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give us tips - instead of rubbis talk

This exact situation happened to me just after i passed. Instructors did not teach on motorways at that time. I was bricking it cos i misjudged how much slip road i had to be able to get in front of the truck in lane one. Always look way ahead, ease off the gas and just slip in behind them.

False sense of security choosing an odd time to go fast, because you cannot predict anything. Another idiot thinking "Sunday morning" is a good time to speed like you and the two of you can have your burial on the following weekend together. Never buy a BMW, because only a fat tool would own such a car.

A big thank you Reg for your masters and advanced driving videos. It’s because of you that I first got into advanced driving, got my First last year and now have a masters with distinction. I’ve learnt a lot but have loads more to pick up on my way to becoming a better driver

Slow into corners, quick out

During my time as an instructor at a Police Driving School there were some testers who would actually enjoy the drive more if a student made a considerable error on a final drive and then recovered from it to drive well. They realised we all make errors and saw it as a real positive when a mistake was not compounded by further errors caused by worrying about the initial one. The error was most often written off if the student just got on with the job at hand. Obviously, DSA tests are not like that. I make just as many errors as anyone, but as an instructor I was very skilled in covering up for mine. I would ask for constructive criticism after a demonstration drive to be told by students that it was faultless. I'd then analyse the drive and pick out the errors I had made that the students hadn't appreciated. As you say, don't grass yourself up in a commentary.

Fantastic drive.

I was watching that thinking I am sure he's in the Highlands (where I live) and sure enough you were. Lovely road that and great information on making it smooth. 👍

I've gone for rats! 😂😂

You're closer than two seconds on many occasions

Make a Video of cvt automatic

Make a video about cat automatic

I know this is an old video, that I like, but how would you deal with a couple of cars coming out of a junction close to gather, so to stop, or causing oncoming traffic to slow abruptly ?

I’ve just completed my IAM advanced bike course. I got picked up by the examiner for conducting the right shoulder check on exiting the M42 junction. I was told the threat was from the near side and not the offside. I passed but was slightly confused as I’d seen this video previously?

I’ve just completed my IAM advanced bike course. I got picked up by the examiner for conducting the right shoulder check on exiting the M42 junction. I was told the threat was from the near side and not the offside. I passed but was slightly confused as I’d seen this video previously?

I rode 70 miles in the pouring rain in rural France last weekend. At one point, just over half way there, I opened my visor just a tad, to let some extra airflow in. A small bee flew in and stayed there for the next 40 miles. He didn't sting me and flew out again when I got to a section where it was safe enough to open my visor again. "Hitch hikers eh?" 😮.

Have you mixed up your breaking and left turn hand signsls?

Thanks Reg.....I think you've convinced me to go DCT!!!

Great video 👌🏻

Hi Reg. Thanks so much for this series of videos. They inspired me to join IAM and I am currently working with a fantastic observer here in East Yorkshire. Just a quick question to you as an examiner: Would you award a first to a candidate who used adaptive cruise control on test? My observer says it proves you understand the vehicle controls and allows you to concentrate more on observation and planning, but a part of me thinks it takes away from the skill of regulating speed using the gas pedal. Just wondered what your thoughts are please. Thanks again for the channel and the inspiration!!

Great advice. As an aside having recently had my 2 kids learning to drive I have found as much distane for learner drivers as there is for cyclists. It's like the red L plate is a red rag. Both kids drive really well, in fact one passed their test last week and neither hold traffic up but you'd be surprised how many drivers just overtake learners, even when they are following looking for the pass on a cyclist.

Extremely helpful.. always debate with myself. Now understand the need to establish a maintenance level of throttle to go through smoothly.

Just signed up for my IAM advanced driver course as part of my training to becoming a 4x4 responder. Happened to stumble across your videos and they are excellent. Thanks so much for the time, effort and professionalism you put into them. 👍

Wherever you're driving looks good fun!

I have never been involved in advanced driving in civvy street, as neither IAM, nor RoSPA, have impressed me much. If this is IAM Masters Level, then my long-held suspicions about the standards of advanced driving outside of the Police have been largely confirmed.

I think there was a bit of biased there

I drive a manual, so the first time I tried this, not only did I, as you say almost stand the car on its nose, I also instinctively went for the gear stick, a' la heel-toe and put my car in neutral. 🤣 I can do it properly now though and it's great for trail-braking. Awesome vid, John.

Reg, your video contains some great advice, particularly for those who may be just starting to give a commentary. I do disagree with you on a couple of points though: the first is the start to a commentary. It is good practice to describe weather conditions, time of day (rush hour, school run, etc.), road surface, type of vehicle (FWD, RWD, AWD, diesel, petrol, turbo, naturally aspirated, gearbox type, etc.) right at the beginning. Many times during commentaries I have referred back to my initial thoughts as proof of the wide base of my driving plans. Secondly, mirror checks must be mentioned; it needs only the one word - mirror. If not mentioned in a Systematic sequence, it shows that you are not delivering on the System requirement. If time allows, then the information gathered in the mirror check can be elaborated upon. Lastly, you advise that a commentary should not be allowed to affect the drive - I disagree, because in my experience when an experienced driver is asked to commentate the driving often moves up a notch and becomes even better. Often in the initial phases of learning to commentate it can depress a drive, but one must push through that stage.

Had mine for about a month, traded in my M2, not one regret, an be driven quickly without the feeling that it’s going to bite you in the Arse and any minute, buy one while you can ✅

Excellent coverage and reasoned advice Reg. Any reason why you made no mention of cruise control. I find this very useful in abiding by the speed limit including 20 mph.

I do not, and have not owned a Yaris of any sort. But I really like the concept of the GR. I understand there are still 4 brand new ones available from Toyota in NZ. According to a Toyota dealer I spoke with, they only bought in the circuit pack version here. I am not in any way trying to compare them, but I used to own a Polo GTI with the supercharged/turboed 1400cc motor. That was a quick car, especially on a twisty back road, but looked like a shopping car, so didn't attract the attention of Mr Plod unless you were doing something really silly. I get the impression the GR would be similar ie unassuming, but on a totally different level.

Thanks Reg, I think I’ve watched all of your videos now, especially the bike ones and have enrolled on IAM Rosdsmart, first ride done, had a few “ constructive” comments, looking forward to moving on and learning more. Thanks for the inspiration. If I pass, I definitely want to come up and ride with you, part with some cash, and throw in lunch as well 😅

This is all just to make lots of money. Bike tests are just like car tests; once you've passed, just about everyone drives totally differently from how they were taught. You couldn't keep riding as they taught you because you would never get anywhere. This is all just to make lots of money.

Agree or disagree. But as far as I'm concerned, bike tests these days are just a money-making scam. When I was younger, you took your test on the road with one guy standing and watching you. and it must have taken half an hour. All this crap now is just to con people out of a lot of money, and I don't like being conned. I haven't passed my test, but I was riding a 250-cc for years and never had any accidents. It may be important if you intend to ride a high-powered bike but not a 250-cc There is nothing they could teach me that would make me ride any better. I'm sure it would be easier and less hassle to get your pilots license. I only wish I had taken my test before they brought all this bullsh*t in.

Agree or disagree. But as far as I'm concerned, bike tests these days are just a money-making scam. When I was younger, you took your test on the road with one guy standing and watching you. and it must have taken half an hour. All this crap now is just to con people out of a lot of money, and I don't like being conned. I haven't passed my test, but I was riding a 250-cc for years and never had any accidents. It may be important if you intend to ride a high-powered bike but not a 250-cc There is nothing they could teach me that would make me ride any better. I'm sure it would be easier and less hassle to get your flying license. I only wish I had taken my test before they brought all this bullsh*t in.

Nice, spiritual successor to my old Celica GT4. We've had Mini's for ten years and are looking for. change but our upgrade will be from Cooper S' to a JCW; cant' get her away from the Mini.

Sounds very interesting. I’m currently undertaking my ROSPA training and I’ve enjoyed every second of it. I don’t know what’s happened mate but sounds like keyboard warriors again :(

Reg, I find it something of a disappointment that you recommend revisiting the Standard Course and driving to the System. I was fortunate enough to gain my licence on a Standard Course for provisional licence holders and never had anything to fall back to. I maintained my systematic driving, because I knew nothing else. That meant I did well on my Advanced Course. In due time I became an instructor and had many students who had obviously forgotten any systematic habits they ever had. If you aspire to being an Advanced Driver, never abandon the system at any stage of your driving career.

What BMW do you ride?

I found this so funny. It inspired me to do a spoken thought drive while I’m on holiday in Cyprus. I’ve attached the link. Not sure if I can. czcams.com/video/Y0ntCCU79WU/video.htmlsi=5feSNr6kQaedlSKS

Information failure

dirty smeared windscreen! Basic stuff ignored

I traded in my 14 year old from new Focus RS mk2 for one of these beasts last week (2020 1 owner) and picked it up last Saturday. This video was exactly what I needed to fully clarify the drive mode settings. I had got about 70% of the way to understanding them. I'd already decided on my M1 setting which is a bit more middle ground to yours, with DSC on / Steering Sport / Throttle Sport / Gear change ferocity 2 in auto shift. Though I think I will also play around on this set-up between Throttle Sport Plus v Sport after seeing you having it in Sport Plus. I tend to only use the default softer settings at set off if in a city/suburb area or if traffic is heavy queuing/crawling through lights etc. Otherwise my M1 settings will be my own default position as I prefer to feel and hear a bit more than the softer default settings even if it does mean using up a bit more fuel. I won't be using it for commuting so not too heavy on mileage to worry about saving fuel costs. But I really hadn't decided yet on some more hardcore M2 settings to reserve mainly for the single lane no limit roads. MDM I now fully understand thanks to you and in my head before I even saw your own M2 settings I was thinking MDM / Steering Sport / Throttle Sport Plus / Gear change ferocity 3 in manual shift. Which is same as yours. On a separate point I'm really pleased about the ride being smoother than I had expected meaning it is handling the shocking Scottish road surfaces more comfortably than I expected. That was always my biggest criticism on the Focus RS mk2 that the ride was too harsh for the state of our modern roads and you felt every bump and felt like the car was damaging itself with the clatter it made riding those bumps. M2 Comp is defo much more GT cruiser to the Focus RS's hot hatch. In fact the M2 Comp feels like a muscle car in comparison.

Very useful indeed. Thank you for the counter steering illustrations

Hi Reg, could you share how do you secure the vertical camera stick at the rear seat please? AFAIK the ceiling is quite soft so would the extendable stick (if that's you're using) be fixed well enough?

Reg these videos are so helpful to me, I have my IAM in 2 weeks Thank you

Thanks, Reg! But I still have one question for you. Is it acceptable BGOL on a sharp turn on a descent on a slippery road?

Easiest method is to think in time, not distance. At 60mph, a mile is 60 seconds, so just adjust that number if you're faster or slower, and then start counting when you pass the first sign. You'll discover you have way more time to get to lane 1 than you realised.

I recently changed from a manual to an auto. It's too easy to be lazy with the end of braking and gear change, especially at first. As well as letting the car settle, oftentimes if you brake right up to the hazard the car will change down as you start accelerating through the hazard which is even more unsettling and definitely doesn't feel like a nice and smooth drive. (sorry if I've jumped ahead; that might be more appropriate for the gear phase. SORRY) :)

Glad I found this and you are teaching people about it as I learnt this rallying many years ago.