As Wardy says I prefer the control and finer balance you can achieve with a manual, but I got my recent Gold in a DSG Superb. I tended to use the paddles a fair bit to set the gear early on for tighter bends and roundabouts - again, to give finer control and balance the vehicle better - but other than that it was left in D. The examiner doesn't care either way provided you're using the vehicle smoothly, safely and systematically; especially if you weave it into your commentary.

 

For example 'In the distance I can see the road goes uphill and bends to the left, and the solitary nearside lamp-post tells me there may well be a junction to the offside, but in the middle distance I see a roundabout with four exists. So mirrors, nothing behind or adjacent. Position is good and speed is now appropriate, I'm selecting 2nd/3rd gear manually to balance the vehicle through the hazard, scanning deep and taking the straightest line across the roundabout for stability'. Etc etc.

 

It's not what you've got, it's how you use it that counts.

People say the IAM test is easier in an auto. I'd disagree.

Indeed.

 

'Easier' is an interesting adjective to use, for sure. Different perhaps, but probably not easier....

Yep; I'm an advanced driver, and observer for the IAM.

IAM advanced driver and trained to be a observer but done any for a couple of years due to kids and other circumstances.

 

Davy

The IMI requirements are going to shake things up a bit aren't they ?

21 minutes ago, Paul007 said:

The IMI requirements are going to shake things up a bit aren't they ?

 

Were a couple of years ago when it was being discussed when I was a observer.

 

Davy

Sorry, what's IMI? All it means to me is the International Management Institute, and I'm pretty sure that's not relevant here

 

Is this an IAM thing?

Institute of motoring industry a qualification for the IAM observers.

 

Davy

I have been member of IAM since 2009 after passing my advanced motorbike test. Most fun and best thing I did , improved the way I drive and ride immensely.

I took the IAM test in 1981,with a rather large serving police examiner squashed into my then MG Midget.

Certainly well worth doing - makes a driver more watchfull,and happy to say no blameworthy accidents since then .

Couldn't really justify to keep paying the membership fee though.Any advanced badges on cars are a very rare sight these days........

11 hours ago, Blackcountryman said:

Any advanced badges on cars are a very rare sight these days

I think you mean "Any motoring club badges..." Seriously, it's rare at best to see any car with a place to put the old chrome enamel badges.

5 hours ago, KenONeill said:

I think you mean "Any motoring club badges..." Seriously, it's rare at best to see any car with a place to put the old chrome enamel badges.

Er .....not on my Citigo,just a bit of thought required. Two long bolts and two small brackets pull the badge up to the grill......... .Well clear of the radiator cooling area,and not too easy to thieve.......

Edited 8 April, 20196 yr by Blackcountryman

17 hours ago, Blackcountryman said:

Two long bolts and two small brackets pull the badge up to the grill

That requires a grille moulding with blank areas. Kudos for making it work on the CitiGo, but it wouldn't work on, for example, an Octavia 1.

I took a couple of RoSPA Advanced courses and audited a Class 1 course on two wheels back in the early '90s.  I've always felt I have benefited hugely from the learning both as a rider and a driver.  Having returned to full-time motoring a little while back after a lengthy illness I began to wonder at the differences between "current" on-the-road driving and the "proper" way to go about it, so I eventually joined a local RoSPA Advanced group earlier this year for the car.

 

I've been thoroughly enjoying my driving training and am  getting to the point where I'm driving naturally again after a few months of head-scrambling trying to think and drive at the same time (if you've been through any training you know what I mean!).  O intend to continue driving with the group as long as they'll put up with me as one can never stop learning.

 

What I have found are marked differences between the current "best practice" and the way I was trained on two wheels in the '90s on two wheels, for example I was originally taught about the concept of Three Degrres of Freedom on approaching a potential hazard situation; you can brake, accelerate or maneouver or any combination thereof, meaning that being in the right gear at the right time was a significant part of the preparation.  I'm now taught when approaching a hazard where I may have to slow or change course that I must brake my way up the the decision point and _then_ select my gear to address the hazard.  I've heard various arguments about why this has changed but it still feels as though I'm limiting my options. 

 

Any thoughts out there?

 

 

 

1 hour ago, StickyMicky said:

I took a couple of RoSPA Advanced courses and audited a Class 1 course on two wheels back in the early '90s.  I've always felt I have benefited hugely from the learning both as a rider and a driver.  Having returned to full-time motoring a little while back after a lengthy illness I began to wonder at the differences between "current" on-the-road driving and the "proper" way to go about it, so I eventually joined a local RoSPA Advanced group earlier this year for the car.

 

I've been thoroughly enjoying my driving training and am  getting to the point where I'm driving naturally again after a few months of head-scrambling trying to think and drive at the same time (if you've been through any training you know what I mean!).  O intend to continue driving with the group as long as they'll put up with me as one can never stop learning.

 

What I have found are marked differences between the current "best practice" and the way I was trained on two wheels in the '90s on two wheels, for example I was originally taught about the concept of Three Degrres of Freedom on approaching a potential hazard situation; you can brake, accelerate or maneouver or any combination thereof, meaning that being in the right gear at the right time was a significant part of the preparation.  I'm now taught when approaching a hazard where I may have to slow or change course that I must brake my way up the the decision point and _then_ select my gear to address the hazard.  I've heard various arguments about why this has changed but it still feels as though I'm limiting my options. 

 

Any thoughts out there?

 

 

 

Reducing speed and energy is way more important than selecting the correct gear, which you should be in anyway regardless of hazard or no hazard. PLus with a car a lot of autos out there now so the new skill is for that to have the instinct.

 

I'm just thinking logically though as although I have IAM exam on twowheels I am no expert.

Edited 16 May, 20196 yr by TonyTonic

On 16/05/2019 at 11:30, StickyMicky said:

I eventually joined a local RoSPA Advanced group earlier this year for the car.

 

I've been thoroughly enjoying my driving training and am  getting to the point where I'm driving naturally again after a few months of head-scrambling trying to think and drive at the same time (if you've been through any training you know what I mean!).  O intend to continue driving with the group as long as they'll put up with me as one can never stop learning.

 

Which group did you join out of interest?

On 01/04/2016 at 17:19, Rainmaker said:

Merseyside mate (meeting at the Miller & Carter, Aughton). 

 

Are you still part of the group?

26 minutes ago, Wardy said:

Which group did you join out of interest

 

Merseyside, meeting at Miller & Carter, Aughton.  Good group, always patient and helpful.  I've learned a lot already.

Passed  my IAM test in 1959...I think my number was 11.000 ish!

Have never paid my subs so never registered and never bought a badge!

It's kept me safe as these days I am aware of my deteriorating faculties and make due allowances.

Having raced and rallied a long time ago helps me be aware of parts of 'driving' that many have never known.

I certainly have no problem with extra tests of any kind...but I think they should start a few months after the initial test....it seems that that is as long as a young persons memory lasts these days?!!!

Stay safe😉😀

 

Blimey!

Apologies for dredging this topic up (sometimes I just wander along the dusty and less travelled corridors of Briskoda) but I thought I'd throw my 2p's worth of info in.

I passed my IAM test way back in 2005 and even became an observer for my local group for a few years before life took me in a different direction.

Last year I cogitated about rejoining and contacted the group for a check drive.

Happily the observer only picked me up on minor issues (well, they have to say something, don't they! 😉) and stated that my skills had not really deteriorated since I passed my test.

We all think we are the World's best driver but it's sometimes nice to get someone else's opinion.

p.s. I don't think I'm the World's best driver but I am damn sure I have more driving and situational awareness on the road than 90% of the numpties behind a wheel these days .....

p.p.s. I also passed my ROSPA Motorcycling test at Gold Standard a few years later. But I'm not the World's best motorcyclist either.

Still alive though (as of posting on this thread, well, you never know ....)