Ive joined RoSPA!!

[Mr Cholmondeley-Warner]

That's rubbish, Ross. Your group should be concerned about its future if it's unable to offer an observer after that long, and endeavouring to train more tutors. One way to stir things up is to stand for election and join the committee, then you can start to get things moving in the right direction. I can understand, however, if you feel you deserve something from them, first...

[waremark]

I want a gold pass.

That probably requires making sure that I'm not doing something I shouldn't

Although I'm quite big-headed enough to assume I'd get a gold...I want one of 'them' to tell me I would

Is it you who has done an HPC entry course with Andy. If so, since he is a Rospa examiner, you can be fairly confident he will be happy to give you Gold if you take the test with him!

[michael769]

That's rubbish, Ross. Your group should be concerned about its future if it's unable to offer an observer after that long, and endeavouring to train more tutors.

Assuming that they are able to find enough members willing to get activly involved. My group had a 9 month waiting list when I joined which spiraled (despite several attempts to get more tutors onboard) to 2 years. Thankfully it is coming down as we get more tutors involved (yours truly is starting the process in a few weeks time), but is has been an uphill struggle for the new comittee.

[Octy_Ross]

I've already told them I'd be willing to Tutor when I'm through the test (and am doing the IAM Obs training currently)

Mark, yes Andy and I have spent some time together - can you request specific examiners?

[Mr Cholmondeley-Warner]

You can request an area for your test

Don't necessarily expect Gold as a given, though. The examiner has to wear the hat of the organisation they're examining for, and you have to drive to your potential during the exam.

[Porker]

can you request specific examiners?

Surely the aim should be to drive to such a standard that you'll be rated Gold irrespective of who the examiner is?

regards
P.

[Gareth]

Andy and I have spent some time together

Why not phone him sometime and ask how you would've done on a RoADAR test?

[Octy_Ross]

can you request specific examiners?

Surely the aim should be to drive to such a standard that you'll be rated Gold irrespective of who the examiner is?

regards
P.

Of course, but as I understand it some examiners have slightly different views on things.

[crr003]

Of course, but as I understand it some examiners have slightly different views on things.

Well, if you don't get Gold the first time, it will give you something to work on?
Your re-test examiner could be someone different anyway.

[GS]

I've already told them I'd be willing to Tutor when I'm through the test (and am doing the IAM Obs training currently)

Mark, yes Andy and I have spent some time together - can you request specific examiners?

If Andy examined you, and you did get a Gold, don't you think that might leave your result open to question?

Examined by the same person he, presumably, paid hundreds of pounds to to train him and then gets a good mark! I dare say that some (lots?) of people might think that you bought the result.

I would also say that many might think it wrong if Andy was allowed to examine you in these circumstances anyway. I think if your test was assigned to him he might have to declare a conflict of interest and have the test reassigned.

That way Andy's independence could not be questioned, and your result would also be above doubt.

Requesting an examiner is not allowed and I know that when there has been a suggestion or allegation of this in the past the RoSPA Chief Examiner has not been very impressed.

[Octy_Ross]

If Andy examined you, and you did get a Gold, don't you think that might leave your result open to question?

not really - I'd value his opinion as an independent examiner in this regard, in my opinion he's more than independent enough to do an honest job.

Examined by the same person he, presumably, paid hundreds of pounds to to train him and then gets a good mark! I dare say that some (lots?) of people might think that you bought the result.

Some people are entirely within their rights to be wrong

I would also say that many might think it wrong if Andy was allowed to examine you in these circumstances anyway. I think if your test was assigned to him he might have to declare a conflict of interest and have the test reassigned.

He quite probably would, and I wouldn't dream of putting him in that awkward situation. However I vaguely recall part of his report from my driving with him in April stating that my driving was about rospa gold level. I wasn't aware that he was a rospa examiner, until someone here mentioned it.

That way Andy's independence could not be questioned, and your result would also be above doubt.

either way, both would be beyond reproach, as far as I'm concerned.

Requesting an examiner is not allowed and I know that when there has been a suggestion or allegation of this in the past the RoSPA Chief Examiner has not been very impressed.

And quite right too, in honesty, I'd probably request the examiner who passed the least number of golds, just so I could bump his numbers up a little


So, GS, ever in the MK area doing mock tests or anything useful for a man in this position?!

[GS]

I'm a bit further south than MK.

However if you are ever in the WGC area give me a shout.

[x-Sonia-x]

I have this evening had a conversation with my local IAM. He advised me IAM Chelmsford offer what is called a 'drive check', where you have an hour observation and then can decide whether membership is what you want. I think this is a really good idea ! for me i joined RoSPA coz it was a cheaper initially, then if i decided i wasnt quite ready i would not have lost alot!! I am going to have the 'drive check' to get an observer opinion on my driving. I know that either way I will be doing advanced at some stage, hopefully sooner rather than later. Not keen on waiting months to be observed though! Lets hope the groups I have joined have shorter waiting lists

[ROG]

I have this evening had a conversation with my local IAM. He advised me IAM Chelmsford offer what is called a 'drive check', where you have an hour observation and then can decide whether membership is what you want. I think this is a really good idea

Careful here - is it FREE??
Some groups charge for drive check and then take that cost off your skill for life package but if you do not take up the SFL, you end up out of pocket !!
Other groups do not believe in charging for drive check so do a FREE assessment instead - same thing, different name

IMO, drive check is a stupid idea as many do not take it up because it costs and therefore the IAM are maybe losing out.
Give a driver something for FREE and they tend to take more of an interest..........

[TripleS]

I have this evening had a conversation with my local IAM. He advised me IAM Chelmsford offer what is called a 'drive check', where you have an hour observation and then can decide whether membership is what you want. I think this is a really good idea

Careful here - is it FREE??
Some groups charge for drive check and then take that cost off your skill for life package but if you do not take up the SFL, you end up out of pocket !!
Other groups do not believe in charging for drive check so do a FREE assessment instead - same thing, different name

IMO, drive check is a stupid idea as many do not take it up because it costs and therefore the IAM are maybe losing out.
Give a driver something for FREE and they tend to take more of an interest..........

In my case the option of a 'drive check' would very likely have been helpful. It seems like a good idea to me, and I don't see why it would cost the IAM much, as I imagine it would be covered by a bit of extra (unpaid) time by an Observer.

Best wishes all,
Dave.