Tips and Blogs

As someone who considers themselves resilient to life’s challenges, I never thought that I would be at risk of anxiety or depression, but life can throw grenades at you, and sometimes you’re just not able to cope and need a little bit of expert support.

Motorists are being urged to swat up on their driving knowledge as several new laws and rules are set to come into effect this year.

On the theme of 'anxiety', this year's Mental Health Awareness Week is from 15th – 21st May. With the help of Ben, the charity dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry, we’re looking at ways to help anyone living with anxiety.

Find peace of mind when you insure online. For a quick, comparative car insurance quote, try Cornmarket’s online service – with an exclusive Price Match for IAM RoadSmart members.

Most drivers know that worn or defective tyres on their vehicle can result in a fine and penalty points, but they are less likely to realise that driving with bad vision is punishable with a fine of up to £1,000, three penalty points and a ban. Not to mention it can also increase your risk of a crash.

According to Alcohol Change, nearly 9 million people across the UK were set to participate in Dry January this year! Were you one of them?

You may have seen Nigel recently in our For the Road Ahead video which focuses on the freedom that driving gives older drivers, and how a Mature Driver Review can aid this.

Having passed my driving test when I was seventeen years old, four decades ago, it’s fair to say I am an experienced, confident driver. However, I know there is always room for improvement.

Since passing my driving test at 17 years old I would happily drive anywhere. Distance never concerned me because I felt confident in my ability.

Listed amongst one of the must-haves this Christmas, e-scooters are flying off the shelves with thousands expected to sell before the big day.

"My first run report held a surprise for me; the word “outstanding” was used. After my second run, my Observer suggested I should book my test, unless… (he paused dramatically) unless I fancied an attempt at achieving a F1RST, in which case a few more runs should do the trick. I realised in that moment how much I had changed, how hungry I was to be the best I could be, and how could I ignore the dangled carrot of a F1RST?" Read the latest blog by Karen Allen here.

Heidi Limbert discovered several passions and experiences have merged over the last few years. The main two being mental health and motorbikes. As a rider herself she discovered freedom and tranquillity on a bike, but now has learnt so much more.

"Several years of riding had seen me develop several bad habits that I didn’t know I had. With the help of my Observer supplied by the Herts & Beds Advanced Motorcyclists group (HBAM) I had several sessions out on the road, a few classroom sessions and passed my advanced examination with a F1RST." Tony Smith, Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service Fire Bike Team Leader.

I passed my IAM RoadSmart assessment originally in 1992 driving a Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI, which I somehow managed to get as a company car – today this would be regarded as a serious contender for one of the best cars ever made and good examples sell for healthy sums. The classic car market is alive and well, and many hundreds change hands at auctions and on forecourts every month.