Pass Plus Scheme

You might have just passed your main driving test or you’ve been road legal for years. Whatever the case, you might be looking to do an advanced training course like Pass Plus. Not only will you be even more road savvy, it could help cut your car insurance premiums.

What is Pass Plus?

Pass Plus is an extra driving qualification which you can get on top of your full driving licence. You certainly don’t need to take part in the scheme, but you will learn to tackle situations you won’t have covered in your standard driving lessons. The idea is that you’re even less likely to be involved in an accident, which is not only good for your well being and your car, but it could lead to lower car insurance premiums too. Training takes at least 6 hours, while it will cost you from between £100 and £180.

What does the Pass Plus scheme cover?

Some of the areas Pass Plus helps you cope better with are touched on in your standard driving test. However, the idea is you’ll become even wiser to dangerous or stressful situations. Below are the conditions Pass Plus will help you with.

• All weather driving
• Motorway driving
• Dual carriageway driving
• Night time driving
• Driving in town
• Driving down rural roads

Can I use Pass Plus to lower my insurance?

Some insurers do offer discounts to drivers who take advanced driving courses like Pass Plus. This might prove especially handy if you’re a young driver who’s only just passed the standard driving test.

You’ll probably know by now that you’re considered at high risk of claiming because of your age and inexperience on the road. However, Pass Plus could help you knock that premium down to size. Several insurers offer discounted car insurance rates to young drivers who take part in the scheme.

Is Pass Plus worth the investment?

It all comes down to whether your insurance provider will give you a discount for gaining a Pass Plus certificate. Some will, others won’t. If your provider does then great, you may eventually earn back the money you spent on the course.

If your provider doesn’t then it’s probably not worth the investment in the short term. After all, you’ll be paying over £100 for a course and not getting any immediate financial reward.

Although, if you put your long term vision goggles on, you might decide that the course will help you avoid getting in an accident. Which in turn would mean you don’t pay any excess fees for fixing your car. Plus it might help you get a no claims bonus in the long run.

Other ways to save on your car insurance

Pass Plus isn’t the be all and end all for cutting car insurance premiums. It’s one tactic, and there are plenty of others.

• Telematics policy. Fitting your car with a black box which measures your speed, distance travelled and the time of day or night your driving can help lower your premiums.
• Higher voluntary excess. Excess is the amount you cough up for any damage to your vehicle before the insurance kicks in. Voluntarily accepting a higher excess can give you a lower premium, just make sure you can afford to pay out should it come to it.
• Pay it all upfront. Paying a lump sum is generally cheaper than paying for your policy monthly, as insurers tend to charge more and will put interest on any instalments.
• Choosing a car. One factor that affects insurance costs is the type of car you drive. Ask your insurer what make and model it deems to be safe and lower risk.
• No claims discount. Drive safely and responsibly, avoid making any claims, and after a while you should be rewarded with lower premiums.

Frequently asked questions

• How much does Pass Plus cost?

  Depending on where you live and the instructor you use, Pass Plus should cost anywhere between £100 and £180. You might be able to do it for cheaper though. Ask your local council if it offers a discount on the Pass Plus scheme.

• How does Pass Plus work

  After finding a qualified instructor, you’ll do six hours of training minimum. In this time the course will teach you how to handle six different environments better: all weather driving; motorway driving; dual carriageway driving; night time driving; driving in town; driving down rural roads.

  All modules should be practical but depending on your location some might be theory. Although, you should expect to do 5.5 hours of driving during the course.
  There isn’t a test at the end. However you are assessed during the course and have to meet such requirements for each module to pass.