[Tom]

For those who don't know, once you've passed your driving test you get the option to do another course which involves driving in more extreme situations e.g. on motorways, on country roads, night time etc. Its meant to decrease chances of an accident by quite a lot and most people who do it feel more confident on the roads.

So with the government lately doing a lot for road safety, should the system remain how it is or should the pass plus course become compulsory before you get your license?

[Ninastar]

If you fail this test after you got your first one can you still drive? If so I will definitaly do this and it should be essential really.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Ninastar

If you fail this test after you got your first one can you still drive? If so I will definitaly do this and it should be essential really.

You can't fail it, its to build up experience. Its not another test

The government want more people to do it and with them going road safety mad lately, I think they should make it compulsory. Loads of people have no idea how to deal with motorways etc so have no confidence on them ... at risk of an accident

[Ninastar]

Ahh right. Then yeah this should definatly be done more.

[Shasown]

I dont think it should be compulsory for new drivers however it should be recommended to them both by their driving instructor and also the test examiner. Unless it becomes free for everyone. Any courses like this that increase road safety awareness are a good idea.

Its good to see most local authorities offer help with fees for it. And on successful completion you can get a discount on your insurance through some insurers.

I would also be interested in seeing people who tow caravans having to do a compulsory course also, with subjects like pulling over when there are queues behind you and how to reverse.

[\PJ/]

Im doing this straight after i pass my test IMO it will prepare you for the futre if you got a job somewhere and they wanted you the next day you can just get in the car and go without fearing the motorway because you know what to expect.

it should't be compulsory but i woud recomend it.

[Tom4784]

When I learn to drive I'll probably go for it, It'd be a good idea to probably publicize it more though as I've never heard of it until now.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Driving test age should be 21

no earlier

and yes to your point

[WOMBAI]

Yes, I think it should be compulsory, but also subsidised, perhaps on some sort of means tested basis. Anything that helps reduce accidents and road deaths is paramount. Too many idiotic drivers out there - how they ever passed their driving test is a complete mystery! I also think people should be re-tested every ten years - every 2 years in the case of newly qualified drivers and the elderly.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

Yes, I think it should be compulsory, but also subsidised, perhaps on some sort of means tested basis. Anything that helps reduce accidents and road deaths is paramount. Too many idiotic drivers out there - how they ever passed their driving test is a complete mystery! I also think people should be re-tested every ten years - every 2 years in the case of newly qualified drivers and the elderly.

So if it were to become compulsory, why not just include all the modules within the training prior to sitting a driving test?

[WOMBAI]

Originally Posted by Shasown

So if it were to become compulsory, why not just include all the modules within the training prior to sitting a driving test?

Yes, maybe - but I think people get lazy and into bad habits once passing their test - regular re-tests would hopefully keep them on the ball, so to speak!

[Beastie]

I never did the Pass Plus but I think I should have done it but I passed my driving test over 3 years ago now so I don't see a point doing Pass Plus now. Although it does seem wise to do it and I also heard you receive benefits such as cheaper insurance if you take up this scheme.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

Yes, maybe - but I think people get lazy and into bad habits once passing their test - regular re-tests would hopefully keep them on the ball, so to speak!

Very true, people do get lazy, but are extra compulsory tests the way forward? Some people simply train for tests then throw what they have learnt out of the window, other will still allow bad habits to develop after passing or even repassing.

Would compulsory training after a driving test reduce the likelihood of people having accidents on the road? A boy racer will still feel invincible after he had passed both the normal driving test and the Pass Plus, possibly even more invincible and take greater risks.

Emphasis on driving being a continually learning experience and cheaper access to voluntary scheme such as the Pass Plus and the school of Advanced Motorists training and Assessment schemes may produce better results.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by thebeast

I never did the Pass Plus but I think I should have done it but I passed my driving test over 3 years ago now so I don't see a point doing Pass Plus now. Although it does seem wise to do it and I also heard you receive benefits such as cheaper insurance if you take up this scheme.

It may help you unlearn any bad habits you have allowed yourself to slip into, everyone develops them.

Some insurers do offer lower premiums to people who have passed the Pass Plus course, however will they continue to do so in the future. I remember a lot of insurers used to offer discounts for being a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists but that seems to have fallen by the wayside.

[WOMBAI]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Very true, people do get lazy, but are extra compulsory tests the way forward? Some people simply train for tests then throw what they have learnt out of the window, other will still allow bad habits to develop after passing or even repassing.

Would compulsory training after a driving test reduce the likelihood of people having accidents on the road? A boy racer will still feel invincible after he had passed both the normal driving test and the Pass Plus, possibly even more invincible and take greater risks.

Emphasis on driving being a continually learning experience and cheaper access to voluntary scheme such as the Pass Plus and the school of Advanced Motorists training and Assessment schemes may produce better results.

Valid point - it is hard know what route is best. I just think that the people most in need of extra training are least likely to take it up on a voluntary basis.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

Valid point - it is hard know what route is best. I just think that the people most in need of extra training are least likely to take it up on a voluntary basis.

Yeah very true. Once people pass their tests, they think thats it, they always see the faults in other peoples driving, very few consider their own.

However, the Pass Plus training scheme is fairly extensive and is broken down into 6 modules, to make it compulsory for everyone would be a bit of an overkill. The costs of setting it up to become compulsory for everyone may be prohibitive.

What would happen for example to the nervous middle aged lady who uses her car to go shopping and would never dream of ever driving on a motorway, should she be made to sit the motorway driving module? If exceptions were made like this how would you enforce it?

[Sophii3x]

I don't think they should be compulsory, but I do think more people need to at least consider doing it. How much is it to take? I heared it can be up to Ł100.. maybe more people would do it if it was slightly cheaper?
I've only done 8 and a half hours of lessons but I know that I definately want to do the pass-plus after I do my driving test.

[30stone]

I never done it and im useless on the motorways...

It also makes your insurance cheaper if you do it.

[WOMBAI]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Yeah very true. Once people pass their tests, they think thats it, they always see the faults in other peoples driving, very few consider their own.

However, the Pass Plus training scheme is fairly extensive and is broken down into 6 modules, to make it compulsory for everyone would be a bit of an overkill. The costs of setting it up to become compulsory for everyone may be prohibitive.

What would happen for example to the nervous middle aged lady who uses her car to go shopping and would never dream of ever driving on a motorway, should she be made to sit the motorway driving module? If exceptions were made like this how would you enforce it?

Not sure - maybe the normal driving test should not include motorway driving. If people want to the right to drive on motorways - they should then do extra training. Maybe the licence could be colour coded according to what degree of training they have received. There should be hugh penalties for people breaking these rules, including immediate suspension of their licence. Don't see how it would be any less enforcable than other forms of driving offences.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

Not sure - maybe the normal driving test should not include motorway driving. If people want to the right to drive on motorways - they should then do extra training. Maybe the licence could be colour coded according to what degree of training they have received. There should be hugh penalties for people breaking these rules, including immediate suspension of their licence. Don't see how it would be any less enforcable than other forms of driving offences.

The normal test doesnt include motorway driving, however passing your test allows you to drive on all roads.

Its not so much about it being enforceable or not, its the cost of enforcing it. And at the moment its more about assessing, training and improving rather than a pass fail test.

If you immediately suspend someones licence on the hard shoulder how do they move away from the motorway, they arent allowed to walk down the hard shoulder. They cant remove their vehicle.


Also what happens if you live in the country but work in a town or city, you have had your licence for ten years, you pass town driving but fail or havent undertook rural driving or driving at night? Can you use your car to go to work if you know you will be driving later when its dark?

[WOMBAI]

Originally Posted by Shasown

The normal test doesnt include motorway driving, however passing your test allows you to drive on all roads.

That is what I meant - that passing a normal test allows motorway driving.

Yes, there are many barriers - but something needs to be done!

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Yeah very true. Once people pass their tests, they think thats it, they always see the faults in other peoples driving, very few consider their own.

However, the Pass Plus training scheme is fairly extensive and is broken down into 6 modules, to make it compulsory for everyone would be a bit of an overkill. The costs of setting it up to become compulsory for everyone may be prohibitive.

What would happen for example to the nervous middle aged lady who uses her car to go shopping and would never dream of ever driving on a motorway, should she be made to sit the motorway driving module? If exceptions were made like this how would you enforce it?

You never know when it might come in useful! What if she fancied going shopping in another city for once or wanted to go and see someone? Or even for a day out?

I think its very impractical that new drivers are allowed on the motorway with no training, its letting someone without their provisional on the road straight away.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by WOMBAI

That is what I meant - that passing a normal test allows motorway driving.

Yes, there are many barriers - but something needs to be done!

Yeah something does need to be done. In the forces, if driving was considered to be a major part requirement for your job, after passing a driving test you had to then undergo a training module that consisted of trailer towing, tactical driving(cross country and adverse driving conditions), motorway driving , night driving and skid training. I was looking recently for something similar proper training and not just the day out jolly thing. for my son and the costs are exhorbitant.

I can thoroughly endorse the advice given and the experience of this kind of additional training. However if it was to be made compulsory I feel this would have an adverse effect on the people who would benefit most from it.