What would you recommend?
Discussion
I think I'm interested in doing the IAM but I'm unsure whether this is the most appropriate course for my purposes. I'm hoping to take my dad along with me for training (he doesn't know it yet though!).
My purpose for wanting assistance is that I've noticed some dreadful drivers around recently (noticed a marked increase in idiots going through red lights etc) and I want to be better prepared for these situations, and improve my driving skills. The reason I'm proposing that my dad also comes along (although I'm just going to propose it as something we do together, rather than tell him the truth!) is that I've noticed his standard of driving has dropped significantly recently. He drifts into other lanes and then blames other drivers and generally doesn't seem to have the road awareness that he once had (he used to be a rep and was quite a good driver, but in recent years has been more location-based so it may just be that he doesn't get to practice his driving as much).
Is the IAM the best course of action for us? I'm really looking for something that will improve our driving standards, observation and car control.
Thanks for any advice.
My purpose for wanting assistance is that I've noticed some dreadful drivers around recently (noticed a marked increase in idiots going through red lights etc) and I want to be better prepared for these situations, and improve my driving skills. The reason I'm proposing that my dad also comes along (although I'm just going to propose it as something we do together, rather than tell him the truth!) is that I've noticed his standard of driving has dropped significantly recently. He drifts into other lanes and then blames other drivers and generally doesn't seem to have the road awareness that he once had (he used to be a rep and was quite a good driver, but in recent years has been more location-based so it may just be that he doesn't get to practice his driving as much).
Is the IAM the best course of action for us? I'm really looking for something that will improve our driving standards, observation and car control.
Thanks for any advice.
Nope. I'd say it depends on your budget and available time.
If you and your dad can afford it, then a couple of days' roadcraft with a professional instructor would be ideal - e.g. the likes of Cadence or RideDrive. (Check out the instructors listed under membership entry in the guest section of www.hpc.org.uk/guests/guestjoin.ht for various top notch instructors.)
Aside from the obvious benefit of professional expertise, you can generally share the driving between you and your dad during these sort of course (unlike the IAM).
Failing that, then yes, IAM or RoSPA would be good. Neither provides professional training, but they are good value for money and certainly worthwhile.
Whatever you decide, have fun
If you and your dad can afford it, then a couple of days' roadcraft with a professional instructor would be ideal - e.g. the likes of Cadence or RideDrive. (Check out the instructors listed under membership entry in the guest section of www.hpc.org.uk/guests/guestjoin.ht for various top notch instructors.)
Aside from the obvious benefit of professional expertise, you can generally share the driving between you and your dad during these sort of course (unlike the IAM).
Failing that, then yes, IAM or RoSPA would be good. Neither provides professional training, but they are good value for money and certainly worthwhile.
Whatever you decide, have fun
I'd also recommend going straight to a professional instructor - IAM and RoSPA are great, but a good, one day course with an expert will be the fastest and most effective way to learn new defensive driving techniques, improve one's observation and awareness and generally impart the foundations for advanced driving.
Of course, one day does not a changed driver make, so after that, I'd recommend joining your local IAM / RoSPA group and doing some observed drives (ie, where the IAM / RoSPA observer sits in with you for an hour or two) on a regular basis. After several drives, the foundations will start to bed in and become second nature.
And then, every year, I'd recommend going back to a professional for a "check run" - they will keep your skills topped up.
Good luck - it's also a lot of fun!
Kind regards
Steve
Of course, one day does not a changed driver make, so after that, I'd recommend joining your local IAM / RoSPA group and doing some observed drives (ie, where the IAM / RoSPA observer sits in with you for an hour or two) on a regular basis. After several drives, the foundations will start to bed in and become second nature.
And then, every year, I'd recommend going back to a professional for a "check run" - they will keep your skills topped up.
Good luck - it's also a lot of fun!
Kind regards
Steve
If you've a pile of money to throw around and want to get it over with quickly go to a professional instructor. £200 to £500 will get you some intensive training.
They will likely be the best there is, frankly. Its also easier to take to heart advice you've paid £500 for. Think about it honestly - is your Dad likely to *want* to learn to drive better and be prepared to take some fairly harsh criticism? Are You? Does the money spent make a difference? Your money may also buy you time on an airfield or at a proving ground where practical exercises in car control can safely be performed. This is not possible (at the moment!) with the IAM or Rospa except for existing members in some circumstances at special days...
The IAM will cost you £85 each. Rospa costs the same. As to do one first or another second - they are IDENTICAL and there is no point spending your money doing both unless you want to tick the box. For the record I have an IAM pass and a Rospa Gold so I think I know what I'm talking about on that front.
There is no reason, if you have a four seater car, why you shouldn't ride along in the back of the car whilst you Dad is observed and he shouldn't do the same with you. We often send people "along for the ride" in our Group's Sunday Drives.
For advanced car control, bloody good fun AND some practical road advice - spend yer £500.
For plenty of "seat time" practicing on-road driving improvement I'd do the IAM. Simply because you get hours and hours of instruction and practice in day-to-day driving....but to be honest the "fun factor" isn't the same...
They will likely be the best there is, frankly. Its also easier to take to heart advice you've paid £500 for. Think about it honestly - is your Dad likely to *want* to learn to drive better and be prepared to take some fairly harsh criticism? Are You? Does the money spent make a difference? Your money may also buy you time on an airfield or at a proving ground where practical exercises in car control can safely be performed. This is not possible (at the moment!) with the IAM or Rospa except for existing members in some circumstances at special days...
The IAM will cost you £85 each. Rospa costs the same. As to do one first or another second - they are IDENTICAL and there is no point spending your money doing both unless you want to tick the box. For the record I have an IAM pass and a Rospa Gold so I think I know what I'm talking about on that front.
There is no reason, if you have a four seater car, why you shouldn't ride along in the back of the car whilst you Dad is observed and he shouldn't do the same with you. We often send people "along for the ride" in our Group's Sunday Drives.
For advanced car control, bloody good fun AND some practical road advice - spend yer £500.
For plenty of "seat time" practicing on-road driving improvement I'd do the IAM. Simply because you get hours and hours of instruction and practice in day-to-day driving....but to be honest the "fun factor" isn't the same...
Don said:
The IAM will cost you £85 each. Rospa costs the same. As to do one first or another second - they are IDENTICAL and there is no point spending your money doing both unless you want to tick the box.
I think RoSPA is a bit cheaper?
Anyway, a natural progression after IAM is RoSPA as the grading is important (to some)
And I don't see it as ticking boxes or badge collecting - I learnt a lot from my RoSPA observer/examiner.
Yes IAM will improve your driving and maybe then ROSPA but for real improvment, go to Cadence www.cadence.co.uk and I suggest a half day taster with Hugh and see how you get on. Then decide if you want to go IAM, ROSPA, or maybe even the ultimate and do the Cadence Master Drivers Course.
Hi again,
From experience of numerous instructors, I too would highly recommend Cadence as top choice
Failing that, www.ridedrive.co.uk are generally very good too
Personally, I found it worthwhile doing RoSPA after the IAM. This is because the repetition of training was helpful for me, as was a second set of eyes on my driving in different road situations. (As with all things, of course, the value lies in how good your teacher is.)
Whatever you decide, well done for choosing to further your driving and be sure to enjoy the learning experience
Don said:
Think about it honestly - is your Dad likely to *want* to learn to drive better and be prepared to take some fairly harsh criticism? Are You?
I'd avoid any instructor who used harsh criticism. This is a very negative and demotivating way to teach. Moreover, it goes against the grain of how adults learn. Instead, I'd encourage you to find a coach who explains what you should be doing right. From experience of numerous instructors, I too would highly recommend Cadence as top choice
Failing that, www.ridedrive.co.uk are generally very good too Personally, I found it worthwhile doing RoSPA after the IAM. This is because the repetition of training was helpful for me, as was a second set of eyes on my driving in different road situations. (As with all things, of course, the value lies in how good your teacher is.)
Whatever you decide, well done for choosing to further your driving
and be sure to enjoy the learning experience SVS said:
I'd avoid any instructor who used harsh criticism. This is a very negative and demotivating way to teach. Moreover, it goes against the grain of how adults learn. Instead, I'd encourage you to find a coach who explains what you should be doing right.
In my experience there are those that take having explained to them how to do something right as "harsh criticism". Especially if they have just done it "wrong".
I'm all for a "coaching" approach - its what I do when I observe - and I've got plenty of people through the Advanced Test by now and had good reports back from most so I think I've got the balance right.
But sometimes you just have to point out something wrong and say so. If the person wants to learn they'll be happy to find out IMO.
Talking about HPC I've done my first road day with Don Palmer recently and I really enjoyed his 'coaching' approach which he introduced in the morning as 'comparing notes on driving'.
It was a very interesting and eye opening day and indeed was 'comparing notes' more than do this, don't do that - though obviously there was some of that, I was there to learn and improve after all!
It was also nice to talk face to face with someone who really knows and cares what they're on about.
It was a very interesting and eye opening day and indeed was 'comparing notes' more than do this, don't do that - though obviously there was some of that, I was there to learn and improve after all!
It was also nice to talk face to face with someone who really knows and cares what they're on about.
What I got from IAM on both bikes and cars was how to read the road and conditions ahead and around you.
The observers pointers on how and why you are doing things re safety were quite interesting and you find yourself annalysing road sittuations without a second thought amd positioning yourself for quick safe driving.
The observers pointers on how and why you are doing things re safety were quite interesting and you find yourself annalysing road sittuations without a second thought amd positioning yourself for quick safe driving.
I would always recommend people take the IAM/RoADRA route first. You'll get about anywhere between 6 to 18 hours tuition/coaching often weekly or fortnightly.
You'll learn at a fairly gentle rate and once you have mastered one particular technique then you can move on to another. Plus the cost is next to nothing.
Professional tuition is what you should do after IAM/RoADRA, IMHO.
You'll learn at a fairly gentle rate and once you have mastered one particular technique then you can move on to another. Plus the cost is next to nothing.
Professional tuition is what you should do after IAM/RoADRA, IMHO.
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