IAM

spike's

spike's

spike's

Soldato
Joined
28 Jul 2003
Posts
4,074
Location
Hook
well after going to the motorshow at the weekend i picked up some info on doing an AIM course.

just after a bit of info before i decide to do it.
i am currently 25 so i save a bit of money.

anyone done it on here, and if so whats it like?
 
You contact your local group, make sure they can start right away, or very soon, then pay your fees.

You arrange a drive with a n observer, you meet in a mutal place, and use your car. He/She observes your first drive, then de-breifs you at the end. They tell you where you need to improve etc and your strong points. You then arange another drive, and another one until you are est ready.

Before your test, you will have a mock test, where your normal observer will sit in the back of the car, and another observer will observe your drive. He/she will pick up lots of little things, (nit picking really) then they tell you to put in for your test.

About a week after you send of the fors for the test, the eaxminer will contact you to book the test in your area.

I really enjoyed it, improved my driving, and more so my observation skills.
 
thanks for that. so do you not sign up on the website first?

and am i right in thinking the £75 or what ever it is, that is all you pay?

did it lower your insurance much if at all? if i do it it wont be for that reason anyway, more of a bonus.
 
spike's said:
thanks for that. so do you not sign up on the website first?

and am i right in thinking the £75 or what ever it is, that is all you pay?

did it lower your insurance much if at all? if i do it it wont be for that reason anyway, more of a bonus.
Click to expand...

afaik saitrix and matthew.m have both done it, i'm sure one of them will be along before long.
 
Yeah you can complete it all online first then contact thw local group, thats the way i did it, however i payed December but didnt start untill March due to the group having a lot of new comers.

The £75 is all you pay, however there is an anual charge of £15, which is included in the first £75, every year after.

TBH I have not informed the insurance company, its on my list to do, but never get around to doing it. It does lower your premiums with some companies.

You also get discounts with RAC, AA, Some airport parking company, and more! cant remember the others though.
 
Some insurance companies don't give you anythign off, I rang up Churchill and they said no discount. So don't expect one, then if you do get one it's a nice bonus.

Also try not to hit a cat on your test. ;)
 
saitrix said:
Some insurance companies don't give you anythign off, I rang up Churchill and they said no discount. So don't expect one, then if you do get one it's a nice bonus.

Also try not to hit a cat on your test. ;)
Click to expand...
lol, can i guess thats what you did?

tbh, i am not doing it for the insurance discount, if any. but it would be nice.
 
chrislusty said:
Before your test, you will have a mock test, where your normal observer will sit in the back of the car, and another observer will observe your drive.
Click to expand...

Could be tricky, I've got the engine in the back.
 
From the last thread on this (cos' I'm a lazy sod):

I'm an observer for the Bolton group. The first thing you need to understand is that the groups are run as charitys, and as such the members give up their time for free. Because of this each group does things slightly differently, and the process I describe is only valid for some:

The IAM Skill For Life package costs £85 (£75 if you are 25 or under). This covers a years membership of the IAM, your test fee, membership of your local group, and a number of textbooks. Once you purchase the package, you will be registered with your local group and they will contact you directly to arrange your start date etc. The practical driving sessions are free.

At Bolton, we run a structured course that lasts a minimum of 8 weeks but more usually takes 12 weeks to complete. The sessions are run on Sunday morning, and consist of you driving your own car with an observer (different person each week) sitting in the passenger seat to provide guidance on your driving, the sessions typically last for two hours. The first four weeks of the course are used to teach you the fundamentals of the system of car control, steering, observation, road positioning etc and then you are taken for a demo drive on the 5th week, where an observer shows you how it all fits together. After this you are just on genreal practice drives until week 8 where you take a mock test. If you pass, you'll be put forward for the full advanced test.

The only pre-requisite is that you hold a full UK license and have not been convicted of any serious driving offences (dangerous driving etc).

Is it worth it? Yes, definitely. If you feel that driving is something you could improve at and are willing to learn then you will get a lot out of it. However, don't do it for the insurance discounts as they don't amount to much (5% if you're lucky) - a much better benefit is the 25% off AA membership.
The main thing that the IAM try to teach is smooth, safe driving whilst making decent progress, to be honest the training on observation alone is worth the fee.

The only thing i'd warn you about is that some groups are a little "backwards" - they tend to be looked after by archetypal "string-back gloves and flat cap" drivers. Find out how your local group does things before you sign up, if you don't like the sound of it there may a be a group a little further afield that will suit you more.
 
I did mine a couple of years ago and it was the best £85 I've spent. I learnt so much from the course that I'd recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone wishing to improve their skills.
I've not really had any insurance reduction, but I know some people do.
It's money well spent regardless.
 
thanks for the extra reply's guy's.

just a couple of quick questions.

Goliath - you mention trying to find out how a particular group does things. how would i go about doing this?

my group by the looks of things would be basingstoke, anyone got any idea about this group?

i currently have 6points, ( speeding on motorway, and jumping red light ) can i still do it?


thanks again.
 
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