About Pass Plus

Pass Plus is a training course specifically aimed at new drivers and is intended to raise their standard driving above that reached during their driving lessons. Statistics show that new drivers are more likely to have an accident in the first two years of passing their test due to a lack of driving experience - this is where Pass Plus comes in! The course aims to build upon your newly acquired driving skills and knowledge.

What is Pass Plus?

Pass Plus is a training course specifically aimed at new drivers, designed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) with the help of insurers and the driving instruction industry. Pass Plus will build upon your existing skills and knowledge, it will teach you how to anticipate, plan for and deal with all kinds of hazards, and can help you to become more confident on the roads

Pass Plus is made up of six practical modules which include:

Anyone who holds a full UK licence is eligible to take part in the scheme. You will not have to take a test at the end of the course but you will be continually assessed. You must successfully complete all the modules in the course to an achieved or exceeded standard.

How much does Pass Plus cost?

The fee for the Pass Plus course is £150. You should bear in mind that the course will take a minimum of six hours, if more sessions are needed for you to successfully complete the course, this may add to the cost.

When you have successfully completed the course, you are advised to check available discounts offered by the insurance companies taking part in the scheme. The amount you save will depend on the company you choose, you may even save more than you paid for the course.

Pass Plus Modules

Town driving
The first module begins with an introduction to PASS PLUS, explaining the course aims and the skills and knowledge to be covered.

The second part of the module is a practical session, covering the different features of driving in town, such as complex junctions and public transport. You'll concentrates on

• observation, judgement and awareness
• eye contact
• consideration for vulnerable road users
• being cautious but not over cautious, and
• keeping space around your car
  

All weather driving
As much of this module as possible should be covered in a practical session. You'll focus on correct speed, safe stopping distances, plus seeing and being seen in

• rain
• sleet, snow and ice
• mist and fog, and
• bright sunshine

You will also look at skidding

• what causes them
• how to prevent them
• correcting slow-speed skids
• braking on poor surfaces, and
• aquaplaning
  

Driving out of town
This module taken on country roads, will look at the main differences between town driving and country driving.

• observing the road ahead
• making progress safely
• bends, hills, uneven roads and dead ground
• keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, and
• safe overtaking

It focuses especially on being aware and showing consideration for

• pedestrians, horse riders and animals in the road
• farm entrances
• slow moving vehicles

Appropriate use of the horn, coping with mud and debris on the road and how to use passing places are also covered.

Night driving
This module covers the essential aspects of driving in the dark and also at dawn and dusk. You'll learn about

• the importance of the correct use of headlights
• adjusting to the dark
• judging speed and distance
• the correct use of lights and keeping them clean
• dealing with dazzle
• road users who can be hard to see, and
• parking issues
  

Driving on dual carriageways
Dual carriageways are high speed, multi-lane roads where the two carriageways are separated by a central reservation. They demand particular skills, including

• effective observation, using your mirrors and checking blind spots
• judgement and planning ahead
• the need for a safe separation distance
• joining and leaving a dual carriageway
• overtaking and lane discipline, and
• the correct use of speed

Driving on Motorways
This module should be a practical session if at all possible. If there is no motorway nearby, it will have to be covered in theory: you should drive on a motorway as soon as you can afterwards so you can put the theory into practice.

The topics covered include

• planning journeys in advance
• joining and leaving a motorway, using slip roads
• safe speeds in different circumstances
• effective observation all around your vehicle
• signs, signals and markings
• overtaking and lane discipline
• courtesy to other road users
• motorway fatigue
• breakdown procedures
• use of lights, including hazard warning lights
• debris on the carriageway
• crosswinds.