Advanced Driving Test

The Advanced Driving Test, and equivalent advanced riding test for motorcycles, is offered in the United Kingdom by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). It is based on Roadcraft, the police driving system . It was introduced in 1956 to improve driving standards, following principles set out by the Metropolitan Police. It is open to anyone who has passed the standard driving test.

Examiners all hold a Police Advance Driving Certificate. The test covers 30-40 miles 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 will offer reduced car or bike insurance premiums to holders of an advanced certificate.

Advanced driving and riding tests can also be provided by other organizations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the Driving Instructors' Association DIAmond Advanced Test and the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) Blue Riband.

Advanced Police Driving

In the UK, every "Traffic" police officer must complete this advanced driving course. They are taught to drive in such a way that response is fast and safe. They are taught many police intervention manoeuvres such as the TPAC, which involves boxing in a suspect vehicle from the front, sides, and back. Many police programs such as "Traffic Cops" and "Road Wars" feature the police pursuing a vehicle and having to stop using the handbrake, this gives officers enough time to open their doors and begin a chase if needed, whilst not having to worry about taking the car out of gear, hitting the brakes, then enabling the handbrake. Here are some of the techniques the police drivers must complete to pass the test:

* "Starting and Stopping Drills"
* "Introduction to Commentary"
* "System of Car Control"
* "Gear Changing Technique"
* "Steering Technique"
* "Manoeuvrability Training"
* "Skid Correction Training"
* "Positioning"
* "Principles of Safe Cornering"
* "Cornering Position Advantages"
* "Assessment of Corners"
* "Half Distance Acceleration"
* "Acceleration Sense"
* "Braking Sense"
* "Overtaking Technique"
* "Manoeuvrability and Skid Correction Tests"

External links

* [http://www.advanced-driving.co.uk Advanced Driving UK - Advanced and Defensive Driving Portal]
* [http://www.roada.org.uk/ The RoSPA Advanced Drivers' Association (RoADA)]