'Skill for Life' the Advanced Driving Test
Anyone who has held a full British driving license for at least three months and has not been convicted of a serious traffic offence in the last three years. You must have insurance and current M.O.T Certificate ( where appropriate) for your vehicle and your car must be fitted with seat belts.
Statistics show that your chances of having an accident are cut by two-thirds once you have passed the Advanced Driving Test. Also when you handle your vehicle safely and economically there should be less resulting wear and tear, both on the driver and passengers’ nerves as well as the engine!
After you join as an associate, you will be assigned to one of our volunteer observers. You will go out for practice drives in your own car collecting your observer from his/her home. The observer sits in your car and provides helpful, constructive comments and guidance about putting the advanced driving techniques into practice. "Reading the IAM Publication " How To Become An Advanced Driver" in conjunction with the advice given to you by your Observer will enable to reach the required standard. You must arrange mutually convenient times each week with your observer and practise the techniques in between.
This will depend on several factors
Drives last 1 hour or a bit longer and are subject to availability of both associate and Observer but ideally once a week
Our Group has a pass rate of over 90%
The test lasts for 90 minutes and covers 35-40 miles on all kinds of roads from Motorways, dual carriageways country roads and congested streets. There is opportunity to show driving skills, concentration, and handling the vehicle capably and sympathetically. The examiners hold the Police Advanced Driving Certificate and are expert judges of a motorist’s abilities.
If you really want to do something, you find a way! The Dewsbury and Batley Group of Advanced Motorists aims to support and guide people who want to reach the Advanced standard for the test. Our observers are highly trained, even though they are all volunteers and give their time freely.
They will be able to help you
identify any motoring bad habits and suggest ways to implement the system (IPSGA). A lot
of the points raised often make very good sense – it’s just that they’ve
never been pointed out before. A Senior
Observer or our Guidance Officer will take you out on an assessment run when your usually
on the sixth Observed run.
Please note that there will be price increase from the 1st April to £99 there will still be a £20 discount for those under 26 yrs of age making it in total £79.
You may apply either directly to
Dewsbury & Batley Group or to IAM Head Office in London, but in both cases the price
and package offered are the same.
The Skill for Life package includes
Membership for one year to our group.
Free guidance in preparation for the IAM Advanced test.
The IAM Manual (How to be an Advanced Driver/Rider).
The IAM Test Fee (35).
Your first years membership of the IAM upon successfully passing your Advanced test.
All this for just £85
Note
If you are 25 or under upon application you will receive a £10 Discount from the 'skill for life' package and the Dewsbury & Batley group will match that making a total of £20 Discount
The National IAM membership is
£15per annum (£14.50 by Direct Debit), paid on the anniversary of your test
Dewsbury & Batley Group membership is a mere £8 per annum.
Gift vouchers are available through the IAM web site
Yes! At no extra charge. As an associate member you receive the Group newsletter and can participate in Group activities. At our Group Meetings you’ll find a video library and a bookstall, and plenty of chance to talk and find out more about the IAM and the test.
Your test fee includes one year’s membership of the national IAM; our local group charges only £8 per annum renewable in May (although you must retain your national IAM membership) and includes not only our regular magazine, meetings but also free observing toward any other class of test. If you are interested in becoming an observer for the group, we also provide a very thorough, staged training course which can lead to Qualified Observer status and ultimately the Senior Observer’s status.
Perhaps the most significant benefits is increased road safety, both for yourself and others. Some statistics bear this out:
There are also special insurance deals available; they may not be the cheapest quote you can find, but they do have the most comprehensive cover at that price. Those under 25 for whom insurance is a lot more costly, often find that having passed the advanced test allows them a greatly reduced premium. The greatly reduced chance of having an accident in the first place also affects no claims discount in the longer term. There is a wide range of other discounts on various motoring products and services, and the national magazine, "Advanced Motoring" is very enjoyable to read. There are trips abroad and a wealth of advice including up-to-date legal and technical information
You’d be surprised how you can build the training into your everyday driving – the more you learn, the more enjoyable driving will be, and life should actually feel less stressful when you know you’re driving safely but still making good progress, following the system of car control. Take the first step and send off the Group application form now!
You can either join the local group
directly, or via IAM head office. Either way, you’ll receive the same high standard
of observing, the same enthusiastic welcome and benefits of Associate Membership of the
Dewsbury & Batley Group.