The Wirral Group of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and the Cheshire Police & Crime Commissioner’s Crime Prevention Fund are jointly funding ten scholarships for young car drivers between 17 and 25 years old who reside in Cheshire. The scholarships, worth £139 each, will cover the IAM’s “Skill for Life” course and the IAM Advanced Driving Test. All costs will be covered including training material, the advanced test fee, one year’s IAM membership and local group fee. The Wirral Group will provide a qualified volunteer observer who will support and guide you through as many observed drives as you need to prepare for the Advanced Driving Test. Most drivers require between 6 and 9 observed drives, each of about 60 to 90 minutes, to reach the standard required to pass the Test. An IAM qualified examiner, who is the holder of a Police Advanced Driving Certificate, will conduct the Test which lasts about 90 minutes. Wirral Group observers consistently achieve a first-time test pass rate of over 95% for candidates they have guided through the “Skill for Life” course.

Research has shown that drivers who pass the Advanced Driving Test are 70% less likely to be involved in a collision. Because of this safety improvement the IAM’s brokers may be able to obtain a reduction in insurance premiums for those who pass – a most important incentive, particularly for drivers in the 17 to 25 years age bracket many of whom suffer heavily loaded premiums.

If you are a car driver with a full driving licence (bearing not more than 6 penalty points) aged between 17 and 25 residing in Cheshire, you are invited to apply for one of the ten scholarships which will be awarded on a “first come, first served” basis to applicants who state a commitment to improving their driving through the “Skill for Life” course and to taking the IAM Advanced Driving Test on reaching the required standard. Successful applicants will be required to pay the £139 course fee “up front”; this will be refunded in full after the applicant passes the Test. Applications may be made by ‘phoning Liz Scarff on 0151-652 2059, or emailing chairman@wirraliam.co.uk

This driver education scheme was initiated by the Project Rural Matters Association which aims to support initiatives for community safety or well-being and which cooperates closely with Cheshire Constabulary.