Pass Plus Kirsten's blog

Yesterday I carried out my Pass Plus training and can truthfully say that I loved every moment of it. I am an 18 year old newly qualified driver (passed my test in October 2009) and have recently lost my confidence after having an accident, where I lost control of my car, due to my lack of driving experience. I had always fancied doing my pass plus, but finally decided to go for it as I wanted to regain my confidence, get practice driving in towns and on motorways and to overall become a better driver.

Before my training day I was actually surprised at how nervous I felt. I have been driving for months and got on really well with my driving instructor, but felt that my driving skills had deteriorated since passing my test. Also, having never driven outside Argyll before, I wondered how I would cope driving on busier roads around Glasgow.

However, as soon as we started I felt calm, relaxed and ready to improve my driving skills. We covered the 6 modules on the syllabus, helping me gain further driving experience, by teaching me how to deal with many situations- some of which I had never faced before. The 6 modules include; town driving, all-weather driving, out of town driving and rural roads, night driving, dual carriageways and motorways. As I was carrying out my training in the space of one day, we could only cover the night driving in theory, but even this gave me some useful hints and tips about how I can adjust to driving in the dark.

I began my training by driving towards Balloch (covering out of town and rural roads). I felt comfortable with this kind of driving as these are the kind or roads I’m used to. However, saying this, I now feel much more confident about my skills in handling rural hazards and will think a lot more about my observations in the future. After reaching Balloch and tackling the roundabouts, we set off along the dual carriageway towards Dumbarton, where there was plenty more unusual roundabouts to encounter. Now this really was new driving for me, cars and other hazards everywhere making me think about my spatial awareness, but I was finding it exciting and loving exploring new places to drive. On the dual carriageway, I had to really think about forward planning, practiced overtaking and before I knew it I was leaving the dual carriageway, over the Erskine Bridge and on to the motorway, heading for Paisley.

Driving on the motorway was the section of the course I was most worried about and it was great to have a driving instructor beside me to talk me through what to do. I was given invaluable advice on; how to join the motorway, changing lanes, overtaking, motorway signs, forward planning and how to leave the motorway, but I now realise that there was nothing to worry about and I am capable of driving them. I was actually amazed at how relaxed I felt, but do not think I would have had the confidence to take on these new challenges without an instructor sitting beside me.

Paisley gave me my first chance to look at typical features of urban roads and more experience of observation, judgement and awareness before I hit the centre of Glasgow. I then got another chance to take to the motorway, heading to Braehead, where there were many more roundabouts and a multi story car park to confront. I particularly enjoyed having a go in a multi story car park, as this is something you definitely don’t have in Argyll! Following this, we went back out on to the motorway, over the Kingston Bridge and straight into the centre of Glasgow. I know Glasgow quite well and have been there by bus many times, however I soon realised that things seem much different when you are driving yourself. There were hazards everywhere, I constantly had to assess what I saw, be considerate of vulnerable road users and keep space around my car. This town driving session was extremely useful as I really had to think differently as a driver and learn new skills for the town.

Coming out of town, we went through the Clyde Tunnel to Hillington and back through Clydebank giving me yet more valuable town driving experiences that I have never had before. On the way back home we took an alternative route, giving me more understanding of how to tackle bends, hills, uneven roads and other rural hazards.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the Pass Plus course and feel that I benefited greatly from the experience.  I found it worthwhile as it enabled me to gain more quality driving experience on roads I had never driven before. I now feel more confident about my driving and believe that my driving skills have improved. I would recommend the course to everyone, as it is a great way to gain more experience and to become a safer driver. I feel like I could drive anywhere on my own and it was just what I needed to give me back my confidence!