pants on head" situation.
Of course, I'm sure many people will now be thinking "Pah! I'd have seen that too, and I haven't had any namby pamby string-backed-glove so-called advanced driver training". Fine, maybe you would - I worship at the feet of the worlds greatest drivers - but I know that I probably wouldn't have without the training.
I found doing my bike test incredibly enlightening (observation other road users etc (did my bike test 3 years after doing my car test)) Haven't done IAM but it's on the list
I reckon all the MPV driver around should be forced to take a CBT, make them a bit more aware that they're driving a deadly weapon
I reckon all the MPV driver around should be forced to take a CBT, make them a bit more aware that they're driving a deadly weapon
quote:
I reckon all the MPV driver around should be forced to take a CBT, make them a bit more aware that they're driving a deadly weapon
I think everyone should have to do the CBT, whether they intend to ride a bike or not, just to let them know exactly how exposed bikers are.
Matt.
As JonRB said above,
Most people will have 'seen' the jcb arm but not many will have done anything about it and will merrily carry on until its directly in their path., so late/no planning.
With good observation and planning you would expect to slow down early cos it may be in the road around the corner/other cars overtaking it etc..
Its amazing that so many associates physically 'see' a hazard in the distance but do nothing about it. They dont even associate it as a hazard they will have to deal with in the next 10 -20 seconds until they are right on it.
Rospa is fine tuning what you have learned. Its just easier and less of a shock to have done the IAM first and then progress to Rospa.
Dont get me wrong, the IAM is a good starting point but one of the snippets from the IAM book was from memory 'speed is not fun' ??? I almost killed my self with laughter ! and other emphasis is on fuel economy etc.
Whereas Rospa - Speed is fun. I encourage my associates to use the full rev range, forget about fuel economy unless running out of fuel, make fast but safe progress whenever possible. (speed limits are strictly adheared too.)
The emphasis is different. It doesnt suit everyone but as a Piston Head you will enjoy and learn so much doing the IAM and then will expand and go into more detail by doing ROSPA.
Do both, IAM first (please) and then ROSPA.
Most people will have 'seen' the jcb arm but not many will have done anything about it and will merrily carry on until its directly in their path., so late/no planning.
With good observation and planning you would expect to slow down early cos it may be in the road around the corner/other cars overtaking it etc..
Its amazing that so many associates physically 'see' a hazard in the distance but do nothing about it. They dont even associate it as a hazard they will have to deal with in the next 10 -20 seconds until they are right on it.
Rospa is fine tuning what you have learned. Its just easier and less of a shock to have done the IAM first and then progress to Rospa.
Dont get me wrong, the IAM is a good starting point but one of the snippets from the IAM book was from memory 'speed is not fun' ??? I almost killed my self with laughter ! and other emphasis is on fuel economy etc.
Whereas Rospa - Speed is fun. I encourage my associates to use the full rev range, forget about fuel economy unless running out of fuel, make fast but safe progress whenever possible. (speed limits are strictly adheared too.)
The emphasis is different. It doesnt suit everyone but as a Piston Head you will enjoy and learn so much doing the IAM and then will expand and go into more detail by doing ROSPA.
Do both, IAM first (please) and then ROSPA.
quote:
Has gaining this additional qualification made a positive impact on anyone's insurance? Furthermore, how much does it cost to complete the course?
I got a straight 20% discount when I did the Bike Advanced. I've not done the car (yet..).
I was with someweirdname insurance, I remember Norwich Union underwrit them.
I had a brief conversation with a ROSPA instructor(?) while on a site, and while he thought the IAM was worthwhile, it was sometimes regarded as an 'old boys club', where the many 'older gentlemen' were finding passing somewhat easier than others might.
Don't know if this was fair or not. He also mentioned, in a desparaging way, the emphasis on economy and strange use of gears
But I guess anything is better than nothing. I keep threatening to do one or the other... What do 'experts'reckon? do the IAM first then Rospa, or just straight to Rospa (bearing in mind I *hope* my driving is at least average)
Cheers, Phil
Don't know if this was fair or not. He also mentioned, in a desparaging way, the emphasis on economy and strange use of gears
But I guess anything is better than nothing. I keep threatening to do one or the other... What do 'experts'reckon? do the IAM first then Rospa, or just straight to Rospa (bearing in mind I *hope* my driving is at least average)
Cheers, Phil
quote:
What do the two courses involve? And what do they cost, any ideas? I was thinking of doing one or both of these, but it all depends on how much time I'll need - not a lot of time going spare at the moment.
For what you'll get out of it (as explained by others) the IAM is an absolute steal. Almost a steal at any cost but from memory it was next to nothing. Check out their website (www.iam.org.uk) for details. (In fact they state their that you could do it for £75).
I did it in South London some years ago. You join a local group where volunteers give up their time to sit in your car and provide you with advice and training - sessions of about an hour or an hour and a half. They used to organise these sessions twice a month I seem to recall, on a Sunday morning. Normally you get to go out with a few different people, different one each time if you liked.
When they're happy with your standard they tell you they think you're ready to go ahead and apply to take the test which will be with a Police qualified driving instructor.
The only possible reason not to do it is if you can't find a local group. You're encouraged to put some of your own time back in after you've passed the test, maybe taking additional training to be in a position to train others but there's no formal requirement to do so and no pressure.
Can't comment on ROSPA as I've not done it, my understanding is it's similar only more technical but that is only IMHO.
I did take a half day High Performance Course and, despite having had a really good IAM pass (examiner's words, not mine) they found plenty still to fault me with
Personally I would recommend definitely going IAM first. After that I'm not sure if going to ROSPA is the next logical step or going to one of the more commercial driving schools (such as Ride-Drive which I know has people on this board).
As has also been mentioned the IAM is a bit pernickety about some things but the core logic and reasoning is sound. In fact it depends on your instructor, quite a few of them are closet petrol heads and are not at all pernickety!
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