Advanced Driver Training Course

Introduction

As someone who is interested in an Advanced Driving Course have you ever wondered what it entails, the kind of things we do in our driving sessions and skills we look to develop ?

What’s Included

What is included in the Advanced Driver course package ?

We don’t teach you how to drive – we assume that no matter for how long or how little you have already driven, your driving is of a reasonable standard – but our Advanced Driver package contains everything you need to really get your driving skills up to speed.

The Advanced Driver package includes:

  • A maximum of 12 on-road drives with an Observer
  • The IAM’s definitive Associate’s Logbook of Advanced Driving techniques
  • 12-months membership to the CANAD group, with invitations to group events
  • Full preparation for your Advanced Driving Test
  • Your Advanced Test with a Police Qualified Examiner
  • An IAM RoadSmart Advanced Driving Certificate on passing the test
  • 12-months membership of the National IAM RoadSmart which includes:
    • Our award winning membership magazine ‘Advanced Driving’
    • Our own newsletter ‘Inform’
    • Access to a host of membership benefits, privileges and discounts
    • Special insurance cover through IAM RoadSmart’s official insurer once you have passed the test
    • Access to the Members only area on the IAM RoadSmart website

Typically, you can expect the whole programme, from your first assessment to test, to take 3-6 months depending on individual driving styles and abilities.

Because CANAD is a not-for-profit charitable organisation, this whole superb ‘Advanced Driver’ package is available for just £200.

If you are interested in buying the course, require further details or would like to speak to someone check out our groups dedicated Buy A Course page or alternatively visit IAM Roadsmart Advanced Driver Course

Taster Drive

Generally a first informal introduction to Advanced Driving with no commitment

A taster drive is a great way to see and experience what Advanced Driving is all about. Your local group will be able to arrange a drive, as a passenger, with one of our observers. The taster drive is very much like a demonstration drive which forms part of the course, but is usually less formal and the observer will be able to answer any questions or demonstrate certain aspects of driving you may be concerned about. The purpose of the taster drive is to give you more insight into the Advanced Driving discipline and hopefully give you the confidence and encouragement to sign-up and become an Advanced Driver.

Signing Up

How to signup for yourself or someone else

Whether a gift from a loved one, a requirement for your job, personal interest and enjoyment – the Advanced Driver Training course will give you benefits for life. You will drive more safely, more confidently and with more enjoyment. Remember, you can also purchase a course as a gift for someone else, it can be very motivational.

Signing up couldn’t be simpler. If you live in the Chester and Nantwich area simply use our Contact Us Page and our Associate Liaison Officer will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can also enrol or make enquiries using the IAM Roadsmart Contact Us Page and someone from the national organisation will be happy to help or put you in touch with your local group. Courses are delivered by a group local to the driver but all groups work together with the IAM Roadsmart to give you the best overall experience.

If you are unsure or simply wish to see what Advance Driving entails, you can also contact your local group for a Taster Drive which is explained in another section.

All of our local group staff and observers are volunteers so please be patient with us, we will always do our best to get you onto a course and assigned an observer as quickly as possible.

We hope to see you soon !

Advanced Driver Course Logbook

The framework we use to run the course

The IAM has produced a superb reference book to help candidates prepare for the IAM RoadSmart Advanced Driver Test. This book, ‘Advanced Driver Course Logbook’ describes in clear and easy to understand terms and pictures what is required to achieve the Advanced Driver standard. It is very much based on the principles of the Police book ‘Roadcraft’, but explains precisely what is required for the IAM RoadSmart Test.

The following sections on this page we will show you the course topics and how we aim to deliver it with the help of the Advanced Driver Course Logbook. To help give you an idea of some of the competencies your observer will look to develop with you, these have been included in each relevant section.

Assessment Drive

Usually session number 1

Whatever your driving background and experience, your observer will assess your current driving style and review it against standards of Safety, Legality and Skill Level. This will enable your observer to gain an understanding of the areas to focus on and develop. During the assessment, and depending on circumstances, certain topics may be discussed or opportunities for immediate adjustment may be identified. This is also a great opportunity for identifying and calling out observations and/or hazards which is a fundamental capability your observer will look to develop.

Human Factors

General topic covered during initial sessions

Driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle isn’t just about driving skills and awareness required to be a good driver. To be an Advanced Driver you also need to be aware of other factors – the Human Factors. These are not techniques or driving skills these are considerations we need to make before every drive. Put simply these are …

  • The Driver – are we fit, healthy and rested enough to make the journey safely. Tiredness is a factor in many accidents as is our emotional state.
  • The Vehicle – is it safe and suitable for the journey we wish to make.
  • The Journey – do we need to make the journey, are we allowing enough time to make the journey safely and legally.
  • The Wider World – what other factors might influence our driving negatively such as tailgaters, owning a fast car, using a vehicle for our job.

Core Skills – Observation & IPSGA

Initial dedicated session with ongoing development

This session will introduce you to core driving skills including smooth use of the controls and why this is important. Your observer will begin to further develop the core car control and observation skills which feed into the system of car control aka IPSGA which has been a fundamental approach to Advanced Driving training for over 60 years. IPSGA or ‘The System’ as it is also known is used by all Advanced Driver training organisations for public bodies such as IAM Roadsmart & ROSPA as well as in the emergency services such as Police, Fire and Ambulance.

The System Of Car Control is a way of approaching and negotiating hazards that is methodical, safe and leaves noting to chance. It requires careful observation, early anticipation and planning with systematic use of the controls to maintain your vehicles stability in ALL situations.

Demonstration Drive

Usually a full session with other topics discussed

Your observer will take you on a demonstration drive showing you how all of the elements of the Advance Driver Training come into play. An early demonstration drives should also help show you what is expected and put some context around previous and future driving sessions. Areas which will also be demonstrated and/or discussed include …

  • Vehicle Checks
  • Cockpit Drill
  • Commentary
  • Core Skills and IPSGA
  • IPSGA in given scenarios such as Bends & Corners, Junctions & Roundabout etc.
  • Observation, Anticipation & Planning

Bends & Cornering

Dedicated session with ongoing development

This session will include Bends & Cornering focusing on safe cornering and the differences between left and right hand bends and how they can be exploited. Limit Point speed assessment will be discussed and demonstrated for ongoing development. The importance of vehicle stability will be covered and how to break down a corner into 3 stages i.e. entry, cornering & exit.

Junctions & Roundabouts

Dedicated session with ongoing development

This session will cover junctions and roundabouts and the key types and differences between them. Approach to junctions and roundabouts requires a good understanding and execution of the Information phase of IPSGA followed by the remaining phases to ensure the approach, negotiation and exit are safe and smooth while still maintaining good progress.

Motorways & Dual Carriageways

Dedicated session with ongoing development perhaps also including Overtaking

This session will cover the differences between dual carriageways and motorways an the knowledge and techniques to make the most of the faster pace safely.

Overtaking

Topic covered and generally included in the Motorways & Dual Carriageways session

Overtaking is usually discussed and executed as part of the Motorways and Dual Carriageways session as it is much more likely to result in some overtaking opportunities these types of roads are safer places to develop the understanding and techniques. It is not expected that an overtake needs to be done on an Advance Driving Test but your examiner would likely expect you to make a safe overtake if it presented itself.

Manoeuvring

Topic covered and generally included during other sessions

This may not be a full session and is often tagged onto one of the others. Here your observer will guide you on some of the typical manoeuvres such as parking and reversing.

Practice

One or more dedicated sessions to refine and polish the core skills and IPSGA

You and your observer will have at least one practice session once the main course material has been covered. These sessions will help build and consolidate what you have learnt. During practice sessions, particular areas can be focused on and scenarios such as town centres, challenging corners. The examiner will be looking for all round competencies in the areas covered in the hand book. Practice is by no means limited to one session, however there are further sessions geared towards ‘test readiness’.

Your observer and the local groups observing team will provide support for the observed practice you require to refine and polish your skills in readiness for your test. You may drive with several observers over the duration of your course and this will helep you get balanced feedback and confidence that you are ready for your test.

Pre-Test Check

Usually a dedicated session

This session will be a check by a national observer to verify that you are ‘test ready’. Even if your normal observer is a national observer , a separate observer will carry out your pre-test check. This ensures that you and your group are happy that the required standards are being met – not just by you in your driving but also in the way the observers are delivering the course. Once ‘test ready’ you will still have chance to have more observed practice but it is also important to continue to practice on your own to the standards you have developed so far. You can always improve before and after your test.

Practice & Test Preparation

Usually a dedicated session

This final session, which is optional, will usually be done near or at the test venue and will cover any final practice and test preparation. By this time you and your observer will be adding finesse to any agreed or identified areas.

Self Motivation & Practice

As much practice as you and your observer believe is necessary.

We often lead busy lives and fitting new interests and responsibilities in can sometimes be difficult. It is important that the Advanced Driving course is carried out ideally in a continuous series of sessions. It will be your responsibility as an associate to become familiar with the course material and practice what you have learnt around the sessions. If necessary your observer will help and advise you on what areas to work on but healthy self motivation to become an Advanced Driver will really help you along. There really is no substitute for practice and sometimes it is the practice before or after a session that will make the various topics and ideas click into place, after all an Advanced Driver is a Thinking Driver !

Advanced Driving Test

What to expect

At this stage you will be ready for your test. Your observer and local group will not submit you for your test unless you and they believe that you are ready. The test is not as daunting as you may think, by this time you should be comfortable with the course material and be looking forward to demonstrating your new found skills with confidence and finesse.

You examiner will of course be looking to you to demonstrate your understanding and  execution of core driving skills and IPSGA. A successful pass is dependant on all these things coming together with whatever happens on on the day. Your obsrver and group simply encourage you to do your best, relay on what you have learnt and practised and most of all – enjoy the experience. A pass is what your observer and group want for you but, if you drive with finesse and confidence making safe good progress you may get a first. Some associates do fail, but in the even that this happens, rest assured your observer and the group are there to get you over the line and we would be right back with you and develop on the feedback from the examiner.

Just remember – Be Safe and Legal using Skill and Finesse to demonstrate IPSGA !

Further Advanced Driving Development & Opportunities

Where do you go from here ?

It’s doesn’t have to be over when you pass your Advanced Driving Test !

As an Advanced Driver you should be well equipped to contribute to the safety of our roads and other road users but there are more ways to develop and maintain your skills and, if you wish to do so, contribute to the IAM Roadsmart organisation.

Here are some further options …

  • Renew and retain your membership of the IAM Roadsmart national group
  • Renew and retain your membership of your local IAM Roadsmart group
  • IAM Advanced Driver re-test – if you wish to improve your pass rating from Pass to First
  • IAM Fellowship – where you re-test every 3 years keeping skills up-to-date
  • IAM Masters – where you are personally mentored to achieve the highest IAM Roadsmart accolade
  • Become a Local Observer – to provide support and guidance for associates through their Advance Driving Test preparation
  • Become a committee member for your local IAM Roadsmart group – this helps run and maintain the local groups offering the support to current members and future associates, and is a lot of fun and why not add it to your CV !?

Additional Resources

Where can you find other inspiration

Your local group is a valuable resource you can tap into during your course with a wealth of knowledge and expertise from the observer team, committee and members. Feel free to reach out and contact the group either via the Contact Us Page or via your observer.

The IAM Roadsmart website has a great deal of information about the organisation, the Advanced Driver course and other reference material. Other local groups also have their own web-sites with their own take on what they think are useful resources and content. The Bristol Advanced Motorists group have a particularly good website.

Your observer is likely to recommend particular online resources they are familiar with or that have helped them but most will agree that the Reg Local YouTube channel is the ‘go to’ resource for training, information and Advanced Driver videos. The Reg Local channel is run by John Gregory as ex Police Advanced Driving instructor. He has written a number of books on Advanced and Performance Driving, carries out paid coaching sessions, publishes videos on Advanced Driving techniques and has a recent series titled ‘How To Pass Your Advanced Driving Test‘.