joining

Joining WAM

When you initially join WAM, you will become an 'Associate Member'. 'Full Membership' status is attained when the IAM Advanced Test is passed. By joining WAM you are undertaking a commitment which is ultimately for your own good. You will be expected to make every effort to become a 'Full Member' and assistance and encouragement is offered to this end.

All new associates are enrolled on what is called a 'Fixed Length Course'.

This is designed to get you to Advanced Test standard in a fixed length of time. The courses are run over a period of six weeks, on Saturday mornings. These consist of Observed Rides lasting about four hours, also a small amount classroom theory, and regular question and answer sessions. The rides covers all aspects of road riding and all types of roads and can cover distances of up to 100 miles.

If you have reached the required standard at the end of the six weeks, you will apply for the IAM Test. If more training is required, then this will be arranged.

The cost of joining as an Associate on one of the Fixed Length Courses is £85. However, this will rise to £109.00 after the 1st of February 2008

This fee includes the IAM Test Fee, Associate Membership to WAM, and the IAM book 'Pass Your Advanced Motorcycle Test'. Guidance is free to Associate members - remember, observing is done voluntarily!

The basis of the Groups training is the system of motorcycle control as described in the above mentioned publication, and 'Motorcycle Roadcraft', the Police Motorcyclists' manual.

Remember - we don't rush you, we don't force you, you develop at your own pace!

If you want to take your Advanced test with us, please go to

The IAM Skills for Life Page for more information

What happens if I can't do a Saturday morning?

At WAM we fully understand that there may be a small percentage of motorcyclists who wish to take the advanced test but cannot, for various reasons, attend the full fixed course scheme. Obviously we do not want to discourage you from your ambitions, so offer an alternative way of achieving the standard required for your test.

You can join the club as an Associate NFC (Non Fixed Course) Member and this will entitle you to all the facilities of the club except the fixed course. You can participate in the Thursday evening observed runs (April - September) and Sunday morning observed runs (September - November) and in so doing commence your training with qualified observers. This alternative method of operation does not achieve such an accelerated learning curve as the fixed course, it will take you a lot longer and put much more onus on you to achieve the disciplines required.

The fee for joining this way is described under ‘joining fees’ and operates on a sliding scale. You may, of course, join the fixed course at a later date by making your intentions known to the associate co-ordinator and submitting the balance to the membership secretary. Group friend status allows you to participate in club activities but does not allow you to take part in any observed runs.

If you want to request more information, please contact us

Joining Fees

Currently these are:-

Associate- Fixed Length Course (including Advanced Test fee) and one years WAM membership - £109.00

Full Members- £15.00 (having passed IAM test) annual membership.

Associate (Non Fixed Length Course) "&" Group Friend Status £15.00

Subsequently annual membership is renewable in March when subscription is £15.00

The Test

Following your application for the Test, the local IAM examiner will contact you to arrange a mutually convenient time and date. You will be briefed before the test which will last for approximately 90 minutes, covers a variety of roads, and includes a debriefing at the end.

Observers

Observers are full members of WAM and also the IAM. They give up their time voluntarily to help the Associates pass the IAM Test.

They have been through an 'Observer Training Course' which ensures that the observing is up to a consistent standard. On this course, the observers are assessed by 'Senior Observers' who themselves have been assessed by the Chief Observer, who holds a Police Class One certificate. Anyone who has passed the IAM Test can become an observer

If you are an existing member of WAM, use this MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM (form is in Acrobat format - .pdf)

If you do not have Acrobat Reader installed