Norfolk and Norwich Group of Advanced Motorists
Registered Charity Number 1051282. Affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists Ltd.
I decided to buy a new car about a year ago, and chose a Suzuki Jimny. On the basis that this would be an ideal vehicle for driving in and around Norfolk. The Jimny has quite a following and I had to wait a year before one became available.
There were a few raised eyebrows among friends and family because I was 89 at the time. However, I like to look to the future rather than reflect on the past. The Jimny is rather a quirky vehicle, certainly not sophisticated and with many fewer technical enhancements than most new cars: this, for me, is a positive. I have driven a Toyota Yaris for the past 14 years which has a higher spec, and much higher performance.
The Jimny performs much differently to the Yaris. I am an enthusiastic driver and I decided that some driving tuition would be helpful. I passed the IAM advanced test in 1965 but much had changed during the past 59 years: the development of cars, the roads, the volume of trafic and, of course, myself.
I looked online and discovered that the Institute of Advanced Motorists had become IAM road Smart. I contacted Head Office to make enquiries and when I was asked my age, I detected a slight change of voice particularly when I said that I wanted to take the test. The immediate response was: ‘would you prefer to do an assessment drive?’ I was insistent that I wanted to take the test.
Eventually, I was allocated to my Observer, Graham Watson. I gained the impression that whoever allocated me to him, had almost apologised. Much has changed since I took the course in 1965. Then, I was taught to make much use of the gears rather than the brakes. There was no mention of the System Information, Position, Speed, Gear and Acceleration. (IPSGA), the core of the program. My first session with Graham, did not go particularly well: my fault. I had been driving both the Yaris and the Jimny, and the Jimny being quite new to me, I was not quite used to driving it.
I cannot speak too highly of Graham. I had about 10 sessions with him. His effort, skill, knowledge, enthusiasm for driving and his patience, were impressive. I had good days and then would regress to my old habits, but he quietly but firmly kept me going in the right direction. When he decided that I was ready he made the arrangements for the test; but before that I had a mock test with Kevin Smith, Observer Training Co-ordinator. The feedback that I received from both Graham and Kevin proved to be really useful. Naturally, I wanted to pass the test but even if I had not passed, I felt that the experience was worthwhile and had made me much more aware, more confident, more competent and a much safer driver.
On the day of the test, I felt a little apprehensive but as soon as I met my examiner, Soji Ojelade, he immediately put me at ease. At the end of the drive, I was delighted to be told that I had passed, but even more delighted to learn that I had passed with a FIRST.
One thing that I found was common to the three people who have sat beside me during the various stages of the coaching program was that none of them missed a trick. Their sense of awareness of the road, the traffic and the often erratic behaviour of other road users was really impressive.
Peter Rodger, in his article in the Advanced Driver Course Logbook, defines what he regards as the Thinking Driver. My Observer has helped me make a big step towards becoming such a Driver.
So, if you are a driver reading this article, even if you an older driver, who would like to become a safer, more competent and confident driver and who is considering taking the course: I have no hesitation in recommending the IAM Road Smart driving course to you.
I have been driving for many years and had been thinking that I would like to take the IAM Advanced Driver course for some time (a few years!).
During the Covid pandemic my wife didn’t drive for some time and had become a bit nervous when she started driving again. I saw on the IAM RoadSmart website that they were advertising a Mature Driver Review session and bought this for her as a present. She enjoyed the experience, and it went a long way towards restoring her confidence. I went along for the ride, and at the end of the session after the very constructive feedback, the IAM expert was talking about further possible courses which made me think again about doing something myself.
I saw that IAM RoadSmart were offering a “Free Taster” drive, so I booked myself on one of these, which I found to be a very positive and enjoyable experience. This convinced me to go ahead and book the Advanced Driver course.
I was notified of my Observer for the course which was the same person (Graham Watson) as for the taster drive which gave continuity to the process. I found that the critique after each of the observed drives was always constructive, thus enabling improvement where required. After six observed drives spread over two months my Observer considered that I was “test ready”, and organised for me to have a “check drive” with a different Observer (Terry Vincent) to confirm this. This went well and a test date was requested, which unfortunately was not until six weeks after the “check drive”. Graham therefore suggested that it would be a good idea if he took me on another couple of observed drives to “keep me on the boil!” (…and I quote!!) until my test date. So, this is what I did, meaning I had eight observed drives with Graham prior to my test.
My test was carried out by examiner Neale McConnell on a route starting from Beccles, which is some 25 miles from where I live, on roads unfamiliar to me. We met at a café with a large car park, introduced ourselves, and went from there. The test was conducted in a friendly and relaxed manner putting me at ease throughout. The whole test lasted about an hour. When we finished, and I was told that I had passed and achieved a “F1rst”, I was delighted.
I would say to anyone thinking about taking the IAM Advanced Driver course – get in touch and do it! In terms of driving skills you can’t lose, and it is also excellent value for money!