FAQ’s

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) now called IAM RoadSmart is a charity organisation, formed in 1956, based in London, and dedicated to the improvement of Road Safety through improving the standard of driving. It has been approved by the Government’s Driving Standards Agency (DSA) as a provider of Advanced Driving Tests. For further details, please see IAM’s own website. 
 
The Kingdom Of Fife Group (KOFG) is one of around 180 Groups affiliated to the IAM. IAM membership is over 82,000 members. We exist to further the aims of the IAM in the Fife area. This is done by offering help to IAM “Associate” members (members who have not yet passed their Advanced test) to allow them to achieve the standard required to pass the Advanced test. 
 

As of February 2009, there were a total of 220 local IAM groups (for cars, motorcycles, or both). Within Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland there were also 109,730 Full Members and 23,898 Associate Members. 

The Kingdom Of Fife Group comprises of the following :

• Full Members – These are members who have passed the IAM test.
• Associate Members – Members who are in training and are preparing to sit their test.
• Observers – Full members who have undertaken additional training to allow them to pass on to Associate members the skills they themselves have achieved. Observers are not paid and give their time voluntarily. For details of Observers within the Kingdom Of Fife Group, click here for Car Observers or click here for Motorcycle Observers.
• Committee – The Group is a run by a Committee of Group Members who voluntarily give their time to help advance the aims of the IAM within Fife. Committee members are normally Full Members who have passed their IAM Advanced Test, but Associate Members are also allowed to join the Committee. For details of the current Committee Members, click here.

There are many misconceptions of what Advanced Driving is about. It is not about police cars going down the high street at high speed, breaking the lap record at Brands Hatch, or spending hours on the skid pan. 
 
Instead, it is safe, sensible driving by controlling and minimising the risks, trying always to be in the right place on the road at the right time, travelling at the right speed with the right gear engaged and always being able to stop safely, on your own side of the road, in the distance you can see to be clear. 
 
The key skills of an Advanced Driver are Concentration, Observation and Anticipation. 
 
Using these skills to develop a Driving Plan, co-ordinated with the System Of Car Control, a driver can make progress in a skilful and responsible way, ensuring that nothing is left to chance. 
 
By developing and practicing Advanced Driving skills, you can become a better and safer driver and enjoy your driving more. As an Advanced Driver you will make a contribution to road safety and at the same time you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing something which is quite difficult, really well. 
 

The process for becoming an Advanced Motorist is as follows :

• After purchasing a “Advanced Driving/Riding course” product from the IAM, you will be contacted by the Kingdom Of Fife Group and will be invited to attend an induction event.
• After attending the induction event you will be assigned an Observer.
• Your Observer will assess your driving and give advice as to how to attain the required IAM Test standard. This will be done through a series of Observed and Demonstration drives, usually at weekly intervals. Click here to see further details and photographs of an Observed Drive.
• As well as taking part in these drives, your Observer will give you things to practice prior to the following week’s drive. You will also be expected to have a good knowledge of the Highway Code and the IAM’s Advanced Driving book (which you will have received as part of your pack from IAM).
• When you are almost ready for your test, a Pre-Test drive will be done with a Senior Observer. Assuming this goes to plan, you will then apply for your test.
• Shortly after applying for your test you will be contacted by an IAM Examiner to arrange a mutually suitable date, time & meeting place for your test.
• Assuming your test goes to plan, that’s it! Congratulations – you’ll have passed and will now be an Advanced Motorist and a Full Member of the IAM!

We welcome any driver who holds a full licence and would like to improve their driving to Advanced IAM standard. There are no restricitons regarding the the number of points you have on your licence, or even if you have received a driving ban in the past – just as long as you currently have a full driving licence and do not have any pending court cases (including the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice) for driving matters. 
 
If you have any doubt about whether you would be able to join IAM RoadSmart please click here to contact us with details of your circumstances. 
 
We are happy to help men and women of any age – from those who have only recently passed their standard driving test (you only need to have held a full licence for 3 months at the time of sitting your IAM test) to those who have been driving for many years. 
 
Due to Disclosure Scotland issues, it is unlikely that any Observed Drives will be able to be carried out with drivers under the age of 18, although they are still welcome to join the Group, attend the Induction Event, and get their name on the waiting list to start the Observed Drives as soon as they turn 18. 
 
It doesn’t matter what sort of car or motorcycle you drive or ride. However, as all the Observed drives/rides and the IAM Advanced Test are done in your own vehicle, it must have at least two seats (for cars), be in a roadworthy condition, and be capable of reaching the motorway maximum speed limit of 70mph. For cars, it does not matter if it has manual or automatic transmission. 

In the Kingdom Of Fife Group, we welcome new members at any time of the year. Unlike some groups which have courses that run on set dates 2 or 3 times a year, all our training is done on a one-to-one basis with an Observer as and when required. You would also normally keep the same Observer from the first drive right through to your test. 
 
Upon registering with IAM RoadSmart you will be put in contact with our Membership Secretary and you will be invited along to attend an Induction Event. This classroom based session will cover the basics prior to you being assigned an Observer. Depending upon the time of year, there may be a short wait before being assigned an Observer but our aim is that this should be no more than 1-2 months and the documentation you receive from the Induction Event will give you some idea of the requirements of Advanced Driving that you can start working on immediately.

The benefits of passing your IAM test and becoming an Advanced Motorist include :

• Sense Of Achievement – You will have the satisfaction of gaining a respected qualification. Most people think they are good drivers but you will have proven that you are and can display the IAM badge on your car as evidence if this. You could even take the sense of achievement further by becoming an Observer if you wished.
• Cheaper Motoring – The best way to achieve lower insurance costs is to preserve your No Claims Bonus. This is much more likely if you are an Advanced Driver. As an Advanced Driver you may also get a discount on your insurance premium. Advanced driving also reduces wear and tear on your car and should reduce your fuel consumption as well.
• Better Health – An Advanced Driver anticipates any need to change position or speed and so executes any change smoothly and avoids panic reactions. So advanced driving is much less stressful mentally and physically both for the driver and for any passengers.
• Greater Enjoyment Of Driving – Knowing how to control a car, of feeling in control, of being in command rather than at the mercy of fate. In summary, knowing how to drive expertly. This makes driving much more enjoyable.
• IAM / KOFG Membership Benefits – Being a member of IAM will mean that you will receive their “Advanced Driving” publication, and will be eligible for any member discounts (e.g. reduced price breakdown cover or airport parking). Being a member of the Kingdom Of Fife Group will also mean that you will receive our Newsletter, be eligible for entering our regular Newsletter competition, will receive any KOFG membership discounts, and will be able to attend any events / social activities organised within the group.
• Lastly, and most importantly, Safety – You may one day save a life, possibly even your own. Advanced drivers are 70% less likely to be involved in an accident which is a very important statistic when you consider that EVERY DAY on UK roads 9 people are killed, 89 more are seriously injured, and over 670 more sustain slight injuries.

Insurance costs vary depending upon individual’s circumstances, vehicles and insurance companies. However, the recently launched IAM Surety Insurance product claims that 90% of IAM members can save money, and there is even a 10% discount given to IAM Associate Members who have not yet passed their Advanced Test. Currently, IAM Surety can provide insurance quotes for drivers aged 21 to 79. 
 
Although cheaper insurance is an advantage, it is not the main reason for becoming an Advanced Driver, neither are the reduced running costs & fuel costs, or even being able to receive IAM’s excellent regular “Advanced Driving” magazine. The main reason is that statistics show that Advanced Drivers are 70% less likely to be involved in an accident !