Gloucestershire Advanced Motorists

Become an Advanced Driver

Improve Your Driving Skills

Advanced driving is the ability to control the position and speed of the vehicle safely, systematically and smoothly, using road and traffic conditions to make reasonable progress unobtrusively, with skill and responsibility. The skill requires a positive but courteous attitude and a high standard of driving competence based on concentration, effective all round observation, anticipation and planning. This must be co-ordinated with good handling skills. The vehicle should always be at the right place on the road at the right time, travelling at the right speed with the correct gear engaged and can always be stopped safely in the distance that can be seen to be clear.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists offer "Skill for Life" and DriveCheck

"Skill for Life" is the IAM's most popular membership option, giving you - in one payment of £99.00, for under 26s the price is discounted to £79 - everything you need to pass your Advanced Driving Test and become a full Member of the IAM. The package includes:

The IAM book "How To Be An Advanced Driver"
"Advanced Driving" the IAMs tri-annual Members magazine
An initial assessment (carried out by your local IAM Group)
All Test preparation work (undertaken by your local IAM Group)
Entry into the Advanced Driving Test
IAM Associate status, with an automatic upgrade to full Membership of the IAM (upon passing the Advanced Driving Test within 12 months).
Access to the "Members" area of this website (with details of Members' Events, Membership Services and Special Offers).

Preparation for the Advanced Test is conducted by volunteers of the Gloucestershire Group of Advanced Motorists which is affiliated to the IAM. On completing your purchase online of "Skill for Life", you will receive a Group Directory covering all local IAM Groups for you to contact the one nearest to you (or the most convenient). Each group organises their "Observed Runs" locally. Most people can achieve "Test standard" after 6-8 observed runs so you could be "Test ready" in 12-16 weeks. Please read the "Skill for Life" Terms & Conditions before purchasing.

Not sure if you are ready to take the "Skill for Life" course?

DriveCheck is a short Driving Assessment aimed at everyone who is interested in safer driving but who doesn't feel they are (yet) ready to take the IAM Advanced Test.

DriveCheck applicants are put in touch with their local IAM Group who will in turn arrange a mutually convenient time for the assessment to take place.

It takes about an hour comprising an initial introduction (document check etc.), followed by a 35-40-minute drive with a Group observer, followed by a feedback session, at which the candidate will be presented with a written feedback form.

DriveCheck candidates then become an Associate of the IAM, for a period of 12 months.

Please read the DriveCheck Terms & Conditions. DriveCheck is NOT available for existing IAM Members, who instead should have a Members Driving Assessment.

The normal cost of DriveCheck will be £35.00, but as an introductory offer, the price is discounted to £25