About us
The group was founded in 1987. It became a registered charity in 1990 (no. 702531) and has about 250 members ranging in age from 18 to 86 years. Members, over a third of whom are women, are from all over Yorkshire, from Hull to Huddersfield, York to Doncaster. All share an interest in good driving or riding.
In 2012, sixty-four members took the RoADAR advanced driving test (some being re-tests carried out every three years); all passed. The grades were as follows: Diploma 19; Gold 31; Silver 12; Bronze 2.
In the spring of 2010 the group developed a motorcycle section which is now able to provide advanced training for those on two wheels. Currently we have 25 full members, 9 of whom are motorcycle tutors, and 36 associates in various stages of training. Results in 2012: Gold 5; Silver 6; Bronze 7.
The group has a president and a committee. The committee runs the group. It consists of up to fourteen members who are elected annually at the AGM. They meet each month except January.
Meetings
These are held once a month in Wakefield at 8pm at the West Yorkshire Police Training and Development Centre, Bishopgarth, Westfield Road, (which is opposite the previous venue, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School). They are all connected with road safety and last 1½ to 2 hours. Each meeting has a speaker usually from outside the group. There is a coffee break during the meeting when members can get to know each other, ask questions and raise matters for discussion at future meetings.
In order to get the feel of the way the group works you are welcome to come along once as a guest without any obligation. See the Contacts page.
You may join at one of the meetings and apply for tuition at the same time. You can download the necessary form Application for Membership & Tuition from here or fill in one at a meeting.
If you request tuition you’ll need to read and keep the form Important Information available here or at a meeting.
Training
Training for the advanced driving and riding tests is provided by the group’s tutors all of whom have passed the test at the highest grade. They have had training in how to give tuition and are registered tutors with the RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders (RoADAR). Most have undertaken further training from the RoADAR and hold the diploma in advanced driving or riding instruction. They, like all RoADAR drivers and riders, retake the advanced test every three years.
Each new member who requests tuition is assigned to one of the group’s tutors. Together they arrange mutually convenient sessions, usually weekly, lasting from one to two hours. During the sessions the new car members drive their own cars; the tutors give advice and guidance before, during and after the drives. These sessions are free.
For motorcycle members things are slightly different in that whilst the associates ride their own machine (which must be roadworthy and legal) the tutors ride their own machine, observing the associates’ ride so as to give advice and guidance. The tutors will also give demonstration rides for the benefit of associates where appropriate. For these sessions the associates are invited to pay for the fuel used by their tutor during the training sessions.
Subscriptions
Any person holding a full licence may apply to join the group.
Associate membership
This is for those who have not passed the RoADAR test. The annual subscription is £20.00. This includes copies of Roadcraft, the Essential Police Driver’s Handbook, and The Highway Code. Members also receive a training syllabus and a booklet of questions.
Full membership
This is for those who have passed the RoADAR test. The annual subscription for them is £20.00
Family membership
This is also available at £18.00 if two or more members of the same family are full members.
Subscriptions are due on 1 January though anyone joining after 21 September will not pay their next subscription until 1 January fifteen months later.
There is no minimum period required between a person’s passing the L test and joining the group.
Newsletter
The group’s newsletter torque is issued quarterly to all group members. Full members also receive a copy of Care on the Road, the RoSPA bimonthly newspaper.
