About observed drives As an associate member, your primary link with LAM, at least to start with will be through our observed drive programme. Although any phrase containing the word "observed" probably conjures up thoughts of school, tests & exams, nothing could be further from the truth! In essence you drive your car with one of our observers sitting in the passenger seat observing and offering advice regarding any issues you may have and how you might improve your skills, all with a view to passing the test. Observed drives typically take place on a Sunday morning and each last up to an hour (two hour drives are also available to cover specific topics such as motorways). Over a number of drives, you’ll be able to critique your own driving in a wide variety of road & traffic conditions. Our three centres in New Malden, Richmond and Banstead are ideal locations to cover the different types of driving you’ll typically come across, including in-town, country and motorway. You’ll also (re)learn your manoeuvres, not specifically to prove you can turn your car in the road but more to show your own skill and precision, knowledge of your car and what can be achieved safely. You’ll also be introduced to “spoken thoughts” - something can be a real eye opener in terms of your own performance! Spoken thoughts is the practice of describing aloud everything you see, think and do while driving, is a great way to hone advanced driving technique. It not only highlights just how many thought processes a vigilant driver goes through on a drive, but can also bring focus to specific issues. Observers Our observers are friendly, skilled and trained at what they do. This training is regulated both within the group and by IAM Roadsmart nationally across the country. Just like you, they’ll have given up their Sunday morning to come out driving so don’t be nervous, we all have the same goal and above all everything is run in a safe and friendly way.