This is an item intended for both students and Observers, to help with your observed runs.

On the 10th May the examiner for our area, Amanda Smith, kindly came and talked to the committee.
Among the items, we discussed the things the examiner was expecting to see from the student during the IAM test. The items listed are to some extent in priority order, but all should be considered.
These are very brief notes so please refer to your IAM book for more details.

IPSGA

This is the MAIN area of weakness. Without a sound understanding and application of the system of car control you are wasting your and the examiners time. You must explain the system AND demonstrate it.
INFORMATION
Position
Speed
Gear
Acceleration

OBSERVATION

If you don’t see what’s going on you cannot do anything about it. Get your eyes up and see what’s going on around you. Use your mirrors as much as possible. You can then plan and act, in the correct manner.

SPEED LIMITS

Unless you stick to the speed limits, the examiner MUST fail you as you have broken the law.

PROGRESS

This does NOT mean high speed.  It means getting on with your journey. Do the speed limit if it’s safe to do so, particularly on motorways. Take the opportunity to overtake or make progress when appropriate. Plan your next move early and be in the right place, in the right gear, at the right time. 

GEARS

Use the gearbox for the speed you want. Don’t drive in too high a gear. Be flexible in your selection. Change down where appropriate; be smooth and sympathetic to your vehicle.

HIGHWAY CODE

Observers can help with problems here, but it is up to the student to learn this. ALL drivers are supposed to know this already. 

MANOEUVRING

Observers can show you the principles. Students go and practice EVERY day. When’s the last time you did any real manoeuvring. The day of the test is too late. 

These are things you could only have learned from observed drives. They are not compulsory but earn you great merit.

VEHICLE CHECK (POWDERY)

Petrol / Diesel

Oil

Water

Damage / Defects

Electrics

Rubber

YOU

COCKPIT DRILL

Shows you understand the importance of the vehicle working properly and the safety of you, your passengers and your surroundings.

COMMENTARY

The examiner cannot read minds. If you explain as you go along, what you see, what you are going to do about it and then do it, what a difference. You may have seen something the examiner hasn’t, particularly when your position restricts their view. I. e. why did you sound the horn?

 

Vince  Clarkson (Chief Observer)

 

Car MOT text reminder service
Forgetting to get the MOT done on your car can be an inconvenient and costly mistake. In today’s busy world, it’s not always easy to remember everything, and the MOT on the car is not always high on everyone’s list. So it’s good to hear that The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has set up a new MOT text reminder service for customers. By registering, you'll get text messages telling you when your MOT is due.
To benefit from the MOT text reminder service you will need to register your details with VOSA. Once registered, three text reminders will be sent to your mobile phone to remind you of your MOT date.
They will be sent:

five weeks before

two weeks before

the day before

The text message reminders will include the vehicle registration number and MOT due date.
To use this service there is a one-off charge of £1.50 (including VAT). This charge will be collected through your mobile phone network provider once your registration has been accepted.
However, you must remember that you are still responsible for ensuring that your vehicle has its MOT test by the due date even if you subscribe for the MOT text reminder service.
To find out more about how the service works and how you can register, visit www.direct.gov.uk.

Submitted by Bev King

 

 

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