About us
The group was founded in 1987. It became a registered charity in 1990 (no. 702531) and has about 150 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.
In 2007, twenty-one members took the RoADAR advanced driving test; all passed. The grades were as follows: Diploma 1 (1); Gold 8 (5); Silver 10 (3); Bronze 2. The numbers in brackets were retests; these are carried out every three years.
The group has a president and a committee. The committee runs the group. It consists of up to fourteen memmbers 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 driving and 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.
Training
Training for the advanced driving test 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 instruction. They, like all RoADAR drivers, retake the advanced driving 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 members drive their own cars; the tutors give advice and guidance before, during and after the drives. These sessions are free.
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.