What is Advanced Driving?
Road deaths and injuries have fallen over the years despite there being more cars on the road than ever. Many factors have contributed to this trend. Improved roads, safer vehicle design and advances in engineering technology have certainly played their part. Issues such as drink driving have also become socially unacceptable, as has other ‘protective legislation’ such as the compulsory the wearing of seat belts.
However, that does not mean that there are less crashes!
A small proprtion of crashes can be attributed to mechanical or tyre failures, yet it remains that 95% of all crashes are due to driver error.
Advanced Driving techniques are designed to improve driver skills and therefore reduce the risk of a crash. Advanced drivers are confident and decisive, but never reckless. They are enthusiastic about driving and make better progress that average motorist, and are able move through traffic unobtrusively, with higher margins of safety

How much of time will a course take up?
The first thing is that advanced driving is not a course! It is a progressive method of learning rather than teaching designed to improve your driver skills. This process can be spead over any reasonable period of time you choose, and is geared to personal ability and time you have available. The techniques you will learn are often referred to as ‘roadcraft’; the acquistion of knowledge and experience to make you a better, and safer driver.

What does it cost?
Apart from your membership subscription to the Jersey Adavnced Drivers Association, currently just £12 per annumm - nothing! You are however recommended to purchase the Official IAM Advanced Drivers Handbook which covers all the aspects of safer driving you will learn.

How does it work then?
Once you have become a member and indicated your wish to improve your driving standards, you will be assigned a ‘personal mentor’. They are not teachers but ‘observers’ who will assess your driving at the end of a ‘run’. They will point out various aspects of your driving which could do with improving; then its up to you to make those improvements by applying them to your everyday driving until they become second nature. The method gradually covers each technique until you are proficient enough to consider taking an Advanced Driving Test.

What qualifications do observers have?
All observers are themselves Advanced Drivers holding certification with either IAM (The Institute of Advanced Motorists) or RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents), both of which mirror the advanced driving techniques required by police drivers.

As a woman I would feel unhappy about driving with a male driver?
The Jersey Advanced Motoirsts Association has both male and female observers. We will always ensure that ladies requesting a female observer, will be assigned one.

I have several convictions resulting from minor road crashes. Does that bar me as a member?
Absolutely not. So long as you hold a current Jersey, UK or EU licence you are eligble both as a member and as a potential candidate for an Advnaced Driving Test. In fact we particularly welcome all drivers who recognise that there driving skills need improving, and are motivated to do something about it!