The Pass Plus Scheme
Introduction and purpose
 
The scheme was introduced in 1995 by the Driving Standards Agency. It was introduced as statistics showed 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.
 
Content 
Pass Plus comprises six modules, 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. 
 
There is no examination at the end of the Pass Plus course; rather, a certificate is awarded once the instructor is satisfied with the driver'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. 
 
Participating insurers
 
A number of insurance companies offer cheaper car insurance to drivers who have completed the Pass Plus scheme. These include:
  • AA Insurance
  • Adrian Flux Insurance
  • BSM Insurance
  • Churchill Insurance
  • Co-operative Insurance Society
  • Direct Line
  • Endsleigh Insurance
  • NFU Mutual
  • Norwich Union
  • Privilege
  • Provident Insurance plc
  • Quinn Group
  • Royal SunAlliance
  • Tesco Personal Finance
  • Swinton Colonnade
  • Zurich Financial Services