Pass Plus

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Pass Plus logo.

Pass Plus is a scheme run in the United Kingdom aimed at young drivers who have just passed the standard driving test.

[edit] Introduction and purpose

The scheme was introduced in 1995 and was designed by the Driving Standards Agency. The scheme was introduced as statistics show that new drivers are more likely to have an accident in the first two years of passing their test than at any other time in their driving career.

The scheme aims to increase new drivers' confidence in a range of conditions they may not have experienced while learning to drive.

The scheme will often only be recognised by insurers if taken within the first 12 months of passing a practical driving test.

[edit] Content

Pass Plus comprises six modules^[1], each covering a different aspect of driving. These modules are:

Town driving
All-weather driving
Driving out of town
Night driving
Driving on dual carriageways
Driving on motorways

Some of the aspects may be covered in theory only, such as weather and night driving which require conditions that may be hard to replicate especially in the summer, or motorway driving if there is no motorway nearby. However, this is only done when a practical training session is not possible.

The scheme takes a minimum of six hours to complete. The practical assessment is more lenient than that used in the standard driving test, and adherence to many rules that would otherwise constitute a major mistake in the main practical exam (such as allowing the car to slide against its gear, or parking at an angle) does not apply. It is only required that one is able to drive safely and legally.

There is no examination at the end of the Pass Plus course; rather, a certificate is awarded once the instructor is satisfied with the candidate's competence.

Each module must be completed to an achieved or exceeded standard, in order to pass:

Achieved: successfully reached the standard required for each of the competencies.

Exceeded: exceeded the required standard for each of the competencies.

If a module is completed in theory achieved is the highest standard possible as the candidate does not have an opportunity to practically demonstrate their competence.