The Pass Plus

The Pass Plus Course has been designed to make newly qualified drivers better drivers. The Pass Plus was set up by the DSA to encourage drivers who have recently passed their driving test to undergo further training with an ADI.

The Pass Plus will not only give newly qualified drivers further driving experience and enhance their skills, it will allow them to reduce the cost of their car insurance as many car insurance companies offer a substantial discount to drivers who have successfully completed the Pass Plus Course.

The Pass Plus consists of the following modules:

Town Driving, which includes:

• Observations, judgment and awareness
• Eye contact
• Consideration for vulnerable road users
• Keeping space around your car

All-Weather Driving, which includes:

• Correct speed
• Safe stopping distances
• Seeing and being see in rain, sleet, snow and ice
• Skidding, cause and prevention, correcting slow-speed skids, braking on poor surfaces, aquaplaning

Driving Out Of Town, which includes:

• Observation of the road ahead
• Making progress safely
• Bends, hills, uneven roads, dead ground
• Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead
• Overtaking safely
• Being aware of and showing consideration for pedestrians, horse riders, animals in the road, farm entrances and slow-moving vehicles.

Night Driving, which includes:

• The importance of the correct use of headlights
• Adjusting to dark conditions
• Judging speed and distances
• Correct use and care of lights
• Dealing with dazzle
• Road users who can be difficult to see
• Parking

Driving on Dual Carriageways, which includes:

• Effective observation
• Use of mirrors and checking blind areas
• Judgment and planning well ahead
• Safe separation distances
• Joining and leaving dual carriageways
• Lane discipline
• Overtaking
• Correct use of speed

Driving On Motorways, which includes:

• Planning journeys in advance
• Joining and leaving motorways
• Using slip roads properly and effectively
• Safe speeds for varying circumstances
• Effective all-round observation
• Signs, signals and markings
• Overtaking and lane discipline
• Courtesy towards other road users
• Motorway fatigue
• Breakdown procedures
• Use of lights and hazard warning lights
• Debris on the carriageway
• Crosswinds

You do not pass the Pass Plus by taking a final exam/test. Your driving instructor monitors and assesses your performance as you go through and complete the six modules.

Each Pass Plus Course must consist of at least six hours training. During the course your driving instructor will record your progress on a training report form. When the instructor is satisfied you have successfully completed the course you will be issued with a Certificate of Completion.

Only driving instructors who are registered as Pass Plus Instructors can give the course.

Some Local Authorities are now giving discounts to people who take the Pass Plus Course.

Does The Pass Plus Really Reduce Insurance Costs?

Recent research suggests that several car insurance companies have stopped giving discounts to drivers who have taken the Pass Plus, and that other such companies intend to follow suit. I would always recommend that new drivers take the Pass Plus, as it will certainly help to make them safer, more experienced drivers. However, if you are considering taking the Pass Plus purely as a means to save money on your car insurance, then you may find it useful to get a some insurance quotes, based on both having taken/not taken the Pass Plus.