RAC advanced driving test

[JamesE]

http://www.bsm.co.uk/learning-to-drive/your-driving-life/enjoy-your-driving/rac-advanced-driving-course.htm

Anyone know anything about this?

[Susie]

It's the BSM/RAC "equivalent" of IAM or RoSPA but note that it's DSA oriented not Roadcraft based.
IMVVVHO, it's probably not worth bothering about unless you're inclined to take lots of tests
S

[Big Err]

It's the BSM/RAC "equivalent" of IAM or RoSPA but note that it's DSA oriented not Roadcraft based.
IMVVVHO, it's probably not worth bothering about unless you're inclined to take lots of tests
S

A lot more expensive too.

[crr003]

It's the BSM/RAC "equivalent" of IAM or RoSPA but note that it's DSA oriented not Roadcraft based.
IMVVVHO, it's probably not worth bothering about unless you're inclined to take lots of tests
S

So that would answer Porker's question about DIAmond too?

I did hear if you're attempting to be an ADI, it was a good idea to take DIAmond rather than "waste" a Part 2 attempt first.

[waremark]

First, it's important to say that every effort to encourage drivers to improve their skills is excellent. And it is worth bearing in mind that they signed up to the same definition of advanced driving as IAM and Rospa. But having said that, this does not sound like advanced driving as we know it.

It seems that you get Platinum from RAC if you drive like a fault free learner. Absolutely no mention of system, smoothness or progress. It would be interesting to know what the training is like.

An interesting point from the linked page is that they advise you to check whether taking instruction in your own car is covered by your insurance. This links interestingly with our discussions about insurance for demo drives - I believe that both Observing and being Observed should be covered by S D & P, but there are as likely to problems with the one as with the other.

[Porker]

I concur with CRR03 in that I believe the RAC test will be pretty similar to the DIAmond Advanced Test.

On that basis, I don't think they're in any sense preferable to something like IAM or RoADAR or of any benefit to someone who's already done one or the other of those tests.

I might even go so far as to say that they're looking for drivers to be able to, in musical terms, play a technically simple piece of music very well rather than asking them to play a more technically challenging piece to an acceptable standard. Ultimately, this is quite limiting.

regards
P.

[jmaccyd]

Well there is a system to the DSA method of driving. Not as involved as the 'system' in Roadcraft but maintaining the bones. It is the familiar MSM with the Manoeuvre part split into PSL (Position, Speed with gearchange, Look) There is no need to seperate braking and gearchanging.

[michaelward21]

I was going to do the RAC test just for fun to see what happened, but on contacting BSM/RAC, there were no qualified instructors in my area, nearest was in Durham.

Seems to me that the scheme is in place, but there is nobody available to conduct the tests.

[Zebedee]

Has this BSM 'advanced' test now died?

[Ralge]

I guess so and, in any case, BSM was bought up by Acromas so they are in the same stable as the AA and therefore not associated with the RAC anymore.