Congratulations! You’ve passed your driving test and are now a fully qualified driver. But as exciting as it is to be on the road, you might still feel unsure about certain driving situations or want to further develop your skills. That’s where Pass Plus comes in.
Pass Plus is an advanced driving course designed for newly qualified drivers to help build confidence and enhance driving skills in more challenging driving conditions. In this guide, we’ll explore the key benefits of taking Pass Plus after passing your driving test, especially if you’re a new driver in a busy city like Bristol.
1. Build Confidence on Motorways
For many new drivers, motorway driving can be intimidating. The higher speeds, multiple lanes, and fast-moving traffic are often unfamiliar, especially if you didn’t have the opportunity to practise on motorways during your lessons. Pass Plus includes motorway driving as one of its core modules.
By completing Pass Plus, you’ll have the chance to drive on motorways under the supervision of an instructor, helping you feel more confident about lane discipline, merging, overtaking, and dealing with traffic at higher speeds. For Bristol drivers, gaining experience on motorways like the M6 and M40, which connect Bristol to other major cities, can be particularly valuable.
2. Gain Experience in Different Weather Conditions
Driving in adverse weather can be one of the most challenging aspects of driving. Rain, fog, snow, and ice can significantly impact your visibility, stopping distance, and overall control of the vehicle. Since your practical test is usually taken in standard weather conditions, it’s unlikely that you practised driving in extreme weather.
Pass Plus offers a module dedicated to driving in difficult weather conditions. Your instructor will teach you how to adapt your driving style, including reducing speed, increasing your following distance, and making safer decisions in poor visibility. This extra practice is particularly important if you’re driving on Bristol’s roads, where weather can change quickly, making driving unpredictable.
3. Reduce Your Car Insurance Premium
One of the more tangible benefits of completing Pass Plus is the potential to reduce your car insurance premium. Many insurers offer discounts to drivers who have completed Pass Plus, as it’s seen as an indication that you’ve had additional training and are therefore less likely to be involved in an accident.
New drivers often face higher insurance costs, so completing Pass Plus can help ease the financial burden of car ownership. While savings vary depending on the insurer, it’s worth shopping around to find a provider that offers discounts for Pass Plus graduates.
4. Improve Your Driving Skills in Urban Areas
Cities like Bristol present unique challenges for new drivers. From navigating busy junctions and roundabouts to dealing with heavy traffic and narrow streets, urban driving can be stressful for newly qualified drivers. Pass Plus offers an opportunity to refine your driving skills in these environments.
Your instructor will guide you through some of the more complex urban driving situations, such as dealing with heavy congestion, handling pedestrian crossings, and safely navigating Bristol’s ring roads and one-way systems. By practising these skills in a structured environment, you’ll feel more confident handling urban driving challenges on your own.
5. Master Night-Time Driving
Night-time driving is another area where newly qualified drivers often feel less confident. Reduced visibility, dazzling headlights from other cars, and the general unfamiliarity of driving in the dark can make night driving more stressful. Pass Plus includes a module specifically dedicated to night-time driving, giving you practical experience in a safe and controlled environment.
With this additional training, you’ll become more comfortable driving at night, understanding how to use your headlights effectively, spot hazards earlier, and adjust your speed based on visibility. Night driving is especially important in Bristol, where busy roads like the A444 and A45 can be challenging after dark.
6. Learn How to Drive Safely on Rural Roads
Rural roads present a completely different set of challenges compared to urban streets. Tight bends, narrow lanes, and slower-moving vehicles like tractors can make rural driving unpredictable. If you’ve mainly driven around Bristol’s urban areas during your lessons, Pass Plus can help you become more confident in rural settings.
The rural driving module will teach you how to navigate country roads safely, deal with sharp bends, and adjust your speed for uneven or slippery surfaces. For drivers in Bristol, this is particularly useful if you frequently travel to the surrounding countryside areas.
7. Reduce the Risk of Accidents
While passing your driving test proves that you’re capable of driving safely, gaining more experience through Pass Plus can further reduce your risk of being involved in an accident. The course focuses on defensive driving techniques, such as anticipating potential hazards, improving observation skills, and planning ahead, which can help you avoid collisions.
Having the extra experience and knowledge from Pass Plus will help you stay safer on the roads and handle difficult driving situations more effectively. This is especially beneficial when driving in Bristol’s busy traffic, where hazards such as pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles can appear unexpectedly.
Final Thoughts
Taking the Pass Plus course after passing your driving test has numerous benefits, especially for new drivers in Bristol. Not only will you gain confidence in areas such as motorway driving and night-time driving, but you could also reduce your insurance costs and improve your overall driving skills. If you’re looking to enhance your driving abilities and feel more secure behind the wheel, Pass Plus is a great next step.
