IAM - Advanced Motorists

tomstickland

I'm thinking about joining and doing the advanced test. I'm a keen driver, who advocates paying attention and thinking about road conditions. I quite fancy doing the test.

I've had a quick look and it costs £85 up front to join from what I can see.

I seem to remember there being another organisation who do pretty much the same thing. Something like RoSPA?

fox2319

I'm pretty keen to find out about either IAM or RoSPA. Would appreciate any pointers on how to get on with either too.

Blue_Lou

[SIZE=-1][/SIZE][SIZE=-1]http://www.iam.org.uk - Insitute of Advanced Motoring.

http://www.driving.org/diamond.html - Diamond Advanced Driving (Boys can take it too)

http://www.rospa.com/drivertraining/courses/advanced_tests/car.htm - ROSPA
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Crabman

I passed the IAM test in September 2006, very, very useful in terms of road safety.

For £85 (£65 for under 25s) you'll receive the IAM manual, unlimited on the road guidance with an allocated 'observer' (in your own vehicle) until you reach test standard. The test fee is included in the joining fee along with yearly 'refresher' drives.

Taking into account the fuel costs, wear and tear, etc. it comes to about £100 extra, in my opinion it's worth every penny. The local IAM group meetings are good fun too

mrbadexample

:think: Is there any noticeable impact on insurance prices if you've done this?

sjc_2

Didn't realise it was so expensive these days but worth every penny. I did mine back in 1992/3 Passing the test in Jan 93. Back then it was just a case of joining the local group which was minimal then paying for the test. But still even at todays costs it is still well worthwhile.

I have kept up my membership ever since this year it was £17.50 for the year and you get a quarterly magazine.

As for insurance discounts you can get a discount through IAM's Insurance Services and some main Insurance Companies offer minor discounts, but overall don't do it for an insurance discount as you always find cheaper Insurance available without the IAM discount for example they can get no where near my Direct Line quote.

But overall highly recommended, anything really that can make you a better driver is worthwhile.

hjb123

I also did the advanced test with IAM and found it very useful, hadnt realised how many bad habits I had picked up, havent kept the membership though and alot of bad habits back me thinks!

it never made a difference to our insurance though!

vikingaero

I think that you can join the IAM for a taster session to see if it is for you. I went to one session and went out on the road with an observer which was fine. However the attitude of the other members in the meeting put me off for life.

hjb123

I never actually went to any meetings, just had the lessons and test and the people I came across were friendly throughout.