IAM Masters Course..harder than you think…

B21

B21

Elite
 Scottish Borders
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As some of you know I undertook for various obscure reasons both the ROSPA and IAM RoadSmart advanced driving courses.

During that process I was invited to help out our (Scottish Borders) IAM RoadSmart group by being put forward to be trained as an advanced driving tutor focussed on young pups and old duffers..

My ‘boss’ there completed his IAM RoadSmart Masters qualification for cars.. he kept saying how tough it was.

Since I got very high scores in both my advanced driving tests ..a F1rst for IAM and a Gold for ROSPA and also passed my Advanced Driver Tutor course with a very good review I thought I’d have a crack at this Masters course..

IAM RoadSmart Masters | IAM RoadSmart

www.iamroadsmart.com www.iamroadsmart.com


So..I’ve been out for my my getting to know each other tutor and last week had my first ‘session’..

Given that on the IAM scoring system I consistently score ‘1’ with the very occasional ‘2’ this first session was bloodbath.

So when they say it’s a significant step up from an advanced driver qualification they are not kidding…

Session 2 tomorrow..

In part the first session had to be done in the Z4…550bhp, massive brakes, badly made roads, razor sharp throttle was never going to be easy..

Heh ho..IMG_3808.jpeg
 
B21 said:
As some of you know I undertook for various obscure reasons both the ROSPA and IAM RoadSmart advanced driving courses.

During that process I was invited to help out our (Scottish Borders) IAM RoadSmart group by being put forward to be trained as an advanced driving tutor focussed on young pups and old duffers..

My ‘boss’ there completed his IAM RoadSmart Masters qualification for cars.. he kept saying how tough it was.

Since I got very high scores in both my advanced driving tests ..a F1rst for IAM and a Gold for ROSPA and also passed my Advanced Driver Tutor course with a very good review I thought I’d have a crack at this Masters course..

IAM RoadSmart Masters | IAM RoadSmart

www.iamroadsmart.com www.iamroadsmart.com


So..I’ve been out for my my getting to know each other tutor and last week had my first ‘session’..

Given that on the IAM scoring system I consistently score ‘1’ with the very occasional ‘2’ this first session was bloodbath.

So when they say it’s a significant step up from an advanced driver qualification they are not kidding…

Session 2 tomorrow..

In part the first session had to be done in the Z4…550bhp, massive brakes, badly made roads, razor sharp throttle was never going to be easy..

Heh ho..View attachment 286539
Click to expand...
What does 'System' Apply earlier, mean? Does it mean that your awareness and anticipation was regarded as a grade 3?

'Progress' was marked as a '3' were you too slow/hesitant or too fast?

I presume that you had verbal feedback as this assessment form is pretty poor. Keep at it, you will do it. Think of Pondrew, well, maybe not!
 
BeeEmm said:
What does 'System' Apply earlier, mean? Does it mean that your awareness and anticipation was regarded as a grade 3?

'Progress' was marked as a '3' were you too slow/hesitant or too fast?

I presume that you had verbal feedback as this assessment form is pretty poor. Keep at it, you will do it. Think of Pondrew, well, maybe not!
Click to expand...
The thing that’s coming across to me is that there’s an almost Zen like requirement to plan ahead ..by an order of magnitude over what a normal driver would do ..ie plan for events literally miles ahead in some cases…the system is IPSGA…information position speed gear acceleration…I of course teach this now to countless wannabe advanced drivers..

The verbal feedback was to the effect of ‘you’re no better or worse of almost all advanced drivers at the start of the course’…..

My ‘boss’ who did the same course and fancies himself as a driver never scored any 1 with the same tutor..

Steep learning curve..

Progress was just a not what he wanted…too fast some places too slow others..
 
B21 said:
The thing that’s coming across to me is that there’s an almost Zen like requirement to plan ahead ..by an order of magnitude over what a normal driver would do ..ie plan for events literally miles ahead in some cases…the system is IPSGA…information position speed gear acceleration…I of course teach this now to countless wannabe advanced drivers..

The verbal feedback was to the effect of ‘you’re no better or worse of almost all advanced drivers at the start of the course’…..

My ‘boss’ who did the same course and fancies himself as a driver never scored any 1 with the same tutor..

Steep learning curve..

Progress was just a not what he wanted…too fast some places too slow others..
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Seems that the assessment feedback failed to motivate you. I have to assume that you have read ROADCRAFT the Police driver's manual a few times, keeping as far as is safe to the right approaching left-hand bends, keeping as close to the left on right-hand bends to increase visibility and show yourself to approaching traffic earlier and straight lining those that you see clear. (sorry if this is obvious to you, I don't know what your training involved).
 
BeeEmm said:
Seems that the assessment feedback failed to motivate you. I have to assume that you have read ROADCRAFT the Police driver's manual a few times, keeping as far as is safe to the right approaching left-hand bends, keeping as close to the left on right-hand bends to increase visibility and show yourself to approaching traffic earlier and straight lining those that you see clear. (sorry if this is obvious to you, I don't know what your training involved).
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I have had around 25 hours of supervised tuition and about 5 hours of exams …so a fair bit..

I have 3 editions of roadcraft… 2023, 2024 and the new one just out


The current one revises that older logic ..

Position for advantage only after safety and stability are assured..

You get into complex subjects such as straight lining and off siding…

Do the issue with straight lining is that most roads that have a centre line and twisty have the centre line as a hazard line ..ie long white dash short gap long white dash..

So under Highway Code you shouldn’t cross a hazard line unless it’s an overtake or turn right..so legally not much straight lining apart from single track roads..

In addition Scottish Police don’t do off siding whereas English police do..

In a car on most roads the practical aspects of these concepts is much more limited by crap road edges, side edge repairs and now the agreed principle of staying well inside the centre lines to avoid beheading stupid motorcyclists riding the white line the opposite way.

There’s nothing in the masters that’s not obvious from a roadcraft perspective it’s the level of refinement that’s the differentiating criteria…

Of course how you drive when not under masters test / tuition is a separate affair 1
 
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Might I enquire as to what the 'Legality' aspect refers to, and in that context what three(!) exclamation marks infers?!
 
Ed Doe said:
Might I enquire as to what the 'Legality' aspect refers to, and in that context what three(!) exclamation marks infers?!
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Exceeding the promulgated speed limit by more than 2mph indicated…most notably on entering or leaving posted limits..the Master’s requirement is to be EXACTLY on the limit ideally on but no later than the posted limit..

On moving to a higher limit speed should not exceed posted limit till after the speed limit has changed.

I’m sure everybody here always does that anyway..my bad..🤔🙈
 
B21 said:
There’s nothing in the masters that’s not obvious from a roadcraft perspective it’s the level of refinement that’s the differentiating criteria…
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That's always the case with anything when you go to the 'next step', though. There has to be something to differentiate an 'advanced' from a 'super super advanced' otherwise there would be no point.

If you have learned everything there is to know in reality; going a step further is only going to be 'nit picking' of everything you have already done.

I wouldn't have the patience or the right attitude, as I would always be saying 'don't be ridiculous, does it really matter?' I would be politely asked to not come back.

But then I am a 58 year old male with 40 years driving experience, so I am already a driving God. It's just the way it is! :rofl:
 
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B21 said:
Exceeding the promulgated speed limit by more than 2mph indicated…most notably on entering or leaving posted limits..the Master’s requirement is to be EXACTLY on the limit ideally on but no later than the posted limit..

On moving to a higher limit speed should not exceed posted limit till after the speed limit has changed.

I’m sure everybody here always does that anyway..my bad..🤔🙈
Click to expand...
Interesting, thanks for the detail :)
 
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So run 2 yesterday (out of an anticipated 6) along the coast from Edinburgh to North Berwick (roads are chosen for their characteristics and always new to me)..

This time in the Mini Cooper SD.

I'd worked quite hard on the commentary and also the smoothness of the drive and speed management.

Alas still failing to meet the standards of Mr Fussy.

Part of the issue on cormers are two fold..

His expectation of the speed around the corner is much higher than I would do myself..probably 5-10mph faster in equal conditions / cirumstances ..takes a lot to unprogram that..

The other is speed control into and through the bend..

Even in sport mode the Mini auto box just doesn't slow that much..so trying to drive through a series of bends just on the throttle is not working.

Next session I will put the box into full manual for such sessions..#

Brutal learning curve..

Still not all 3s now..despite nailing the speed limits still scored 3 on that..to slow out of bends etc..IMG_3810.JPG
 
Sod that!
Anally retentive people telling you how to drive; I could just get the wife to come instead! :rofl:
 
Pondrew said:
Sod that!
Anally retentive people telling you how to drive; I could just get the wife to come instead! :rofl:
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Yes its exasperating…I did think about saying that it all flows ok if you start at 85mph not 45mph ..but since I was bollocked for 23moh in a 20mph limit I decided to refrain..

Will see what session 3 brings..
 
B21 said:
You get into complex subjects such as straight lining and off siding…

Do the issue with straight lining is that most roads that have a centre line and twisty have the centre line as a hazard line ..ie long white dash short gap long white dash..

So under Highway Code you shouldn’t cross a hazard line unless it’s an overtake or turn right..so legally not much straight lining apart from single track roads..
Click to expand...

Pedant head on (apologies!):

Rule 127 states:
When this (white) line lengthens and the gaps shorten, it means that there is a hazard ahead. Do not cross it unless you can see the road is clear and wish to overtake or turn off.

The key wording is "Do not" - generally speaking no specific offence is committed unless the HC specifically says "MUST NOT" and has a reference to the relevant law.
So straight lining is frowned upon over these road markings, but not illegal.

Unless following plod think you are driving like a complete dick, then all bets are off...

I had this discussion with my tutor when training as an ADI.
 
Klanky said:
Pedant head on (apologies!):

Rule 127 states:
When this (white) line lengthens and the gaps shorten, it means that there is a hazard ahead. Do not cross it unless you can see the road is clear and wish to overtake or turn off.

The key wording is "Do not" - generally speaking no specific offence is committed unless the HC specifically says "MUST NOT" and has a reference to the relevant law.
So straight lining is frowned upon over these road markings, but not illegal.

Unless following plod think you are driving like a complete dick, then all bets are off...

I had this discussion with my tutor when training as an ADI.
Click to expand...

Yup as a precursor to my Master’s journey we had a briefing from our Area Delivery Services Manager on the new IAM updated standards document for our ‘normal’ advanced driver training..

After the discussion I asked him (as coincidentally he will be my Master’s examiner) what his / IAM position on these various issues..

So IAM no off siding under any circumstances…

Straight lining only if it doesn’t start by crossing a hazard line..

At Advanced level and above its supposed to be best practice..since its not approved shall we say its therefore not good and especially best practice…

But… I agree completely that its a level of pedantic issue where the person doing this probably is speeding / drug or alcohol fuelled / defective vehicle / no mot /no insurance etc..
 
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