Improving the odds
Newly-qualified drivers are very vulnerable in today’s busy and fast-paced traffic, as indicated by the number of incidents involving them. As a means of combating this problem, the Driving Standards Agency introduced the Pass Plus scheme for drivers with up to one year’s experience. The course provides the driver with the opportunity to build on existing skills and to gain experience in less familiar areas of driving; for example, driving on motorways. One of the benefits of participating in the scheme is preferential insurance discounts.
Devon Drivers’ Centre has developed its own version of the Pass Plus scheme which embodies the requirements of the national scheme; that is:
The course also offers additional modules covering:
The course is quite intensive in nature, taking place on a Friday evening and the following two Saturdays. There are usually around nine courses run every year. Training is delivered on a group basis with up to three participants per vehicle.
Some 20% of road crashes involve drivers aged between 18 and 21, even though they make up only 5% of the total driving population. Devon Drivers' Centre's Pre-Licence and Pass Plus Plus courses are designed specifically to improve the skills and road awareness of new drivers.
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