https://www.drivingmasters.uk/

[Horse]

Paul Ripley has launched this:

https://www.drivingmasters.uk/

A Five-Tier Programme of Road Driving Excellence
After a lifetime of coaching, Chief Instructor Paul Ripley has spent the last year defining the Driving Masters Accelerator Programme.

By consolidating his experience we've produced the definitive advanced road driving course.

The programme caters to all levels of experience, from new drivers seeking to upskill after their driving test through to the top tier of industry drivers who want advanced road training.

Supporting modules include vehicle and driving dynamics, specialist circuit techniques and advanced car control and skid training.

https://www.drivingmasters.uk/dmap

[crr003]

Not sure whether to go for Elite or Driving Master - they both cost £795 for a day and then £495 for test! (bazinga!)

I couldn't see anywhere if they provide a suitable car, but I suspect you have to bring your own.

It's made me dig out my "Paul Ripley's Expert Driving" for a read again though.

[Horse]

"Paul Ripley's Expert Driving" for a read again though.

I was disappointed by that book. Had hoped for something more like his articles in the Saturday Telegraph. Especially since the book also input from Supt Peter Amey, who was instrumental in the changes which led to the 1995 Roadcraft edition.

[vanman]

Not sure whether to go for Elite or Driving Master - they both cost £795 for a day and then £495 for test! (bazinga!)

I couldn't see anywhere if they provide a suitable car, but I suspect you have to bring your own.

It's made me dig out my "Paul Ripley's Expert Driving" for a read again though.

Sounds a bit steep to me for just one days tuition. I would personally try Reg Local, at least I would have some idea what to expect and correct me if I'm wrong a darn sight cheaper.

[jont-]

Oooh, another new standard. "DMAP5 is the ultimate qualification for all road drivers and is the highest measure of driving competence in the UK."

[jcochrane]

Oooh, another new standard. "DMAP5 is the ultimate qualification for all road drivers and is the highest measure of driving competence in the UK."

I wonder where I have heard that claim before

[akirk]

Looking at the levels I would say that it is clever marketing rather than just a structured progressive set of levels... there is very thought through specific keywords being used to attract an audience... for example - dmap5:
Do professional drivers in vehicle dynamics and vehicle testing / chauffeur security / motoring journalists / and highly experienced performance driving enthusiasts all start from the same point / have the same needs? No, so presumably they are chosen as key market targets

what is the difference between a 'most accomplished enthusiast' at dmap4 and a highly experienced performance driving enthusiast at dmap5?

the selector tool only suggests starting at levels 1-3 so presumably there is an expectation of doing levels in order (expensive!) and certainly dmap4 says that it prepares you for dmap5

seems to have some good stuff in it - racetrack at later stages recognising that a track day doesn't make you a road expert...
will be interesting to see who goes on it and how it compares against other options

[Horse]

Their team has a broad and varied range of experience:

https://www.drivingmasters.uk/team

Be interesting to know how they align between them (given the reputed rivalry between police driving schools, etc.).

[akirk]

They do, though less police experience and more chauffeur / corporate training than I expected - but then I suspect that however they pitch it that is where the money is... (c.f. IAM)

[Horse]

They do, though less police experience and more chauffeur / corporate training than I expected - but then I suspect that however they pitch it that is where the money is... (c.f. IAM)

Yup. Is 'police advanced' actually relevant to many people? What are the actual, actionable, gains and benefits from post-test training? And do they appeal to Joe & Josephine Public? If they don't see any deficit in their driving, why should they bother?

Oddly, many (but not all) motorcyclists don't seem to have any difficulty with the idea of post-test training! [Perhaps until they sit in their cars ... ]