RoSPA South West Group

Performance

Smoothness:

Your moving off and stopping must be safe, smooth and precise. You should be aware of what is happening around you giving shoulder checks and signals as appropriate. Could you carry a bucket half full of water in the boot without spilling any?

System:

The examiner will expect to see you demonstrate your understanding of the system so that your driving actions are always in the correct sequence. For example he will note if you apply the brakes before or after you change gear and if your signals are too early or too late. The use of the system as outlined in Roadcraft is the cornerstone of advanced driving and inconsistencies in its application will affect any grade awarded. To achieve a gold or silver standard you should apply the system consistently throughout the test. A bronze grade may be typified by inconsistencies in its application.

Positioning:

The examiner will note how you position your vehicle on the open road and on the approach to hazards such as junctions and roundabouts. Your use of lanes will be noted. You should be able to position the vehicle in order to obtain the best view that is available all the time. You should also understand that at times a position for view or speed will have to be sacrificed for the sake of safety. When you are driving round bends and corners, and not overtaking you should not cross marked centre lines and should not cut corners when entering marked junctions. RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders believe that to do so is potentially dangerous because such actions may be the result of entering the hazard too fast and may confuse oncoming and following drivers. This view is supported by The Highway Code. If anything untoward happened during such a manoeuvre the driver might be seen to be at fault and might then blame RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders for teaching or condoning this action. If there are no centre markings then some movement over the centre of the road may be acceptable.
It is again emphasised that the mark of an advanced motorist is always to be able to place the vehicle precisely where it belongs under all conditions and that it should be in the right place, travelling at the right speed and with the correct gear engaged.

Cornering:

The examiner will watch how your drive around corners and bends both in urban and rural areas. He will look at the line you take, does it give maximum view and safety margin? Does it allow you to compensate for oversteer or understeer? Was the speed chosen correct and were the controls used correctly? You will be expected to control your vehicle precisely so that you can stop on your own side of the road within the distance you can see to be clear.

Signals:

You should regard signals as the language of the road. You will be expected to give signals correctly and in good time. They must indicate what you intend to do and not what you are doing. Where appropriate, you should back them with arm signals. The examiner will note whether you give signals which are unnecessary or misleading.

Reversing:

You will be asked to carry out a manoeuvre involving reversing. This must be done safely, competently and precisely. Stopping and realigning the vehicle so as not to strike the kerb may be acceptable.

Speed:

Advanced drivers must demonstrate the ability to control their vehicles at speeds up to the legal limits where it safe to do so. While the use of speed must always be safe and legal, the examiner will expect a brisk drive with good progress where possible. A driving plan that relies on exceeding the speed limit to complete a manoeuvre is unacceptable. If you consistently exceed the speed limit the examiner will stop the test and you will fail.

Overtaking:

Overtaking manoeuvres are inherently dangerous but a necessary element of the concept of good progress. However they must be conducted safely and within the speed limit. Before you decide to overtake you should consider many safety factors but the main one is your ability to regain your correct position on the road before any approaching vehicles - seen or unseen - could come into conflict with you.
Examiners will expect you to overtake if it is appropriate but remaining in the overtaking position for long periods may indicate that you are not looking far enough ahead or may be interpreted as being aggressive. Exceeding the speed limit in order to complete an overtake is unacceptable.