Dumfries and Galloway Group Of
Advanced Motorists and Motorcyclists
Read about the experiences of our
Associates (drivers)
What happens on an IAM ‘Skill for Life’ driving course?
(for drivers & riders)
What Is Advanced Driving?
There are numerous definitions of advanced driving but essentially it is based on a set of fundamental principles which guide every action the driver takes when behind the wheel of the car. These fundamentals equally apply to Advanced Motorcycle Riding.
The advanced driver controls the car with precision, drives with a high degree of concentration and awareness, anticipates danger and mistakes from other road users and always leaves a comfortable margin for safety.
Advanced driving can be defined as 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.
Advanced driving 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 coordinated 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.
What is involved for car drivers?
Guidance for qualified drivers is given on a ‘one-
The course consists of self study or classroom elements covering the theory of advanced driving together with practical elements where a group observer accompanies an associate in their car and provides guidance to help improve their driving and put the theory into practice. All the guidance is free and carried out voluntarily by group members.
How much does it cost?
The Group operates a "Skill for Life" programme which costs £139 (but subject to review periodically) and includes the following:
- Dumfries Group Associate Membership, automatically upgraded to full membership once
you have passed the Advanced Test. See motorcycle page for details
of motorcycle test costs.
- A place on one of our courses to prepare for the IAM Test.
- The IAM book ‘How to be a better driver’ (or How to be an Advanced Rider).
- IAM Test
- IAM Associate status, automatically upgraded to full Membership of the IAM upon passing the Advanced Driving Test within 12 months.
From time to time limited promotions may be available, we’ll let you know about any current ones when you enquire. At times we are able to offer discounts for new or inexperienced drivers and riders but we can only give these discounts whilst we have funds, see below for more information.
You can sign up for a “Skill For Life” car course right now, by clicking on the car key on our home page. You’ll need to have your credit card handy to use it. Alternatively contact the Secretary to find out more.
Broadly similar arrangements apply for guidance in preparation for the Advanced Motorcycling
Test although the costs are slightly different -
Important Note Concerning Advanced Tests -
No person who has a conviction pending, including those related to Fixed Penalty Notices can take the test until the court case has been completed.
We recognise the vulnerability of young drivers and riders and the importance of helping them to improve their driving and riding skills. Thanks to generous donations from Dumfries & Galloway Voluntary Sector Fund, DA Autoparts, Border Construction, Crossflags (BMW and Mini dealer) and Amey we are able to encourage these young people to make themselves safer by offering ‘Skill for Life’ courses at reduced cost; whilst funds remain available.
Members of Unison can take advantage of discounted Skill for Life fees, subject to continued availability of funding.
We also recognise that other groups are vulnerable too, particularly new and inexperienced motorcyclists or drivers, of any age. To this end the Group will subsidise the ‘Skill for Life’ course costs for such people by offering a £10 discount, at our discretion, while we have funds available.
After you pass
After passing the test you automatically become a full member of both the IAM and the Dumfries Group. You will be invited to maintain your membership of the IAM and Dumfries Group annually. For the year 2009 the annual costs are:
Annual IAM membership fee -
Annual Dumfries Group membership fee -
Fees are subject to periodic review.
Drivers who have passed the Advanced Test have a significantly lower accident rate
(as much as 50 -
As a member of both organisations you will receive the IAM’s ‘Advanced Driving’ magazine and the Dumfries Group’s magazine ‘Advance’, each published three times a year. These publications cover a variety of driving and riding topics of national and local interest. Additionally membership gives you access to national and local discount schemes.
What happens on an IAM Skill for Life Advanced Driving Course?
Do you want to find out what happens on one of our driving courses? Why not view
our video production here which may answer some of your questions. This is an abridged
version of the video, the full version runs for twice as long and is available on
DVD -
If you can’t see the player controls in the box to the left you may need to allow ‘running script or ActiveX controls’. If you are using Internet Explorer you can do this on the Information bar at the head of this page. If you don’t want to do this use the alternative control shown below.
To run the film in your own browser click on the icon above or right-
Please note the film is designed to be viewed in a small window and you will need a fast connection to enable you to view this production.
