Pass Plus and/or IAM

[ts86net]

Are either of these worth doing? Renewal date's in 3 months so I need to get either done before then ideally (assuming it is worth doing - makes a difference on insurance or not).

www.iam.org.uk for those that haven't heard of it.

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[The Negotiator]

Ok, passplus; ABSOLUTELY no point unless; you have your own insurance and your insurance company take it into consideration in your premium. Mine do, saved £450-500! Cost me £75 to do including lunch with my very good instructor.

Seriously, the only reason to do it is financial reward, waste of time otherwise. However, I think you have to do it within a year (maybe 2?) of passing your test although I can't quite remember this, i did it within a few weeks I think so it didn't matter to me at the time. It basically counts for a years no claims with some companies. (check the website to see which).

IAM; I am only just 18 so you can imagine my insurance premium is a bit of a joke and I did look at this. Cheap as chips at £85 plus petrol whilst covering it as I remember. However, the amount of work you have to put into it is a fair bit. This is the reason why I haven't done it but will do I think after university - it is a fairly nice certificate to have and should make you a significantly better driver than the average.

However, in this case the insurance company wouldn't tell me what the difference would be until I had it and proof of it. You should ask yours to see if it makes a difference but in this case it also adds to your driving ability unlike stupid pass plus!

 

[surfin_fella]

I did pass plus. cost me £40 (i had a very generous instructor) and saved me £300 on my premium. Plus it's something nice to say you've done!

Sie

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[Steven]

IAM, always worth having even just for what you learn. I'm going to do it this year.

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[JonnyBoy]

I've fancied doing the IAM course for a while; one day I'll have both the time and the cash to do it! If nothing else then it makes you look good

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[HP]

I wanna do that too.

Pete.
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[smurfhead]

Eyup, sorry to bring up an old thread but have any of you or has anybody else done the IAM thingy?

I got my pack through the post today. I'm starting training for my test next week. I want to have done it by October when I renew my insurance policy. From the literature I have and looking at the website, it looks really interesting and well worth doing...

 

[The Negotiator]

Gaz, you just made me think about it yet again, the page is practically in my favourites...I am just scared about shelling out and hating it. I have done a few bad things in my car lately and it is worrying me that my driving isn't as good as i hoped!

 

[smurfhead]

i hope I haven't wasted the money too, but if i'm successful, it will pay itself off instantly in October. I will keep you up to date on progress

 

[The Negotiator]

Hmm, shoulud I wait until you have gone to your first meeting?

 

[The Negotiator]

Damn....the theory evenings are tuesday which is fine, the sunday morning drives will be a problem to me, on top of that, they only start courses in Jan/april/sept, i need to start this or next month....oh well

 

[Helz]

I went out on a few lessons but am now awaiting a new tutor due to illness Be prepared to learn that just about everything about the way you drive is wrong and to have to relearn it all. But once you start using some of the techniques it makes a big difference

 

[smurfhead]

uh-oh

 

[The Negotiator]

I think maybe I got told what to think and do too often as it is

I won't have a car from Sept. onwards so will have to leave it until another time.

 

[Helz]

Well for a start you probably have your car on the wrong bit of road, look at the wrong things at the wrong times, don't look in the right place when turning corners, don't pay enough attention up ahead, accelerate at the wrong time. Ho hum.

 

[The Negotiator]

Maybe Helz just isn't very good

 

[Helz]

No I did ask that! He said I was actually a very good driver and was learning fast as I put things into practice in my everyday driving. It's just the way you are taught to drive is usually different to the way you should. Depends who you learn with of course!

 

[smurfhead]

Resurrecting an old thread, but I promised i'd let you know about it. I thought today would be ideal, as I passed my test this morning.

I started by applying for my pack last year from www.iag.org.uk and then i attended my next local IAM meeting. There was a really interesting talk on about the press gang at the local newspaper. I also met loads of nice people and met my assigned observer, John.

Between us, me and John arranged a 1-1 and half hour drive every week or 2 weeks where we did all sorts of roads. I didn't need much tutoring thankfully and it was just a case of brushing things up and making sure I was doing things with the desired technique. I did 6 of these drives. After the 5th, I applied for my test which came through in 2 weeks and the local motorway cop, came in Custard this morning for a spin. I am still going to go to the monthly meeting because they are nice people, its something to do, and there are some interesting talks.

All you pay is the £85 up front which includes your learning pack and your first years membership, which starts when you pass and then the annual membership of about £15 (can't remember). From it you can get Insurance, AA breakdown and a few more discounts too as with a car club. There is also a regular magazine. You don't have to pay to attend meetings, and the observers do it voluntarily (i've bought John a load of his favourite tipple to say thanks though).

I really recommend it to anybody who wants to prove or brush up on their driving skills. It is great fun and the achievement is well worth it. If you have ever considered it, go for it. You wont regret it.

If you have any questions, drop me a PM

 

[Helz]

I gave mine up due to lack of time with work commitements Once we have lighter evenings I'll give it a go again, might have to buy another cheap Cinq to do the test in though, stuff like parking and not speeding on a deserted motorway is soooooooo much easier in one

 

[wolfracepunto]

Well done Gaz!!

Ive just started my course. I had a 2 hour drive on sunday morning (runs are every other sunday from now on). I really enjoyed it, it started with having an 'assessment' drive for 20mins just so the observer knows what to expect. Then he took me out on exactly the same route in his car, using the advanced technique- telling me exactly what is going on in his brain, like a commentry.

We then went back to the carpark, he took me round the car pointing out the pre-drive checks (that's something im going to have to go over!) then we went on a longer drive, where, it seemed I picked up the skills quicker than the average person

Back to the carpark, where we had a debrief and sort of marked each aspect of my driving. The observer was pleased and told me I had scored higher than him, when he was on his first drive!

Im optimistic about it now and think as long as I use the additional skills in my everyday driving and forget the few bad habits the sunday runs and hopefully the test will be a piece of cake.