Advanced Driving Courses are booked and paid for through IAM RoadSmart. Click on the buttons above for more information from the IAMRoadSmart website

 

SAM is one of many groups around the country, run by volunteers and delivering courses on behalf of IAMRoadSmart. All observers supporting these courses are trained to a high standard and accredited to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

 

Groups operate courses according to their location and observer availability, but all associates are required to achieve the same minimum test standard - known as an IAMRoadSmart 'Pass'. Those able to demonstrate a skill level well above the minimum standard are awarded an IAMRoadSmart 'F1rst''.

 

We recommend that you have held a full UK driving licence for at least 6 months. Also you must have no legal or medical constraints from driving. Observed drives, aimed at coaching you in readiness for the IAMRoadSmart Assessment (ie test) will be undertaken in your own vehicle which must be legally roadworthy.

 

Here's how it works with SAM:

 

Having booked a course through IAMRoadSmart, you will be allocated to the nearest available group to your postcode unless you specifically request to join a particular group. 

 

IAM HQ will pass on your application to the appropriate group and, if this is SAM, we will respond as quickly as possible - bearing in mind we are all volunteers.

 

We will send you a form to complete, the most important part being your availability. This will be used to match you with an observer who can support your availability. The more flexible you can be,  the easier it is to allocate you to one of our limited number of observers - who, by the way, receive no renumeration for their time!

 

Once you return the completed form you will be enrolled as an Associate Member of SAM, nominally for 12 months (extendable only in exceptional circumstances). We can then assign you to a course, normally our next available. However a limited number of observers means a limited number of course places and so a place will not be offered to you until you are enrolled. If you delay, you may miss a place and have to await a later course.

 

We generally run three courses a year (subject to demand) which usually commence in January, May and September. It typically takes an Associate between 3 to 6 months to reach test standard; very much dependent on the commitment of the individual!

 

The course comprises three parts:

 

1. Theory sessions -

Not all groups offer this, but SAM's experience over many years is that attendance at these sessions greatly assists the Associate to understand new concepts and techniques (such as how to take bends safely) in a comfortable classroom environment with a cup of tea or coffee, rather than at the roadside. Not all associates attend; but feedback from those who do, suggests that they find these sessions extremely useful. It also tends to show in the pass rate! 

 

There are 7 sessions in total, each taking place weekly in a Solihull venue in the evenings from 7pm to 9pm. They are arranged as follows:

Week 1 - Introduction

Week 2 - Human Factors & Vehicle Stability

Week 3 - Observation & the System of Car Control

Week 4 - Signalling, Positioning & Making Progress

Week 5 - Spoken Thoughts & Motorway Driving

Week 6 - Manoeuvres & Review of Techniques

after a 2 - 3 week break

Week 7 - Course Review - Revision & Test Preparation (Often an examiner attends to explain what he is looking for)

 

2. Observed drives -

You will be allocated an observer, usually for the duration of your course. He will accompany you in your own vehicle for your observed drives commencing at a place and time agreed between you. Note that, in general, we avoid observed drives in hours of darkness or in extreme weather conditions.

 

Each drive typically takes around 60 to 90 minutes over differing road conditions and the observer will note areas for development with the aid of a checklist which itemises the various competencies needed to be demonstrated during the test - observation and hazard perception for example. Commentary (or Spoken Thoughts)  is an optional competency for a 'Pass' but required for a 'F1rst'.

Typically we offer up to 10 such drives, by which time the associate (having practiced the techniques learned in their own time) will be approaching test readiness.

 

At this point your observer will arrange for a 'check drive' (in effect a mock test) with a different observer taking the role of the examiner.

 

3. The Advanced Driving Assessment (commonly called the test) -

If both observers feel you are ready then they will arrange for an IAMRoadSmart examiner (independent of SAM) to contact you to arrange a mutually agreeable time and place to commence your Assessment. This again lasts for approximately 90 minutes (including debrief) over various road conditions. At the end the examiner will give feedback and the result. Many of our successful associates, looking back. say they were well prepared for and actually enjoyed the drive!