PASS PLUS
Pass Plus is a training scheme for new drivers. It's much more than just a few extra lessons. This specially designed course by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) consists of six practical modules which cover driving in town, in all weathers, on rural roads, at night, on dual carriageways and on motorways. You can take it at any time within the first 12 months of passing your test.
Pass Plus consists of six modules, as follows:
Module 1: Town Driving
An introduction to the course and concentrates on:
Observation
Judgement and awareness
Eye contact
Consideration for vulnerable road users
Being cautious but not overly so
Keeping space around your car
Module 2: All Weather Driving
Safe driving in:
Rain, sleet and snow
Mist and fog
Bright sunshine
Module 3: Out of Town Driving and Rural Roads
A practical session looking at the main differences between town driving and country driving.
Are you ready to mix it with wildlife and farm vehicles?
It places special emphasis on awareness and consideration of:
Module 4: Night Driving
How to read the road in the dark. There are some useful tips on how to drive safely, from dusk to darkness.
A practical session which covers:
The importance of the correct use of headlights
Adjusting to the dark
Driving at dusk and dawn
Judging speed and distance
The correct use of lights
Dealing with dazzle
Looking for pedestrians
Being prepared for cyclists
Module 5: Dual Carriageways
Safe driving on dual carriageways, the related increase in speed - don't race, but don't be a slow coach either or you may incur the wrath of other drivers.
A practical module which takes place on two or three lane carriageways and covers:
Module 6: Motorways
A practical session on motorway driving and will involve at least 30 minutes of motorway driving. Motorway driving places greater demands on a driver's skills, observation, anticipation, planning and concentration.
The topics covered include:
Joining and leaving a motorway
Planning a journey in advance
Safe speeds in different circumstances
Effective observation and anticipation
Signs, signals and markings
Lane discipline
Courtesy to other road users
Motorway fatigue - the importance of taking a break
What to do if you breakdown
The price of this course is £135 (based on all 6 modules taken same day) which includes a minimum of six hours driving.
Why take a Pass Plus course?
Pass Plus gives you valuable extra experience and helps you learn positive driving skills that would otherwise take a long time to acquire. You will be a safer and better driver.
As a new driver, you are more likely to have an accident in the first year than at any other time in your motoring career. This is a statistically proven fact. Lack of experience means that you can take as much as TWO SECONDS longer to react than a more experienced motorist. Young new drivers are especially vulnerable - they account for only 10% of qualified drivers, but are involved in 20% of road traffic accidents in which someone is injured. Newly qualified drivers are much more vulnerable than they realise, illustrated by the following facts:
In the UK, two young people under the age of 25 die every day in road traffic accidents In their first twelve months of driving, one driver in every five is involved in a car crash, however, it is not just about age. ALL newly qualified drivers are at a higher than average risk, irrespective of their age. Most drivers become safer with experience, by driving more miles and experiencing a wider variety of driving situations. Too often, they learn the hard way and that is why pass plus is highly recommended. It will teach you to:
Develop your driving skills
Acquire the new skills and knowledge that are essential for positive, safe and defensive driving
Further develop your observation and anticipation skills to enable you to take account of and deal with hazards safely
Understand how to reduce your risk of having a crash
Maintain a courteous and considerate attitude to other road users
Boost and develop the confidence to drive on your own
And, of course, new drivers who participate in the Pass Plus scheme can also expect a substantial discount on their car insurance through participating insurance companies.
A list of insurance companies who participate in the scheme are below.
AA INSURANCE - 0800 294 1200
ADRIAN FLUX INSURANCE SERVICES - 0800 505 3000
BSM INSURANCE - 0845 276 7676
CHURCHILL INSURANCE - 0800 505 3000
CO-OPERATIVE INSURANCE SOCIETY - 0161 832 8686
DIRECT LINE - 0845 246 8888
ZURICH (EAGLE STAR) - 0800 333 800
NORWICH UNION - 0800 888 111
PRIVELEGE - 0870 243 5555
PROVIDENT INSURANCE PLC - 01422 331 166
ROYAL & SUN ALLIANCE - 0207 588 2345
TESCO MOTOR INSURANCE - 0845 300 4400
SWINTON - 0800 409 6551
QUINN DIRECT INSURANCE SERVICES - 0800 587 8000
ENDSLEIGH - 0800 028 3571
This list is by no means exhaustive and there will be other insurers not listed above who will offer some discounts to those who successfully complete a Pass Plus course. Agnew Driver Training therefore recommends that you check with insurers on the availability of a Pass Plus discount.
