closing tag is in template navbar
timefactors watches



TZ-UK Fundraiser
Results 1 to 21 of 21

Thread: Any advanced drivers?

  1. #1

    Any advanced drivers?

    I’ve got my IAM test this week... any last minute hints and tips?

  2. #2
    Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    2,964
    Blog Entries
    1
    Are you a new driver?

    I've not done this but done track and high speed driver training.

    Just enjoy it. If you try too hard you probably won't get the benefit.

  3. #3
    If your observer has assessed that you are ready to take the test then you are ready.

    Between now and your test, drive at all times exactly as you've been shown, don't lapse even for a couple of moments.

    On the test, relax and enjoy your time behind the wheel: you're not there to impress the examiner but just to demonstrate to yourself how you've improved since you started your course.

    R
    Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.

  4. #4
    Master Kirk280's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Manchester
    Posts
    7,051
    I might sound daft but try to enjoy it...I learnt more during the exam than I did from the course!

  5. #5
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Bedfordshire
    Posts
    706
    Had my test a few weeks ago, as others have said relax and drive as you have been advised by your observer.

    Feedback at the end was very useful.

    Good luck.

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by pete-r View Post
    Are you a new driver?
    Nope, have had a full car and bike licence for a quarter century, and a msa licence for a couple of years. But have certainly learned plenty doing the IAM course :)

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by ralphy View Post
    If your observer has assessed that you are ready to take the test then you are ready.

    Between now and your test, drive at all times exactly as you've been shown, don't lapse even for a couple of moments.

    On the test, relax and enjoy your time behind the wheel: you're not there to impress the examiner but just to demonstrate to yourself how you've improved since you started your course.

    R
    Thanks; that’s sounds like a great approach to the mindset to have.

  8. #8
    Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    West Yorks
    Posts
    1,262
    Get your cockpit drill nailed as its the first chance to make an impression,are you comontating?
    Watch for him talking as he only shuts his door halfway

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by MCFastybloke View Post
    Get your cockpit drill nailed as its the first chance to make an impression,are you comontating?
    Watch for him talking as he only shuts his door halfway
    My cockpit drill definitely needs work - I’ll look out for any examiner sabotage ;)

    Yes, planning on commentating and have been rehearsing that a fair bit.

  10. #10
    Did my IAM many years ago... 2 minors..

    1. Didn't sound my horn in the approach to a bridge (which is wide and never a problem... But a blind crest none the less)

    2. Went into a fast roundabout with no indicator on as there was no traffic about. Then... Some bugger appears just at the last minute! So... Indicate at all times.

  11. #11
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Scotland
    Posts
    823
    Did my advanced IAM test many years ago. I loved every minute of it as I learned from a serving traffic cop whom I believe still volunteers with the group today.

    I was so well trained, the person conducting my pre-test observation asked for his details and during my actual test, the examiner knew at the end that a cop must have taught me. Highly recommended and all the best with your test.

  12. #12
    Master PhilipK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Hampshire, UK
    Posts
    4,215
    Quote Originally Posted by JohnnyE View Post
    So... Indicate at all times.
    When I did my IAM test, that would have been an automatic fail.

    The rationale is that as part of the approach to any "hazard" (as Drivecraft calls just about anything you can encounter) you should consider whether you need to indicate, and whether it would provide useful information to any other road user. If you always use your indicator, then it suggests that you are doing so automatically rather than making an informed decision about whether or not to indicate.

    (I'm aware that there is a counter argument which says that you should always indicate, on the grounds that there might be somebody who you haven't seen, and who would benefit from your indication. But that's not the IAM way.)

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by PhilipK View Post
    When I did my IAM test, that would have been an automatic fail.

    The rationale is that as part of the approach to any "hazard" (as Drivecraft calls just about anything you can encounter) you should consider whether you need to indicate, and whether it would provide useful information to any other road user. If you always use your indicator, then it suggests that you are doing so automatically rather than making an informed decision about whether or not to indicate.

    (I'm aware that there is a counter argument which says that you should always indicate, on the grounds that there might be somebody who you haven't seen, and who would benefit from your indication. But that's not the IAM way.)
    Appears so in this case - no traffic about then some bugger appears! Observation might have been better?

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by PhilipK View Post
    When I did my IAM test, that would have been an automatic fail.

    The rationale is that as part of the approach to any "hazard" (as Drivecraft calls just about anything you can encounter) you should consider whether you need to indicate, and whether it would provide useful information to any other road user. If you always use your indicator, then it suggests that you are doing so automatically rather than making an informed decision about whether or not to indicate.

    (I'm aware that there is a counter argument which says that you should always indicate, on the grounds that there might be somebody who you haven't seen, and who would benefit from your indication. But that's not the IAM way.)
    The indicator point is the only one where I fundamentally disagree with IAM, for the counter reasons you give and because its such a trivial thing for the driver to do. No one can point to a downside to always indicating when challenged on it....

  15. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by Kingstepper View Post
    Appears so in this case - no traffic about then some bugger appears! Observation might have been better?
    It was a wide and fast roundabout so at the point I made the decision, nobody was there. The cars appear from the blind point at speed - so I guess I should have taken that into account - the fact that people CAN appear from the far side at speed (rather than my knee jerk comment of "always indicate").

  16. #16
    Master Reeny's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Northumberland
    Posts
    3,792
    I found the commentary speeded up my observation skills.
    If things are happening too quickly to get the words out, then you need to prioritise what you are saying.

    Commentating in 5-minutes chunks when no-one else was in the car worked for me.

  17. #17
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Cheshire, UK
    Posts
    5,144
    I still do periodic commentary as a refresher when I'm driving alone - I do a lot of that.

    Eventhough the "test" was many years ago and Hendon even further back, the number of times I think "***k me" I should have mentioned that, allied with the professional drivers regular route errors I notice, still surprises me.

    GLWTT

    B

  18. #18
    Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Back home in Great Grimsby
    Posts
    2,046
    Out of interest, do you find that commentating adds to the frustration when you see so many folk drive today with, for example, bad lane discipline or roundabout signalling?

  19. #19
    Grand Master hogthrob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    16,848
    Quote Originally Posted by JGJG View Post
    The indicator point is the only one where I fundamentally disagree with IAM, for the counter reasons you give and because its such a trivial thing for the driver to do. No one can point to a downside to always indicating when challenged on it....
    What if you said "I can't see anyone, but I'm going to indicate anyway", to demonstrate that it's a conscious decision?

  20. #20
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    salisbury
    Posts
    358
    Did my test a couple of weeks ago. Already had bike IAM and RoSPA, did the car as I found a code for a reduced 2nd category. Did learn lots, hardest bit for me was the brake, clutch separation as I normally drive an auto, but did the training in my wifes manual. The thing the examiner was keen on was the cockpit drills and mirrors, don't forget the nearside wing mirror when doing your checks. Always check before you signal. Enjoyed it, but it was a lot easier as I already knew Roadcraft and the highway code, as I had just redone my bike RoSPA three months before. Good luck, enjoy it.

  21. #21
    Master
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Cheshire, UK
    Posts
    5,144
    Quote Originally Posted by Puntsdog View Post
    Out of interest, do you find that commentating adds to the frustration when you see so many folk drive today with, for example, bad lane discipline or roundabout signalling?

    Actually no, I find that the potential hazard ID takes my mind off the odd numpty.
    I actually started a game with my son when he was in his early teens - it seemed to do nothing at all as he still had the regulation three in his first 18 months on the road.

    B
    Last edited by Brian; 24th June 2019 at 22:34.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Do Not Sell My Personal Information