Pass Plus Lessons Edinburgh
Want cheaper car insurance?
Invest in a Pass Plus course with Compass ProDrive.
PASS PLUS is a training scheme for new drivers. Its aim is to improve your driving skills and make you a safer driver. PASS PLUS was developed to improve your skills and knowledge in areas where you have limited experience. It can also lead to insurance discounts.
PASS PLUS will benefit you by:
enabling you to gain quality driving experience safely
help you become a more skilful driver
teaching you to develop a more Positive Driving style that is both enjoyable and safe
reduce your risk of being involved in a road crash
saving you money on your car insurance premiums*
93% new drivers felt more confident on the road**
89% new drivers felt their driving skills improved**
What does the Pass Plus Scheme cover?
The Pass Plus course takes at least six hours to complete and covers:
driving in town – even though this is covered in standard driving lessons, the Pass Plus course handles it in more detail. The majority of us will do most of our driving in town, so this should help build confidence in this area and help make you a safer driver.
driving on smaller, rural roads – if you do a lot of driving in the countryside, you already know just how narrow these roads can be (and how fast people like to drive on them). Accidents on rural roads are quite common, so this part of the course is worth taking as it teaches you how to avoid them.
motorway driving – again, most young drivers should have had some experience of this, but with more than 6,600 motorway casualties in 2019, accident statistics show that a lot of UK drivers can still benefit from additional skills. By spending more time learning on the motorway, Pass Plus can help you sharpen your skills and handle busy roads better.
dual carriageway driving – this is less likely to be covered in detail by a basic driving instructor. Like motorways, dual carriageways have some of the highest speed limits in the UK, so a little bit of extra training can make all the difference.
driving in poor weather conditions – most young drivers are told to avoid driving in bad conditions.
Good advice when you’re new to the road, but what happens when you don’t have a choice? Gaining these skills in a formal setting is much safer than through trial and error.
driving at night – night-time driving requires more than just a good set of headlights. Reduced visibility can be a challenge to new drivers both in the city and the countryside.
Ideally, all these modules should be practical sessions, but local conditions may mean some are theory based.
Is there a test for Pass Plus?
No, don’t worry – you won’t have to put yourself through another test at the end of the Pass Plus course. You’ll be continually assessed throughout your training and will have to reach a required standard in each module to pass.
You’ll either have ‘achieved’ the standard required or ‘exceeded’ it. If a module is completed without a practical session, you can only get an Achieved grade.
To potentially get a discount on your car insurance, you’ll need a Pass Plus certificate, which you’ll have to apply for yourself.
What are the pros and cons of Pass Plus?
There are many benefits to taking the Pass Plus course, but it shouldn’t be viewed as an automatic route to cheaper car insurance. What it can do is improve your driving, which is always a win, but it’s not a guarantee of a cheap insurance policy – especially for those in high-risk groups like young drivers.
Pros
Build confidence behind the wheel – if you’re nervous about driving on your own after passing your test, the Pass Plus Scheme can give you extra hours on the road with an instructor by your side.
Boost road safety skills – gaining extra experience can improve your driving ability in a variety of road settings, helping to make you a safer all-round driver.
Cons
Cost – the cost of the Pass Plus course can often be more than the amount you can save on your insurance.
No insurance savings for most – a Pass Plus certificate won’t necessarily be recognised by your insurance provider, so it might not always result in a discount.
More information on the benefits of Pass Plus can be found on the Directgov website
*Subject to status. Candidates are advised to check available discounts with participating insurance companies
** Survey on L test candidates carried out by ORC International
