This summer Cornwall Advanced Drivers IAM Road Smart Group has exhibited at many events promoting IAM RoadSmart but also giving drivers the opportunity to have a free check of their driving ability with one of their Observers, who are all qualified in advanced driving tuition. Over 60 visitors, across a wide age range, signed up for a short assessment drive with many deciding afterwards to enrol with IAM for the full advanced driving course, delivered by Cornwall Advanced Drivers.
It was after visiting Cornwall Advanced Drivers show stand that Alan Hoskings decided to ask for an assessment drive. Alan, who had been driving for well over 60 years and had worked in the car industry for most of his working life, said he found the free assessment was a wake-up call so he decided to enrol for the full advanced driving course. After further training, he recently took his advanced driving test and achieved a much-coveted First Class Pass.
Alan said that the training sessions of the course were great fun, friendly, professional and encouraging. Asked what he learnt during the course he said: “ It’s made me look for and think much more about potential hazards ahead and around me whilst also curing some of my bad habits in the process. I feel I’m a much safer and smoother driver and now enjoy my driving more than before the course.
Alan’s observer, Nick Fletcher, added that “Alan was a brilliant Associate {Trainee} who was really keen to learn and who took on board the advice we gave him. Not only did Alan pass but he achieved the highest pass grade called a First. The IAM test looks at over 30 different aspects of an Associate’s driving and IAM Examiners only award a First Grade pass when an associate scores top marks. This requires a near-perfect drive during an hour long test. To put this into context, IAM does well over 3,000 tests each year but less than 15% achieve a First Graded Pass, so we are extremely proud of Alan, particularly as he’s now well into his eighties”.
Photo Nick Fletcher, Chief Observer of CAD congratulating Alan Hoskins on his First Pass
