IAM Skill for Life

cif85

Hello All, I've been thinking about taking an advanced driving course and wondered if anyone has ever taken the IAM "Skill for Life" advanced course & test.

Firstly I'd like to know whether it's worth it. I enjoy driving, haven't had an accident (touch wood) in the 8 years I've been driving, and I thought it would be useful to improve my skills and maybe save money on my insurance. Is this course something that insurance companies take into account? What kind of things will I be taught? Is it more for drivers with high performance cars who need a bit more guidance, or is it suitable for me and my little 10-year-old Fiesta?

Secondly, I wondered if there's any other advanced driver courses that people have taken that they would recommend other than this one?

This course is advertised as £139, which seems reasonable, and my company have a scheme reimbursing me up to £100 for any 'extra learning' course, so I won't be majorly out of pocket.

Thanks for reading!

Notmyrealname

You will be taught a whole raft of things such as how to approach junctions, roundabouts, traffic lights properly which will aide economy. You'll be taught how to read the road, how to position yourself, how to overtake, how to drive on dual carriageways and motorways properly.

It is for anyone, not just those in high performance cars.

Limey

There are pro's and cons to the course IMO, it did help me with some aspects on my driving, however there were a lot of parts I couldn't personally get on with.

The hand shuffling wasn't appropriate to my 2 seater where you could get round most corners with less than 90 degrees steering.

Use of gears I was pulled up on, but hey I like being in the right gear as I approach a roundabout so that I can go if it's clear and usually you can predict what you'll need to do. My teacher said 'but gearboxes cost more than brake pads', to which I replied 'my gearbox cost £35'. :cool:

He didn't like me heel and toeing.:rotfl:

Personally I think many of the techniques are based in the 1950s and could do with being brought into this century. :think:

don9999

I passed the IAM test some years ago. And I would always support anyone trying to improve their driving skills. We can ALL learn new things and improve our driving, however long we have been driving.

However, don't expect to get cheaper insurance.

In my experience, although 'some' companies claim to offer reductions in insurance, I always beat their quote by the normal money-saving process of using comparison sites etc...

So 'my' advice. Go for it if you can afford it and want to improve your driving skills. But just use comparison sites to ensure the best insurance deal.

cif85

Thanks very much for your replies, they're really useful

w211

Some insurance companies will take the course into account,it’s worthwhile asking them, however, say you’ve done the IAM test, after they’vetold you a quote, not before, and seehow much they’ll discount. I also believe, that the IAM’s own insurance schemewill match the best quote anyway.

Certainly, when the IAM quoted, about £280 to renew mymotorcycle policy, I then went onto a comparison website and found Hastings wasthe cheapest at £160, told the IAM, and they’d match it, and I’d still keep theexisting benefits such as business use and riding other motorcycled 3rdparty.

The other advanced driving organisation, RoADAR (RoSPAAdvanced Drivers and Riders), you could consider as an alternative, however youwill need to take the rest every 3 years to maintain your membership, and youare graded gold, silver and bronze, and you are able to transfer your RoSPAqualification into a national recognised qualification. The IAM test pass isbetween a RoSPA silver and bronze.
The forum on www.advanced-driving.co.ukis worth signing up to and ask questions.

Limey wrote: »

The hand shuffling wasn't appropriate to my 2 seater where you could get round most corners with less than 90 degrees steering.

Use of gears I was pulled up on, but hey I like being in the right gear as I approach a roundabout so that I can go if it's clear and usually you can predict what you'll need to do.

He didn't like me heel and toeing.:rotfl:

Personally I think many of the techniques are based in the 1950s and could do with being brought into this century. :think:

I get picked up on my steering as well, they do expect you to pull-push at all times, where it can be more smoother just to maintain a fixed grip as long as your hands don't cross much more than the 12/6 o'lock position.

Use of gears, they teach you to approach the roundabout in the gear you're in, and take up the correct gear once you can see whether or not it's clear to go. Avoids unnecessary gearchanges - no point coming up to a roundabout changing to 2nd or 3rd (from a higher gear) only to find a car coming from your right after you made that change, so have to go into first anyway.

IAM don't like heeling and toe-ing, they say it's a racing technique which has no place on the public road, though if done correctly and safely, it can be quicker, and there's less chance of the wheels locking up as you lift the clutch up.

Notmyrealname

w211 wrote: »

IAM don't like heeling and toe-ing, they say it's a racing technique which has no place on the public road, though if done correctly and safely, it can be quicker, and there's less chance of the wheels locking up as you lift the clutch up.

In over 2 million miles of driving vehicles with 16 gears I can say hand on heart that has never ever happened to me.

I don't even know what circumstances that could happen with a vehicle that isn't suffering a seized engine, diff or gearbox.

scotsbob

Notmyrealname wrote: »

In over 2 million miles of driving vehicles with 16 gears I can say hand on heart that has never ever happened to me.

I don't even know what circumstances that could happen with a vehicle that isn't suffering a seized engine, diff or gearbox.

Ask any driver of the 1.8 MX5, that's the model without the limited slip differential, and they will give you numerous instances.

In fact many of the Mx5 and Miata forums have whole threads on the topic.

almillar

w211 - yep, rear wheel drive car down a hill in slippery conditions this can happen plenty!
Do take the IAM test, it's bound to improve your driving, mostly based on observation and common sense and thinking a bit more about your driving. They do teach you to keep your left hand on the left side of the wheel and your right hand on the right, which I find involves less 'shuffling' than people think...
Insurance - yes, some insurers have a box to tick to say you've passed the test, and it has saved me a bit over the years, and they now have their own insurance scheme for members, but the reason should be to improve your driving instead of getting cheaper insurance.