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Think you're a good driver?

Prove it - pass the advanced test!

This page shows you the options you have for further training after you have passed your normal driving. After reading about these courses i hope you'll see why driving is a skill that you never stop learning, no matter how long you've been doing it.

What is an advanced driver?

An advanced driver is someone who has complete control of their vehicle at all times in any situation. A driver who practices a system of driving which is smooth, controlled, progressive, positive, intuitive and safe. They also have complete understanding of defensive driving and are able to navigate traffic, bad weather, motorways and night time driving with ease. Nothing they do is ever rushed, sudden, unplanned or causes intrusion to others around them. Advanced drivers use techniques that normal drivers are unaware of to make progress and drive in an environmentally friendly way.

Advanced driver Vs. Normal driver

One of the most commonly said things by young or inexperiened drivers is how they have quicker reactions than older drivers and that makes them better. The fact that you're having to react in the first place means you're doing something wrong! A great driver doesn't need to react because they deal with the problem before it even develops. As an example, let's imagine you're driving behind a bus which pulls up at a stop. Here's how each kind of driver would deal with it

Normal driver - A normal driver would travel behind the bus too closely. They'd miss any clues it was about to pull over and when it does, they'd then react by braking hard, swerving around it and nearly hitting someone head on. See the video below starting at the 1 minute mark to see a great example of this.

Avanced driver - They would see all the clues that the bus is about to pull over. There are people walking down the ailse of the bus, people at the stop picking up bags and asking the bus to stop. A puff of smoke from the exhaust pipe means the bus is slowing down and changing down gears, before any brake lights are lit. With all this they would check the mirrors, also assess what's ahead, signal early and use an overtaking triangle system to safely move around the bus, checking for pedestrians crossing in front. No other driver has suffered any intrusion and the whole thing was planned so well that you wouldn't even know anything had happened.

Reactions never beat experience and planning. You'll see some reactive drivers in this video.

What kind of advanced tests are there?

There're several advanced tests you can take including ones from IAM (institute of advanced motorists), the Diamond and the ROSPA (Royal society for the prevention of accidents). They are all very similar, it is up to you to choose whichever you prefer. We like the way Rospa do their's as they grade people from bronze to gold standard and you must retake the test every 2 years to retain your grade.

Who can take the advanced test?

Anyone who has passed the L test can take the advanced test but we very much recommend you have at least 1 year experience of driving and a minimum of 10,000 miles behind you. This is because you need to be able to use experience when making decisions and if you have only just passed the L test you will find the advanced course far too difficult. You will also need a clean licence with no points, outstanding bans or disqualifications. You may be able to take the test if you have just 3 points on your licence.

What does the test involve?

The advanced test is the most stringent test of driving ability in the UK. It is far more than just a slightly harder L test. A learner driver is allowed to make 15 minor faults in around 35 minutes on a basic set of roads. On the advanced test you will be driving for over an hour on every kind of road imaginable including motorways and must make a maximum of 6 minor faults. Faults are picked up far more easily than on the L test as an extremely high standard of driving is required. As well as what you do being marked, how you do it is marked so any sudden braking or action which is not smooth and well planned will be frowned upon.

You must also complete an emergency stop and all 5 maneuvers (Turn in the road, left reverse, right reverse, bay park and parallel park) and they must be done faultlessly with immaculate observation and control. The test is usually taken in your own vehicle as you mustn't display any signs to other drivers that you are on a test.

Beyond advanced driving

If you're really keen on being a good driver then how about becoming a driving instructor? As well as passing the advanced test you'll also have to pass an advanced theory test and give two driving lessons to a senior DSA supervising examiner.

Being able to drive well is one thing, being able to teach others takes it to a whole new level. You'll have to be extra skilled to be able to transfer your own skills to another and be able to talk a novice driver through any situtaion, planning an appropiate route and keeping your eye on the time, syllabus and many other things! Being an instructor can be a highly rewarding career, not just financially but through seeing people achieve their aims.

So many people want to become instructors that test waiting times are at least 6 months, often up to 10 months per test. The number of instructors has more than doubled since the year 2000 to 2010 and where as it used to be seen as a boring job for old men, it's now a desireable career choice for many people.

Beyond beyond advanced driving

If you are fanatical about driving then why not try the ultimate driving test - the Cardington special. This high level advanced test is only open to fully qualified driving instructors and is the absolute ultimate test of driving ability.

You'll travel to a special test centre in Cardington, although other centres are now available, where the test will be conducted by a very senior examiner.

You're allowed to make 2 minor faults in around 90 minutes of driving. After the test you'll have to wait 48 hours for the examiners verdict in the post.

There is another test called the Diamond special which is marked to the same level and conducted by a company callaed DIA (Driving Instructors Association)

Final thought...

Passing any test actually means very little. You can take the most advanced test there is and then go and crash the hour after taking it. Really good drivers never stop learning and practicing, just passing a test once does not make you perfect.

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