IAM vs RoSPA - who's got the top qualification?

[map]

Question inspired by flicking through the IAM magazine in hospital lobby the other evening.

It appears the IAM has a 'Master' qualification that their mag touts as 'the ultimate recognition for a civilian driver or rider to attain'.

Now I have two issues to resolve with that..

1. I've always thought that the RoSPA Gold was the highest qualification a member of the public could gain. This based on the test itself and subsequent re-resting criteria.

2. I've always been under the impression that the police in this country are civilians too. Unless there's been some coup d'état I missed or they've redrafted the Geneva Convention. I'm also not in the USA so I'm not including how they class the military (including Coast Guard), police and firefighters and non-civilian (side issue, we gave English language to the Americans and they abuse it like a politician on expenses).

So,
a) which one is the better qualification in terms of using it?
b) which one would be the easier to attain?
c) which would be the more respected?

Please feel free to add any further info or anecdotes.
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Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[esullivan]

I don't think those phrases actually mean anything. I could create a system and call it the "highest qualification for mortals." How would that be disputed? Who judges RoSPA Gold or IAM Masters? Is there some sort of ISO test?

I'm in the middle of doing RoSPA. I said up front that I don't give two shits about what level I get. I'm just doing it because I ride around on the weekends and get pointers from more experienced riders.

I picked RoSPA because I think I'd quickly forget everything I learned, so a system that forces a periodic review (assuming you stick with it) is probably a good idea. I never put any weight on this gold, silver, whatnot.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[P.]

As long as I'm ahead of the person behind, I'm winning.

[map]

[P.]

As long as they are behind, its all a winner.

[Matt B]

Unless things have changed the IAM is a 'one off' qualification, and the RoSPA is a retake every 3 years. As fas as skills go they are all based on the Roadcraft book and should have similar content. The 3 year retakes are going to keep you more honed though.

A lot of it comes down to who is local to you. You need to meet them first and make sure there are no personality clashes. Not saying there will be but...

I think they are using the civilian thing to mean qualifications that the general public could attain.

If I had to choose I would personally lean towards maybe thinking about the option of considering respecting the RoSPA Gold more. Just because of the ongoing testing.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[c-m]

The very same roadcraft book that tells motorcyclists to wind up/down their windows. Mwahahahaha

[Rogerborg]

T.C opined that the RoSPA observers he'd meta-observed tended to be better than the IAM ones.

But then he was a Traffic Copper who now makes a career out of being considerably experter than yow, so make of that what you will.

It'll be entirely down to your local group for local riders.
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GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Clanger]

Dunno. But my mate has just got her RoSPA Gold and training is still going on, though she is now able to train other people, and has been giving me some pointers each ride out we do. Problem is, we used to meander around on our bikes together, but now she charges off and overtakes everything and anything where she deems fit. Leaving me for dust.

I don't care, I'm a plodder and proud.
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