Frequently Asked Questions - Bristol Advanced Motorists

Much less than most people would expect. The Skill for Life package includes a year's membership of your local group, all the observed runs required to bring you to test standard, a copy of How to Be a Better Driver, the test itself and the first year's membership of the IAM - all for ONLY £139.00.

I just want a 'one off' driving assessment - not a full course! Do you do that?

Yes. Bristol Advanced Motorists can offer you DriveCheck Assessment - a 'no pass - no fail' driving assessment for those who want to be safer and more confident at the wheel but who don't think they are yet ready to commit themselves to a full advanced driving 'Skill for Life' course. Click here for more details.

I have penalty points on my licence! Does that matter?

The IAM no longer bars candidates from taking the Skill for Life course and advanced driving test with points on their licence - no matter how many as long as you are not banned from driving or have a prosecution pending.

Do you offer a discount for young drivers?

Yes. Bristol Advanced Motorists is currently running two offers for young drivers and you can benefit from both simultaneously. Click for details of our Full Refund or our £10 Referral Refund.

How can I join?

You can join online from here or you can contact the Associates Administrator to request further information.

What area do you cover?

Being one of the largest of the IAM Groups we cover a square roughly from Weston-super-Mare to Gloucester in the west, over to Cirencester and down to Bath in the east.

I don’t live near Bristol City centre. Are there other Groups nearby?

Since the inauguration of Bristol Advanced Motorists in 1958 we have spawned 3 other Groups around Bristol and a number of others have also formed.

Bath and District Advanced Motorists

Cirencester and District

Gloucester Advanced Motorists

Weston and Mendip Advanced Motorists

Taunton Advanced Motorists

What happens once I join?

When you join the IAM you become an Associate Member. If you join Bristol Advanced Motorists you will attend 3 introductory seminars at BAWA with other Associates before embarking on a series of observed drives in your own car with an IAM Observer.

At your first seminar you will be allocated your own Observer with whom you will do all your on-road training. When your Observer feels you are ready for the test they will arrange a pre-test check drive with another Observer to ensure that all points have been covered before you are advised to apply for the test.

How soon can I start?

We run four Skill for Life courses each year so normally you need wait no more than 3 months before beginning the first seminar although in practice this is normally only a few weeks.

What is an IAM Observer?

An IAM Observer is a highly trained and skilful advanced driver. Bristol Advanced Motorists Observers will have undergone a number of further practical driving tests and exams since passing their advanced driving test and they are re-tested regularly to ensure consistency of standards in their driving and training techniques.

Are there female IAM Observers?

Yes: Bristol Advanced Motorists has a larger than average female membership. Around 17 per cent of the Observer Team is female.

How often are the observed drives?

Normally, the duration of an observe drive would be around 1 ½ hours - once a week - but the frequency is decided between you and your Observer.

Where do the observed drives take place?

You will usually meet at your Observer’s house and, just as in the Advanced Driving Test, the drives use your own car and cover all types of roads and traffic situation although you will not be expected to drive if weather conditions would make it dangerous.

Your Observer will give you at least one demonstration drive in their own vehicle to highlight various advanced techniques and to show you how the System of Car Control is integrated into advanced driving.

How many observed drives will I need before my advanced driving test?

The number of drives you will need is dependent on how well you drive and how quickly you adapt to the new advanced techniques. On average, Associates need around ten drives before they are ‘test ready’ but you do have six months and as many drives as you need during that time.

What is the IAM Advanced Driving Test all about?

That’s a good question but we don’t want to overload you with too much information on this page so if you wish to read an overview of the test or find out how to prepare for it you can click here.

Who conducts the advanced tests?

All Advanced Driving Tests are conducted by carefully selected IAM Examiners. They are either serving or retired Class 1 Police Advanced Drivers and will have extensive experience from working within the Traffic Units of the Police. Bristol Advanced Motorists has four IAM Examiners working with and advising us.

How long is the test?

The IAM Advanced Driving Test usually lasts around 90 minutes and covers 35 to 40 miles on all types of roads including motorways, dual carriageways, town driving, minor roads and country lanes.

What does the IAM Examiner look for on the test?

The Examiner is looking at the whole drive. They do not search for faults alone; they are trained to search for positive aspects as well as negative. The Examiner will be honest and forthright regarding your overall ability and looks for the confident application and competence in all aspects of the drive.

If all the above criteria are met, the drive should exhibit the qualities of a safe, systematic, smooth, progressive, and balanced drive. The driver ensures that the vehicle is always in the right place on the road, travelling at the right speed, in the right gear for the speed, and they can always stop the vehicle safely in the distance that can be seen to be clear.

There are no tricks in the test and no attempts to catch you out - in fact IAM Examiners are on your side and want you to pass the test!

You can click here for more information.

Will I be expected to do any reverse manoeuvring during the test?

Yes. As an advanced driver you will be expected to demonstrate your ability to control your vehicle in all situations so either reversing round a corner, parallel parking between two vehicles or turning in the road using forward and reverse gears will be included in the test.

It is highly likely that you will need to do a ‘bay parking’ manoeuvre at the test rendezvous - even before you’ve seen the IAM Examiner - but bear in mind that he is probably watching you doing it!

Is there a written part on the IAM test?

No. But be prepared for the Examiner asking you to tell him about a particular road sign or marking, or if you've spotted something he's seen in the far distance!

Will I be expected to do a commentary during the test?

Commentary is such a useful driving skill to acquire and we recommend it to all Associates. It supports the key areas of car control by assisting your concentration, pushing your observations further along the road, sharpening your anticipation of what might happen next and gives you more time to make a driving plan.

However, commentary is no longer mandatory for the test but it is preferred as it can also help to show the Examiner how you are reading the road and reacting not only to what you've seen but to what you might reasonably be expecting to happen next. A simplified example of commentary driving can be viewed by clicking here.

Is there just one level of advanced driving test pass?

No. The IAM Examiner will test you on 27 pre-set elements which are assessed and marked 1 to 5 (1 being excellent). Successful candidates with a set of clear 1s in all 27 elements (except ‘Commentary’ and ‘Eco Driving’) are automatically entered onto the exclusive ‘IAM F1RST’ register. Both your Advanced Driving Certificate and Membership Card are marked to reflect this achievement.

What’s next after I’ve taken the test?

Once you have passed your IAM Advanced Driving Test there are a number of options open to you. If it’s been some time since you took the Advanced Test you may be wondering if your driving standards have changed. If you have retained your Group Membership, Bristol Advanced Motorists offers 3-in-a-car events plus 3 valuable extra courses: Advanced Driving Refresher, Further Advanced Driving, and Observer Training.

The IAM also offers the IAM Masters which is designed to be the ultimate Advanced Driving challenge for civilian drivers. It offers IAM Members an opportunity to demonstrate their driving skills to the highest possible standard.

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