After you pass

After you pass the Advanced Driving Test you may be thinking about what’s next. How about training to become and Observer for MYAM? It is one sure way of keeping those skills refreshed and is thoroughly rewarding, especially when you get that call from your Associate to say “I’ve passed”.

If you are interested, read on.

Firstly you need to make your wish known to any of the Observers, who will then put you in touch with the Chief Observer.

There are a few books to read, which you will be told about, including the Observer training manual.  

The first part of the Observer training starts with sitting in the back of an Associates car with an Observer sitting in the front. There will usually be 2 or 3 drives like this giving you the opportunity to listen to the Observer and take notes of how they interact with the Associate. After each drive the Observer will debrief you giving you opportunity to ask questions. Once they are happy that you understand the basics you will move onto the next stage.

The next part of training is all about the theory.  This will be a one to one session with the Chief Observer who will guide you through the training manuals, Course Guides, Road Book, Roadcraft, Risk Assessments and the Best Practice Notes used by the Group.  Occasionally, where we have a number of trainees, this will take place at a central location.

For the second part of on the road training you will sit in the front of an Associate's car, with an Observer in the back. Using what you learnt from the first part of the training and the theory session, you will deliver the observed session as a front seat Trainee Observer and provide guidance for the Associate to an advanced standard of driving in order for them to pass the IAM RoadSmart Advanced Driving Test. The number of observed drives you need at this stage will very much depend on your own progress and the effort you put into reading the training materials.

Once the Chief Observer feels that you have reached the required level of competency you will be required to go out with an IAMRoadSmart representative who will assess what you have learnt and if they are satisfied then you will qualify as a National Observer and you will then be able to take out Associates on your own.

Whilst training and after you become an Observer you will need to attend occasional Observers Meetings. These are meetings are used to openly discuss all manner of observing, processes, concerns etc.  Skill Check sessions are also a great meeting place for Observers.