A Young Drivers Perspective on IAM RoadSmart

I started working for IAM RoadSmart back in August 2022 and since then, it feels like my knowledge and education surrounding driving has changed so much.

As a young driver, I’m still very early on in my driving career. Especially compared to someone like my Mum, who has now been driving for 42 years. Right now, that still blows my mind, but I’m sure I’ll get there one day.

Turning 17

As soon as I turned 17, I couldn’t wait to start driving. Like most young people, I recognised that it represented a freedom I had never had before. An independence with what felt like infinite opportunities.

For example, I was able to start driving across the country. This has taken me to visit relatives in Yorkshire, Lincoln and even tick off local destinations I’ve always wanted to visit.

It has allowed me to apply for jobs further from home, supporting me with building my career and finding a role that was a great choice for me.

Even the small things, like visiting friends without relying on a lift. It has opened doors to level up all these different areas of my life.

With great power, comes great responsibility

However, now I’ve been driving for 4 years, I’ve come to recognise the level of responsibility that comes with being able to operate a car. My commute has increased 7 times that of my first ever job, and with that I’ve realised a lot of things.

The constant information, knowledge and experience we take in as drivers daily, is kind of overwhelming. The different situations we can encounter require us to improve our technical abilities, but also our abilities to remain resilient, calm, and confident. Both sides of these matter equally, so it is important to continue developing them.  

Working for IAM RoadSmart

Back in August 2022, I started working for IAM RoadSmart and once again, my driving world seemed to expand even more.

In getting to know the organisation, I started hearing about all the different courses we offer including our Advanced Driver Course, and our Young Driver Assessment. Although I had heard terms like this before, I never fully understood what they meant.

When I told some family friends that I would be working for IAM RoadSmart, many people told me that they had previously completed one of the courses. Because they had, they felt like much more confident drivers, which of course is testament to the quality of our courses.

On my first week, I was inspired by something our Head of Driving and Riding Standards, Richard Gladman, said to me. He said about how, as drivers, we always think about the end destination. Instead of simply enjoying the journey.

Now, I’m completely guilty of this. If I’m driving up North to visit family, I am so focused on getting there that the journey slips away. To be honest, I feel like this a lot with my whole driving career so far. You never realise just how much you have learned or absorbed until you sit back and reflect.

Will I become an Advanced Driver?

Like anything in life, I’m a firm believer that to consistently be better, it requires refreshing and updating your knowledge along the way.

As the world changes, technology changes and even my personal circumstances change, I want to make sure that my education surrounding driving is at the highest standard. After all, it’s not just about the responsibility we have to ourselves, but those around us too.

That’s why I would absolutely love to complete my Advanced Driver Course one day.

It’s a common misconception around younger drivers that once you have passed your driving test, you know it all.

In working at IAM RoadSmart, I’ve realised this couldn’t be further from the truth. Understanding how to operate a car is one thing but growing to be a skilled driver is another.

I’m extremely proud to work for an organisation doing so much to improve road safety across the country, and I look forward to playing my part in making the change.

Improve your driving skills

Becoming an Advanced Driver allows you to improve your skills whilst contributing to the overall goal of making the roads safer.

During your Advanced Driver Course, you will explore a whole variety of techniques from the IPSGA framework. The course will also support you in being able to respond pro-actively to situations ahead of time, keeping you and others safe.

Find out more about our course here.