Road Masters Driving School

Road Safety

1. What is the Pass Plus Course and why should I go on it?

   15th August 2018 3:21 pmComments Off on What is the Pass Plus Course and why should I go on it?

   Information taken from the Gov.uk website

   After you’ve worked so hard to learn how to drive, passed your theory test and passed your practical driving test your first thought probably isn’t ‘let’s go on another course and have another assessment’ but going on the Pass Plus course has its benefits!

    

   What is Pass Plus?

   Pass Plus is a practical training course that takes at least six hours. It’s for drivers who have already passed their initial driving test and want to improve their skills and drive more safely.

   Only a Pass Plus registered approved driving instructor (ADI) can teach you and you’ll be pleased to know we’re all approved here at Road Masters!

   The Pass Plus course has six modules covering driving:

   • in town
   • in all weathers
   • on rural roads
   • at night
   • on dual carriageways
   • on motorways

    

   All modules are practical sessions; you’ll normally spend at least five and a half hours driving. There isn’t a test with the Pass Plus course (phew!) but you’ll be assessed throughout the course. To pass you’ll have to reach the required standard in all the modules.

    

   When can I go on the Pass Plus course?

   Anyone who has passed their practical driving test can go on the Pass Plus course although it’s probably most useful to new drivers in the first year after passing their test.

    

   Why should I go on a Pass Plus course?

   The main benefit of completing the Pass Plus course is the potential discount offered by car insurance companies. We all know how expensive insurance can be, especially for new drivers, so anything that can be done to reduce the cost is a positive!

   You’ll receive a certificate when you’ve completed the Pass Plus course and car insurance companies will want to see this certificate before giving you a discount.

   Even if you don’t think you’ll be insuring a car straight away after you’ve passed your practical driving test you may be able to put the discount on hold for up to two years. Each insurance company has a different policy, best to check with them direct.

    

   Please be aware that the amount of discount depends on the insurance company and not all insurers offer Pass Plus discounts. Also, as the Pass Plus course is primarily aimed at new drivers check with your insurance company if you can still get a discount if you passed your practical driving test more than a year ago.

    

   How much does the Pass Plus course cost?

   Here at Road Masters the full Pass Plus course costs £199. However, if you’ve already passed your initial practical driving test with us the costs is discounted to £175.

    

   If you’d like to book a Pass Plus course, or would just like more information, please contact us!

    

   All prices are correct at the time of publishing this Blog.

    

    

    

2. Learner drivers now allowed on the motorway!

   5th June 2018 9:28 pmComments Off on Learner drivers now allowed on the motorway!

   As of yesterday (4^th June 2018) learner drivers of cars in England, Scotland and Wales can now drive on a motorway with an approved driving instructor!

   Here at Road Masters we’re based right next to the M5 so rest assured we’ll be taking advantage of the new rules to make sure that all of our learner drivers know how to use motorways safely. All of our students will be given motorway driving lessons prior to their test, although motorway driving itself doesn’t form part of the test.

   This won’t be tackled on lesson 1 though … it’ll be up to our fully qualified driving instructors to decide when our learner drivers are competent enough to drive on the motorway. Safety is always our priority and all lessons will be in our dual control vehicles.

   There are lots of different elements to driving on the motorway, learner drivers will now gain experience of:

   • joining and leaving the motorway
   • overtaking and using the lanes correctly
   • driving at higher speeds
   • motorway specific signs

   During the motorway lessons they’ll also be time to talk about the more practical parts of driving on a motorway, like what to do if you break down!

   Ultimately these changes will prepare drivers for a lifetime of safe driving and give them a broader experience before taking their test. Driving on the motorway forms a large part of daily life for many drivers and it can be a daunting thing if you’re inexperienced so these changes will help to improve confidence and understanding before drivers take their test.

    

   Is there anything other road users can do to help?

   If you see a learner driver on the motorway, as with any vehicle on the motorway, please keep a safe distance from them and increase the gap even further in wet, icy or foggy conditions.

   Also, (this goes for all learner drivers on any roads) please be patient, we were all learner drivers once! While drivers are learning they may not be as skilful in anticipating and responding to different road events.

    

   If you’ve already passed your driving test but don’t feel confident driving on a motorway we can help! As well as taking advantage of these new rules for learner drivers we can offer motorway specific driving lessons for drivers who have already passed their test.

   Please get in touch if you’d like to know more about our lessons and how we can get you motorway-ready!