Pass Plus is a training scheme for new drivers. It's aim is to improve your driving skills and make you a safer driver. It can lead to insurance discounts.
The scheme has been designed by the Driving Standards Agency ( DSA), with the help of the motor insurance and driving instruction industries, to develop your skills and knowledge in areas where you may have limited experience as a new driver.
As an indicator of it's effectiveness, a recent survey of " L " test candidates showed that of those who had taken pass plus:
93% felt more confident on the road.
89% considered that their driving skills had improved as a result of taking the course
Pass Plus will benefit you by:
enabling you to gain quality driving experience safely
helping you to become a more skilful driver
teaching you how to develop a Positive Driving Style which is both enjoyable and safe
reducing your risk of being involved in a road crash
saving you money on your insurance premiums
In order to complete the pass plus scheme you must have already passed your driving test.
The scheme is broken down into 6 modules:
You will be given advice about features of town driving such as
multi lane roundabouts
unusual roundabouts
trams and bus,cycle and Taxi lanes
under and over passes
The aim of this module is to cover all aspects of driving in different weather conditions, including speed and stopping distances in:
rain
sleet, snow and ice
mist and fog
bright sunshine
This session will cover:
pedestrians on roads with no pavements
horse riders
sharp bends
use of the horn
slow moving vehicles
livestock and other animals
use of passing places
This session covers all aspects of driving in the dark including:
the importance of headlights
adjusting to the dark
driving at dusk and dawn
judging speed and distance
dazzle
parking
anticipation and awareness of pedestrians and cyclists etc...
Areas covered include:
effective observation (use of all mirrors, blind spots, scanning the near middle and far distance)
judgement and planning ( safe distances)
joining and leaving Dual carriage ways
overtaking and lane discipline
correct use of speed
As a new driver you may have never driven on the Motorway. Areas covered include:
planning journeys in advance
joining and leaving motorways
safe speeds in different situations
effective observations
signs, signals and markings
overtaking and lane discipline
motorway fatigue
breakdown procedures
use of lights including hazard warning lights.
Hampshire county council are offering a contribution of £75 towards your pass plus course (providing that you meet certain criteria)
This is claimed back by me as a registered instructor with the council. This will reduce the cost of your pass plus to £60 for pupils who pass their test with me and only £75 for others making the course very worthwhile. For more information please contact me or Hampshire county council
This contribution is currently not available to residents who fall under the jurisdiction of Southampton or Portsmouth city councils. Post codes in Southampton SO14- SO19
To Qualify:
you must be 17 - 24 years old
Have passed your test in the last 12 months
Live within the Hampshire County Council local authority area which excludes the unitary authorities of Southampton and Portsmouth
You can apply to join the scheme by completing the form on the Road Safety Site
A-plan insurance are now offering a £75 contribution towards your pass plus course if you arrange your insurance through them. Meaning that you could end up not paying anything at all for your pass plus course (The usual discounts of up to 30% still apply)