Advanced Driving Courses

More and more people in the UK are choosing to take the Advanced Driving Test with the aim of becoming better, safer drivers.
According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) who have been involved in the training of motorists since it was established in 1956, being an advanced driver is a journey of continuous learning, and a measure of that learning is the passing of the internationally recognised Advanced Test.

50 years of motoring experience has made the IAM the leader in their field. They are a registered charity that represents drivers and motorcyclists in particular, and the public in general, on road safety and related matters with a truly independent voice.

Why Take the Advanced Driving Test?

Recognising that the majority of collisions on the road are the result of driver error, the IAM’s Advanced Driving Test was first introduced in 1956 with the aim of improving driving standards using the principles of Advanced Driving set out and used by the Metropolitan Police.
Since its introduction, over 350,000 people have taken the Advanced Test, and it is open to anyone who has passed the standard driving test.

So What Happens During the Advanced Driving Test?

The Advanced Driving Test takes about 90 minutes from start to end and will usually take the examinee along 30/40 miles of differing types of road – covering any or all of the following: dual carriageways, motorways, town driving and country lanes.

Advanced Test Examiners hold a Police Advanced Driving certificate and will have worked within sections of the Police Services throughout the UK.
The test puts the driver through a full driving workout, allowing the candidate to alter their driving style according to the environment they are driving in. This is why the examiner will choose as varied a style of roads as possible – to see how the candidate copes with motorways, town centres and country lanes. Each has their own type of hazards and situations that the examinee will have trained in before taking the test, and they can use all the methods and techniques that they have learned.

What the Advanced Driving Test Examiner will look for

The main objective is that the candidate will be able to cope well with all situations, rather then just perform exceptionally well in one or two.
For this aim, the examiner will look at the whole drive. To pass the test, the candidate should exhibit the qualities of a safe, systematic, smooth, progressive and balanced drive. The vehicle should always be in the right place on the road, travelling at the right speed and in the correct gear for that speed. Finally they should always be able to stop the vehicle safely in the distance that is seen to be clear.

Benefits of Taking the Advanced Driving Test

Other than the obvious benefits of taking an advanced driving test – you becoming a more confident, better driver, there are other reasons to consider taking an Advanced Test. Car Insurance companies often offer reduced rate premiums to those who have passed this test and it can also bring down your maintenance costs as being a better driver means that there should be less wear and tear caused to your vehicle.

Many people say after they have taken the Advanced Test that they really enjoyed it – most of all they enjoy the freedom to be able to drive confidently and safely, using the road and their vehicle to create optimum performance and driving pleasure. The Advanced Driving Test is not an easy test to pass, but with the right guidance and instruction, it’s a worthy addition to anyone’s driving CV and can provide many spin off benefits

Apart from the IAM test you may wish to consider the ROSPA test which is regarded in the industry as the hardest or the DIA advanced test which is based on the test driving instructors take. At Gold the driving academy we can provide training for all advanced tests. Contact us for more information

The cost of our advanced course is £35 per hour