Pass Plus & Younger Drivers

PASS PLUS

Pass Plus is a course aimed especially at newly qualified drivers. It should be viewed as an essential part of driver training. Statistics show that newly qualified drivers are at more risk of being involved in an accident than any other drivers.

Statistics from the Driving Standards Agency confirm that 20% of new drivers are involved in an accident in their first year of driving and that new drivers are involved in 25% of all fatal accidents. This is why insurance premiums for new drivers, especially young drivers, are so high. (Read more....)

Driving alone in a car is very different to driving under the guidance of a professional driving instructor. Pass Plus is a course aimed at reducing this risk. It includes lessons in motorway driving, driving on country lanes, night-time driving and driving in adverse weather. Successful completion of the course (which is based on instructor assessment, not another driving test) is recognised by many UK insurers and could lead to substantial reductions in your motor insurance premiums, maybe even a year's no claims bonus.

Even if you have passed your driving test with another driving school, you can still take Pass Plus with 1st Central. Unlike most other driving schools, 1st Central does not charge higher prices for Pass Plus than for normal lessons, other than a £3 enrolment fee to meet compulsory DSA charges levied on all Pass Plus instructors.

Further information about Pass Plus is available from the DSA's Pass Plus website: Pass Plus Info

Young Driver Courses

This is an opportunity for newly qualified drivers between the ages of 17 and 24 to take Pass Plus at a subsidised rate with over 50% of the cost being met by either Hampshire County Council or Portsmouth City Council, provided you live in a qualifying catchment area. If you qualify, you would receive 6 hours of additional driver training covering the six Pass Plus modules for approximately £60.

1st Central takes part in both the Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council Young Driver Courses. Take a course aimed at reducing your chance of becoming another serious road casualty. It might even save your life.

Further details are available from both councils:

Hampshire County Council Roadsafety Section

Mike Downey: Road Safety Co-ordinator

The courses are booked directly through Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council. If you wish to use 1st Central then you will need to nominate the proprietor, Patrick Clarke, as your instructor from the lists provided by each council.

Course fees and grants are paid differently according to which council catchment area you live in, but both will provide the relevant details. You will need to check current availability as the schemes can be oversubscribed and are subject to council budgetary constraints.

Successful conclusion of the course could lead to other benefits such as substantial discounts on future car insurance premiums. (Please note that extra lessons will need to be booked if your driving does not reach the required standard by the end of the minimum 6 hours instruction).

If you still need persuasion about taking Pass Plus then why not take the following test:

Don't Be A Loser Accident Risk Check (courtesy of Staffordshire County Council)