Institute of Advanced Motorists

The Institute of Advanced Motorists, now operating publicly under the IAM RoadSmart brand, is a United Kingdom charity focused on improving driving and riding standards and reducing deaths and serious injuries on the road. It was incorporated in March 1956 as the Institute of Advanced Motorists Limited, a company limited by guarantee. The organisation’s approach is rooted in the police system of vehicle control, a method developed for British police driving and associated with the work of racing driver Mark Everard Pepys, 6th Earl of Cottenham, in the late 1930s. IAM RoadSmart applies that framework to civilian drivers and motorcyclists through structured coaching, independent assessment and continuing membership. The charity’s principal pathway is its advanced test. People with a full driving or riding licence can join as associates and normally receive coaching from volunteer observers affiliated with a local IAM group. The advanced test is separate from the government driving test and does not alter a person’s licence. It assesses observation, planning, positioning, speed management, gear and vehicle control, and the ability to respond safely to changing road conditions. A successful candidate becomes a full member, while particularly strong performances can receive the F1RST distinction. The organisation also offers higher-level Masters qualifications, including a distinction grade, intended for drivers seeking an exceptional civilian standard. IAM RoadSmart’s services extend beyond the main test. DriveCheck and RideCheck, introduced in 2006, provide non-test assessments without a pass-or-fail outcome. A later programme for older motorists, initially known as DriveCheck55 and subsequently renamed Mature Driver Review, offers tailored feedback and advice. The charity also supports businesses with occupational driver-risk management services through a commercial subsidiary. Its educational materials have included guides such as How to Be a Better Driver and How to Be a Better Rider. Although IAM previously published cycling guidance, cycling instruction is no longer a core service. The organisation is built around a head office and a network of approximately 180 local groups. Local groups are substantially autonomous: they organise coaching, meetings and fees, and may specialise in cars, motorcycles or a broader range of vehicles. The wider IAM network has also included groups outside the United Kingdom. Volunteers are central to the model, with observers coaching associates before an assessment and more senior National Observers supporting standards within local groups. In the 2010s, the charity strengthened observer training and pursued external accreditation in response to concerns about consistency. IAM took over the work of the AA Motoring Trust in 2006 and subsequently consolidated its various educational, assessment and advocacy activities. A modernisation programme began in the middle of the 2010s, alongside efforts to make the organisation more attractive to younger motorists and reduce waiting times for the advanced test. On 4 April 2016, the organisation brought its activities together under the IAM RoadSmart name. The rebrand changed the public identity rather than the charity’s underlying status. The organisation continues to present advanced driving and riding as practical, lifelong skills intended to improve safety, confidence, vehicle control and, potentially, fuel efficiency.

IAM RoadSmart traces its technical philosophy to the police system of car and motorcycle control developed in Britain before the charity itself was established. The system was devised in 1937 in response to the dangers of police pursuits and provided a structured way to observe hazards, plan ahead, select appropriate speed and position a vehicle safely. The Institute of Advanced Motorists was incorporated in March 1956 as a company limited by guarantee. Its public-benefit purpose was to improve driving standards and promote road safety, particularly through an advanced driving test. From the outset, IAM’s distinctive model combined a formal assessment with local volunteer support. Associates prepared with observers linked to local groups, then undertook an assessment conducted by an examiner with advanced police-driving experience. The test was deliberately separate from the statutory licensing test: passing did not change a driving licence, but it provided a recognised standard and a route into full membership. The same broad philosophy was adapted for motorcycles, commercial vehicles and cars. The organisation expanded its assessment and educational role during the 2000s. In 2006 it introduced DriveCheck and RideCheck, giving motorists an opportunity to receive an expert appraisal without the consequences or binary outcome of a formal test. It later developed a review for drivers aged over 55, first called DriveCheck55 and later Mature Driver Review. The same year, IAM took over the activities of the AA Motoring Trust, an organisation created by the Automobile Association in 2002, and established the IAM Motoring Trust to continue related road-safety and policy work. IAM’s educational materials sought to make police-derived techniques accessible to ordinary motorists. Its series included How to Be a Better Driver and How to Be a Better Rider, while a 2010 publication addressed cycling. The charity no longer provides cycling training, with that role undertaken in the United Kingdom by Bikeability. Alongside public education, IAM developed commercial occupational driver-risk services for businesses. By the early 2010s, growing demand produced pressure on the queue for the advanced test. IAM also faced the challenge of maintaining consistent quality across a large network of volunteer observers. During 2013 and 2014 it strengthened observer training and introduced external accreditation through the Institute of the Motor Industry. In 2014 it added the Masters programme, with pass and distinction grades, to provide a route above the standard advanced qualification. A broader modernisation programme began in 2015. Research indicated that the word ‘Institute’ was less appealing to younger drivers, and the organisation sought a more direct public identity. On 4 April 2016 it launched IAM RoadSmart as the umbrella brand for its activities and programmes. The rebrand did not remove the charity’s legal status or its central purpose. The organisation continued to operate through a head office in Welwyn Garden City and a network of local groups, with related groups and members also present in several overseas markets. In the late 2010s and early 2020s, leadership passed from Simon Best to Sarah Sillars, then to Mike Quinton, Tony Greenidge and Antony Kildare. Stuart Donald became chairman in 2021. IAM RoadSmart remains focused on advanced car and motorcycle skills, membership, assessment, commercial driver-risk work and road-safety promotion. Public descriptions have reported a membership exceeding 77,000, although membership totals can change and should be verified against the charity’s latest disclosures.

• 2022

  Antony Kildare becomes chief executive

  [1]IAM RoadSmarten.wikipedia.org

  Antony Kildare was appointed chief executive during the charity’s continuing modernisation and service-development period.

• 2016

  IAM RoadSmart launched

  [1]IAM RoadSmarten.wikipedia.org

  The organisation brought its activities together under the IAM RoadSmart umbrella brand without changing its charitable status.

• 2015

  Modernisation programme begins

  [1]IAM RoadSmarten.wikipedia.org

  The charity began updating its standards, services and operating model, including work intended to improve access to advanced testing.

• 2014

  Masters qualification introduced

  [1]IAM RoadSmarten.wikipedia.org

  IAM introduced Masters, a higher-level driving qualification with pass and distinction outcomes.

• 2010

  Cycling guidance published

  [1]IAM RoadSmarten.wikipedia.org

  IAM published How to Be a Better Cyclist, although cycling training later ceased to be part of its service portfolio.

• 2006

  New assessment services and AA Motoring Trust work

  [1]IAM RoadSmarten.wikipedia.org

  IAM launched DriveCheck and RideCheck and took over the work of the AA Motoring Trust.

• 1956

  Institute incorporated

  [1]IAM RoadSmarten.wikipedia.org

  The Institute of Advanced Motorists was incorporated in March as a company limited by guarantee with a road-safety purpose.

• 1937

  Police system of vehicle control developed

  [1]IAM RoadSmarten.wikipedia.org

  A police-oriented system for controlling cars and motorcycles was developed to improve safety during high-risk driving, including pursuits.

A charitable, safety-led provider of advanced driver and rider training, combining police-derived techniques, volunteer coaching and independent assessment.

• Driver and rider assessment · 1956

  IAM RoadSmart Advanced Test

  The core assessment evaluates a candidate’s practical use of the police system of vehicle control across urban, rural and higher-speed roads. It is separate from the statutory licensing test and does not affect the candidate’s driving licence. Candidates normally prepare through local-group coaching with volunteer observers. Outcomes include fail, pass and the higher F1RST grade. The assessment is available for car, motorcycle and certain commercial-vehicle users.

• Advanced driver qualification · 2014

  IAM RoadSmart Masters

  Masters is a demanding qualification positioned above the standard advanced test. It provides one-to-one mentoring and assessment for drivers seeking a very high civilian standard. The programme has pass and distinction grades and is intended for motorists who want to continue developing observation, planning, vehicle control and decision-making beyond entry-level advanced membership.

• Non-test assessment · 2006

  DriveCheck and RideCheck

  These services give drivers and riders an opportunity to have their ability reviewed by an IAM observer without entering the formal advanced test. They are developmental assessments rather than examinations, so they do not produce a pass-or-fail result. The feedback can identify habits, risks and areas for improvement before a participant decides whether to pursue full advanced-test preparation.

• Driver review

  Mature Driver Review

  Originally introduced as DriveCheck55, Mature Driver Review is designed for older motorists who want an informed review of their driving and practical advice. The service reflects IAM’s broader safety mission by supporting continued mobility and confidence while encouraging drivers to recognise changing needs, risks and capabilities.

• Business safety service

  Occupational driver-risk management

  IAM’s commercial subsidiary provides products and services for organisations whose employees drive for work. The offering extends the charity’s road-safety expertise into workplace risk management, helping businesses assess and improve occupational driving standards. Specific current products and pricing are not specified in the supplied reference material.

• 2016IAM RoadSmart rebrand

  United Kingdom

  IAM consolidated its programmes and public-facing activities under the IAM RoadSmart name after research indicated that the traditional Institute identity was less attractive to younger drivers.

  Outcome. The umbrella brand was introduced on 4 April 2016, while the organisation’s charitable status and road-safety purpose remained unchanged.

  Source
• Skills for Life

  United Kingdom

  Skills for Life presents advanced driving and riding as lifelong capabilities rather than a one-off qualification, linking improved observation and control with safer, more confident motoring.

  Outcome. The campaign supports recruitment, education and the charity’s broader road-safety positioning; a distinct launch year is not specified.

  Source

• 2016

  Unify activities under IAM RoadSmartStrategy

  Background

  The historic Institute name was considered less appealing to younger drivers, while the charity had accumulated several programmes and related activities.

  Action taken

  IAM placed its programmes under the IAM RoadSmart umbrella brand.

  Aftermath

  The change unified external communications without ending the underlying charity or its legal identity.

  Source

• 2015

  Modernise standards and servicesStrategy

  Background

  Growing demand, test queues and concerns about variation in observer quality created pressure to update the organisation’s operating model.

  Action taken

  IAM began a modernisation programme, updated driving standards and strengthened observer training and external accreditation arrangements.

  Aftermath

  The programme preceded the 2016 IAM RoadSmart rebrand and a broader effort to present the charity as a contemporary road-safety organisation.

  Source

• 2014

  Introduce Masters qualificationProduct launch

  Background

  IAM wanted to provide a progression route for drivers who had already achieved its advanced standard and wanted a substantially higher level of civilian assessment.

  Action taken

  It launched Masters with pass and distinction grades and individual mentoring support.

  Aftermath

  Masters became the organisation’s highest-level advanced driving pathway.

  Source

• 2006

  Expand into non-test assessmentsStrategy

  Background

  The organisation sought to make expert feedback available to people who were not ready to undertake, or did not want to undertake, the formal advanced test.

  Action taken

  It introduced DriveCheck and RideCheck as assessment services without pass-or-fail outcomes.

  Aftermath

  IAM broadened its offer beyond the traditional advanced-test pathway and later developed a mature-driver review.

  Source

1. 1IAM RoadSmarten.wikipedia.org
2. 2IAM RoadSmart official websiteiam.org.uk