Where to go next?

Sean · Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 8

Hey there guys and girls,

I'm just curious about how far I can take my driving at my age. I am currently 18 and I have passed the full UK Driving Test and have also undertaken and completed the Pass Plus Scheme. But I'm wondering how much higher I can go - and what is the hierachy of "driving ranks".

I've looked around briefly and seen that there are many different 'qualifications' you can gain (ADI, IAM, ROSPA, HPC).

I don't plan to persue a career in instructing learner drivers - I just want to do it to further improve my skills as a driver, so which would be the ideal level for me to move to? If I need to improve my level at all that is.

Thanks for your time reading this.

Custom24 · Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 130

IAM or ROSPA would be the logical thing for you next. IAM you need to have 3 months with a full driving licence before you take the test, but you can prepare before this, so you can be ready for the test. ROSPA not sure about - probably on their website.

Age shouldn't be a problem with either - IAM at least are currently encouraging younger drivers.

If you don't want to teach then you don't need ADI (and it's a very expensive and dedicated road that way anyway).

HPC I don't yet know much about, but IAM or ROSPA is probably more cost effective where you are.

Porker · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 517 Location: Essex

Hello Sean, and welcome.

You have a number of options. A useful first step might be to see if you can attend one of the AD-UK driving days which are posted in the members' section of the forum - you'll need to sign up to get access to these, but that and the drives are both free.

If you like what you see, you might be inspired to join a local RoADAR (RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders) or IAM group. Both provide inexpensive coaching culminating in a test. RoADAR is perhaps slightly preferable in that they provide a graded test but ultimately the quality of the coaching you receive will depend on the individual Observer/Tutor who's allocated to you rather than whether the group is affiliated to the IAM or RoADAR.

You could also consider joining Clubdriving (www.clubdriving.co.uk) which has a mentoring system for members.

Feel free to ask any questions that you have.

regards
P.

ScoobyChris · Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 1197 Location: Andover, Hants

I'd agree that the next logical step is IAM or RoSPA as they teach you the fundamentals of advanced driving and then everything after that simply builds on that foundation.

IAM is a pass/fail exam and RoSPA is graded into fail, bronze, silver and gold with a retest every 3 years but both cover very similar syllabuses. Worth contacting your local group and maybe popping down to a local meeting and finding out what it's all about and maybe getting a demo drive.

ADI is something slightly different and that is a teaching qualification designed to enable you to prepare people for the driving test. The only other benefit is that it enables you to charge people for your teaching time, irrespective of what level of driving you're teaching.

Good luck and let us know what you choose Very Happy

Chris

7db · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 1775 Location: London

Hi Sean - whereabouts are you based? Come along for a drive with some of the enthusiasts here and see what takes your fancy.

Sean · Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 8

I'm from Middlesbrough in the North East - I've been looking through some of the IAM groups and the Middlesbrough group page has a 404 Error. However, I have not looked any further to find a page for it.

What is the layout for the IAM / RoSPA? Do you get driving 'lessons' like when you are studying for your standard driving test? Or is it based more on you as a person, you have to go out and use your own independance and learn the new skills that you require?

Thanks for all the help so far, it's been very helpful.

daz6215 · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 168 Location: Newcastle

Hi Sean, what your tutor will do is provide feedback on your driving and offer advice on other things like limit point , brake gear overlap, observation and smoothness of the drive etc. the more YOU put in the more you will get out of it.
_________________
ADI, DSA Fleet Registered Trainer,
RoADAR Dip,
RoSPA Gold,
LGV 1

ScoobyChris · Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 1197 Location: Andover, Hants

The syllabus is basically outlined in Roadcraft and the typical format is that you're allocated 6 1-1 1/2 hour observed drives. Your observer/tutor will likely give you a demo drive of the standard and then guide you to test standard (or beyond if you're lucky) in as many drives as it takes. I think it's fair to say that if you practice between sessions you probably won't need all 6.

Once your observer thinks you're at test standard, you'll then go out with a senior observer for a 2nd opinion (mine was run as a mock test) and then you can put in for your test.

Depending on how long the waiting list is to be assigned an observer, you might want to pop along to an ADUK day (if there are any running near you!) in the meantime to get the ball rolling...

Most of all, enjoy it Wink

Chris

ROG · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 1119 Location: LEICESTER

Sean · Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 8

Ah right, thanks for the information. I'll pick up a copy of Roadcraft, and the Cleveland IAM Site said that I should also pick up a copy of Knowing your Road Signs - so I'll get both then decide what to move onto from there.

Thanks for all the information that you have provided, it has been really helpful in helping me make a decision.