Pass Plus
Scheme
 PASS
PLUS is a road safety initiative aimed at improving
the skills of novice drivers.
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.
This is where PASS PLUS comes in. After pupils pass
their test they can pay for structured tuition from
a registered PASS PLUS instructor.
Pupils reaching the required standard should be entitled
to a substantial discount on their motor insurance premium
from companies supporting the scheme. There is no test
at the end of the course as your driving is assessed
by you instructor.
The course covers six modules:
Module 1
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
concentrates on
-
observation, judgmental and awareness
-
eye contact
-
consideration for vulnerable road
users
-
being cautious but not over cautious,
and
-
keeping space around your car
Module
2
 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
Module 3
 Driving
out of town
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.
Module
4
 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
Module
5
 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
- judgment 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
Module
6
 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.
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