Sefton group, affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists (of Chiswick, London), is a registered charity devoted to raising the standards of driving and riding through the “Skill For Life” course in preparation for taking the I.A.M. Advanced Driving Test.

Sefton group was formed in 1984 when the Merseyside Group   became too big with nearly 700 members and was split into three new groups. It is divided into car and motorcycle sections, both meeting regularly in Southport, the Bike Section meet on the third Thursday of the month at the Pageant Hotel, Kew and the Car Section monthly on the third Monday at the Royal Clifton Hotel at 8pm. Meetings are open to all, with speakers on a variety of topics, attendance averages 40/50.

Sefton Group is run by a Council of thirteen members elected by Group Members.  As well as car drivers there are M/C riders, who take a separate, but similar Test: Sefton has a M/C Section with separate meetings and training scheme.  Current annual subscription is £12 and membership numbers 175.

Those joining as Associate members receive guidance and preparation for the advanced test, given by a team of trained Observers on a one to one basis, courses being run three times a year and each lasting three months. The Advanced Driving Tests are conducted by police advanced drivers/riders and held locally at the end of each course, the pass rate being over 80%. Ladies form about one quarter of the membership. Any full licence holder may join and test failure does not affect driving licence validity.

The area covered by the Group is approximately north from Waterloo/Crosby to Southport/Tarleton and eastwards to Ormskirk/Skelmersdale. Observed runs usually being arranged near the Associates home. Outside Sefton groups area other groups are run on similar lines.

Both the I. A. M and Sefton Group are Charities in their own right. Sefton has the responsibility to run its own affairs, within a general framework of Rules drawn up by the I.A. M. Sefton Group is affiliated to the I. A. M. but is not a part of it. Only Full Group Members (having passed the Test) can take a part in the Group Council and they must be current Members of the I. A. M.

All Members of the I. A. M. are expected to honour the name and prestige of the I. A. M. and uphold its long established reputation as a contributor to Road Safety and Better Driving.