Frequently Asked Questions

To gain Advanced Driver or Advanced Rider status, you’ll need to pass our Advanced test. The easiest way to do this is to purchase our Advanced Driver or Rider course, where you’ll be paired with an Observer from a local group and work towards passing the test by building your on-road skills and knowledge.

Your course fee includes membership of your local group, the active support of your local group through your observed rides or drives, the Advanced Rider/Driver handbook, the Advanced test itself, and one year’s IAM RoadSmart membership. If you’re taking the Advanced Rider course, your Observer may ask you to help towards their fuel costs.

Once you are ready to take your Advanced test, you can book it using the online form found in your IAM RoadSmart dashboard - just click ‘Login’ at the top of the page and click the ‘Book your test’ link found in your Associate toolbox. Alternatively, you can book your test on the phone with our customer care team on 0300 303 1134.

Our Observers will meet you in a designated location that is convenient for you both. You can discuss where you’d like to meet your Observer once you have been assigned to your Local Group.

Yes! All of our courses will take place in or on your own vehicle, so there’s no pressure of trying to get used to someone else’s car or motorbike.

If you don’t pass, you’ll always have the option to retake your test at a later date - but this is a rare occurrence. Similarly, you can book a ‘Member’s Driving or Riding Assessment’ if you’ve already passed and are looking to beat your previous test score.

There’s no theory test, but you will need to demonstrate knowledge and skills to your Examiner during the practical test in or order to pass – but don’t worry, we send you a handbook covering everything you need to learn and go through with your Observer.

Our Advanced Driver and Rider courses are accredited by the DVSA and are supported by Observer’s accredited by the IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry). RoSPA’s qualifications, although similar to IAM RoadSmart in that their training is based upon Police Roadcraft, are not as widely recognised by insurance providers, and require a retest every three years to maintain the qualification. RoSPA is also a larger organisation focusing on accident prevention, whereas IAM RoadSmart specialises in road safety.

Once you pass your Advanced Test, a number of new challenges await you. You can push yourself to becoming a Fellow, or by trying to gain a Masters with Distinction qualification. There’s also the opportunity to join your local group and become an Observer yourself.

Yes! If your skills are already at Advanced Driver/Rider level, you can book a ‘Test and Membership’ from our ‘Courses’ section. Please note, this includes no observed rides or drives with a local group and is usually taken by those with existing driving or riding qualifications.

There are three routes to IAM RoadSmart membership: purchasing an Advanced Driver or Rider course, joining via exemption if you hold a recognised qualification, or by having your business driver training accredited by us. Find out more on our ‘Membership’ page.

In addition to improving your driving and riding skills, becoming an IAM RoadSmart member opens up a host of exclusive benefits. Find out more on our ‘Membership’ page.

When you pass the Advanced Driver or Rider test you can ask our affiliated insurer IAM Cornmarket for a quote. They are the official insurance partner of IAM RoadSmart and offer great value car and motorbike insurance policies which recognise your advanced driving skills. Quotes are based on a range of factors so we can’t guarantee a particular saving, however, Cornmarket holds over 20,000 car/bike policies with our members, who benefit from competitive premiums plus the highest levels of personal service.

Your membership number will be on your membership card and included in any correspondence we have with you. If you’ve misplaced it, call us on 0300 303 1134 and we’ll give you your number once we confirm a few details such as your date of birth and address.

Click the 'Log in' button on the top right of this page and enter your email address or membership number (e.g. M00001234). If you have forgotten your password, please click the link and you will be sent an email to reset it. If the system doesn't recognise your email address it may be because it isn't on your membership record. If you experience this problem or any other problems logging in, please call us on 0300 303 1134.

Yes! We’d love to welcome you back as a member. You’ll just need to send proof of previous membership to support@iam.org.uk where one of our team can reactivate your account.

You can do this online by logging into your IAM RoadSmart online account and choosing the 'my renewal’ option in your profile. Alternatively, you can call our customer care team on 0300 303 1134 or set up a direct debit for a faster and more efficient way to renew – you also save £4 on your annual renewal price!

The first year of local group membership is included in your course fee. However, renewing group membership depends on whether you are still an Associate (i.e. you have not yet passed your Advanced Test), and whether you’d like to remain a Local Group member after passing and take part in social activities and/or Observer training.

Visit the 'Local group' page from the main menu and you will be able to find details of local groups, who’ll be happy to answer any questions about your course or the group.

Our network of local groups is the lifeblood of IAM RoadSmart; all are run by volunteers. In a nutshell, each local group helps new Associates to reach the Advanced driving or riding standards by passing on their on-road skills and knowledge. Find out more on our ‘Local groups’ page.

In order to pass your Advanced test, you’ll need to be paired with an Observer from a local group who will help you to reach the Advanced standard. Once you pass, there’s no requirement for you to join or take part in local group activities, and you’ll still hold your full IAM RoadSmart membership (subject to annual renewal). However, joining a local group is a great way to meet fellow driving and motorcycling enthusiasts, and opens up a whole host of opportunities to take your skills further.

Just ask! Your local group will be more than happy to accommodate requests for further training and development. Becoming an Observer with a local group is the perfect way to take your skills further while helping the next round of Advanced Drivers and Riders.