Advanced training develops your ability to concentrate on your driving while behind the wheel, to observe accurately what is going on around you and to anticipate what is going to happen next. This gives you time to deal with any hazard in a systematic way so that you keep out of trouble however badly others drive.

Advanced training will also improve your skill in controlling the car so that it is always precisely in the right position on the road, at the right speed and in the right gear, and you feel comfortable making brisk progress where circumstances permit.

The hallmarks of an advanced drive are that it is safe, legal – no exceeding the speed limit because you missed a sign or were travelling faster than you thought -, smooth, and makes the most of opportunities to make good progress.

Advanced driving is defined in Roadcraft, the Police Driver’s Handbook. The principles of safe driving in Roadcraft were first set out in the 1930’s. They have since been updated to take account of changes in traffic conditions and in the design of cars.

The latest edition of Roadcraft was prepared by a group of experienced Police driving instructors in consultation with many Police and civilian experts. Roadcraft is recognised throughout the world as defining the highest possible standard of driving.The conduct of the IAM’s tests is the responsibility of its Chief Examiner, currently Peter Rodger, a former Chief Examiner at the Police Driving School at Hendon.

All IAM Examiners hold the highest Police driving qualification, the Advanced Certificate. Many are serving Traffic Police Officers.

The IAM’s book, How To Be An Advanced Driver, covers the main topics of advanced driving and sets out what its Examiners look for.

You will have the satisfaction of gaining a respected qualification. Most people think they are good drivers. You will have proved that you are, and can display the IAM badge on your car.

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 premium.

Advanced driving reduces wear and tear on the car and will probably reduce your fuel consumption. Even with insurance, crashes are very costly. You will be at less risk of having one.

By learning how to control speed accurately and to be observant, an advanced driver also avoids incurring speeding fines.

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 any passengers.

Driving becomes more interesting so that it is easier to stay alert. The feeling of being in control of the car and able to cope safely with any situation that arises virtually eliminates the nervous strain of driving. A smoother drive is less demanding physically. All this means that you can drive well for longer.

Knowing how to control a car, of feeling in control, of being in command rather than at the mercy of fate - in sum knowing how to drive expertly- makes driving much more enjoyable.

There is conclusive statistical evidence that advanced drivers have a very low crash rate. The possibility of a crash can never be ruled out but advanced driving reduces the risk to a minimum.

By becoming an advanced driver, you may one day save a life, possibly your own.

The test is a drive usually covering about 35 miles. This is to enable the Examiner to take you on a wide variety of roads, including motorway or other dual carriageway roads, urban roads and country roads, and to see your normal driving standard.

Everyone makes mistakes. The Examiner will overlook minor errors if you handle similar situations well on other occasions.

It is usually possible to start the test close to where you live and at a time that suits you. Soon after you apply for the test, an Examiner will contact you to arrange a mutually convenient time and venue. It is usually possible to take the test within 3 to 4 weeks of applying. There are many different routes. It would only be by chance that you have driven on your test route while with your Observer.

The Group's aim is to train you to drive confidently and well on any road, not just on roads with which you are familiar. There is no written test. You may be asked a few questions about, for example, road signs and road markings encountered during the drive.

At the end of the drive the Examiner will tell you the result and, irrespective of the result, offer constructive advice on how to improve further. The test usually takes about 1½ hours.

We offer the IAM’s all-inclusive Skill for Life package. This includes :

• One year’s membership of the Group
• One year as an Associate of the IAM
• A copy of How To Be An Advanced Driver
• All observed drives
• The test fee
• The first year’s membership of the IAM.

The package costs £139. This can be made in 2 payments, one of £75 with the enrollment form and one of £69 with the test application form. Please note that this is £5 more expensive than making a single payment at enrollment.

This is a very sound investment, given the benefits and the fact that many drivers find that using advanced driving techniques saves them more than this every year.

If you have already purchased the Skill for Life package, just present the voucher to the Group. No extra payment is necessary.

Our experience is that almost everyone can achieve advanced standard if they put the effort into practice. If you are in any doubt about whether advanced driving is for you, please contact our Secretary, Christine, by emailing Livingston IAM Secretary or phoning 07786 045109. She will be happy to advise and, if appropriate, can offer you

• A preliminary assessment of your driving.
One of our Observers will go out with you for a short drive in your car. Afterwards they will give you a frank but friendly assessment of your potential and how long it might take you to become an advanced driver.
• A demonstration drive.
One of our Observers will take you out in his or her car to show you what advanced driving is like in practice.

These are offered free and without any obligation to join.