Advanced Driving Course

[theskyfox]

Hi Guys,
As the title suggests...I would like to go on an advanced driving course. Ideally I would like to learn skills such as getting out of skids, ice etc and generally improving my quality of driving. I live in the Essex area, and willing to travel a fair distance. Can anyone recommend me a good driving course? I have googled it and been literally bamboozled by the huge array of courses available. Ideally I would like one that is somehow accredited and gets a discount on insurance premiums too . Any suggestions would be muchly appreciated!

-Andrew

[NickPicks]

The best one you could do in my opinion would be the Institute of Advanced Motorists Skill for life package here. For £139, they'll prepare you for your advanced driving test. This increases your skills, particularly observation and forward planning. This will stand you in good stead with many insurers.

If you're particularly after a car control course, expect to pay the same amount for a half day course. I did a day's course at Goodwood racetrack skidpan which is great fun, and also lets you practice how to 'control' a car which is sliding.

I've also done a couple of rally driving days - if you go for something like this, then try and go for a 'school' day rather than an 'ecxperience' day. I've done both, and the school (Silverstone rally school) explained the theory of tailslide, understeer, handbrake turn etc all in old mk2 escorts, which were great for learning in, whereas the experience day was more about having fun in the cars (more modern Subarus / Evos) but didn't teach much about the

I've also heard of "Precision" driving courses, which I think are aimed to teach the stunt / kidnap evasion techniques.

I think for road driving skill improvement, the IAM is the best place to start. Once you're with your local branch, they may well do skidpan sessions at a reduced price as well.

[turbine2]

I think NickPicks pretty much has it. For road based general driving stuff which is recognised by insurance companies, IAM or RoSPA are the way to go (I'm IAM myself). If it's car control in edge case situations something like a red letter rally day or skid pan stuff (I know Mercades World in Woking do short courses like that too) will do the trick.

[Mak_Utedly]

my two main discs regardless of the course are my stingray and sparkle vision