Pass Plus

Pass Plus – Beyond the Driving Testpassplus

Pass Plus is a driver training course specifically aimed at new drivers, designed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) with the help of insurers and the driving instruction industry

The aim of the Pass Plus course is to improve your driving skills and experiences which you gained during your learner driving lessons. This course will develop your skills and knowledge in areas where you may have limited experience such as, town driving, all weather driving, out of town driving & rural roads, dual carriage ways, motorways and night driving.

This course can be taken at anytime during your driving career, however the scheme is mainly aimed at new drivers within the first year of passing their test. New drivers who passed their test more than a year before and are seeking insurance discounts should check with participating motor insurance companies whether they will be eligible before taking part in PASS PLUS.

Here are some facts you should be aware of.

New drivers are more likely to have a crash in their first two years of driving than at any other time in their driving career.

In the first year of driving, one driver in five is involved in an accident

Those aged between 17 and 21 years represent fewer than 16% of Driving Licence holders and yet they are involved in 25% of all accidents. In effect they are twice as likely to be involved in accidents as other road users.

New drivers should remember that they are ‘on probation’ for the first 2 years. If they get 6 penalty points in this time, they lose their licence and can only get it back if they pass a re-test.

Insurance discounts to PASS PLUS drivers are usually greater than expense of the course

What to expect on the Pass Plus course.

We don’t want you to become a statistic, so we highly recommend Pass Plus. Once you have booked your PASS PLUS course your driving instructor will send you a ‘Pupils Guide’ which explains how the course works and what your driving instructor will expect from you, this should be read in full before starting.

Don’t worry – there’s no test. There are six modules to be covered, each module needs to be completed and assessed to an achieved or exceeded standard in order for you to receive your Pass Plus certificate. All six modules must be practical sessions where possible. If weather, road or traffic conditions mean any module cannot be covered by a practical session then a theory session will take place. The highest level you can reach in a theory session is achieved, as you have not been able to demonstrate the relevant practical skills.

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:

Bus1. 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 concentrate on

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

ice2. 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

wild animals3. Driving out of town & Rural Roads
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.

night4. 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

dual-carr5. 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

Mway6. 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

How long will the Pass Plus course take.

Not all modules will take the same amount of time to cover. However, the course must consist of a minimum of six hours tuition, five and half of which are practical in-car driving sessions where possible

Where will the Pass Plus Driving lessons take place.

Pass Plus driving lessons may take place in area’s you are familiar with. Below is a list of towns in and around the Tameside & High Peak area which are suitable for the module tasks. Ashton-u-Lyne, Audenshaw, Broadbottom, Charlesworth, Chinley, Delph, Denton, Droylsden, Dukinfield, Gee Cross, Glossop, Godley, Greenfield, Guide Bridge, Hattersley, Haughton Green, Hyde, Little Hayfield, Mossley, Mottram, New Mills, Newton, Oldham, Romiley, Saddleworth, Stalybridge, Uppermill.

So If there’s no test then how do I pass

Your driving instructor will supply a training report form which is used to record your progress. As you complete each module both you and your instructor will sign and date your form. Once your Driving instructor is satisfied that all 6 modules have been successfully completed they will then send the training report form to the DSA for your PASS PLUS certificate of completion to be issued

Pass Plus and Motor Insurance

When you successfully complete PASS PLUS you will usually qualify for a substantial discount on your motor insurance policy. Motor insurers who support the scheme offer discounts on Comprehensive, Third party fire and theft and Third party insurance policies.

If you passed your test more than a year ago, you should check with participating insurance companies whether you’ll still be eligible for discounts before taking part in PASS PLUS

Participating Pass Plus Insurers

AA Insurance – 0800 294 1200
Adrian Flux Insurance Services – 0800 505 3000
Churchill Insurance – 0800 200 3000
CIS – 0161 832 8686
Direct Line – 0845 246 8888
Endsleigh – 0800 028 3571
Norwich Union – 0800 888 111
Privilege – 0870 243 5555
Provident Insurance – 0142 233 1166
Royal and SunAlliance – 0207 588 2345
Tesco Motor Insurers – 0845 300 4400
Swinton Car insurance – 0800 409 6551
Quinn Direct Insurance Ltd – 0800 587 8000

Although every effort has been made to ensure that the details presented are accurate Suzy Q School of motoring cannot accept responsibility for any changes or amendments made by insurers and agents.

Other insurers not indentified above may still offer some discounts to those who successfully complete a Pass Plus course. We therefore recommend that you check with insurers on the availability of Pass Plus discount.