Advanced Driving Tests

Many people believe that when they have passed their driving test and take to the open road that they have finished learning how to drive. This is not the case however and in order for you to polish your driving skills and also potentially save money on your car insurance you should consider the possibility of an Advanced Driving Test.

What is the Advanced Driving Test?

The Advanced Driving Test is a test which allows fully qualified drivers to learn more about how to drive in a variety of different conditions and on different roads from those on which they initially learned to drive.

Although the Practical Driving Test allows us to pass our test and take to the open road on our own it does not facilitate learning to drive on motorways or in certain types of weather condition so the Advanced Driving Test aims to fill in the blanks as it were and help make newly qualified drivers - and long time drivers - more proficient in handling these new terrains.

When driving on the road you will be expected to show a firm grasp of all of the aforementioned and be able to show the instructor that your driving has not only greatly improved but has also become something of a second nature to you.

The Advanced Driving Test is designed to improve your ability to:

1. Keep control of your vehicle
2. Spot hazards on the road - on top of the Hazard Perception Test that is now in place
3. Negotiate troublesome roads and junctions
4. Drive safely in adverse weather conditions

Who Oversees the Advanced Driving Test?

An Advanced Driving Test is presided over by an examiner who is a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists. He or she will have many years experience beneath their belt and will in some instances be a retired police officer who may have had specialist training and instruction in how to drive.

Are There Any Financial Benefits?

Many people do not take the Advanced Driving Test because they think it will cost them a lot of money. The truth is that the money you spend on the Advanced Driving Tests is nothing compared to the money you will save on your insurance premiums if you take and pass the test.

Many insurance companies look favourably upon drivers who have taken and passed the Advanced Driving Test as it shows they have a firm grasp of how to control their vehicle and also the risks inherent with driving on busy roads and motorways.

It is worth while consulting with your insurance provider and asking them how much you could save on your Car Insurance Premiums if you took and passed the Advanced Driving Test.

What Other Benefits are There to Taking the Advanced Driving Test?

One of the main benefits is the confidence you will gain after having passed the test. Your instructor will take you to roads and areas that you may not have driven through before in order to help build your understanding of what possible hazards might befall you and once you have negotiated these areas, and also adverse weather conditions, you will automatically begin to feel more confident in your abilities to control your vehicle.

In addition to this the Advanced Driving Test gives the driver a real sense of achievement and a more balanced understanding of what perils and pitfalls driving has to offer.

If you are interested in taking the Advanced Driving Test you will need to find an accredited instructor who is both licensed and qualified. You can do this by visiting the Institute of Advanced Motorists website at www.iam.org.uk or consulting your yellow pages.