Pass-Plus
Pass-Plus is a six hour driving course designed to safely introduce newly qualified drivers to the extra-realities of driving.
Although, in some respects, a driving licence is hard to obtain, a newly qualified driver may be seriously lacking in experience of certain types of road and traffic conditions.
For example, residents of Inner London may never have driven at 60mph on a rural single carriageway (statistically the most lethal roads), and will certainly never have experienced driving at 70mph on a motorway.
Therefore the Pass-Plus scheme has been designed by the D.S.A. (Driving Standards Agency) to give structure to post-test tuition.
The course contains six driving 'modules', each of which lasts for at least 1hr.
On the Pass Plus course you will experience plenty of motorway driving, possibly for the first time in your driving life. Find out how to join and leave motorways with ease, how to identify hazards, and how to overtake trucks and slow drivers. You will also learn what to do if your car lets you down.
A Dual Carriageway is any road which has a central reservation. Dual carriageways are often more hazardous than motorways, due to the types of junction and road users present. For example, a 70mph dual carriageway may have a roundabout, or a right turn. On the Pass Plus course you will learn how to deal with many of the common problems you might encounter on fast moving multi-lane roads.
Rural roads are statistically the most lethal. However, you will learn skills on the Pass Plus course which will help you to enjoy rural driving in a safe and positive way. Find out how to identify the peculiar hazards you will find in the countryside, using observational links, and how to deal with each type of hazard. Find out how to overtake moving vehicles in a safe and positive way, and how to handle the car entering curves.
Before passing your driving test you may or may not have experienced driving in the dark. On the Pass Plus course you can expect to learn how to deal with the problems of driving in the dark. For example, how to find the road you are looking for, how to light your car correctly without dazzling or being dazzled, and generally how to keep safe after hours.
During the All Weather module you will learn how to control the car in ice and snow. You will find out what causes skidding, and how to control a skidding car. You will learn how to drive safely in rain and how to control an aquaplaning vehicle. If the last three winters are anything to go by, it will pay you to learn how to prepare a car properly for wintry weather conditions.
The first module of the Pass Plus course involves building on skills you may have already acquired previously. Starting in South East London, it may be possible to drive into Central London, and take in the sights of Hyde Park Corner, Tower Bridge, and Trafalgar Square. Learning to deal with these areas will give you huge confidence going forward.
Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate which may entitle you to a significant discount on your first insurance policy.
Advanced Driving
The two major advanced driving organisations in the country are:
I am a full member of both organisations.
The IAM and RoSPA are run by volunteers. If you become an associate member you will be required to attend a series of observed drives. If your driving is up to standard you will then take a 90 minute test with a policeman/former policeman. They are both really great organisations, and I would strongly recommend joining to all those who REALLY enjoy driving.
If you have only just passed your test, consider getting 6 to 12 months experience before joining. You must read and digest ‘Roadcraft: The Police Drivers Handbook’
The IAM regularly organise driving trips, skid pan experiences and track days. They currently have about 130,000 members nationwide. Passing the test will also entitle you to insurance discounts, as the chances of you having an accident AFTER the extra training are greatly reduced.
The RoSPA test is the more rigorous of the two, and you will be graded (I achieved a Silver). Also, in order to remain a full member of RoSPA you will be retested every 3 years.