Most people believe that once they have passed their test that they have learned everything there is to learn about driving. Although you can now get on the roads with ease, a Pass Plus Scheme can further your learning even more. New drivers take the Pass Plus Scheme in order to better themselves as drivers and become more confident on the road. Let’s take a look at what the scheme entails.

What is the Pass Plus Scheme?

Drivers can gain an extra driving qualification by taking the Pass Plus scheme. The course allows you to gain more practical experience by dealing with unfamiliar driving situations. In the process of getting your driving license, you will learn the vast majority of driving knowledge, but there are additional things you can learn – Pass Plus covers these and more. The idea of Pass Plus is to reduce your risk of being in an accident whilst on the road. Not only will this make your driving experience safer, but your insurance provider will see you as less of a risk, thus potentially lowering your insurance premium depending on your provider.

What is Covered in the Pass Plus Scheme?

The primary focuses of a Pass Plus Scheme are as follows:

• Driving in town – Although this is covered in normal driving courses, Pass Plus tackles this area in much more detail. Drivers predominantly drive in town areas, so confidence in driving here is key.
• Driving on rural roads – Bad road accidents occur frequently on small, rural roads. People like to drive fast on these roads as they cannot see oncoming cars. Luckily, taking the Pass Plus Scheme will assist you in avoiding these scenarios.
• Driving on the motorway – Normal driving courses do not touch upon motorway driving in the slightest. When you bear in mind how many people drive on motorways, (and not to mention the speeds cars move at) driving on the motorway without practice could prove fatal. 
• Driving on a dual carriageway – Many dual carriageways have very high-speed limits and often small lanes. Covering this section in detail will not only inform your insurance that you can drive on a dual carriageway, but you will become more confident driving on them also.
• Driving in bad weather – We would recommend avoiding driving in any poor weather conditions. Not only is visibility reduced, but braking distances are at least doubled. However, sometimes you will not have a choice but to drive. A Pass Plus scheme teaches you the rights and wrongs of driving in different weather conditions.
• Driving at night – Although you will have headlights, driving at night will massively reduce your visibility. Some roads don’t even have streetlights, so becoming familiar with night-time driving could prove pivotal. 

Pass Plus Pricing

The pricing for your course can depend on which instructor you use. Generally speaking, a Pass Plus course will cost between £100 and £180 across the UK. The full price of your course can also be discounted depending on your local council. Check to see if your local council is listed on the government’s website to see if they can reduce the pricing of your training.

For more information on Pass Plus Schemes, contact Beverley Slater.

If you have previously failed a driving test or are nervous to undergo your first exam, you are far from alone. We understand the difficulties that come with passing your test. There are errors that are made by the majority of drivers, but it doesn’t mean you can’t pass your exam. In reality, all it takes is for you to be more aware of what the examiner expects of you as opposed to doing what you deem as the right thing. Let’s take a look at some of the main reasons people struggle with their driving exam and how these can be avoided.

Speeding

Surprisingly, speeding during a driving exam is in the top ten faults amongst all learner drivers. Although this may seem like people are being careless, driving at the correct speed is harder than you may think. There are many places in which speed signs are not visible, especially when driving at night. This can result in drivers going too fast or too slow – yes, you can actually fail your test for driving too slowly. The best way to avoid speeding difficulties is to learn the rules of different roads. For example, if you are driving on a road with streetlights, the speed limit is 30mph unless a sign says otherwise. Similarly, a dual carriageway’s speed limit is always 70mph unless stated otherwise.

Poor Use of Mirrors

Although you must use your mirrors throughout learning and the test itself, it is alarming how many people fail due to not using them adequately. However, do not worry – this is an easy mistake to make. When pulling out at a junction or overtaking a vehicle, it is easy to take a glance at your mirrors and feel you have done a sufficient job. What most people don’t realise is that you must continuously look at all your mirrors for the whole process as the angle your car is at dictates what you can see.

Manoeuvres

The word ‘manoeuvres’ alone can terrify learner drivers. Most people fail their test by making an error whilst performing a manoeuvre. This is often due to nerves – the driver has to delay fellow road users, thus causing panic. Although it may seem simple, the key to passing this stage of your test is to relax and take your time. There is no rush to complete your manoeuvre but remember to constantly check your mirrors whilst doing so. The following manoeuvres can be practiced on a quiet road:

• Bay parking.
• Parallel parking.
• Emergency stops.
• Turn in the road.
• Reverse around a corner

Theory Test

It is not always the physical act of driving that causes someone to stop trying – many people don’t even begin their driving lessons. One of the main causes is the difficulty of passing the driving theory test. With the theory syllabus spanning across many different categories, many learners are put off at the first obstacle. This is understandable as learning so much at one time may seem a daunting experience. However, there are smartphone apps that break down the learning into small, easy to digest sections. With this, you can revise one section each week, and within a couple of months, you will be well suited to passing your theory.