IAM

Howard

Howard

Howard

Soldato
Joined
12 Jul 2007
Posts
16,317
Location
South East
Morning all,

I've been pondering lately about doing an IAM course. Now I've read a few threads on the subject and many people suggest 'getting a feel for how your local group works' before committing. What's the easiest way to do this? Should I just go for it?

My local one is the Guildford District - http://www.guildford-iam.org.uk/ - has anyone had any experiences here?

Is it worth doing from a driving enjoyment and roadcraft perspective? By driving enjoyment I don't mean hooning about on the limit; I'm fully aware that the IAM do not promote this and that it's all about safe progress, but I do enjoy driving generally and I do enjoy improving my skills and observation, and like to think that I am constantly doing so.

I know Fox has done it. Would anyone else like to share their experiences?

Thanks :).
 
I've re written this three times and every time I come across as an arse so I'll just say it.

For me 12 years behind the wheel, 0 fault accidents and the only non fault being when I was stationary says that I know enough to get by in terms of safety.

Also of my limited experience of IAM members I can't say I'd be too fussed about being a member or going to their events.

If you feel like you will gain something from it though then why not.
 
As I recall the IAM is a one time test, like the driving test. After a few years one may find their driving standard slipping back to pre-test standards.

RoSPA requires members to do a re-test every three years.
 
I have fairly little knowledge about IAM really but what i do know is all the members that i've known driving scares me quite a bit... Take from that what you will.
 
sovietspybob said:
I have fairly little knowledge about IAM really but what i do know is all the members that i've known driving scares me quite a bit... Take from that what you will.
Click to expand...

In what way scares you?

In how quick they can take a corner? Or how crap they are at driving in general?

I'd rather use my money to some crash awareness type of course. Skid pan, understanding over/understeer etc. IMO more benefical than IAM.
 
Tomsk said:
As I recall the IAM is a one time test, like the driving test. After a few years one may find their driving standard slipping back to pre-test standards.

RoSPA requires members to do a re-test every three years.
Click to expand...

Something similar for the autobikes also. RoSPA has Gold, Silver, Bronze does it not? Uncertain how AIM lines up to it.
 
Griffo said:
Something similar for the autobikes also. RoSPA has Gold, Silver, Bronze does it not? Uncertain how AIM lines up to it.
Click to expand...

When I was learning motorcycling (nearly 30 years ago!) one of my instructors was a police motorcyclist and he recommended the RoSPA over the IAM, because of the 3 year re-test requirement. One of the other instructors in the group has a RoSPA Silver certification as well.

I don't have either. I would fail on driving too fast (ie speeding) and being too 'aggressive' - not enough distance to car in front, taking corners too fast, accelerating too hard - are probably my main (self assessed) faults.
 
Begbie said:
In what way scares you?

In how quick they can take a corner? Or how crap they are at driving in general?

I'd rather use my money to some crash awareness type of course. Skid pan, understanding over/understeer etc. IMO more benefical than IAM.
Click to expand...

How crap they are

General inability to manoeuvre and lack of awareness.

I'd recommend a skid control course with every fibre of my being over IAM, the one i did was through work so was free but i'd seriously think about paying for it as i found it that useful.
 
sovietspybob said:
How crap they are

General inability to manoeuvre and lack of awareness.

I'd recommend a skid control course with every fibre of my being over IAM, the one i did was through work so was free but i'd seriously think about paying for it as i found it that useful.
Click to expand...

Thought that would be the case. Pretty much as I thought it would be a bunch of blokes who think their better than the average driver. Though I would imagine they ain't all like that, just money can be spent better elsewhere from what I've read.
 
There is a £35 one hour assessment that my wife took last week, she really took loads from the hour, I've been trying to modify her driving for years but the age old husband and wife arguments start, it was good for someone else to reinforce what I was trying to do.

She's not a bad driver but not great and has zero mechanical sympathy.

It's my turn next week
 
I thought about IAM for a while but I drive an automatic, which rules out a chunk of the vehicle control aspects, and I think that my driving is actually pretty OK with the exception of speed. I suspect I'd have to slow down so much for the assessment/courses that I don't think I'd get any value from them.
 
maccapacca said:
There is a £35 one hour assessment that my wife took last week, she really took loads from the hour, I've been trying to modify her driving for years but the age old husband and wife arguments start, it was good for someone else to reinforce what I was trying to do.

She's not a bad driver but not great and has zero mechanical sympathy.

It's my turn next week
Click to expand...

In that way it would be great, I should've put the ex on one. That way she would've listened to me when I told her that her driving was the most terryifying thing I have ever noticed.
 
I have done the IAM course.

It was ok.i did two separate adnaved drives courses, road craft and track craft at milk brook proving ground. Was 1000 times better and really teaches you proper car control.

Would recommended it to anyone, the only problem is that it is quite expensive.
 
Hmm, might send the GF on one of these courses. Her clutch control is poor to say the least. I tried to drink a cup of tea in the car while she drove it to her work this morning (I drove it back)........

She shifted down to first, clutch out too quick, extreme jerking of the car, and tea all over me!!!!
 
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