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Want more info about DAM?
Call Robin on 07020 940078
(or read on)
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Devon Advanced Motorcyclists is a registered charity no: 1080988
DAM - is a registered charity that is affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists. It is also an active social group for advanced riders in and around Devon.
Our Mission Statement reads: “DAM and its members are committed to the improvement of standards of riding by motorcyclists and to the advancement of road safety in Devon”
Our principal aim is to promote road safety by raising riding skills with the ultimate goal of passing the Advanced Motorcycle Test. That test is about making safe smooth progress with maximum hazard awareness and machine control. It closely mirrors the techniques taught to police riders throughout the country.
We are also an active Social Club for bikers of all ages who have passed or aspire to the Advanced test, and who enjoy each other's company on and off their bikes.
You will need your own motorcycle, which must be capable of maintaining motorway speeds (70 mph). Sports, naked, cruiser, tourer or retro, you name it we love ‘em all.
You must already hold a full bike licence and have some experience - remember this course is all about learning advanced skills, not basic ones.
You will need to enrol in the IAM ‘Skill for Life' package, which provides you with one to one guidance with an existing qualified Observer. He or she will take you out for ‘on road' sessions, teaching you all the skills you will require to pass the test. These sessions are usually a couple of hours each and most riders are ‘test ready' after 6 or 7 sessions. The duration & frequency of these sessions is a matter for you and your Observer. We try to be completely flexible to your needs.
Additionally you will be provided with a copy of the IAM manual - How to be an Advanced Motorcyclist. though "Roadcraft" & "Know Your traffic Signs" are recomended and of course the "The Highway Code" is a must We also run monthly evening presentations (3rd Tuesday of the month) to help you through the theory side too.
There is a more detailed FAQ section elsewhere in this site but please click on the following sliders to see some answers.
Must I have a clean licence?
As long as you have a current valid license, Points are not a problem! In fact what better reason to enhance your skills and attitude to riding? The only restriction is that if you have a fixed penalty notice or driving prosecution pending at the time of your test you will be asked to wait until after its sorted out before you are given a test date.
Can I have a go before deciding if this is for me?
Yes. There is a formal Ridecheck scheme which gives you about an hour long session and gives you discount if you then sign up within 30 days, (see "what does it all cost") though most riders simply ask us to arrange a free informal taster session before realising it's for them. Just ring or come to one of our seminars or social nights and ask!
The ‘Skill for Life' package currently costs £139, which is payable to the IAM. This provides all your help & preparation for the test, a course manual, the test fee and membership of both the IAM & DAM for the first year. If splitting your course fee would help the IAM are happy to take two payments. An initial payment of £75 followed by £69 at the time you put in for your test.
DAM is a non-profit making charity and our volunteers give freely of their time to help you prepare for the test, which includes the running costs of their own motorcycles. In turn we ask for a voluntary contribution of £50 to offset their expenses whilst delivering the course to you. We work on the basis of providing six rides plus a pre-test check ride, although this is not “written in stone”.
Alternatively if you prefer you can have a taster session and opt for the formal ‘Ridecheck’ assessment, which costs £30, again payable to the IAM. This route will provide you with a £25 discount if you sign up to the full ‘Skills for Life’ package within 30 days of the assessment ride, (£15 if you leave it later than 30 days).
What happens after I have joined?
We send you a Welcome pack, and on hearing back from you then arrange for you to be paired with your own Observer, to commence preparation. You will be invited to our seminars and our social events too. Your Observer will tell you about participation in our regular social ride outs. We even run rides especially for those who are a little nervous of a full group ride, so all members can join in.
You will also gain access to the members' area of this website and will receive our own (award winning) magazine.
And once I've passed my test, what happens then?
We hope you will have enjoyed our social group enough to stay on as a member of DAM. We have lots to offer the full social member. We arrange regular ride-outs, social gatherings, seminars weekend and even continental trips. You might at some stage even consider joining our committee, or training to become a nationally qualified Observer yourself to pass those new skills on to others.
Every one of us started just like you are now, and got so much out of it that we wanted to put something back into biking. We hope you will too, though there is no obligation to do so.
Try the FAQ's or for an informal chat & more information and give Robin Foster our Publicity Officer a ring on 07020 940078
For an informal chat & more information and give Robin Foster our Publicity Officer a ring on 07020 940078 or email us by clicking here
Go on it give it try - you might even save someone's life - YOURS!
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