Pass +, who's done it and is it worth it?

timbob · 16 Mar 2007 at 20:18

I did it the other year, more than 3 years and 60,000 miles after passing my test. The insurance savings with 3 years NCB already were negligible, but I did it at a reduced rate, as a mate is a driving instructor, and I actually picked up a couple of good tips which I integrated into my normal driving. I came out of the pass plus feeling more observant, safer, and if I'm honest, a little shown up in some areas of my driving.

But I did get an "exceeded the standard required" on about 85% of the tick boxes. Apparently, the advice given to instructors is not to give out more than 1 in 10 "exceeded" marks, so I did pretty well!

saitrix · 16 Mar 2007 at 20:28

timbob said:
I did it the other year, more than 3 years and 60,000 miles after passing my test. The insurance savings with 3 years NCB already were negligible, but I did it at a reduced rate, as a mate is a driving instructor, and I actually picked up a couple of good tips which I integrated into my normal driving. I came out of the pass plus feeling more observant, safer, and if I'm honest, a little shown up in some areas of my driving.

But I did get an "exceeded the standard required" on about 85% of the tick boxes. Apparently, the advice given to instructors is not to give out more than 1 in 10 "exceeded" marks, so I did pretty well!

Wow if you felt pass plus had helped you that much I strongly advise you to try out doing the IAM advanced driving test. I felt that taught me a hell of a lot more and was only £70 for the whole thing! Was good aswell as you could have a laugh with your observer and examiner. All the way through the exam I was just talking to this traffic policeman about cars. Enjoyed accually doing the test I am amazed to say as I was a bag of nerves for my DSA test.

timbob · 16 Mar 2007 at 20:50

saitrix said:
Wow if you felt pass plus had helped you that much I strongly advise you to try out doing the IAM advanced driving test. I felt that taught me a hell of a lot more and was only £70 for the whole thing! Was good aswell as you could have a laugh with your observer and examiner. All the way through the exam I was just talking to this traffic policeman about cars. Enjoyed accually doing the test I am amazed to say as I was a bag of nerves for my DSA test.

It wasn't a massive amount. I just picked up the odd tip. For example, I'd never look over my left shoulder and out of the rear quarter window to check my blind spot before moving to the left to exit a big roundabout. Now I do, and it saved me from crashing into a bint who shouldn't have been there just the other week.

I have thought about the IAM thing, but there's no nearby groups for me, and I drive 600+ miles a week for work already and only have 2 free evenings a week, so not massive amounts of free time going!