Approach Pass Plus Scheme

The Approach Motoring Schools Pass Plus scheme is aimed at new drivers to help them become safer drivers and may save on insurance premiums. Your Approach Instructor will help you complete the six training modules to pass the training course.

Pass Plus is an established training course aimed at new drivers. It was designed by the Driving Standards Agency with the help of insurers and the driving instruction industry.

Statistics show that new drivers are more likely to have a collision, whether it is just a scrape or something a little more serious, in the first two years after passing their test. This is because of their lack of driving experience.

Approach Pass Plus builds on skills and knowledge you would have learnt from your Driving Instructor. We will teach you how to anticipate, plan ahead further and deal with all kinds of hazards, this will help you become a more confident driver.

You can take a Pass Plus course at any time. However, it’s mainly aimed at new drivers and within the first year after passing the practical test.

Approach Pass Plus consists of six modules about driving in different conditions:

in town, in all weathers, on rural roads, at night, on dual carriageways and on motorways

Approach Pass Plus Pupil's Guide

At the start of your course, your Approach instructor will give you a copy of the 'Pass Plus Pupil's Guide'. This contains detailed information about all aspects of Pass Plus.

The Pass Plus training will take at least six hours (excluding the initial workshop), though it can take longer if the Instructor feels you will benefit from extra training.

Approach Pass Plus is essentially a practical course and all modules should be practical sessions. However, local conditions and time of year may determine that some modules need to be given as a theory session. A theory session could be given if you are taking the course in the summer and unable to take night time lessons. These are normally in car theory sessions. Generally at least five and a half out of six hours should be spent in the car.

You will not have to take a test at the end of the course however your Approach Instructor will be assessing during the modules.

Your Approach instructor will complete a training report form that you’ll sign and date when you reach the required standard in each module. To pass the course you'll need to reach a satisfactory standard in all the course modules. You’ll be given a progress record to help you to keep track of your progress throughout the course.

On successfully completing your training you'll be sent your Pass Plus certificate to claim your discount on your car insurance policy.

Approach Motoring School advises that you to check for available discounts offered by insurance companies for young drivers who have completed the Pass Plus course and the amount you can save will depend on the insurance company you choose. (See Approach list below supplied by the Driving Standards Agency)

If you do not have a car at the moment, you may be able to defer the discount for up to two years, but you would need to check with the insurance company.

If you passed your practical driving test more than a year ago, check that you will be eligible for the discount on offer from your insurance company before you take the course. You should check which company offers you the best discount as this may vary area to area. You could save more money on your insurance than you actually paid for your Pass Plus course, especially when you take up the rebate scheme offered by Approach Motoring School and Somerset County Council, effectively getting your training for free.

When you contact the insurers, you need to check that a Pass Plus discount is available to you.

Here is a list of insurers who support Pass Plus Scheme offered by Approach Motoring School

·         4Counties Insurance

·         Adrian Flux Insurance Services

·         Churchill Insurance

·         CIS

·         Click4Gap (enter voucher code 'PASSPLUS10GAP')

·         Direct Line

·         Endsleigh

·         i-Kube

·         Privilege

·         Quinn Direct Insurance Ltd

·         Royal and Sun Alliance

·         Swinton Car Insurance

·         Young Marmalade

You may also consider working towards your advanced driving test. Passing this test would take your driving skills to an even higher level, and provide you with further financial benefits, contact Approach Motoring School head office for more information. 01935 804777

Towing a Trailer Cat B+E

This can be a very confusing area, however its not a grey area as some may say.

If you know anybody who is towing a trailer and they passed their test after 1st January 1997 then they may be towing illegally. (They’ll be 31/32 years old)

These drivers are allowed to drive and tow a combination of up to 3.5 tonnes (category B) with a 750kg trailer (4.25 tonnes total Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) Category B, which is a standard car, vehicles with trailers over 750kg, provided that the combined MAM does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and the gross MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle. To be able to tow combinations outside this weight requires an additional test.

For example, if you know anyone towing a trailer of 1.25 tonnes with a vehicle of the same weight vehicle, they will be towing illegally Should the same vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes when coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.5 tonnes would fall within category B+E. This is because although the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is within the 3.5 tonnes MAM limit, the MAM of the trailer is more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle. Vehicle manufacturers normally recommend a maximum weight of trailer appropriate to their vehicle and details can be found in the vehicle's handbook or obtained from the dealerships. The size of the trailer recommended for an average family car with an unladen weight of around 1 tonne would be well within the new category B threshold.

An exemption from the driver licensing trailer limit allows a category B licence holder to tow a broken down vehicle from a position where it would otherwise cause danger or obstruction to other road users.

Towing caravans

As for towing caravans, existing general guidance recommends that the laden weight of the caravan does not exceed 85% of the unladen weight of the car. In the majority of cases, caravans and small trailers towed by cars should be within the new category B threshold.

By passing a category B test national categories F (tractor), K (pedestrian controlled vehicle) and P (moped) continue to be added automatically.

Category B+E: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM towing trailers over 750kgs MAM Category B+E allows vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM to be combined with trailers in excess of 750kgs MAM. In order to gain this entitlement new category B licence holders have to pass a further practical test for category B+E, however you do not need to take a Theory Test. For driver licensing purposes there are no vehicle/trailer weight ratio limits for category B+E.

If in doubt, take the test. It’s better to invest in trailer towing lessons than that of a possible £500 fine and points on your licence.

Approach Motoring School

Welcome to Approach Motoring School

Approach Motoring School offer driver training that is second to none, you need look no further to find a driving school. We cover Sturminster Newton, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Yeovil, Chard, Crewkerne and the surrounding villages.
The team at Approach believe learning to drive should be an enjoyable experience and more importantly, we make sure that you learn all the skills to be a confident and safe driver for life. By keeping our level of instruction high in a pleasant teaching environment our learners experience is made more enjoyable due to our friendly driving instructors.

At Approach we take a holistic attitude, teaching you not only how to pass the test but also how to drive safely and with respect. Your instructor will share all the knowledge and skills that you will need to take you to your tests and beyond, and will encourage you to achieve a number of goals.

Should you decide to have extra driving practice with a friend or relation, our instructors will work with you and your accompanying driver, this way you will get the best from your extra practice and we all to work together to achieve better results.All our driving instructors are Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) police checked and all adopt the DSA's Code of Conduct to promote the Safe Driving for Life campaign.

Remember to ask about our FREE Theory Class.

Approach Motoring School
01935 804777