So who's in any of the above? What was your experience? Do you have views about which is better, or about the different directions they may take you in.

Personally, although I joined RoSPA, after nearly 6 months I'm still waiting to be allocated an observer, officially, have had no assessment, and no observed drives, so am forced to resort to more unofficial methods (you know who you are ) in order to get coaching. Should I give up and go and find another group?

Discuss...

Joined RoSPA last year and been a member since August. The group seems to lack support (quite thinly spread across the county) and can only run one better driving course a year. The observer's mission, in my experience, was to get the associate up to bronze test standard and then enter them for their test, rather than spend the full allocated 6 drives stretching them to strive for Gold.

Then spent a day with Don Palmer doing his Car Control course in November and learnt to appreciate how, why and what a car feels like approaching and on the limit. Really helped with smoothness on the road too.

In January this year I took the HPC Entry Course with Don Palmer and was recommended for membership to the HPC. A completely different league to IAM/RoSPA and focussing on driving as an art form. Next step is to get myself up to HPC Silver and HPC Gold standards!

I've also done a bit of informal coaching

Chris

I'd never heard of RoSPA when I was into getting some advanced tuition.

So sent my stuff off for the IAM in November 2005. Passed the test about a year ago now, after waiting around for a test-date - it got to nearly 2 months after my last observed run That was the copper's fault though who was busy at the time.

Im glad I did it. Can't say it transformed the way I drive but I did pick up some useful tips.

I joined IAM after being caught at 103 mph in a 60, simply to please the Judge really and to be 100% honest i probably never intended to actually go through with the training or test, it just seemed a good idea to look like I was repenting my sins

However, i had an initial assesment and was told that I was not far away from test standard anyway and it wouldnt take long. I actually quite enjoyed it, and got p!ssed off if they had any negative points to tell me so made me strive a little more.

Cut a long story short, passed my test and have been asked back as an observer for the group so I'm doing that training at the moment.

I see where Chris comes from, and personally I will work my way through the groups too, but it really all depends what you want out of it, Theres no point working towards Gold HPC if you simply want a bit more confidence on the road and cheaper insurance, Its like going to uni do do a pHD when your work requires an ONC

any members of IAM in oxfordshire on here?

I see where Chris comes from, and personally I will work my way through the groups too, but it really all depends what you want out of it, Theres no point working towards Gold HPC if you simply want a bit more confidence on the road and cheaper insurance, Its like going to uni do do a pHD when your work requires an ONC

When you say cheaper insureance this would only mean about 10%-20% max right..? Im interested in advanced driving of some form but Im not sure where to start exactly, will probably look it up when I have some free time. Everyone tends to think I drive badly....

Some insurance companies give upto 30% iirc, but not all of them recognise it. every little helps though

Im interested in advanced driving of some form but Im not sure where to start exactly, will probably look it up when I have some free time. Everyone tends to think I drive badly....

Find either your local IAM or RoSPA group, or if you're feeling brave, come along to the HPC Young Driver's day.

FWIW, I get 25% discount from Adrian Flux for holding a RoSPA qualification

Chris

is there a problem doing either if you have points? I asked my brother about iam and he said he would find out for me but must have forgotten ,i have 15 points at the moment all for speeding in a hgv 9 of them were picked up in one day on the same road [a 15].

AFAIK, you can't take the IAM test if you have more than 6 points, although there is no problem in undertaking the training. Not sure on RoSPA - all I know is that HQ need to be notified of any points gained and it may result in you no longer being a member. Worth approaching your local group and seeing what they say (after all, the training is the important part, not the test!)

Chris

I did the IAM course in corby, Northamptonshire. As I was under 25 Northants police paid for me to do a day at silverstone, using all the money from fines they collected from speeding fines.

i found the course really good, really informative. Plus you get to go on alot of social events, get to see things that members of the public dont normally get to see. Had a ride in a police car with blues and twos on... Didn't realise how often they check their mirrors.

A long with doing a course i'd recommend doing some sort of track day, that really improved my driving. Knowing what the car can do and what its limits are.

A long with doing a course i'd recommend doing some sort of track day, that really improved my driving. Knowing what the car can do and what its limits are.

Briskoda Track day 1st June

I'm RoSPA Gold, doing diploma soon. Many moons ago was also HPC and IAM. I'm now traing co-ordinator for South Yorks. I am also a mentor for Club Driving.

Nick, with regard to your wait - find another group that has tutors available. Harsh, but I know that up here with the changes in the rules, it is hard to get approved or advanced tutors. We now have to sit formal tests of our teaching skills (at a cost of

Have had assessment and one observed drive now - it just took a while to get going ...

How are you finding ClubDriving?

Slow, however I'm doing a days mentoring training with Mark next month which should be fun

Well should be going to my first IAM meet this sunday. Was hoping to join ROSPA but my local..ish group is now fully booked for their MAy to August course. Next closest was sheffield :thumbdwn: So started looking at IAM. The closest is at the top of my road

Sheffield? Hah, that'd be me then

Well should be going to my first IAM meet this sunday. Was hoping to join ROSPA but my local..ish group is now fully booked for their MAy to August course.

John - I didn't bother doing the course (some might say it shows ), but all they cover is Roadcraft, which you can pretty much pick up from reading the book. Buy it, digest it, and then go for some observed runs to put it into practice. I would probably recommend making that trip to Sheffield too

Chris

I didn't do a course either - it deffo shows.

John - I didn't bother doing the course (some might say it shows ), but all they cover is Roadcraft, which you can pretty much pick up from reading the book. Buy it, digest it, and then go for some observed runs to put it into practice. I would probably recommend making that trip to Sheffield too

Chris

Book was purchased sometime ago. Digested it. My local ROSPA only do courses so you cant just do observed runs. You have to do the full course. Not very good if you cant make all the dates.

I asked my brother about iam and he said he would find out for me but must have forgotten

I told you there was a 6 point limit! Forgotten my @ss!!

I'll be up north this weekend BTW - because 2essie & hubbie are away the responsibility of entertainment falls on you

So what is this observing thing and also what do you actually learn on the IAM? is the test easy or nearly impossible? work have advised me to take the advance test as it would take me to the next level? (or are taking the urine).

The observing thing is having someone sit next to you whilst you drive around. They tell you how to "improve" your driving. Is the test easy? Well, it ain't rocket science. With IAM it is pass or fail, with RoSPA they grade you bronze, silver or gold depending on how good you are.

Worth doing.

In 1997 I considered doing some form of advanced driving. I found a driving instructor (ex policeman) and paid for some lessons. On his reccomendation I took the RoSPA and passed at silver.

cheers tavia, there is someone at work who is willing to help me but always makes it seem to hard to bother im hoping to get a run this weekend and if i feel confident enough ill cough up and get a iam membership. i drive for a living so have lots of bad habits to over come (coffee between the legs, fag in one hand with donought and mobile phone resting under chin lol).