The ‘advanced’ test

Whether you take it as a driver in a car or as a motorcyclist on a bike, the RoSPA Advanced test has three levels of pass – Bronze, Silver and Gold, and regular three-yearly retests are required in order to maintain and/or improve the qualification.

More information:

The ten commandments of motoring

What the RoSPA grades mean...

What is ‘advanced’ driving & riding?

It is the "ability to control the position and speed of a vehicle safely, systematically and smoothly, using road and traffic conditions to progress unobtrusively with skill and responsibility. This skill requires a positive but courteous attitude and a high standard of driving competence based on concentration, effective all round observation, anticipation and planning. This must be co-ordinated with good handling skills. The vehicle should be at the right place on the road, at the right time, travelling at the right speed with the correct gear engaged and be able to be stopped safely on its own side of the road in the distance that can be seen to be clear." This statement is one of ‘common purpose’ agreed by RoSPA and The Institute Of Advanced Motorists.

Join here

If you would like to discuss membership as either a driver or rider, contact the membership secretary, Richard Dixon, by email or telephone (01452 547263). Alternatively complete our Membership Form, and return it to the address shown.

Home

Welcome to the Gloucestershire branch of the RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders.

This Group was founded in 1983. Full membership is available to riders or drivers who have taken a RoSPA Advanced Driving or Riding Assessment.

If you haven’t already passed a RoSPA advanced test, then you can join as an ‘associate’. To help ‘associates’ prepare for these assessments we offer training, based on the Police “Roadcraft” Manuals’, to full licence holders.

‘Associates’ pay a small annual fee and are allocated a personal voluntary tutor. Training is free to motorists (who use their own vehicles) but motorcyclists are asked to contribute £10 per session towards their tutor’s expenses.

Training is very informal and friendly. The techniques learned greatly reduce the risk of an incident. The group also organises visits and hosts lectures on motoring and related subjects.


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Latest Items

  • 02/06/12 - RoADAR (Glos) at BikeSafe Southwest We will be helping at the South West Regional Bikesafe event at Castle Combe Circuit on 2nd June 2012. Please click on the link for full details. Castle Combe Circuit is just outside Chippenham: see Google Maps. ...
  • 17/05/12 - Talk - PC Dave Holland - "When the worst happens: finding the causes" Please note that this talk has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. This is most disappointing, but it will be reinstated at some time in the future and the response we’ve received indicates that it should be very well attended. We hope...
  • 07/05/12 - RoSPA Stopping Distances - Pedestrian Injury Simulator Approximately two-thirds of all crashes in which people are killed or injured happen on roads with a speed limit of 30mph or less. At 30mph, vehicles are travelling at 44 feet (about 3 car lengths) each second. The Pedestrian Injury Simulator allows yo...
  • 02/04/12 – The Spring 2012 Newsletter is here! Check out our latest Newsletter - the Spring 2012 edition (3.2Mb). A lower-resolution version is also available (700kb). You'll also find previous editions and a wealth of news items in the News section. ...
  • Chair’s Gripes - May 2011 The question that I have to ask myself when starting to write a piece for a quality magazine like ours is ‘How do I start?’ Well, on this occasion I was staring out the window listening to the chimes of the approaching ice cream van and that made me think...
  • How to join the group... If you would like to discuss membership as either a driver or rider, contact the membership secretary, Richard Dixon, by email or telephone (01452 547263). Alternatively complete our Membership Form, and return it to the address shown. ...

Calendar of Events

We hold various events throughout the year. You will be welcomed at most of these, but it is always advisable to speak to someone beforehand just to be sure there are no last minute changes to venues etc.

Month: Year:
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Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
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* May Bank HolidayMay Bank Holiday


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* Glos BikeSafe WorkshopGlos BikeSafe Workshop

Time: 9:00 am

This two-day workshop is aimed at full licence holders, designed to enhance existing skills and act as an introduction to advanced riding, and ending with a lengthy observed ride. Part One: May 13th. Part Two: May 20th. Presented by Gloucestershire Constabulary in conjunction with RoADAR and IAM.

* Half-Day Group RideHalf-Day Group Ride

Time: 9:30 am

Upton Marina. Start/end: Staverton Airport. Distance: 62 miles. Click for full details.

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* Talk - PC HollandTalk - PC Holland

Time: 7:30 pm

"When the worst happens: finding the causes." The work of Gloucestershire Police's Accident Investigation Unit.

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* North Wilts RoADAR Group RideNorth Wilts RoADAR Group Ride

Time: 9:30 am

Elan Valley Reservoir. Start: Cirencester Lorry Park. About 250 miles. North Wilts RoADAR Group have kindly invited Glos RoADAR full members (i.e. those who have already passed the advanced test) to join their group rides which take place on the third Saturday of each month. If you would like to join this ride, please contact Geoff Summerling on geoffsum@btinternet.com.

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* Motorcycle Slow Riding DayMotorcycle Slow Riding Day

Time: 9:00 am

Venue: Lower Car Park, Berkeley Power Station, Berkeley, GL13 9PB. Slow riding and braking exercises in a safe environment. Tutors will be on hand to offer instruction and encouragement. Click for full details.

* Glos BikeSafe WorkshopGlos BikeSafe Workshop

Time: 9:00 am

This two-day workshop is aimed at full licence holders, designed to enhance existing skills and act as an introduction to advanced riding, and ending with a lengthy observed ride. Part One: May 13th. Part Two: May 20th. Presented by Gloucestershire Constabulary in conjunction with RoADAR and IAM.

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* Monthly Group RideMonthly Group Ride

Time: 9:30 am

Brecon Beacons National Park - Big Pit World Heritage Site – Royal Forest of Dean National Forest Park. Start/end: Staverton Airport. Distance: 147 miles. Click for full details.

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Category Key
 Bikes
 Cars
 General
 Public/Bank Holidays


News Items

Read about the latest news on advanced driving and riding from around the world. You will find the latest few posts here. To read more, to find an older item, or to do some research, click on the “News Archive” tab above.