Any advice on passing Advanced Driving Test with IAM?

[TaighNamGastaOrt]

Hi, due to sit my ADT on Saturday and pooping it! Only had my licence 13 months, only had the confidence to drive for about 10 months. So my mum paid for this course.
Been good, haven't crashed! I've learnt a lot and gained experience. Not keen on test but figured I'd give it a shot. Changed cars to family estate car which for the life of me I cannot reverse park in one! Can reverse round a corner, do a 5 point turn but can I do a one-manouver reverse park? Nope!
Any advice or suggestions welcome! thanks!

Don't worry about it
you are only a short time from your standard driving test, often drivers will wait a bit longer before doing IAM / RoSPA - so you are ahead of others... the benefits are all in what you learn when out with the observer, not in taking the test per se... talk to your observer and if y ou are not yet ready consider delaying the test - but if they are happy to put you forward then that suggests they feel you are ready... I did mine 20+ years ago and had a mock test first (with someone other than my observer) is that a route that would make you feel more comfortable?

but just enjoy learning more about driving... I still remember loads of what I was shown 20 years ago - it transformed my driving

Can I ask what the point is in taking the advanced test?

akkakk thanks, I was so nervous with the whole driving thing, mum booked me on it to give me experience and confidence and learn good habits! I have been assessed by a senior observer, they think I'm ready.

Personally I think nerves will get the better of me and I'll drive well but not pass. Thats ok, it was all about experience for me, never passing the test. Taken me months to get this far! And I still make novice mistakes!

Frith2013-good question! I guess its to improve your driving-some professional drivers do it. It can reduce your insurance too!

Can I ask what the point is in taking the advanced test?

Honest answer - depends on each person.

For most drivers, they probably drive okay and are statistically low on having an accident

Some drivers though are atrocious and shouldn't be on the road

Others are better - either through natural ability, or through further training...

Further training can be a simple matter of just enjoying being better at something (no different to learning a musical instrument, or a sport etc.) - or it could be to minimise risk / feel more in control / etc.

Advanced driving has several elements but the main two are:

• car control - car being balanced / always in the right gear at the right revs and the right speed for the situation (road / weather / others / etc.)
• observation & planning - most drivers look just in front of themselves and react to situations - advanced driving will teach you how to look differently / further ahead / plan sooner / minimise risk

for example, on a motorway, the average driver is looking 1-2, or maybe up to 3-4 cars ahead - only time to react if they brake suddenly... The advanced driver could be looking 1 - 1.5 miles ahead and planning so that they spot what would cause others to brake, and anticipate and brake before them = much much lower risk...

then there are other things such as a smoother ride for passengers etc.

does anyone need to do it - no, if everyone drove to the standard at which they passed their test, then the roads would be a lot safer, but many people drive at well below that standard and many people could do with having further training / reading the Highway Code more often / etc.