About The Group
Affiliated to The Institute of Advanced Motorists (Registered Charity No: 1058971),
he St. Helens Group of Advanced Motorists is one of more than 200 IAM Groups -
a voluntary organisation whose mission is the promotion of Road Safety and assisting
the general public to meet the requirements of the IAM's Advanced Driving Test.
Established in 1985, the Group has already helped over 500 local people to pass
the Advanced Test. Over the years, our pass rate has been established at over
95%, with the majority of those who fail successfully passing the Test on their
second attempt.
Our membership consists of volunteers who have passed the Advanced Test and
who then give some of their time to provide others the opportunity of passing
the Test. We are a friendly Group with skilled, knowledgeable drivers who are keen
to help all those wishing to improve their driving skills. We meet weekly at 10:15am
on Sunday mornings on Birchley Street car park in the Town Centre (behind the
Police Station).
Becoming an Advanced Driver is within the reach of most people - with the right
preparation. As a Group Associate Member you will be entitled to free observed
driving sessions, guidance, and help to enable you to reach the Advanced Driving
test standard. The Advanced Driving test is available to drivers of cars, motor-
cycles, minibuses and commercial vehicles. There is no age limit providing you have
held a full, clean, current, British or EU licence for at least 3 months.
We offer a structured 8 week course prior to taking the Advanced Test. Each
Sunday morning, you will drive your vehicle for between 1 and 1½ hours with an
experienced member (Observer) by your side. During the run, the Observer will
comment on your driving and offer constructive suggestions for improvement. At
the end of the run you will be given a comprehensive debrief and one or two key
points that require improvement will be highlighted for you to practice before the
following Sunday.
An all-inclusive membership fee of £139 covers:
-
Initial assessment (with St. Helens Group)
-
12 months Associate Membership of the St Helens Group
-
All Test preparation work (undertaken with St. Helens Group)
-
Entry into the Advanced Driving Test
-
The IAM book "Advanced Driving - The Essential Guide" and
"Advanced Driving" the IAM's tri-annual Members magazine
-
St Helens Group Bimonthly Newsletter
-
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 the IAM website (with details of
Members' Events, Membership Services and Special Offers).
Following
successful Test Pass, the Group also offers a fully structured training programme for
individuals who have already passed the IAM Advanced Driver Test, and who wish
to become Observers themselves.
The Group does not
currently have a minibus or motorcycle section, however if you are interested in
doing the motorcycle test we encourage you to visit our colleagues at the
Warrington Group.
We offer
occasional social events and activities, including skid pan training, Specialist
courses, AGM, Christmas Dinner, etc.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists is a
non-profit organisation and at no time will an Observer ask for payment for
training you.
Come and join us,
you'll be more than welcome!
Where To Find Us
