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St. Helens and District Group of Advanced Motorists Registered Charity Number 1058971 (England & Wales)
We’d love to hear about your experience with our Advanced Driver courses. Use the form below to share your feedback and help us continue improving.
I passed my driving test 40 years ago and having lived and driven in different cities and countries over the years, clocking up a lot of long-distance mileage too, I considered myself to be a reasonably competent driver. However, having a teenage son about to learn to drive and a sudden ‘reality check’ from one of the new AI traffic cameras, I realised the opportunity to review my driving skills was a very good idea! I hoped the advanced driving course would highlight my bad habits and improve my skills. Yet the overall experience has offered much more. This systematic and comprehensive course completely deconstructs your driving and presents you with a unique opportunity to analyse and reflect upon what you do when driving in different road environments. It introduces you to driving whilst constantly observing, thinking, prioritising, planning and reviewing. You may think that you already do this, but the ‘spoken thought’ practice reveals to what degree you are doing it. At times, you may feel like you have never concentrated so hard behind the wheel! In fact, the course immediately stops any ‘auto-pilot driving’; the intention is definitely to create a thinking driver. The rationale and theory behind everything you are taught make perfect sense when they are explained through the materials, the classroom sessions and the demonstrations you receive. Nevertheless, when you attempt to use what you have been taught you very quickly realise why the weekly observed practices are so invaluable alongside your own daily practice, as one of the greatest challenges is to undo the muscle memory formed over decades and replace it with something that feels quite alien. Your brain might be telling you not to overlap the brake and clutch anymore but your feet have their own ideas! Indeed, it is one thing to know what you are supposed to be doing as an advanced driver and another to do it and do it consistently. It is why the course needs to be the length it is. With the help of all the observers, you really are becoming a different driver. Each week, one of the brilliant St Helens’ volunteers takes you through the elements of the course and the IPSGA system of car control with patience, encouragement, good humour and a knack for finding the right advice and tips to help you crack whatever it is that is causing you the most problems. I would never have passed the advanced test without all their support, and I really appreciate the time they give up, encouraging and guiding drivers like me. To have a chance at passing the test you need to practise weaving all the elements together, over and over again. The first time you do manage this, ‘the penny drops’ and you really experience why this is a better and more enjoyable way to drive. To have an observer at your side when this happens makes it especially rewarding. Post test, you may no longer have them sitting next to you, but after all the shared efforts you feel motivated to maintain these skills and keep improving. Do the course – you will not regret it!
I passed my driving test in 1986, but I never felt quite safe driving on my own as I was not sure what to do if something went wrong with the car. So, after I heard that a friend of mine had been stranded with his car, I decided to go to night school and do a short course on car maintenance. Believe this or not, it gave me a massive confidence boost to know what to look for and what to do in the event of a breakdown, of the car, not me, but that’s another story! I didn’t start my career as a driving instructor. I arrived at the profession when I realised what I loved most about my job as a sales representative, selling veterinary medicines, was the driving. Being a sales rep took me all over the country, driving on roads and routes I did not know, navigating them all without the handy Sat Nav system, or even Google Maps. More often than not I would come home complaining to my dad, Brian, telling him about yet another near-miss I’d had. He advised me to take some advanced driving lessons; he claimed that I could easily pass the test. In this, Brian had thrown down the gauntlet, there was nothing else I could do, but contact my local advanced driving group, which was the IAM, (Institute of Advanced Motorists, now called IAM Roadsmart.) I passed the IAM test, first time in 1995. In fact, I was driving a Transit van at the time. Training with the IAM sparked my interest in driver training and education and proved to me that you can still drive well even in the ‘real world’. So, in 1995 my career as a driving instructor was born. As time went on, I really wanted to keep checking my driving was still up to scratch, so I joined the St. Helen’s group and managed to gain the IAM first, so thanks to the guys and girls of the group for their warm welcome and excellent training.
Like many, my annual car mileage plummeted following the pandemic, yet I was keen to remain a confident and engaged driver. I found I was arriving at destinations but couldn’t recall anything specific about the journey. This growing disconnect from my driving was a concern. Remembering the prominent IAM badge on my Dad's car from years ago, I decided to sign up for the IAM RoadSmart course in May 2024. The RoadSmart course is expertly structured beginning with insightful classroom discussions, followed by practical, real-world driving sessions. The group provides several highly qualified national observers, who ensure a progression that steadily refines your driving skills and awareness. At the end of the course I was delighted to pass the practical exam, achieving a F1RST grade, a testament to the comprehensive training offered by the St Helens group. I have since remained an active member of the group as an observer. Reflecting on my experience, the transformation in my driving enjoyment has been profound. Like upgrading from a black-and-white instruction leaflet to watching a full-HD movie.
In August 2024, I was caught for speeding in Scotland Road, Liverpool, doing 36 mph in a 30 mph zone. Following this error, I attended a 'Speed Awareness Course and quickly realised that I wanted to improve my driving skills... things had changed since I passed my driving test some 73 years earlier. Going online, I joined the IAM RoadSmart Advanced Driver Course provided by the St. Helens Group. ., where I hoped to meet highly qualified drivers, willing to pass on their skills and experiences. Attending the 1st meeting on the 9th January 2025, the Chairman, Mr Mark Farnworth, explained the different aspects we would be taught during the next 12 weeks of the course, and that the procedures were based on Police standards. I was given so much information at this time, that my 1st thought was...”I'm DOOMED !!” Fortunately, the session ended with an 'Observer' taking me for an assessment drive in my car, and Jeff Fishwick judged me to be a 'good driver', but in need of help and advice. I have attended 10 of the 12 week course, and have got to say that “My decision to partake in this Advanced Driving Course has been one of the most Important ones in my life”. My knowledge and awareness, timing, positioning etc have improved dramatically. All types of roads, limit points, overtaking, mirror checks etc, etc. The improvement in my driving skills has changed beyond recognition and it has become a reality because of the dedication and kindness given to me by the Observers. . There are no words that can be uttered to express my appreciation of what they have achieved for me. Yours forever grateful Peter Bellis
Driving since 1971, in 2019 I asked myself “Why have I’ve never got myself a Bike Licence?” That took about six weeks and I quickly discovered I needed to be significantly more accomplished, as a Rider, than I’ve ever been as a Driver. My Advanced Rider Training kicked-off in March in 2020 and it was seriously punctured due to Covid restrictions. Nevertheless, with much inventive personal input, I became an Advanced Rider on my first anniversary of getting a Licence. Two years later I’m a Masters Rider and another year on, a National Observer. Then I met-up with St Helens Group and together we introduced Rider Training alongside existing, long established, Driver Training. Thus far, we’ve helped several Riders become Advanced Riders and this year five observed rides a week for myself isn’t unknown! Fortunately, I’m retired. We’re particularly pleased to have a good association with North West Blood Bikes (www.nwbb-lancs.org) where I’m also a Volunteer Rider Member.Presently we may only have two Observers providing training. My colleague, Graham Roberts, recently qualified as a National Observer and we’re sharing the load; despite being qualifying pensioners! Fortunately, riding a bike doesn’t consume significant amounts of energy like other sports we’ve each suffered in earlier years, whereas now, as Riders, we’re allowed to age a little more gracefully! IAM RoadSmart & St Helens Group provide us with the means to fulfil our passion, which is Riding and helping other Riders become Advanced Riders. “Carpe Diem” – and it’s probably as good as it gets?
I've been riding bikes in the UK since december 2021. In the first year of my adventure with motorcycles I covered 26k miles riding in all weather and road conditions. In my opinion more riding means more experience and safety from a long time perspective, however I was wrong. I met Alan Douglas at some point and he told me about the IAM Riding course. Was a bit sceptical about it, but as a birthday gift from my friends and my 2nd half received a fully paid IAM Riding Course. After carefully choosing my local group, I decided to go to St Helens IAM group. Surprisingly for me, that takes my riding skills to another level. That is a very complex and substantial portion of information, skills and experience that every biker needs. Currently feeling more confident and more safe on the road. Using tips and tricks from my driving lessons I feel like I've stepped on another level of riding. I hope all my riding friends will go through the course. Sharing and spreading words about IAM to make sure there will be more skilled riders on the roads.
It was a series events that inexorably led me to taking the Advanced Test. In August 2016, an coming motorist jumped a red light and wrote off the best car that I ever had. I hadn't even finished paying for it! In the months of wrangling that followed, the other party admitted liability and settled my claim, but I was still out of pocket. Being non-liable was not much consolation to me. I was annoyed at my self rather than the other driver. I should have been able to avoid this collision. I began to realise that my standard of driving had fallen, but what could I do about it? I had heard of the IAM, “what can these people teach me that I don't already know?”. It was here where my story begins. In January 2017, I joined the group with the intention of passing the test. The group were friendly, as well as helpful. They had observers, with a wealth of experience, garnered over many years. It only took a few drives to make me realise what advanced driving was all about. A whole new mindset, a different way of thinking as well newly acquired skills. After a couple of months, I did the test and failed! Ah well, better luck next time. July 2017, I had another go, only to fail again. After this my bubble was well and truly burst and my ego totally deflated. I took a time-out, with a view to coming back at a later date. Fast forward to the Spring of 2020, when I was ready to rejoin the group, then Covid 19 and the pandemic forced the group to curtail their activities. It was not until early 2022 that the group resumed and I picked up where I left off from last time. Over the next few months, I once again did more hard work and miles to prepare for another test. Last December, I went for a third time, only to fail once again! However, this only made me even more determined to pass. There was no turning back on this voyage. I had set myself a goal and would achieve it no matter what, or how long it took. I went for my fourth test on February 11th this year and passed! The group were obviously pleased for me as much as I was. My success was their success. I knew it never going to be easy to pass the Advanced Test. I did not realise just how hard it was going to be. It is not enough to be a good driver, you must drive and think like an advanced driver. Examiners don't like failing people, the test standard has to be that much higher. They want you to pass, but they won't give out passes like confetti. When you do pass, you will have earned it! Nearly six years and four tests is quite a journey. An unwanted record? And yet I could not bring myself to throw the towel in. Sometimes you have to work twice as hard, just to be half as good as others. How much do want it? What are you prepared to do to get it? Don't give up! It will be worth it in the end. You will only get out of it what your are prepared to put in. I found it difficult and had to work hard, but in the end I got my reward for persistence, or maybe it was just dogged stubbornness not to quit where others my well have done so? Failure is success turned inside out. If my experiences can serve as an example to help others, not to give up when it does not go your way, but to keep going, then maybe in my own small way, I will have helped someone else? So why did I put myself through all this? Because there is something in me which responds to the challenge of this test and goes out to meet it.
For several months in the Star, I’ve read of various fatalities due to dangerous driving. I witnessed my best friend get hit and killed by a car at six years old, which created a strong anxiety around driving. To overcome my fear of driving I enrolled on an Institute of Advanced Motorists (UK’s leading road safety charity) Advanced Driver Course, and the volunteer Observers at the St. Helens branch, have all been exceptional, in making my driving safer and giving me the confidence to now drive regularly. Not only am I safer now but I’m better trained to spot the dangerous drivers before they become a problem for me. Michael Egan. (Letter in the St. Helens Star Newspaper 16th January 2020 p14).
I had felt for a long time that my driving skills needed a brush up having past my test around 1974 and even after being a company car driver for 35 years (I retired 6 years ago) I had found that I was getting into my car and driving from A to B and not really having any recollection of what my experience had been, plus the fact that I had a few near misses with respect to hitting cyclists and motor cyclists. I wasn't able to make all of the Sunday morning drives from the Ibis but the assessors were very accommodating and I was able to arrange quite a few mid week sessions (many thanks to Frank & Alan) I now find that my driving is more relaxed and controlled and is a much more enjoyable experience and of course I can sit in with family members and friends and point out their bad habits, much to their annoyance. I will be recommending the course to many and one old pal of mine has already taken up the challenge and will be starting his course soon. If anyone has doubts about taking the course I rattle of the IAM's mantra that I picked up from the early literature that I received that went something like, "Driving is the most common singular daily activity that can get you killed or seriously injured". Many thanks to all at St.Helens IAM.
I have just completed the IAM’ advanced driver course and felt I wanted to pass on my experiences, which I trust will be a help and encouragement to others. I became aware of the IAM course at a local event in Rainhill Village Hall which, promoted all road safety services. My wife suggested I might enjoy taking the IAM course which, after an initial hesitation I decided to apply for. I was taken for a taster run with Alan Prescott, after which I felt I would give it a go! One major problem I had was that they met on a Sunday morning and this clashed with my normal church commitments. However, several of the observers were more than willing to take me out during the week. Another problem I had was that I was waiting for an operation which had been cancelled several times. This, together with holidays, resulted in the lessons being spread over a much longer period of time. Throughout, I can honestly say that despite these setbacks, at no time did I ever feel it was a problem. The observers, without exception, were understanding and supportive. With regard to the lessons, the observers were very patient, helpful and although critical at times (of my old habits!), they were always helpful, instructive and encouraging. Whilst it took longer than expected to complete the course, I never felt any pressure to apply for the test. When the time eventually came and, on the advice of the observers, I applied for the test, I managed to pass and can honestly say that the experience and the improvement in my all round driving was well worth it. Even if I’d failed I would not have felt the course was anything but a great and worthwhile experience, which I would highly recommend. A further bonus is that, through watching me, my wife’s driving has improved!
To everyone at IAM St. Helens. Thank you for helping me to pass the Advanced Driving Test. I couldn't have done it without you.
Well done Stephen, determination and concentration paid off, now keep it up, Frank.
A big thank you to all the committee members and observers of the Group who volunteered their time and patience coaching me to a F1RST. I'm very grateful.
Great experience and I would highly recommend the St Helens Group and the course to others a big thank you to Mark, Alan and all the observers.
well done to Pam Boffey on her test pass ,very good scores keep it together.
What a great experience, learnt so much and had fun doing it! Thanks to everybody in the group for their time and support.
My thanks go to all the observers who risked life and limb over the last nine weeks correcting my bad habits and teaching me new skills. Thank you St Helens and District Group for your dedication and perseverance.
A BIG thank you to everyone in the group for the time and help given to enable me to pass the test.