South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists

11/12/2025

South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists have successfully merged with Chelmsford and district Advanced Motorists. The now fully merged group is called ‘Chelmsford & South Essex Advanced Motorists’.

Please like and follow the new merged page for continued news and local IAM RoadSmart content (Link below).

We would like to thank all our members, associates and followers over the years.

Jo Ellis (Outgoing) Chair
Ian Bolton (Outgoing Chief Observer)
Brian, Observer
Paul H, Observer / Masters Mentor
Niall, Observer
Derek, Observer
Paul T, Observer
Diane, Admin

https://www.facebook.com/IAMChelmsford?

This page will close on 18th December 2025.

Helping people become advanced drivers. You will have safer & smoother journeys, increased confidence & make faster progress when appropriate.

31/10/2025

31/10/2025

31/10/2025
Halloween is a time for celebration. Especially for Catherine Lilley.

I'm pleased to report that Catherine passed her advanced driving test today. She achieved the level of 'F1RST' which is the highest grade of pass for the IAM RoadSmart course. Throughout the whole test Catherine only dropped two points.

Congratulations Catherine, I hope you enjoyed the course and wish you many years of very happy motoring.

Catherines National Observer (trainer) was Derek Wright.

The South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists are in the process of merging with our neighbouring Chelmsford group. If you would like to follow Catherine's fine example. why not let the newly formed 'Chelmsford and South Essex Advanced Motorists' teach you? We are happy to perform a 'Free taster session' with no obligation. We will show you what is involved in advanced driving and how it can lead to more enjoyment of driving your car.
Free tasters can be booked via the IAM RoadSmart website https://www.iamroadsmart.com

Congratulations Catherine and Derek.

Ian Bolton
Chief Observer, South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists.

26/10/2025

25/10/2025
The successes of South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists must have been been imprinted on the IAM RoadSmart Examiner’s mind yesterday, as he examined the second of our test candidates on the same day!
Mark Lambert, who only a couple of weeks ago took his Advanced Motorbike test. Was back in front of the same Examiner, to take his Advanced Car test.
I’m pleased to report that Mark did extremely well achieving a F1RST which is the higher level of test pass. It was impressive to read the test report that showed Mark had only dropped 1 mark throughout the whole test! this is quite rare and a massive achievement!
Congratulations also go to Niall Hossack who was Mark’s Observer (trainer) for the car course.

Well done both… I’m impressed!

Ian Bolton
Chief Observer, South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists.

26/10/2025

25/10/2025
The South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists have had a busy weekend of tests. Or rather, the IAM RoadSmart Examiner has!
Robert Mahoney gains a solid ‘Pass’ driving a challenging test route around Grays and the surrounding area.
I would like to congratulate Robert and his Observer (trainer) Paul Heasmer. Robert did really well.

Ian Bolton
Chief Observer, South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists.

15/10/2025

Congratulations go out to John Ruse, who has passed his advanced driving test today.
John joins a silently growing army of drivers who have updated their driving knowledge and practices. The South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists provided the expert training so that John could become one of the safest drivers on our busy roads.
John has been trained by Paul Heasmer.

22/09/2025

Congratulations go out to Richard Beresford who passed his IAM RoadSmart Advanced Driving Test on the 19th September 2025.
Richard did very well indeed getting commended in almost all categories. A result he can be truly proud of.
Richard’s Observer (trainer) was Niall Hossack who did an excellent job training him.

08/04/2025

Graduated driving licences. Are the government being irresponsible?

As calls for the UK to introduce Graduated Driving Licences (GDLs) grow, Sky News joined Canada's largest road policing unit and driving school to understand exactly how they work.

11/12/2024

Congratulations go out to a former Chief Observer of our group. Several of you will remember Clive Smith as your Observer before he moved to Northern Ireland.
He is currently Observing for the Southern and Mid Ulster Advanced Drivers &Riders IAM RoadSmart group.
Clive has just achieved his third consecutive IAM Masters Distinction (car). The Masters is widely regarded as the ultimate civilian advanced driving/riding test in the UK. Having done the test myself, I can certainly vouch for it being a very challenging test. Clive was just 2 marks away from a perfect score. At Masters level that’s a massive achievement.

If any member would like to know more about taking your driving to another level please feel free to talk to me, Jo Ellis (chair), or Paul Heasmer (Treasurer) We have all passed the masters with distinctions and are well placed to explain the course and give you a demonstration of the standard required. You must have already passed IAM RoadSmart qualification to qualify.

Congratulations Clive, I had no doubt that you’d get a 3rd Distinction.

Ian Bolton.
Chief Observer,
South Essex Group of Advanced Motorists (SEGAM)