IAM Masters Part 2: Demonstration Drive

[@dp1311-n9z]

Just repassed my Masters Mentor qualification. I watched every single one of this series as part of my preparation. Valuable stuff, and I recommend them to all my 'clients'. Spitfire pilots practiced the basics even though - perhaps because - they were aces. Don't be too clever to revise the basics! Thanks, Reg.

[@robertkelly5658]

After 25 minutes I'd still be glued to your channel such is the quality of your tuition! Thank you 👍

[@stevewakefield1493]

You could compliment you commentary by mentioning the central lane markings and what they mean and how to use them.

[@stevewakefield1493]

“Reg” represents the pinnacle of someone who is at the top of their game, so well done to him. I too am a retired traffic cop and also a present IAM Examiner. All the information is out there to be read and used for a safer, smoother, progressive drive.

[@daviddaw999]

I have never been involved in advanced driving in civvy street, as neither IAM, nor RoSPA, have impressed me much. If this is IAM Masters Level, then my long-held suspicions about the standards of advanced driving outside of the Police have been largely confirmed.

[@RegLocal]

Probably best David. I don’t think IAM or RoSPA are the place for someone of your expertise.

[@equitydealer-xw7mj]

A big thank you Reg for your masters and advanced driving videos. It’s because of you that I first got into advanced driving, got my First last year and now have a masters with distinction. I’ve learnt a lot but have loads more to pick up on my way to becoming a better driver

[@mammadtori3964]

Wow! Just 5 minutes into the video and I should say, you've really leveled up your video making game, reg!! great angles and great perforamnce! keep up the good work.

[@Alan-vr9pv]

Passed my Master’s test a year ago following a day’s tuition from Reg ( and my Masters mentor). Learned a hell of lot in just 8 hours. Thanks Reg!

[@RegLocal]

Well done Alan!

[@Sukikev]

Thanks for the two videos on Masters. I will be referring Masters candidates to these as they reinforce the expectations for passing the test and I think listening to your commentary will also be of benefit.

[@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)

[@billfisken9401]

Excellent video as always, Reg. Thank you for all your advice and guidance.

[@andrewfarrimond7814]

Hello Reg thanks for the video, I recently passed my Masters with Distinction last month (July 22) in Ferrybridge Yorkshire, ( big thanks to the Bolton group) I was always taught not to use the speed limiter on Masters, another tip on motorways is to talk about your plan, ie at half a mile from my exit I plan to be in at least lane 2, observing traffic speed in lane one, to be in lane one before the 300 yard marker sign, and lots of IPSGA 👍

[@RegLocal]

Speed limiters, cruise control etc are all acceptable on test if used correctly Andrew.

[@barrygreen9918]

Absolute respect for skills. I passed IAM Advanced in 2019. My trainer encouraged me to straight-line bends when no traffic in front nor behind & road markings permitting. Also; encouraged commentary on checking mirrors. I notice a different policy in the Masters demonstration. i.e strict lane adherence, and no verbal on mirrors (except in 2 instances). I am keen to know why in the 2019 test I was encouraged differently?

[@mattowensrees]

Agreed. I was surprised Reg was not commenting on mirror use. And wish he'd comment on whether straight-lining on corners is allowed in Masters.

[@dp1311-n9z]

@@mattowensrees Straightlining is, offsiding is not. Straightening a series of bends is permitted if it is Safe, Legal, Achieves a benefit and does not result in a negative Perception by others. (SLAP)

[@R04drunner1]

Great video and you underestimated yourself at the end Reg: you actually did do an overtake. A beautiful rolling overtake on two cyclists! See 21:15 on. Loved your tip on making the commentary personal. When I spotted a classic MG on my Masters I commented on it in passing. As you say, it makes the drive personal. Another thing perhaps worth mentioning: when the Examiner gave me a navigation instruction (e.g. "Turn right at the next junction") I would repeat it back to confirm what I had heard and what I would be planning. Obviously you didn't have an Examiner to say that to you, so you did your own navigation comments instead. Loved it!

[@ibs5080]

Just saw your Part 2 come in Reg.will view this shortly. Can't wait!

[@MrDalesman]

Another excellent video Reg. If there are no motorized vehicles to overtake on the test, then a well executed overtake on a couple of cyclists will earn you a 1 in the overtake category so well done on that. There was also some great anticipation in Appleby when you spotted the van pulling in and mentioned the driver opening the door on the approach. Just a thought, but how about a Part 3 covering urban driving with things like hazard perception, awareness, navigation, and progress through a larger town or city? When I was on my Masters test, I was traveling along a variable speed dual carriageway heading into a large town in South Yorkshire and was asked to find and follow a sign to a certain village. With all that was going on around me, I managed to spot a small white finger post pointing right in the central reservation, then had to plan my approach to the offside filter lane. I got commended for that at the debrief as not many people actually find it. I also got commended on the approach to traffic lights and taking the lane with the least resistance on a dual carriageway and managed to make progress over other vehicles when the lights changed.

[@garydaly559]

Great footage Reg. Thanks for making this series and posting same.

[@marktelford3636]

Thanks Reg for another informative and enjoyable video.

[@alandalley4963]

Great video Reg. Maybe some advice for drivers of automatic and electric vehicles? I love Masters mentoring!

[@peterthompson9854]

Consistency seems to be a little lacking within IAM. As I progressed through my observed drives on the course, my driving was slowed somewhat compared to that before the course, and I asked several times whether I was too slow, but on test I was told I was indeed too slow. Also my observer said, as you have, that cruise control etc was fine, but told pretty soon on test to turn it off. Off-siding seems to be another area. I was encouraged to do a little, but not too much, My check observation drive was on narrow roads were I was off-siding fairly extremely, and that was fine, this video suggests it's not really OK. It seems a little unfair for an associate to be taught to drive a certain way only to have to alter that driving on test.

[@jefflerner7526]

Brilliant video as usual, Reg. I notice you say near the end that commentary is simply (a) what you can see, and (b) what you plan to do about it. What do you think about inserting between those - what you can't see but can possibly anticipate?

[@godsonbomaye5403]

Is this the course Chris harris done for his driving skill? If this isn't the course what is the programme he followed for his driving skills? I have to say reg local your driving skills are insane I want to be able drive my cars like this!

[@RKH8]

Thank you Reg. I was surprised that you used the speed limiter and had not thought of doing so before, having considered that the examiner would expect me to control speed. An idea I shall adopt much more.

[@thefenlanddefencesystem5080]

That is interesting. My last RoSPA examiner forbade its use.

[@R04drunner1]

I didn't use the speed limiter on my Masters test, although I did use the Cruise Control for part of the test run. I would avoid the speed limiter as it emits a loud bong if you exceed the limit - usually while running down a hill. An Examiner cannot ignore that!

[@MrDalesman]

I don't have a limiter but sometimes use the CC to keep to the posted speed limit when road conditions allow. When I was on the Masters test it never even crossed my mind to switch to CC at any time. (Maybe I was too busy concentrating on more important things). I once had an associate who couldn't keep his BMW X5 Automatic within the posted speed limits so I got him to go into manual and use a low, flexible gear. That did the job and he went for manual every time we entered a lower speed limit.

[@RussRyan7713]

I noticed that. Since moving to a Tesla with all that technology the one thing it doesn't have is a speed limited ??? I used to set it when in 20 limits around London. Now I have to be extra vigilant 😁

[@mattowensrees]

@@R04drunner1 That happened once during Reg's drive, but no-one has commented.

[@masonfuller7848]

in the case of the dual carriage way near the end, would you be expected to accelerate up to the 70 for the DC national speed limit if you see that it is dropping back to 60 so soon?

[@davecoleman7431]

Changing gear from 3rd to 2nd half way through r/bout that small ? 2nd gear gives more power/traction Maybe on a big r/bout on a motor way but I would stay in 2nd Is this leaning towards road craft ?

[@TheQ-Continuum]

I believe that the Masters test lasts for approx hour and a half. It is the highest civilian award for driving for what is essence police standard of driving. Also, you need to do a commentary for the full duration of the test ! Am I right or wrong?

[@markburton5170]

It is not possible to demonstrate the skills required by the police while driving legally without the benefit either of exemptions or of warning equipment. This makes a massive difference. However a good Masters drive is how a police driver should drive if driving to the same terms of reference.

[@DavidS-iy8bb]

I notice many remarks coming to a left hand bend: "towards the centre line - not on it, not over it". Some of these bends are reasonably blind but others seem like good opportunities to move out across the centre line to maintain / extend vision, maintain speed and smooth the curve. Is this something discouraged in the IAM Masters curriculum? Or you didn't feel it was necessary at the speed of 50 - 60mph during this drive?

[@dp1311-n9z]

Offsiding is not permitted by IAM as the need for it is really only for police-speed driving. It is not illegal, but it is a skill that needs careful use.

[@shanewilson1160]

Could you do a video on left foot braking in a manual?

[@markburton5170]

Unusual request. You have to be able to transition from left foot braking to right foot braking in order to change gear with heel and toe. To do that without any reduction in the standard of your braking or of any other aspect of your drive is very difficult. I have only ever seen it demonstrated to that standard by one driver. The potential benefit is vastly smaller than the benefit from good heel and toe. I made a brief attempt and then abandoned it. Somewhere online there is footage of a truly masterly demonstration of this skill by Walter Rohrl in an Audi Sport Quattro.

[@lenwoodman9442]

And - nice one again!

[@Badger-w8u]

Why do you take the shortest line over the island and not keep lane disapline ??

[@cbjgdicad1]

To reg local, On a IAM motorcycle test approaching a two or three lane roundabout where there is little or other traffic or pedestrians around, would you take a straight line through the roundabout?

[@RegLocal]

Yes.

[@markkingsbury8718]

I noticed that you switched off the Sat Nav - is this not a useful additional tool to assess upcoming road conditions?

[@dp1311-n9z]

Conditions, no. Direction, yes. It can be used in a test.

[@RussRyan7713]

30:00 went from a 20 turned left and said you were out of the 20 back into a 30 limit? Didn't see any signs to say that? Did I miss something.. probably did. Edit: yep saw a square sign just on the bridge saying 30 and I assume end of 20 but hard to make out.

[@davidperkins3621]

Failed on at least three occasions of exceeding the speed limit!

[@ibs5080]

My understanding is that they allow you 10% over but anything more than that is an automatic fail. This is to take into account any potential inaccuracy of car speedometer and make things fair. So as an example, up to an indicated 33 mph in a 30 mph limit would be acceptable (assuming no other factors that would make the speed inappropriate) but anything over is a fail. In this video, I didn't see Reg' s indicated speed ever exceed the speed limit by more than 10% though I did observe an indicated 22 mph in a 20 mph limit, right on that 10% threshold.

[@lenwoodman9442]

Well perhaps you just need to concentrate a bit more. Better luck next time......

[@MrDalesman]

Believe me, when on the masters test, sometimes there are more important things to think about than looking at the speedometer. No, you should never plan to break the speed limit, but sometimes other priorities take over and you may just wander slightly over the posted/national speed limit whilst prioritising other hazards. As long as you correct your speed as soon as possible without it causing other road users to change their plan, then it shouldn't be a problem. I know that in North Yorkshire, the police say that you are allowed 10% + 2mph before they prosecute, but other authorities may have zero tolerance. (And don't even think about getting me going on Scottish motoring laws).

[@amyk9813]

​@@MrDalesman I agree to a certain extent. You should be on top of your speed really at all times

[@nigelmacdonald2783]

Yes I noted 22 in Appelby 20. Sorry not a Distinction Reg !!

[@gregg.d]

Interesting use of the speed limit button. You should do joint commentary with WardADT.

[@peterthompson9854]

Ward commentary way better.

[@gregg.d]

@@peterthompson9854 his comms on a blue light run are incredible.

[@markgreen4455]

Great video. But as an ex copper you shouldn't be talking with your hands 🤔😉

[@lenwoodman9442]

Do you still have to look out for wallabies across the York moors?🤔🦘🦘🦘