Joining the IAM

One of the most common questions I'm asked, is how you become an advanced motorist. This usually comes just after the comments about all advanced motorists wearing flat caps and string backed driving gloves!

So for those who are interested, here's a brief outline of what you need to do...

Becoming an Advanced Motorist is not anywhere as difficult as it seems. You simply buy a package from the IAM, called a Skill for Life package, and that will give you all the tools you need to become a better driver.

Included in the fee you pay are:

• A copy of the current highway code (because lets be honest here, how many of you out there have really looked at the code since you passed your L-test?)
• A copy of the institutes Advanced Driving Manual, called Pass your Advanced Driving Test (this is an edited version of Roadcraft, the police driver training manual)
• A years associate membership of your local (or preferred) IAM group
• An allocated Observer from your chosen group who will sit in the passenger seat of your car and give guidance on your driving
• All the training sessions for associates and members run by your local group
• Your IAM test, which will be taken in your own car and assessed by a trained police class 1 driver
• A years membership of the IAM once you have passed your test.

There may also be other extras available from your local group.

The other question I usually get asked is how much it costs. Usually, I tell people what I've said above, then ask them to judge how much they think it would cost...

And then I tell them the real cost, so go on, have a guess...

...I bet you're wrong...

...The actual price of an IAM skill for life package is £85 - £75 if you are between the ages of 17 and 26. Not bad huh?

So what are you waiting for, go on, do it, you know it makes sense!

BTW, it took me 7 years to get around to doing my IAM test, and now I wish I'd done it so many years before!