How does the group operate?                                     

You can join our group by e-mailing your name and address to here

Once joined, you will be assigned to one of our Observers. An Observer is a member of the group, who has passed the advanced driving test and undertaken further training in order to coach new members (Associates) to achieve test standard.

The actual times of the drives are arranged directly between you and the Observer for any mutually convenient time. The very first drive will be an assessment of your current driving skills and style. This will require you to drive the Observer in your car for approximately 25 minutes. Usually immediately after the initial assessment, the Observer will drive you in their car, around the same route, providing a full commentary to demonstrate the standards of advanced driving that are possible given practice.

After the initial assessment and demonstration drive, it is usual on all subsequent drives that the Associate drives in their own vehicle, being coached by the Observer. Once a month (second Sunday of each month) an "open session" is held at the Richard Aldworth School, Basingstoke. The Associate is likely to be paired up with a different Observer - the benefit being that another Observer may make different contributions and provide additional advice, on your "road" to advanced test standard.

When your Observer believes that you have achieved advanced test standard, a cross-check will be organised for you. A cross-check is a mock test, conducted by one of the groups Senior Observers. The aim of the cross-check is to provide you with the additional confidence that your driving standard has been verified by an independent person and it also serves as a quality control check of the standard of coaching provided by our Observers.

Assuming that the Senior Observer agrees that you are of advanced test standard, you will be put forward for your advanced driving test.

Having passed your advanced driving test, many members are keen to explore how they can continue their involvement with the group. This can be achieved in a number of ways:

• Regular attendance at the groups meetings will keep you informed of group activities as well as help to keep you learning about advanced driving - passing the advanced test is not the end of learning about advanced driving, any more than passing your original driving test made you an expert driver.
• Become an Observer and help others to achieve the advanced standard. As well as benefiting the community, being an Observer requires you to keep your advanced driving skills at the highest level.
• Join the groups committee. We would welcome people with a few hours to spare each month, who could contribute to the running of the group.
• Become a "helper". Our helpers support the various events we run through the year.