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| BEYOND THE DRIVING TEST > Advanced Driving |
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 What is advanced driving ? |
The phrase advanced driving was adopted in
1956 when The Institute of Advanced Motorists was founded to encourage British
motorists to improve their driving skills and demonstrate them in a new
advanced driving test
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The driving method and style adopted was that used by British police drivers.
At its centre is a system of car control which is applied, with an
element of flexibility at times, to all driving situations. The
"system" has been developed over the years, and you can most easily
find out about it by buying the book Roadcraft (published by The
Stationery Office, available at good bookshops).Roadcraft
devotes some space to discussing driver attitude and mental characteristics,
but focuses mainly on introducing and developing
the "system".
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The two principal organisations offering Advanced Driving
Tests, The Institute of Advanced Motorists
(IAM) and The Royal Society for the
Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), use "Roadcraft" as their
bible. They take for granted that you have a good knowledge of basic
driving theory.
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Although the word "advanced" might imply to
you something out of reach and complex, it just means doing a really good job
of driving on the road. Many people have taken an Advanced Driving Test and
passed, without any prior training - because that's how they drive every day.
Ideally all drivers should use skills of this quality - then there would be no
more need to use the word "advanced" - it would just be
"normal".
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 Positive elements of advanced driving
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| Just thinking about your driving is
both good for you and for other road users. So if the goal of an advanced
driving test motivates you to think more, that must be good in itself.
May be you
would consider taking some training to improve your driving skills: another good idea.
Maybe you'll take and pass an advanced driving test: fine too, but only
really of lasting value if you continue driving at that standard or preferably
want to improve further still.
After all,
if driving more safely isn't the most
important goal for you when you're behind the wheel, then what is? |
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There are incentives
designed to encourage you
to take an advanced driving test: |
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cheaper motor insurance |
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membership of IAM or RoSPA |
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consequential benefits of membership |
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Not forgetting, of course, the personal
satisfaction that you
will get from qualifying as an "advanced
driver". |
| How to get training for an advanced driving test
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| There are two main options
available: |
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IAM
The Institute of Advanced Motorists |
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RoSPA
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents |
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| Option 1 Contact the
IAM or RoSPA for details of your local Group. From them you can become an
Associate Member of either organisation, and can benefit from free assessments
and advice on your driving, prior to you taking a test, and from lectures and
discussions about driving matters which are usually held on a monthly basis.
The "observers" who do this have passed an advanced driving test
themselves, but give their time voluntarily and usually have no professional
driver training experience. Their role is to give feedback rather than to
teach, and you will have to fit in with their timetables for your driving
assessments.
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| Option 2 Find a
professional driving instructor (ADI) who can give you useful training in
preparation for one of the tests. It would make sense to choose an ADI who had
passed at least one of the tests, and could show evidence of maintaining that
standard; and who could demonstrate (by qualifications such as the RoSPA
Diploma, or proven experience, or both) his or her ability to teach effectively
at this standard of driving (in contrast to the basic learner level).
Obviously you will have to pay for the training, but you can control better
when you have the training, and you may feel there are other advantages to
dealing with a professional trainer.
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| You could of course choose to do both
options! |
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| Which test to choose - the IAM's or
RoSPA's? |
Many people take both tests!
But here are some thoughts that might influence your
choice. |
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IAM
The Institute of Advanced Motorists |
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IAM The IAM is a much larger
organisation than RoSPA, and can probably offer more fringe benefits of
membership. Many more people have passed the IAM test than the RoSPA test.
On the IAM test there is just one pass standard. You receive
verbal feedback at the end of the test. If you continue your annual
subscription you retain your official status indefinitely.
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RoSPA
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents |
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RoSPA The RoSPA test is graded
Pass at Gold, Silver or Bronze standard, or Ungraded. You receive verbal
feedback at the end of your test, and a written report subsequently. To retain
your official status you have to take retests at intervals - after 3 years if
you pass at Gold or Silver standard, after 1 year if you pass at Bronze. All
retests are free of charge, if you are ungraded you can also retake the test
after 3-6 months free of charge; but there is an annual membership
subscription.
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| What happens on an advanced driving
test? |
| Both IAM and RoSPA tests are of
similar format, a 90 minute drive on a variety of town and country roads and,
where possible, a motorway section. |
Before starting, you will be asked to run through a vehicle
safety check. Shortly after moving away, you will need to test the brakes.
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| Your driving should be smooth, safe, progressive, controlled, efficient
and sympathetic of the car. Your manner should be calm and courteous. You will
need to demonstrate good awareness, anticipation, and concentration throughout
the drive.
You will be asked to perform some slow manoeuvres, and to answer some
questions relating to the Highway Code and vehicle maintenance. During your
drive you will be given the option of delivering a commentary, which could
enhance the result or the grade you achieve.
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| At the end of the test, you will
be given your result, and receive feedback about the drive. The examiners are
all police-trained to a high standard. |
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| CONTACTS |
| For further information on
advanced driving tests, contact ... |
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The Institute of Advanced Motorists |
The IAM is a wholly independent, non profit-making
organisation with the aims of improving driving standards, promoting road
safety and providing an Advanced Driving Test.
http://www.iam.org.uk/
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| The Royal Society for the Prevention of
Accidents, Advanced Drivers Association (RoADA) |
RoADA's objective is the reduction of road accidents by
encouraging interest in road safety, by improving driving standards, knowledge
and skill and by enabling members to pass the RoADA's Advanced Driving Test.
http://www.roada.org.uk
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