Why
would I want to be an Advanced Driver?
Many people think that being an Advanced Driver will allow them
to drive faster. This is not necessarily the case. Advanced Driving
is all about skill, control and forward thinking. It may transpire
that you become a faster driver, but that does not permit you to
break the laws of the road! By
becoming an Advanced Driver you will join a Group of drivers who
have been shown to be statistically 50-70% less likely to be involved
in an accident. Your passengers, your family and other road users
will also benefit from your Advanced Driving in many ways.
How much does it cost to become an Advanced
Driver?
As mentioned elsewhere, the IAM’s Advanced Driver programme
is entitled the Skill for Life Programme. To apply for this Programme,
a simple application form needs to be completed and sent FREEPOST
to the IAM, along with a payment of £139.00.
Included
in the cost of £139.00 is your first years membership of the
IAM, the 'Skills for life' manual, and the test fee." There
is an additional cost to cover your membership of the local group
which you will need to join (currently £5.00 per annum with
SBGAM).
However, the further
financial benefits that can be realized after passing your Advanced
Driving Test and being a member of the IAM that will often pay for
the initial fee several times over. These include enjoying reduced
insurance premiums and by being a better driver reducing the risk
of being involved in an accident with all that that may entail!
There are several other
Member benefits that can be viewed from the IAM ’s web site
(www.iam.org.uk
).
Are
there any discounts?
In 2000, the IAM introduced a special discount scheme for drivers
aged 25 or under. This entitles such drivers to a £10 discount
off the Skill for Life application.
How
difficult is it to become an Advanced Driver?
By their very nature, everyone is different when
it comes to learning new skills. Some will pick up new driving techniques
quickly whilst others will take more time. However, we have yet
to find someone who does not have the ability to grasp these skills
and pass their Advanced Driving Test.
Getting to Test standard
is not an overnight process. The Observed Runs and practice in-between
will all take time and commitment on behalf of the Associate (and
the Observer). This being said, the Associate will never be put
under any pressure, and the pace of learning will always be set
at a rate at which the Associate is comfortable with.
There is no set time
limit in which an Associate should be ready to do their Advanced
Driving Test, but as a rough guide, most Associates are ready within
about three months.
I
am a disabled driver; can I become an Advanced Driver?
Absolutely! The only conditions imposed on becoming
an Associate is that the driver has held a full UK or European driving
license for at least three months.
Can
I be placed with a female Observer?
We have both male and female Observers, and usually
allocate them to Associates when they become available. Being quite
a large district, we often match Associate and Observer based on
their proximity. However, if an Associate preferred a female (or
male) Observer, we would try to accommodate such a request, although
this may delay starting the programme until one became available.
What
is an Observer?
An Observer is a member of the IAM who has already passed the Advanced
Driving test and has chosen to freely give their time to take Associates
on Observed Runs. Following an optional Assessment Run, and completing
an application form (and payment), we will allocate one of our Observers
to work with you on a one-to-one basis.
The Observer and the
Associate will agree mutually convenient dates and time to go out
on Observed Runs.
What
is an Associate?
An Associate is anyone (with a full driving license
and at least three months driving experience) who has completed
a Skill for Life application form and made the appropriate payment
to the IAM. At this stage, the applicant is referred to as an Associate.
It is only when an Associate successfully passes the Advanced Driving
Test that they are proposed for membership to the IAM.
What
is an Assessment Run?
We at SBGAM offer any driver the opportunity to participate in an
Assessment Run, without any obligation to proceed to becoming an
Associate of the IAM. During an Assessment Run, an Observer from
SBGAM will accompany you in your car and over a short drive lasting
around 30 minutes, will take written notes on the standard of your
driving. At the end of the drive, the Observer will provide you
with feedback as to the standard of driving, and provide positive
feedback on areas that they believe require further work. Then,
using the Observers car, the Observer will demonstrate their driving.
During this second drive the Observer will attempt to demonstrate
the correct way of driving, particularly in areas they had picked
up on during the first drive.
At this point, should
the driver want to continue to improve their standard of driving,
they will be invited to apply for the Skill for Life Programme through
the IAM.
What is an
Observed Run?
When an Associate has
gone through the formalities of applying for the Skill for Life
Programme, and been allocated an Observer, they will then do a number
of Observed Runs with their Observer. During these Runs, the Observer
will carry out continuous assessment of the standard of driving,
providing feedback and guidance at suitable times during the drive,
or at the end of the drive if more appropriate.
Although there are
no set number of Observed Runs, on average, an Associate should
expect approximately 6 such Runs before being put forward for the
Advanced Driving Test.
I have just passed my driving test, can
I do my Advanced Driving test straight away?
Having just passed the standard driving test, we
prefer potential Associates to put their newly acquired skills into
practice before taking up the Skills for Life programme. We therefore
recommend at least a three month gap after passing the standard
driving test before proceeding.
Whose car do
I use for the test?
Throughout the Observed
Runs and the test itself, you use your own car. If you have access
to more than one car, it is advisable to use the same car for both
the Observed Runs and for the test.
Can I
take my test in a mini bus?
SBGAM only have
facilities for preparing drivers of cars for the Advanced Driving
test. However, there are other Groups who do provide for motor cycles,
minibuses and commercial vehicles. Please contact the IAM (www.iam.org.uk)
for further details.
What
is The Advanced Driving Test?
When both the Associate and Observer feel confident about the standard
of driving, the Associate will be put in for their Advanced Driving
Test. Often, before the Associate is put forward for the Test, they
will be taken for a ‘mock test’ with one of the other
Observers of the Group. This is usually done to ensure that nothing
has been missed by the main Observer.
On applying for the
Test, and depending on the availability of Examiners, a test date
will be given, usually between two and four weeks after the Associate
is put forward.
The Test is then taken
in your own car by an IAM appointed Examiner who holds a Police
Advanced Driving Certificate. The Test lasts for approximately 90
minutes, covering approximately 35 miles over all types of roads
(motorway, dual carriageway, country and urban).
Although some people
may find the thought of being examined by a Police Advanced Driver
a little daunting, it should be pointed out that they will quickly
put you at ease and will take into account a level of nervousness
during the Test.
When will I
know if I have passed my Test?
At the end of the Test
the Examiner will provide a briefing of the drive and will inform
the Associate whether they have passed or failed. Within SBGAM we
have a very high pass rate, so it is very rare that an Associate
will have failed.
In the unlikely event
of a failure, this is usually down to a simple (albeit critical)
mistake. In such circumstances we strongly encourage the Associate
not to give up; to take some further Observed Runs; and re-apply
for their Test.
For successful candidates
(the majority), they will be presented with a certificate of accomplishment
and be proposed for IAM membership.
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