What Is Pass Plus

Pass Plus is a short driving course totalling six hours, designed to help newly qualified motorists improve their skills and safety.

You can take it any time after you’ve passed your practical test but it’s usually most beneficial in your first year of driving as most road accidents occur within the first 12 months of a new driver getting their licence.

You don’t have to take the course in a specific place – it will be wherever you’re located and carried out on a variety of roads in different conditions depending on which module you’re taking at the time.

The course isn’t compulsory, and there’s no formal test, but to receive a Pass Plus certificate you will need to have reached the required standard when you’re assessed after each module.

Pass Plus Driving Lesson

What do I learn on a Pass Plus course?

The course is split into six modules, which all cover various aspects of daily driving. They are:

  • Town driving:
    As the majority of motorists will experience urban driving the most, this module can be invaluable in helping you to brush up your observational skills and increase your awareness levels.

    You’ll learn how to navigate complex junctions, underpasses and tram, bus and cycle lanes.

  • All-weather driving:
    If you haven’t driven in bad weather before, it can be advantageous to learn how to cope with heavy rain, snow, ice, fog and dazzling sunshine.

    Preventing and handling skidding is also covered in this section, as well as why stopping distances are reduced in bad weather.

  • Driving on rural roads:
    Driving in the countryside brings with it different risks to driving in built-up areas, including blind bends, animals in the road and overtaking slow vehicles.

    This section looks at safe passing places and what to do when you encounter sharp corners, horse riders, cyclists, farm vehicles and debris in the road.

  • Night driving:
    You might not have had much experience of night driving before passing your test, so this module can help boost your confidence when taking to the roads after dark.

    It deals with the correct use of headlamps, adjusting to different light levels, getting used to being dazzled and judging speeds and distance.

  • Driving on dual carriageways:
    You should have driven on dual carriageways before your test, but you might not feel as though you’ve fully got to grips with them.

    This module focuses on joining and leaving the carriageway via slip roads, as well as overtaking, lane discipline and safe distances.

  • Driving on motorways:
    Although learners can now have lessons on motorways with an approved instructor, you probably won’t have spent much time on them and could still find them intimidating.

    In this module you’ll learn how to drive at a safe speed in different conditions, deal with motorway fatigue, handle a breakdown, use lanes correctly and follow signs.

The course costs £200 and is fully certificated by the DVSA