What's Pass Plus?

[doctorpepper]

A friend of mine has just passed her driving test and I suggested to her that it would be a good idea to carry on her training and get in touch with her local IAM group while she's still in the "learning mood". She said she would but she was also keen to do the Pass Plus.
Pass Plus wasnt around when i passed my test so I have no idea what it is or of how much value it is to her in comparison to the IAM/ROSPA route.

Can anyone help enlighten me?

[pod]

Seems to be a course for new drivers which covers motorways, night driving etc and is done via DSA and the ADI.Have a look at www.passplus.org.uk.

[agent006]

In my case it was a drive down to bristol and back on the M5 where i tell the instructor more about motorway driving than they tell me. I was really stunned to learn that my instructor didn't know why lorries flash their lights at other trucks that are just completeing an overtake.

[doctorpepper]

Just had a look at the website... I think for £150 she's better off doing the IAM and saving some money!

[chim666]

doctorpepper said:

A friend of mine has just passed her driving test and I suggested to her that it would be a good idea to carry on her training and get in touch with her local IAM group while she's still in the "learning mood". She said she would but she was also keen to do the Pass Plus. Pass Plus wasnt around when i passed my test so I have no idea what it is or of how much value it is to her in comparison to the IAM/ROSPA route. Can anyone help enlighten me?

For recently-qualified drivers, it tries to snuff out any bad habits that have started since the test, it gives them a couple of hours motorway experience, and finally gives the new driver the equivalent of one year's NCB when presented to the insurance company.

[diddly]

Pass Plus is a scheme designed by the DSA to encourage new drivers to continue their training. Any fully qualified ADI can sign up to take part. They are then issued with serial-numbered forms, one for each pupil. The pupil has to do a minimum of 6 hours tuition on:

1. Urban driving i.e. dealing with difficult junctions, underpasses, overpasses etc.
2. Rural driving: country lanes, A & B roads, relevant hazards etc.
3. Adverse weather conditions (this may be a theory session) I emphasise the CORRECT use of foglights here!
4. Night driving: the difference and dangers associated with driving in the dark.
5. Dual carriageways: relevant hazards, safe joining and leaving.
6. Motorways: safe joining and leaving and correct LANE DISCIPLINE!!

There is a list of participating insurance companies supplied to the pupil. Whilst the cost will average about £150 the insurance companies guarantee that the savings on their policies will at least cover the cost. I have known typical savings to be 50-70%, the greatest being a reduction from £2400 to £650.

IAM would be a good follow up; dont forget Skills for Life is £75 for <25s, not the normal £85, however most Observers are not instructors so may have difficulty dealing with someone inexperienced or novice in dealing with, for example, country lanes or motorways
Tom

[angrys3owner]

I did the pass plus scheme with my driving instructor after I passed my test but before I got my first car (as there had been a few months between) and it was a good refresher and also was useful, but as all things I think it depends hugely on your driving instructor (mine was great). I think for me it was 3 two hour lessons, one covered narrow country lanes and such, one covered motorways and other stuff and the third covered city driving. City driving was the last one and was on sep 11th 2001 - driving towards heathrow of all places, very strange, but I'll never forget it.

I'd say all new drivers would benefit if the instructor isn't useless.