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When you’re learning to drive, all your focus is on passing that all-important test – the test that will give you the freedom to get out and about, to go wherever you want to go, and have some truly memorable trips. But what happens when you swap your provisional licence in for a full licence? Are you now an expert driver? Do you now know everything there is to know about driving? Perhaps not.
Teaching Lifelong Skills
It can be argued that driving tuition isn’t really about teaching lifelong skills or helping new drivers to learn important skills, but more about getting a student to pass the test. Driving tuition is more about covering the legal aspects, and ensuring that new drivers are complying with current legislation when they’re out on the roads by having a valid licence. For this reason, some drivers opt for advanced courses that help them become more confident behind the wheel, but are these courses really worth it?
According to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), ‘the majority of accidents are caused by driver error’, which identifies a need for more thorough tuition on the roads, especially for new drivers. Does this tuition actually make a difference? It seems so, with the Telegraph reporting that drivers who successfully complete an advanced driving test are ‘two thirds less likely to have an accident’ than those who take the standard driving test only.
Cheaper Car Insurance
Of course, with research indicating a reduced risk of accidents, there’s also another advantage to taking an advanced driving course – ‘it may help you get a car insurance discount’, according to the UK Government. While this will depend upon any past claims, and your individual insurer, it has been reported that drivers who complete the IAM advanced course will be offered a better deal ‘90 percent of the time’.
However, there’s always two sides to every story, and there is a downside to advanced driving tests – the cost. As young drivers will already know, it’s not cheap to get on the roads. Not only can driving lessons be costly, but once you pass there’s then the costs of buying a car, taxing the car, and getting adequate insurance. The last thing many 17 year olds want is to pay out even more for an advanced test, which can cost up to £200 for a 6 week course depending on which course you choose, and your location.
Small Price for Huge Results
Ultimately, however, it appears that advanced driving tests are indeed worth the cost. There’s a reduced risk of crash due to personal error, you can benefit from better fuel consumption in the long term through a better understanding of driving techniques, you’re given more confidence driving on motorways, and there’s much more ‘real life’ experience away from the roads immediately surrounding the test centre. It pays to be prepared for the test though. Think it’ll be easy? Think again! The average pass rate for the IAM test is just 85 percent, so get practicing!
