What We Do

This page will tell you how we will work with you to help you pass the Advanced Test, and become a member of the IAM. We hope you'll also meet a new circle of friends, with a shared interest in the best form of road transport there is.

Working Together

When IAM has accepted your Skills for Life application form, you will become an Associate Member of the DAM group. IAM will issue you with some paperwork, including a book called “Pass Your Advanced Motorcycle Test” (PYAMT). You will then need to contact the Membership Secretary or Secretary so that we know you have received the paperwork from IAM. A Senior Observer from DAM will contact you and arrange an assessment run at a time to suit you both, a meeting place and discuss what to expect from the run.

All our Senior Observers and Observers have passed the IAM advanced test and are trained to work with Associates. They're called observers rather than instructors to emphasise that (like everyone else in the Group) they are unpaid volunteers. In the advanced test, we work on a one-to-one basis. Mostly, but not always, the Observer will follow rather than lead. Each time you ride out with your Observer, you will be asked to donate a contribution of £10 towards the running costs of their bike.

After your first observed run, (an assessment run), the Senior Observer will chat with you and offer advice on what you need to do to reach the advanced standard. They'll also record on a progress sheet (used by all DAM Observers), a summary of how they rate various aspects of your riding.

Soon after, you'll be paired with an Observer, who will work with you over the next few weeks or months. During each ride, there will be a discussion or two about how the ride went. The Observer will leave you with two or three targets to work on in your own time before the next ride out. Your progress sheet will be updated to record your progress.

Occasionally, you may find a third bike joining you. This will be a Senior Observer, who will be there to monitor and assess your Observer. They won't be there because of concerns about you! Their role is to observe the observer, to help us give the best possible service to our associates.

What You Need Before You Start

A bike, taxed, insured and legal.

A copy of the current Highway Code (expect to be embarrassed if you don't know it).

A copy of PYAMT which should be given to you by the IAM when you join.

Doing It Right

Like police riders, we also follow "The System", as explained in a book called Motorcycle Roadcraft which is available from all good book sellers. It is priced around £10 and is thoroughly recommended to further develop your advanced riding skills.

In a nutshell, all advanced riders aim to be:

• Safe, but not bored
• Positive, but not aggressive
• Relaxed, but not casual

We want to help you develop:

• Observation skills
• Anticipation
• Planning.

These will result in a ride that's:

• Smooth
• Progressive
• Flowing

Especially we're looking for:

• Good road positioning
• Selection of right gear at right time, appropriate acceleration, appropriate speed

Don't be daunted by all this. Focus on:

• Using the book
• Listening to and acting on your observer's advice
• Enjoying your riding

Group Teach-Ins

Occasionally, you'll be invited to Police Headquarters at Durham for an informal learning session, which usually combines theory and practice.

The aim of these is:

• To help associates think about and question their own theory and practice.
• To get associates talking so they can join in and enjoy the debate, learn from each other, and get to know other associates and observers.

Invitations to these sessions will be issued a week or two before they take place.

The Pre Test Run

When you and your Observer agree, your Team Leader will arrange for you to have a pre-test run, which will be conducted by our Training Officer or a Senior Observer. This is a final check before you take the Advanced Test itself, which is conducted by an IAM examiner. The Training Officer or Senior Observer might refer you back for more training, but usually will give you a few last minute tips, a stack of encouragement and will advise you to apply for the test.

Applying For The Test

When your application was accepted by the IAM they will have sent you a form for applying for the test. This needs a tick in the Test Required box and the form returning to the IAM. The examiner will contact you directly, usually by phone and arrange a mutually convenient time and date for the test.

The Test

This takes about 90 minutes, including a briefing and debriefing and takes in a range of road and traffic conditions. The examiner will expect you to:

• Obey the law
• Act on advice in the Highway code
• Show that you ride to the PYAMT guidelines and as coached by your Observer

They are really nice guys, very good at making people feel at ease and they really want you to pass.

Afterwards

When (not if !) you pass, please let your Observer and the Membership Secretary know as soon as possible afterwards.

You will become a full member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and a full member of the Durham Advanced Motorists. A highly creditable achievement.

All social events are open to you, before and after passing the test. Just contact anyone on the Committee (see Contact Us page).

There are loads of events and rides planned for the year, with regular monthly meetings. (see Events page).

You'll be sent a copy of our newsletter BIKEWISE, either by post or email. Please see our Contact us page for details of the current editor, who is always looking for articles.

If DAM Gets Anything Wrong

Yes, we do sometimes! Don't suffer and fume in silence. Talk to someone. Contact anyone on the committee, we're good listeners and will do our best to suggest ways forward.

And Finally, The Boring But Essential Bits

On all runs:

At all times, you, the rider, are responsible for your own riding and it's consequences.

• You must have a full current licence, current insurance certificate and current MOT if applicable.
• Your bike must be in good, roadworthy condition. You must, as a minimum, wear a helmet, gloves and boots.
• Have plenty of fuel and be sure oil, tyre pressures, etc., are OK.