Pass Plus - Lesson one
Town driving
Part 1
This lesson is your introduction to the
Pass Plus course
You may not be with the instructor who taught you to drive as not all instructors are registered to teach the Pass Plus course.
You will be issued with a New Driver Guide and the aims of the course will be explained to you. As you proceed through the course you will build on the skills that you have already developed.
Your instructor will brief you on the topic of the lesson at the beginning and continue to reinforce the key points throughout the lesson. The route that they choose to take you on should reflect the subject matter for that particular lesson.
There are a few things that you need to know in advance.
- Pass Plus is not meant to be easy.
There is no test at the end of the course. You will be continually assessed by your instructor and they will decide whether or not you have reached the desired standard.
Occasionally a pupil is required to repeat a module that they have not completed satisfactorily. - The course is supported by the government, insurers and the driving instruction industry as we all believe that anything on offer to improve the standards of driving amongst newly qualified drivers has to be a good thing.
- The sole reason for the introduction of the course was to reduce the risk of accident amongst newly qualified drivers.
- A new driver that does not complete the course will gain a lot of vital experience over the first couple of years that they will agree was highly beneficial to them.
This course intends to give you the benefits of a lot more experience than that in just six lessons. - After successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) to confirm that you have qualified. The participating insurers (you will be provided with a list) will offer a premium discount which varies according to which insurer you choose but can be up to thirty percent.
- You will be required to master the challenge of positive driving. This is not about driving faster. Any idiot can do that and many do.
Positive driving tests the performance of the driver, not the vehicle.
Driving is a continuous sequence of decisions which you will need to perform with all of the necessary oservations, under full control of the vehicle and with confidence. Good luck! The first lesson can be a bit of an eye opener. - The attitude that you will be expected to display throughout the course is one of courtesy and consideration to others. You will have to show a certain level of care in your drive and understand the responsibility that comes with the privelige of holding a steering wheel.
- There is a major difference between Positive and Aggressive driving.
You notice aggressive drivers every day. They go when they want to just because they can whether or not they have an adverse effect on others. They use excessive speed almost as a statement about themselves and delight in driving as close behind others as they dare. They are the prats of the road and unfortunately they have a very negative effect on others.
The positive drivers are the ones that you do not particularly notice. You probably wave to thank a few without giving them any further thought. They have successfully combined their greater awareness and level of skills with their calmer attitude to move through the road system efficiently and without adversely effecting others.
You would of course rather be in the latter catagory. - The Positive Driving Skills which will be included throughout the six lessons are.
- Effective observation
- Assessment
- Decision making
- Taking correct actions
Part 2
This is the practical part of the session when you get to practice
the things mentioned above.
You have already practised driving in a town environment but please accept that the purpose of this course is to raise the standards of your driving to a higher level.
The level of driving that you achieve in this level is seen as a base level that will be improved upon on successive lessons.
These are, if you like, the building blocks of positive driving technique.
Alcester, Ansley, Arley, Atherstone, Barwell, Bedworth, Bulkington, Coleshill, Coventry, Earl Shilton, Fenny Drayton, Galley Common, Higham on the Hill, Hinckley, Kenilworth, Leamington Spa, Mancetter, Nuneaton, Polesworth, Rugby, Southam, Stratford upon Avon, Studley, Warwick, Wellesbourne, Whitnash.
