The Pass Plus scheme
After passing your driving test you should give serious consideration to taking a Pass Plus course.
This course is designed to make new drivers safer by focusing on acquiring experience (under the guidance of a Pass Plus registered Instructor) more quickly than you would do otherwise. As an incentive, you can save a lot of money on insurance by completing the course.
There are six modules to the course :
- Town and City Driving
- Out of Town and Country Roads
- Dual Carriageways
- Motorway driving
- Night Driving
- Adverse Weather Conditions
The course is sponsored by the Government and the Insurance Industry, and you will save up to 35% on your first year's insurance when you show the PassPlus certificate that you will be awarded when you finish the course.
In effect you are given a years No Claim Discount immediately, and this rolls over for the next few years until you have a maximum NCD. The potential saving over the first four years can therefore add up to £100s or even £1000s of pounds.
The course normally requires six hours (longer in some cases) and there is not another test to take at the end, but as the course is structured around "Core Competences" you must achieve a consistant standard of improvement throughout the course. Your Pass Plus instructor is authorised to confirm successful completion of the course.
You can obtain more information by going to the PassPlus Website
Advanced Driving
What is Advanced Driving?
Advanced Driving is driving to a standard much higher than that needed to pass a Learner Test and employs the driving system used by Police drivers, based on the Police driving manual 'Roadcraft'.
Due to the nature of their work, it is imperative that Police drivers actually do arrive at their destination, and do so very quickly. Having a crash on the way, or arriving too late helps no-one.
The essence of Advanced Driving therefore is the ability to drive safely under all conditions with a strong emphasis on 'making good progress'. The skills required to do this are just as relevent to civilian drivers in normal day-to-day driving.
This is why more people are showing an awareness and interest in Advanced Driving. They realise that on today's busy roads it is more important than ever to drive to a high standard to ensure their own safety as well as that of the other road users and pedestrians around them.
But Advanced Driving brings many other real benefits as well.
For example the smooth, progressive driving style is fuel-efficient and involves less wear and tear on the car, thus saving on fuel costs and service/repair bills.
You may also save money on motor insurance...Advanced Drivers are statistically far less likely to have a crash than 'basic' drivers, and those crashes that do involve Advanced Drivers tend to be less severe.
Defensive Driving (staying safe by being aware of what is happening around you, and allowing for other peoples' mistakes) is a key part of Advanced Driving.
Several organisations (listed below) offer training, often at very little cost, and carry out Advanced Driving Tests, and all are approved by the Driving Standards Agency. You may wish to contact one of them, or ask your instructor if they offer Advanced Driving courses.
Institute of Advanced Motorists
RoSPA Advanced Drivers Association
Most people, when asked, would say they think they are a 'good driver'. By passing an Advanced Driving Test you will show that you are not just good, but amongst the very best!