PASS PLUS

The Pass Plus course is made up of six modules, which are conducted by a fully qualified STREETWISE instructor. All of the modules must be successfully completed to the required DSA standard in order to complete the course.

The modules are designed to enhance the skills and experience of a new driver, and develop awareness in order to increase road safety.  

 

Detailed below is a brief outline of the structure of each module:

 

Driving around a town:

The first module has two parts. It begins with an introduction to Pass Plus, explaining the course aims and the skills and knowledge to be covered.

The second part is a practical session covering the different features of driving in a town, such as complex junctions and public transport.

You'll focus on:

- observation

- judgement and awareness, eye contact

- consideration for vulnerable road users

- showing caution

- keeping space around your car

All weather driving:

This module will be covered as much as possible in a practical session. You’ll focus on correct speed, safe stopping distances, plus seeing and being seen in:

- rain

- sleet

- snow and ice

- mist and fog

- bright sunshine

You’ll also look at skidding, and:

- what causes skid

- how to prevent skid

- correcting slow-speed skids

- braking on poor surfaces

- aquaplaning

Driving in the countryside:

This module looks at the main differences between town and country driving:

- observing the road ahead

- making progress safely

- bends, hills, uneven roads and dead ground

- keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead

- safe overtaking

It focuses especially on being aware and showing consideration for:

- pedestrians, horse riders and animals in the road

- farm entrances

- slow moving vehicles

It also covers the correct use of a horn, coping with mud and debris on the road and how to use passing places.

Driving at night:

This covers the important parts of driving at night, dawn and dusk. You'll learn about:

- the importance of using headlights correctly

- adjusting to the dark

- judging speed and distance

- the correct use of lights and keeping them clean

- dealing with dazzle

- hard-to-see road users

- parking issues

Driving on dual carriageways:

Dual carriageways are high speed roads where the two carriageways are separated by a central reservation. You’ll need to have particular skills, including:

- effective observation, using your mirrors and checking blind spots

- judgement and planning ahead

- separation distances

- joining and leaving a dual carriageway

- overtaking and lane discipline

- the correct use of speed

Driving on motorways:

This should be a practical session if possible. If there is no motorway nearby, it will be covered in a theory session. You should drive on a motorway as soon as you can afterwards so you can put the theory into practice.

The topics covered include:

- journey planning

- joining and leaving a motorway, and using slip roads

- safe speeds in different circumstances

- effective observation

- signs, signals and markings

- overtaking and lane discipline

- courtesy to other road users

- motorway fatigue

- breakdown procedure,   use of lights, including hazard warning lights

- debris on the carriageway