IAM Masters Part 1: Introduction

[@fredriordan8056]

yesterday I passed my test with a first. I owe a great thank you to my observer and to you Reg. Being able to watch your videos without exception have been a great help Many thanks

[@alandalley4963]

I have been a Masters Mentor for 7 years now and its such a rewarding thing to do. My last three mentees have all passed with Distinctions, two in automatic vehicles and one in a manual, but I would say understanding your vehicle is also paramount to get through the Masters test. Sometimes however it can be tough as on more than one occasion I have had to talk to someone who would not meet the standard and that is a difficult conversation to have.

[@R04drunner1]

Great video. Totally agree with your point about applying normal Advanced Driving techniques. Thanks to your numerous videos, Reg, I was able to take and pass my Masters with Distinction in my car earlier this year. I avidly devoured your Passing an Advanced Test series, some more than once! Fantastic information. The rest of what I needed came from the copy of Roadcraft I received as part of the Masters pack and the polish from the mentoring. Heartily recommended for all enthusiastic drivers. One thing: I was told that I did not need to do commentary throughout the drive. As a matter of fact, I did anyway. Another thing worth mentioning is "Sparkle". The examiner is looking for that too. Although it's not marked as a category, the presence of "Sparkle" (some would say "flair" or the French might say "panache") will make the Examiner more inclined to give a 1 mark to the applicable categories.

[@ibs5080]

Hello Michael. How goes it? I just came across this video of Reg's now and will watch with great interest. Glad to see he's doing a series of these. I must also read my Roadcraft manual, brush up on the latest HC as well as read Know Your Road Signs. Hope all is well with you.

[@R04drunner1]

@@ibs5080 nice to see you here! Those are all good things to do. I found the latest copy of Roadcraft, obtained as part of the Masters pack, better than the earlier versions I previously bought. For one thing, it covers the permitted scenarios for brake/gear overlap - which is a bit of a change from earlier, more rigid, editions.

[@ibs5080]

@@R04drunner1 I really admire you for obtaining your Masters and I know we chatted about that before. Still also remember your scenario whereby you were stopped by the police for a mistaken case of breaking the rules - re a hatched area bounded by broken lines & a valid reason for crossing them. When you explained to the officer your manouvre was perfectly legal and with reason, then showed him your IAM certificate, it was an immediate case of "Carry on Sir and drive carefully" / "You too officer". That was classic from you! I really will have to look at embarking on IAM certification. I keep going to car shows whereby I bump into the same folks running an IAM booth for my region. For the longest time now it's been a case of "Oh no, not you again! So when are you going to sign up!" It's actually getting quite embarrassing now and I can't keep using covid as an excuse! They have at least commented along the lines of "Although we haven't seen you drive, just in talking to you, we reckon you would be a very good candidate". Regarding the Roadcraft book, I do have the lastest version. Interestingly, I also have a very old back issue from the 1970's or 80's. It's a lot slimmer than the current version and all the scenarios drawn almost like cartoons.

[@HuwRoberts9]

Probably the best drive I have ever had along side the day out I had with you. Andy Poulton examiner for the South East had my drive to evaluate and the detailed brief given at the end was probably the best few sentences I could have wished for. The 2 A4 run details from the day made great reading. Thank you to everyone who helped, and now I am helping others as a National observer.

[@bp19870]

I am so glad you are going to do a series on the IAM masters. This will be my next challenge after getting a F1rst in my advanced.

[@MrDalesman]

Thanks for the great video Reg, and looking forward to the follow-up. I passed with a distinction last year on the second attempt and I can easily say, it was the hardest test I have ever undertaken. As I am also a National Observer with IAM RoadSmart, I am now a Masters Mentor and will definitely be emailing the video link to my mentees, and hopefully, you will get some more subscribers.

[@R04drunner1]

One tip for your Masters test. When you know where you are meeting the Examiner, go visit the location beforehand. Scout out any hazards worth mentioning and have a driving plan for how you will treat them. That means : - you won't be caught by surprise on the day; - you will be better prepared for your commentary (I fully support doing commentary throughout the test, it's a great discipline); - it will help you feel better prepared and thus more relaxed at the start; and - it allows you to give a great first impression to the Examiner. Oh, and a bonus point from an earlier Reg video: when you arrive, don't park beside your Examiner's car. You don't want to cause the Examiner any nervousness even before you start! 😀

[@themariocostasa]

😀Dear (Reg) Having not taken my IAM test in a car for some 30 years (!) I thought it was about time for a retest. I do have a current IAM Masters (with Distinction) on a bike, and figured the difference would be the Commentary - which of course you don't get to do on a bike. I have tried a commentary before but really struggled and I never understood it. By way of preparation, I simply watched your videos, Part one & Part 2 and looked at the recent Highway code changes. I ended up with a First - the examiner said it was a shade off Police standard and the commentary was "sublime"! In his words, it made his job as examiner easy. Many thanks again and I look forward to meeting you some day. Mario (VMCC)

[@KzLollapalooza]

Thank you Reg for your continuous effort to educate us through your channel, the training we attain will be saving lives. Your knowledge and experience guide us to be better road users.

[@rngDeadEye]

Good stuff Reg, thank you for your time making these videos. I got a F1RST in my noisy M4 which I can associate with watching your videos. Being badgered to go for the masters by my observer and chief observer.

[@jonathansmith8556]

Very much enjoying your videos Reg as I am going through observations prior to sitting an IAM test (not Masters yet - far off that!). Just noticing that you take a hand off the wheel briefly from time to time when emphasising points - something I've been decidedly told off for by my Observer!

[@mikeroberts]

Nice explanation of how Masters differs from the regular IAM test. Consistency. Consistency. Consistency. And probably some would say "more picky". Nice to hear the explanation about being able to use the brakes, so many get this wrong (even on the normal IAM course ... there has to be a balance). I've only done the Motorcycle Masters (Distinction) so was surprised to hear the level of commentary required for the car version.

[@R04drunner1]

Bit difficult to mark commentary on a bike after all, so bikers get a bye-ball on the Commentary (or "Spoken thought") category.

[@mikeroberts]

@@R04drunner1 Yes, on the bikes, without comms, commentary is pretty useless. 😂 I do do it when making my videos, both live and as a voice over, and also did it for the regular car test (F1rst). I was just surprised it is required for so long for Masters. I'm not sure I could physically talk for that length of time.

[@R04drunner1]

@@mikeroberts you are right it can be a strain. But practice makes proficient. After practice, I did commentary for the full session with no problems. As Reg says, we can practice anytime we are out in the car either alone or with somebody else. (But I could not do commentary with my wife sitting in the passenger seat, she wants to have a proper conversation, not listen to me wittering on about the drive!) With practice, commentary becomes second nature. There was plenty to talk about on my drive! One slight difference from what Reg says: I was told beforehand by my mentor that a commentary would not be required for the whole drive, only as and when the Examiner asked. As it happened, I started with the verbal calling out of the checks (I AM SAFE etc.) and just kept talking as I started the drive. The examiner made a point of saying I had elected to do my "Spoken Thought" (AKA Commentary) for the entire drive. That to me confirmed it is not mandatory to do commentary throughout the drive. But, to be honest, I found doing commentary helped me make my drive more systematic and also allowed me to give insights into my thinking to the examiner.

[@michaelwisbey488]

Very useful as with all your videos, just about to take IAM Advanced and would like to continue training.

[@NeilLakeland]

Great video, as always Reg. Slight correction on the scoring though. You're right insofar as if you get a 3 in any area then it's a fail, but it is also a fail if you get 2 in every area. To pass you need a score of 39 or less (from the 27 categories examined), and for a distinction it's a score of 30 or less (meaning you can get a few 2s and still get a distinction).

[@R04drunner1]

Exactly right, Neil. Target to get a Distinction is 30 points or less. Since you will get a minimum of 27 points on a car drive (a grade 1 in each area) that means you can perhaps drive to "only" Advanced standard in three areas and you will still be awarded a Distinction. A grade 2 means you meet Advanced standard but were not quite up to Masters standard in that area. As Reg says, a 3 in one area means a fail. I got a Distinction with one 2 grade so 28 score overall. The examiner did say he was nit-picking but, as he said, "It is a Masters standard, after all".

[@alandalley4963]

No this is wrong. Its 39 or less for a pass and 34 or less for a distinction plus you must record a 1 in the areas of Safety,Legality and slow manoeuvring (as quoted in my Masters Mentoring Guide). I have n=been a Masters Mentor for 7 years now.

[@markburton5170]

@@alandalley4963 I heard that the maximum points 4 distinction was going to be reduced from 34. I had not heard that it was now 30 and wonder whether this can be confirmed. My most recent mentee scored 34 and did not get a distinction.

[@alandalley4963]

@@markburton5170 HI Mark when was that? I had a mentee last October and they gained a distinction with a score of 34 and that it was it says in may last edition of my Masters mentoring guide

[@alandalley4963]

HI Mark, I have just checked on the IAM Website are you are right please accept my apologies. The mark for a distinction is now 30. Still 39 for a pass. I knew they were talking about making it more difficult to gain a distinction but wasn't aware that it had changed

[@MK-1973]

Monsieur Reg you are spoiling us! Really helpful and very interesting, thank you.

[@andrewkernick9326]

Hi Your video has been useful in pushing me towards taking the IAM Masters. I have been thinking about doing it after recently passing my IAM Advanced Test with a F1rst. All ones on the test scorecard and examiner (retired traffic officer) suggested I should do it and that he would have been happy sat next to me in a police vehicle, which I took as high praise. Looking forward to the second video and will then look at booking my Masters. Thanks for all your videos, they do help. Kind regards Andy

[@haltonwarrenoo9]

Thanks Reg, really useful. I passed my Advanced just prior to lock down and your videos were of a great help then. I have been thinking about training to be an Observer and also doing my Masters, I was a bit put off when they said allow 4 hours, I thought that's a long test, but I am now wiser, still 90 minutes hmmm. Thanks again, looking forward to Part 2. Mark

[@alansalter1836]

Great video sir thank you looking forward to more videos

[@drivingvideos4238]

Watch & learn! Really enjoyed that, thank you.

[@geoffreyrowe7554]

Thanks John. Excellent video. Looking forward to the commentary drive

[@WoodNotts]

Another very useful video. Looking forward to the bike versions of this series😉

[@keithjohno]

Hi Reg, very useful couple of videos. Any chance of doing a Masters Motorcycle demo video please?

[@getcymary]

nice DUDE

[@robreeves9825]

Great video, John. Thanks for this.

[@Bollcat625]

Reg - I’d like to know your thoughts on taking the masters programme in an EV - namely the Škoda Enyaq. Are there additional nuances to driving an electric vehicle I should get on top of before I start the programme? Cheers

[@paulcs2607]

I noticed you used your speed limit on the steering wheel. I do too. Could I do that in my Masters test?

[@SJ8311]

Thank you, Reg.

[@SiRhodesDriverTraining]

A6 over Shap. Great driving road 👌

[@lenwoodman9442]

Later this year I shall be coming to the UK and would like to do the Masters. I tried to organise it last visit (2018) but found it very difficult to liaise with IAM. Any suggestions? I will well away from my local roads in Sydney!

[@markburton5170]

Hi Len, do you have contact details for Richard Gladman, Head of Driving Standards? I am sure he will be pleased to set it up for you probably doing it himself if you tell him something of your driving background

[@RegLocal]

I’ve emailed you Len

[@lenwoodman9442]

@@RegLocal Many thanks - I will be up your way!🙂

[@lenwoodman9442]

@@markburton5170 Many thanks - should be late October / early November - however I won't be able to bring over one of my Mercedes ☹and they wouldn't be suitable anyway - have to rent something! Did my first IAM in 1973 with Alec Jones and the last test I did was with Ted Clements in 1998. I do shudder when my IAM card says, "Valued member for 49 years."

[@markburton5170]

@@lenwoodman9442 Sending pm via ADHub

[@katelawlor2033]

Fantastic Thank you

[@johncave9181]

Hi Reg great video as always. I have a question though and I’m sorry, it’s a bit long winded. Is it safe to assume that on the masters test route, all signage is correct. The reason that I ask is that I have recently been using a road that is new to me. On this road here’s a built up area with a 30mph limit, the road then opens up and the first time that I drove along I stayed at 30mph whilst observing the fact traffic following me and travelling in the opposite direction moving considerably faster. I then passed a 50mph repeater sign and came to annoying conclusion that I must have missed the change of limit from 30 to 50mph. However on my return journey that stretch of road was signed at 50mph so when I reached the change of limit sign from 50 down to 30mph I checked in my mirrors for a 50mph sign and couldn’t see one. The second time that I did the journey, when I located the rear of the 30mph sign I had a thorough look around for the change of speed to 50mph sign and there definitely isn’t one. So could that actually happen in a test situation?

[@ibs5080]

That's a rather interesting scenario and sounds like a possible case of sign anomaly. One suggestion: Could you try driving that route with a sat nav in view and see if it shows any change in limit from 30 to 50 mph and if so, the exact point where it shows this? And yes, I know, sat nav can sometimes have incorrect or out of date speed limits (I've encountered it myself) but it might still be an interesting exercise. If it does indeed show a change of limit, how easy would it be for you to park somewhere safely and walk back to where the sat nav showed that change...and see if there is anywhere around there that a speed limit sign might have been previously mounted? I will say, on a two way road in the UK I would imagine it would be very unusual to have a different speed limit in each direction. I guess one example where this might occur is leaving a built up area versus entering it but I'd imagine this to also be very rare...or maybe even against regulations?

[@markburton5170]

There are certainly some speed limit signage errors around the country, I am aware of one where the limit signs have been missing for at least 2 years.

[@markburton5170]

My advice is to use your common sense and above all to explain your choice of speed and doubts about whether you may have missed the sign.

[@R04drunner1]

On a mentoring session I came across a sign on the right hand side of the road that had been turned backwards by some miscreant. As a result, the sign looked like there was a junction to the right whereas (a) I knew there was no such junction and (b) I had just passed a junction to my left. I included the sign in my commentary then explained my logic determining that the sign had been tampered with. So I would say, given that signs might have been defaced, destroyed or displaced the night before your test, you cannot rely on all road signs being correct on the test route. All you can do is comment on the signs as seen during the Information phase, and then explain why you are (or are not) adjusting your position / speed/ gear / acceleration accordingly. If I'd encountered your scenario during the test, in my spoken thought I would have explained the reasoning why I was increasing speed and state that I suspected the sign had been removed.

[@ibs5080]

@@R04drunner1 Yes I think that's the key. To actually comment on what you've observed and what you are doing as a result of it.

[@johncoughlan5613]

Reg do you still own the mighty m2 competition???? Great videos as always.

[@RegLocal]

Yes, still got the M2 John!

[@johncoughlan5613]

@@RegLocal just sold my original m2 going to look for a m2 competition this weekend, anything reg to look out for. Thanks as always for the superb content.

[@mattowensrees5888]

Would continually taking your hand off the wheel while giving a commentary result in a fail at Masters. I Know this is only a KZbin video but you do this a lot, Reg

[@R04drunner1]

When you look at the actual demonstration drives that Reg films (eagerly looking forward to his forthcoming Masters demo, that will be a real treat!) he keeps his hands on the wheel. When giving instructions and background, Reg uses a more relaxed style and also talks with his hands. I think he's going for informal and welcoming communication while in a driving environment. Much more difficult to do than sit at a desk and talk to a camera, but I find it engaging.

[@TeamAtterz]

Would a manual car be required to complete this assessment? Obviously there is large emphasis on selection of gears after braking, it seems unlikely that flicking a paddle down or allowing a dim witted slush box to make the choice for you.

[@RegLocal]

No, you can do the masters test in a car with any kind of transmission.

[@COIcultist]

Possibly numpty question, but here goes. You are driving on a road not off-road, but thumbs tucked over the wheel spokes?

[@R04drunner1]

Reg covered that in one of his previous "How to pass an Advanced Test" videos. Basically, he takes a more relaxed attitude about finger position on the steering wheel. As you imply, it's really only an issue in off-roading where an unexpected jar might wrench the wheel suddenly and damage any thumbs hooked through the steering wheel. I must say, having been taught to drive with my thumbs gripping the outer edge of the steering wheel, I would be uncomfortable driving along with my hands in any other position.

[@COIcultist]

@@R04drunner1 Many Thanks!

[@jefflerner7526]

Two advantages to Reg's thumbs position: (1) With thumbs resting on the spokes your hands are then automatically in the correct 9 and 3 positions. (2) It's also more comfortable since you then need very little grip on the rim. If you move your thumbs out without taking any other action there's a slight tendency for your hands to slide down so you need to apply a little more grip with fingers and palms.

[@AW8UK]

I have never given more than 15-20 mins commentary when examined by IAM or Police. I also confess to not prior knowing continual commentary was a requirement at Masters level , (car). Commentary helps the examiner understand what the student/candidate is seeing/thinking/planning/doing. There are some mixed views as to whether or not commentary enhances overall performance. Content appreciated

[@markburton5170]

Commentary is an additional skill more than something which enhances the driving performance

[@markburton5170]

Our local asdm requires extensive commentary but not for the whole time

[@AW8UK]

@@markburton5170 I regard commentary as a skilled use tool to assist examiner assessing &/or student demonstrating. My point is - some may drive better when not doing it. Keen not descend into advanced semantics😉

[@AW8UK]

@@markburton5170 Thanks for sharing that.