They're pretty similar. IAM is pass or fail test, RoSPA pass is graded Gold, Silver or Bronze, with Silver being about the same standard as an IAM pass, but RoSPA pass is only valid for 2 years so there's more emphasis on continua improvement.
1992 Mk1, 76k miles, Hagon springs, MTC exhaust, 4½ gears Gone now
<!--quoteo(post=168157:date=Tue 29th Jun 2010, 09:59 PM:name=MCBodge)-->QUOTE(MCBodge @ Tue 29th Jun 2010, 09:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->What is the actual difference between Rospa and IAM?
I know that Rospa claims to be a higher standard, but are they different flavours of the same thing?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Very different, a IAM exam is just a pass or a fail once you have passed thats it for life.
RoSPA Advanced Rider test has 3 pass rates depending on the mumber of mistakes you might make on the test.
Bronze, Silver and Gold. Bronze being the equivilant of a IAM pass. Plus you have to re-test every 3 years.
I passed my IAM two years ago and thought I was an advanced rider for life, but when I started training with RoSPA, I realised I was miles off the pace. Just through picking up Bad habits and just being rusty.
One subtle difference is easing off to avoid a potential accident.
IAM teach you to make good progress. RoSPA expect you to make progress when it is safe for you and other road users.
IAM teaches you that you should overtake, if you can overtake and get back in safely.
RoSPA teaches you that you can overtake, if you can overtake and get back in safely, without causing the oncoming traffic to brake or swerve. The oncoming car might not appriciate that there is enough space and slam their brakes on, which could cause and accident behind them.
So its about preventing accidents, exactly what it says on the tin.
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<!--quoteo(post=168173:date=Wed 30th Jun 2010, 06:50 AM:name=Geordie Guy)-->QUOTE(Geordie Guy @ Wed 30th Jun 2010, 06:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->One subtle difference is easing off to avoid a potential accident.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Isn't that the basis of all riding though?
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE<!--quotec-->RoSPA teaches you that you can overtake, if you can overtake and get back in safely, without causing the oncoming traffic to brake or swerve. The oncoming car might not appriciate that there is enough space and slam their brakes on, which could cause and accident behind them.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm not sure that is exclusive to Rospa. When I learnt to drive a car I was told to avoid causing other vehicles to brake or move to accommodate me. Your example seems like an extension of that.
If I overtake with too little room which causes an on-coming car to brake I'd regard that as risky to myself and them -poor riding.
IAM does emphasise making progress, but not where inappropriate.
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE<!--quotec-->So its about preventing accidents, exactly what it says on the tin.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Fair do's, but other than the frequent re-tests, I'm not sure that would be inherently 'safer'.
<!--quoteo(post=168173:date=Wed 30th Jun 2010, 06:50 AM:name=Geordie Guy)-->QUOTE(Geordie Guy @ Wed 30th Jun 2010, 06:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->IAM teaches you that you should overtake, if you can overtake and get back in safely.
RoSPA teaches you that you can overtake, if you can overtake and get back in safely, without causing the oncoming traffic to brake or swerve.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What do either of them think you should do if you simply don't want to overtake?
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Not tried RoSPA yet myself, but not convinced Ivans assessment matches my experience of the IAM, and having ridden with Waspy a few times since he became a RoSPA observer his style seems pretty similar to what the IAM teach. The main problem to my mind with the IAM is skill fade, which RoSPA get around nicely.
1992 Mk1, 76k miles, Hagon springs, MTC exhaust, 4½ gears Gone now
You can always retake an IAM test. Or let a RoSPA test lapse.
IME the difference seems to be down to the individual observer. Both use Roadcraft as a basis for their training/testing. Some observers emphasise the 'progress' element of the Police Riders' Handbook more than others.
I can't see that IAM or ROSPA are inherently better than the other.
Personally, there are only so many 'observed rides' that I could cope with so IAM will do for now.
The next obvious step would be to do the Police high-speed stuff ...which is illegal unless you join the Police or some parts of the military/intelligence services.
or track riding ...which is expensive.
For me, off-roading is the most likely next branch of biking, but there is very limited scope for it in the UK.
<!--quoteo(post=168200:date=Wed 30th Jun 2010, 09:59 AM:name=MCBodge)-->QUOTE(MCBodge @ Wed 30th Jun 2010, 09:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->If I overtake with too little room which causes an on-coming car to brake I'd regard that as risky to myself and them -poor riding.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Trouble is Harry Bimble often hasn't got a clue how quickly a bike can do an overtake. Sure if you leave your move until you can see the whites of his eyes then that is probably poor riding, but there are plenty of drivers who panic at anything and in that case what I think is too little room and what they assume isn't enough room may rather different distances. I'd be a bit miffed if I got marked down because someone else over reacted.
<!--quoteo(post=168235:date=Wed 30th Jun 2010, 02:38 PM:name=slartybartfarst)-->QUOTE(slartybartfarst @ Wed 30th Jun 2010, 02:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I'd be a bit miffed if I got marked down because someone else over reacted.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I agree with you. I was just pointing out that it doesn't take a Rospa lesson or qualification to know when an overtake is dodgy.
Personally I like making progress and can do so within the road conditions, but I don't overtake unless I can see the way to be clear and I don't cut it as fine with oncoming vehicles as some other bikers seem comfortable with.
You can't account for an octogenarian old duffer panicking if a bike overtakes 1/4 mile in front of him though.
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