Pass Plus For Young Drivers

Information On Pass Plus Driving Test Scheme

It is a fact that after passing their driving test, 20% of motorists experience an accident in their first year on the road. In an attempt to better equip young drivers the Driving Standards Authority, together with representatives of the driving school industry and car insurance companies have developed and introduced the introduced Pass Plus.

It is recognised that passing the driving test means that you can carry out a short journey and a series of controlled manoeuvres in a safe and competent manner and you can now drive on your own, but doesn’t mean that you have the experience to cope with all the problems that modern motoring puts in front of you. Pass Plus is designed to give you the confidence that increased understanding and experience (where possible) will bring, and to make road travel safer and more enjoyable.

You don’t have to pass any more tests, but you do have to demonstrate an ‘achieved’ standard of competence in each of the modules in order to be awarded your Pass Plus certificate. This certificate will entitle you to a discount on car insurance premiums from a range of insurers including Norwich Union and The AA.

Pass Plus must be taken within the first year of passing your test and is designed in modules that develop your understanding of specific hazard situations. The modules are:

1. Driving in Town.This includes observation skills, appreciation and awareness of the speed and closeness of other road users, how to approach and navigate more complex junctions, showing consideration to all classes of vehicle and public transport.
2. Driving in Different Weather Conditions. Special attention is paid to selecting the correct speed for any road and weather situation, awareness of changes in the safe stopping distance and ensuring that you can see the circumstances around you and others can see you clearly. You will learn about the hazards of driving in snow, ice, rain and in bright sunlight (equally important).
3. Rural Driving Skills. Many out-of-town hazards can be a surprise to the urban driver with sharp bends on major roads, slow farm vehicles and animals on the road and undulating surfaces that can conceal traffic coming in the opposite direction. The emphasis is on observations, awareness of the contours of the road, maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front and safe overtaking.
4. Driving at Night. How to deal with the problems that arise from driving in the dark and the visually confusing time around twilight. You’ll learn about correct use of main and dipped headlights, judging speed and distance at night, awareness of road users that can be difficult to see like badly lit cyclists and dealing with dazzling headlights.
5. Dual Carriageway Driving. The techniques for driving safely at speed on roads separated by a central reservation. You will concentrate on observation at speed, use of mirrors and blind-spot checking, thinking and planning ahead, effective braking distance, lane discipline and safe overtaking.
6. Driving on Motorways. As motorways are so different to all other roads this is an important module dealing with the rules and practices that you can’t practice until after you have passed your test. Learn under expert tuition how practically to join and leave the motorway, select safe speeds for different traffic conditions, maintain observations and safe distance all round your vehicle, lane discipline and overtaking. You will also be coached on motorway signs and road markings, how to recognise and deal with motorway fatigue, what to do if you break down and the correct use of lights and hazard warning lights.

Many driving instructors have registered to provide the Pass Plus course and the price will vary dependant on the location and the driving school selected, but the experience gained should help to ensure that you don’t become one of the 20% of accident casualties in the first year of driving.

For more information visit the Pass Plus website.

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