Advanced Driving Test

Have you have recently sat an advanced driving course (hopefully ours!) and now considering sitting an advanced test, but still are not sure if it is for you? Maybe you think you would not fit in with other Advanced Drivers, or you feel you would be out of your depth. Maybe you really can't justify the commitment needed to pass "just yet" as you are too busy, or simply don't have the time.....

If this is you, then please read the following case studies.

Case Study 1 - Clare Allender:

In 1998 I had a bad fall, which cost me some of the use of my legs
and my full driving licence. There's nothing like losing some of your
abilities, to spur you to make maximum use of what you have still got!

Months later, licence partly restored, I had an "introductory
lesson" with an ADI in an automatic with hand controls, and he saw
no reason why I shouldn't take some further driver-training.
Within weeks I had joined the local group of the I.A.M., a very
friendly, very committed, and very aware bunch of people, in my neck- of-the-woods at least. What did they "teach" me? Next to nothing!! Strategically placed comments on what I was doing, (and not doing,) was all it took to get me thinking about my driving. Much of Advanced Driving is just SO obvious, when you think seriously about it: break old (bad) habits, establish some new ones, and driving is much more enjoyable. (I have since taken it further, and in 2003 passed the RoADA test at Gold Standard.)

My personal "catchphrase" ?
How do you avoid accidents? By not being there when they happen -
Seeing a situation about to develop, and having the time to "not be
there", is both very safe and very, very satisfying.

Spend a bit of time, and a bit of determination, and your driving can
become something you are justifiably proud of : and boy, what a
sense of achievement it can give !
(Warning - Beware, overconfidence comes before an...oops!!! )

Case Study 2- Ken Downes

I have always had an interest in safe driving and intended to make enquiries about joining the local advanced driving group some day. My motivation had always been at the back of my mind but the catalyst came in the form of a knock on the door in the early hours of the morning by a policeman. I’ll never forget the moment or what he had to tell me. He informed me that my son and his girlfriend had been killed in a road traffic accident.

I joined the local advanced driving group shortly after. I had to improve my driving skills to try and ensure that I am never the reason for placing any other parents in the same position that we were put in. The training was a great help to me as it gave me something to focus on and a goal to achieve at what was a difficult time. I passed my test and was awarded the gold grade.

I have been driving cars, HGVs and motorcycles for 25 years and believed that I knew almost everything about the subject. Not at all, I hadn’t realised how undisciplined I had become and how many road signs there were that I didn’t recognise. Since passing my test I am a more observant, disciplined, and courteous driver. I give and receive information more readily and can make good progress whilst keeping my vehicle smooth and well balanced. This has been noted and appreciated by my passengers.

I would highly recommend joining an advanced driving group. In my opinion it is an important step towards road safety and passing the test is a personal achievement to build on and be proud of.

Case Study 3- Philip Wright (Motorcyclist)

I'm a biker and on September 2002 a van driver pulled out in front of me at a large roundabout. I sustained a few broken bones, wrecked bike e.t.c.

When I recovered I decided that some form of advanced riding was required. I didn't want this to happen again, it hurts and deep down I believed this accident could have been avoided. The first avenue I took was contacting the Institute of Advanced Motorists. This I passed with some ease.

Still not feeling one hundred percent confident I looked around for yet more training. I found this with Bike Safe. Living close to North Wales I enlisted and took their weekend course. Again I passed their test with a Gold. This training was the best I could have wished for and I would recommend any rider to have a go.

While attending Bike Safe, I learnt about RoSPA with their three year test and grading system. Once again I hunted them down on the Net, enlisted, took the test on a wet cold December day and passed with a Silver. Not content with this I retook the test five months later and yes, I got a Gold. I now observe with the Shropshire & Powys group.

Hope this helps and I think it just goes to show that on-going training is a must.

Case Study 4 - Kathy Higgins Dip DI

I was once a sales rep on the road selling veterinary medicines, on a tight schedule keeping appointments etc. After yet another near miss I decided to do something about my driving as I found the whole subject fascinating anyway. That was in 1995. I passed the IAM test in a 'white' transit van, the only vehicle I had at the time. This started some sort of catalyst, you could say the rest is history as I am now possibly the most qualified DSA Approved Driving Instructor on Merseyside. After I qualified as an ADI in 1999 I have gone on to pursue excellence in everything I do with regard to driving and driver training I now hold the following qualifications

IAM 1995
ADI 1999
DIAmond Advanced Test 2000
RoSPA (Gold) 2002
ORDIT (Official Register of Driving Instructor Trainers) 2002
DSA Registered Fleet Driver Trainer 2003
DIA Diploma in Driving Instruction 2003
RAC Advanced Driver (Platinum) 2004
DIAmond Special Test 2004

I continue to attend courses to improve my skills and of course pass them on. I currently work with DriveTech, Driving Services and RoSPA (Team Leader) for Fleet Training and I am a Director of Autotutors School of Motoring and Autotutors Driver Training, in Liverpool. I am involved with the National Driver Improvement Scheme and I am currently studying with Middlesex University for a BA Hon's in Driver Education

So from Sale Rep standard of driving to this in less than 10 years can't be bad, and it all started with a spark from the Merseyside Group of the IAM. I thank them.

Case Study 5 - Pamela Austin.

I first decided to take the IAM test in my car in 1987, after some 19 years of trouble free driving, because I was conceited and thought I'd pass. I didn't. My ego having been dealt a bit of a blow by this meant that I did nothing for three years, until I contacted my local branch (Maidenhead), and after three observed runs I applied to take the test again, and passed.

It was not until 1996 did I decide to take the RoSPA test as well, so I read 'Roadcraft', took the RoSPA test and achieved a pass at silver grade.


After both my first and second cars had been written off within a year in accidents caused by other motorists' bad driving, I decided that it would be cheaper (and I would be a smaller target) if I rode a motorbike, so to the amusement of my father, and the dismay of my mother, I bought a blue 175cc Honda and after a crash course in riding by the then boyfriend (who rode a Norton) I sallied forth. It was my ambition from the day I decided to become a biker to own a Triumph, so as soon as I had passed my motorcycle test (first time, with ease) I went off in search of one, and soon became the proud owner of the Tiger. This was my sole means of transport for some four years, and I rode around Oxford and further afield in all conditions. Eventually I sold the bike only because after a solo holiday in the Irish Republic, it developed compression problems, and I simultaneously changed my job and was required to drive a car.

After I had passed the two advanced tests in the car, I started to think about taking them on a bike - well, why not? I was still an accomplished driver, and I began to hanker for riding again, and saw the advanced test as a means to and end (and I was still conceited about my ability) so I contacted the IAM, and was put in touch with an observer from north London (Tony Ryan). A friend had recommended a Honda dealer where I could hire a machine by the day, and so I arrived for the rendezvous on a 500cc CBT, not having been on a bike in 20 years. We met in Middlesex in the snow! The first observed run felt as though it lasted for hours, as I was learning the modern bike and its capabilities, as well as updating my rusty skills: I had never ridden a bike with an electric start, a choke, or indicators.

I apparently was not a total disaster, and over the next few months, several mornings were spent under observation, practising my skills, and in the afternoons, left to my own devices, I would spend the rest of the day exploring, and enjoying being on two wheels again. I took the test and passed in the summer of 1995, and although I only scraped through, I was very pleased, given the lack of recent experience. I would add that all this had added spice because my husband is terminally anti-bike, and so it was all done in secrecy! I think he was quite proud of my achievements, but he wouldn't say so...

I was then further motivated to continue biking, so I used to hire for a day about once a month during the summer months, and go out and play on anything from a Honda 500 to a Harley sportster 900, which is just so cool!

About four years later, I decided to take the RoSPA test to see if I was still up to standard, and to my delight I passed - again, by a narrow margin, achieving a bronze pass, but again I was very pleased with the positive comments made by the examiner, on another foul, wet day, and particularly as I had not been 'observed' again, but relied solely on my summer days out for experience.

Although I have continued to take the RoSPA update tests in the car, achieving gold standard in 2002, and I also passed the Cardington special test for Approved Driving Instructors without fault, I have not been able to take any further tests on a motorcycle, as only a year after I passed the RoSPA test I had unfortunately to give up biking: my husband retired, so I couldn't go out and play in secret while he was at work! I would add that he has only my best interests at heart, and is against me riding only because he wants to keep me intact - how can I really argue with that?

Case Study 6- Shirley Wakadia.

I've always loved bikes and cars from an early age, mainly because of my Dad. He liked cars and had various models over the years and a few bikes.

My mum was a good driver, she could not leave me at home when she took her lessons, as I was too young. So I used to sit in the back of the car doing some colouring whilst she was taking her lessons, and keep very quiet or I would be in trouble!

Anyway the years passed and it was my turn to learn to drive, my sister had already passed her test, and I was doing my lessons. I would buy an Auto trader magazine and look at what I could afford, I had a few pennies as I was knocked down when I was 13 and the compensation money was saved in my bank account (I was never allowed to spend it) which was just as well as I would not have been able to buy my first car - a MK 1 Escort 1.3 and it drove like a tank.

I finally passed my test, second time and spent hours driving around, with our dog Suzy in the back. I would spend hours tinkering with the engine and also repainted the car, with the help of my Dad. I thought it looked fab, actually it looked awful. It was hand-painted and you could see the brush marks!!!!

I met my husband to be, who was a biker, and got married. He hadn't passed his car test so we made a deal. He would do his car test and I would do my bike test. I loved it, our friend was a star rider instructor so he taught me to ride. Whilst my Dad taught my husband along with a few proper driving lessons. We both passed our tests. Children came along so the bike went, due to not enough cash around to fund it.

Over the years we had various cars, until we found the Audi A3 1.8 T Sport, lovely car. I have done a few skid pan courses that were bought for me by my husband and I thought I was a "good driver" until I did an advanced driving day, that opened my eyes, realising how bad I was. So having found out about ROSPA advanced driving I was already thinking about it. I did yet another skid pan course along with my Dad and sister ( who's driving is appalling) it was my Dads 60th birthday and it was a joint present. It was great fun, after the course, the instructor said I had the aptitude to be a driving instructor. That really got me thinking, was I that good??

So I plucked up the courage( as I'm very shy) and went to a local ROSPA meeting. Everyone was so nice and very welcoming. I went out for my first observed drive but did not enjoy it, but I thought I'd give it another go. I'm glad I did. I've just done my ROSPA test and got Silver, I thank my tutor who is fab, it would not have been possible without him. I'm taking my IAM test next week, and I'm sure I will fly through. We now have a new fab car and quad bike, which is great fun, you get so many looks riding through town on the quad. I now have much more confidence in myself and feel I can do anything.

If you want to start advanced driver training, please have a look at our current courses avaliable. Our courses provide you with excellent preparation for any advanced driving test. If you opt to take a test or not, your driving will be greatly improved either way.

Back to top