Becoming an Advanced Driver

To prepare its Associate Members for the Advanced Driving test, the Chelmsford Group offers 'One-to-one' Observed Drives.

The 'One-to-one' drives can be arranged with an Observer at mutually convenient times, and the Observer will advise on those aspects of driving that need to be developed to bring the standard of driving to test level.

The Group also runs 'Associate Evenings' once every two months at the Police Sports and Social Club - and at these gatherings talks and presentations on aspects of Advanced Driving and Drink and Drugs Driving are given by Essex Police and by the Group's Senior Observers. Associate Members are expected to attend at least one of these sessions.

It is usual for members of our Group to be ready for the test after about 6 - 8 'on-road' sessions. After the completion of these drives the Group does a 'Mock Test' to ensure that its members are indeed ready to IAM Test standard.

Should Members not be Test ready after approximately 8 Observed Drives they may be asked to practice some aspects of what we are trying to achieve and then resume their preparation for the Test at some later date.

The Chelmsford Group is proud of the 97% first time pass rate that its Associate Members achieve.

The Group has Observers who are able to help people to prepare for the Advanced Test in various categories - including Car, Minibus, LGV, HGV and Coach. Please note that ALL drives take place in the Associate Members own vehicle.

The Group offers the IAM 'Skill for Life' package at £99. This package includes Group Membership for a year (from the date of joining), the books, Pass Your Advanced Driving Test, The Highway Code and Know Your Traffic Signs AND the IAM Test fee and IAM Associate status, with an automatic upgrade to full Membership of the IAM upon passing the Advanced Driving Test within 12 months.

All preparation for the Test, which takes place in your own car, is provided FREE OF CHARGE to Group Members. You also use your own car for the IAM Test.

Under 26 years of age?

If you are under 26 years of age, the IAM 'Skill for Life' scheme is available for only £79 - but special further discounts may be available from time to time - see the Young Drivers Initiative section.

Although there is no theory test or written test all aspiring Advanced Drivers will be required to have a good knowledge of the principles of better driving as well as having a fundamental knowledge of The Highway Code.

This Group uses the following books, and these will all be supplied as part of your membership pack.

• How to be an Advanced Driver (was 'Pass Your Advanced Driving Test') - The IAM manual.
• The Highway Code.
• Know your traffic signs - The Department of Transport.

Roadcraft - The Police Driver's Handbook, may also be used and is used in the training of our Observers.

• First and foremost you must want to become an advanced driver and pass your Advanced Driving Test. Without that desire, you will fail and you will have wasted both your own, and your Observer's time - both of which are valuble. It is not enough that your parents, boss, friends, etc., tell you that you should do it - you have to want to do it for yourself.
• You must be prepared to thoroughly read the books - not all at once, but as you learn the various techniques with your Observer.
• Typically, once or twice a week at a time convenient to you and your Observer you have to drive to a mutually convenient point to meet the Observer and drive for at least one hour and then listen to them while they tell you what you've done wrong (and right).
• You will need to make arrangements to attend at least one of the Group's Associate Evenings - these are held in February, April, June, August, and October each year.
• After a couple of months or so, you will take your test with an examiner - someone you've probably never met before who will give you directions on where to drive for 90 minutes, ask you to carry out some manoeuvres and then give you a full debrief. If your driving has been good enough, you will have passed the test. Examiners are usually serving or retired Class 1 Police drivers and they will try to put you at your ease. As long as you have the "desire", you should have no trouble passing.