The advanced driving test is a special exam for motorists who can drive to a skill level substantially above average, and candidates who pass are called ''advanced drivers''. It is available from several societies, including
IAM RoadSmart
IAM RoadSmart formerly called the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is a charity based in the United Kingdom and serving nine countries, whose objective is to improve car driving and motorcycle riding standards, and so enhance road safety, b ...
, the
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is a British charity that aims to save lives and prevent life-changing injuries which occur as a result of accidents. In the past, it has successfully campaigned on issues of road safet ...
, the Driving Instructors' Association DIAmond Advanced Test and the
British Motorcyclists Federation
The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) is a motorcycle riders' rights group in the United Kingdom. The BMF was founded in 1960 as the Federation of National One Make Motorcycle Clubs to counter accusations of "leather-jacketed hooligans". It ...
(BMF) Blue Riband. There is no single "advanced test", so standards are different depending on the provider. It does not affect the driver's own licence. The test is mostly (but not exclusively) UK based; and is available for several types of vehicle (including car and motorcycle) depending on the provider.
Most candidates need advanced lessons before the advanced test. They may be provided by examining body (as with IAM) or the candidate can pay their own instructor privately, as is UK standard practice for the initial driving test.
It is based on
Roadcraft Roadcraft refers to the system of car or motorcycle control outlined in two books ''Roadcraft: The Police Driver's Handbook'' and ''Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider's Handbook''. The books are produced by the Police Foundation and published by ...
, the police driving system. It was introduced in 1956 to improve driving standards, following principles set out by the
Metropolitan Police
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), formerly and still commonly known as the Metropolitan Police (and informally as the Met Police, the Met, Scotland Yard, or the Yard), is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement and ...
. It is open to anyone who has passed the standard driving test, but only a small fraction of drivers choose to have advanced driver training or take an advanced test
Examiners all hold a Police Advanced Driving Certificate. The test covers on different types of road, from town to country, city and country. Students will have trained in all areas and have to demonstrate the techniques and methods they’ve learned. Some
insurers
Insurance is a means of protection from financial loss in which, in exchange for a fee, a party agrees to compensate another party in the event of a certain loss, damage, or injury. It is a form of risk management, primarily used to hedge ...
will offer reduced vehicle insurance premiums to holders of an advanced certificate.
Advanced driving, as agreed by the
Driving Instructors' Association
Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a vehicle, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and bicycles. Permission to drive on public highways is granted based on a set of conditions being met and drivers are required to foll ...
(DIA),
Driving Standards Agency
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) was an executive agency of the UK Department for Transport (DfT).
DSA promoted road safety in Great Britain by improving driving and motorcycling standards. It set standards for education and training, as wel ...
, Institute of Advanced Motorists, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is defined as "The ability to control the position and speed of the vehicle safely, systematically and smoothly using road and traffic conditions to make reasonable progress unobtrusively, with skill and responsibility. This requires a positive but courteous attitude and a high standard of driving competence based on concentration, effective all round observation, anticipation and planning co-ordinated with good handling skills. The vehicle should always be at the right place on the road at the right time, travelling at the right speed with the correct gear engaged and can always be stopped safely in the distance that can be seen to be clear."
Pre-advanced riding
In the UK, motorcyclists can participate in Bikesafe workshops in preparation for advanced training. BikeSafe is a national police-run motorcycle initiative, provided by 34 police forces across 75 locations. BikeSafe workshops typically cover the rudiments of
roadcraft Roadcraft refers to the system of car or motorcycle control outlined in two books ''Roadcraft: The Police Driver's Handbook'' and ''Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider's Handbook''. The books are produced by the Police Foundation and published by ...
, collision causation, cornering, positioning, overtaking, observation, braking, hazard perception and use of gears.
See also
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Defensive driving
Defensive driving describes the practice of anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others when operating a motor vehicle. It can be achieved by adhering to general guidelines, such as keeping a two- or ...
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Automobile safety
Automotive safety is the study and practice of design, construction, equipment and regulation to minimize the occurrence and consequences of traffic collisions involving motor vehicles. Road traffic safety more broadly includes roadway design.
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Motorcycle safety
Motorcycle safety is the study of the risks and dangers of motorcycling, and the approaches to mitigate that risk, focusing on motorcycle design, road design and traffic rules, rider training, and the cultural attitudes of motorcyclists and other r ...
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Motorcycle training
Motorcycle training teaches motorcycle riders the skills for riding on public roads. It is the equivalent of driver's education for car drivers. Training beyond basic qualification and licensing is available to those whose duty includes motorcyc ...
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Road-traffic safety
Road traffic safety refers to the methods and measures used to prevent road users from being killed or seriously injured. Typical road users include pedestrians, cyclists, Driving, motorists, vehicle passengers, horse riders, and passengers o ...
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National Safety Council
The National Safety Council (NSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public service organization promoting health and safety in the United States. Headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, NSC is a member organization, founded in 1913 and granted a congressi ...
References
Automotive safety
Motorcycle safety
Driver's education
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