New driver = worried dad.

[Beezerk]

My daughter passed her driving test a couple of weeks ago and picked up her car on Saturday so she's now out and about on the roads.
I should be over the moon, I am obviously but I'm also a bit worried about her specially given how the road conditions aren't great at the moment.
Has anyone done or sent their kids on the Pass Plus course? I'm not really bothered about potential saving on insurance it's the road skills I'd be interested in, does it teach them road craft and danger perception etc?

 

[Dibby]

I did it years ago, it's not going to give them the experience that comes from time on the road, but it covers conditions that they may have not yet experienced, such as motorway driving, night driving etc...

The insurance discount was almost non-existent, but if your daughter has only ever driven during the daytime during lessons, it will be useful just to give the varied experience, definitely, the motorway part is useful for all new drivers.

 

[robinthehood]

Learners can take lessons on motorways now, what I did buy here as was breakdown cover which has proved invaluable.

 

[Beezerk]

Learners can take lessons on motorways now, what I did buy here as was breakdown cover which has proved invaluable.

That's a great shout. I never thought of that.

 

[ScienceBoy]

One huge tip is to not stop learning just because a test was passed.

Get right into some advanced driving courses.

I wish I had done that, a few friends did and I see the difference 10-15 years on.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Is it worth contacting the local IAM branch to see if they do anything suitable or could point you in the right direction?

As the guy who taught me a lot said when I passed, “Now the learning really starts”; it would potentially do no harm to get her some right influence to offset the less informed influence she may get from her peers.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Learners can take lessons on motorways now, what I did buy here as was breakdown cover which has proved invaluable.

That's a great shout. I never thought of that.

It's a shame she is 60-70 miles from a motorway . It is a genuinely good point but the NE and motorways don't go together. She can go on a lovely dual carriageway though.

My daughter has been learning at the same time, they cancelled her test 2 weeks ago . It's a great time to learn as both will have driven in daylight, darkness, dry, wet etc.

My son passed his test 2 years ago. He doesn't have a car but borrows my wifes. Very nervous the first few times but you have to trust them, hope the safety messages have got through. So far so good.

Well done to your daughter by the way . It's tough being a parent, isn't it?

 

[Beezerk]

It's a shame she is 60-70 miles from a motorway . It is a genuinely good point but the NE and motorways don't go together. She can go on a lovely dual carriageway though.

My daughter has been learning at the same time, they cancelled her test 2 weeks ago . It's a great time to learn as both will have driven in daylight, darkness, dry, wet etc.

My son passed his test 2 years ago. He doesn't have a car but borrows my wifes. Very nervous the first few times but you have to trust them, hope the safety messages have got through. So far so good.

Well done to your daughter by the way . It's tough being a parent, isn't it?

Just a bit mate
The A1 is like driving on a motorway, mental at times
I did a driving course through work a few years ago and it was excellent, he taught me things I'd never even considered (yes that does sound a touch rude )
It's a shame I don't have his contact details as I'd book with him if I did.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Just a bit mate
The A1 is like driving on a motorway, mental at times
I did a driving course through work a few years ago and it was excellent, he taught me things I'd never even considered (yes that does sound a touch rude )
It's a shame I don't have his contact details as I'd book with him if I did.

You are right but the extra lane on a motorway does make a difference as suddenly you have to check both sides, if you are in the middle lane, rather than just one. It is that little bit more intimidating if you are not used to it. Luckily for us my sons first experience was over on the M6 in Cumbria and that is a pretty gentle introduction. If you are bored one Sunday it may be worth suggesting going over there. It is a bit extreme but if you are nervous about that it may be the way to go.

 

[robinthehood]

You are right but the extra lane on a motorway does make a difference as suddenly you have to check both sides, if you are in the middle lane, rather than just one. It is that little bit more intimidating if you are not used to it. Luckily for us my sons first experience was over on the M6 in Cumbria and that is a pretty gentle introduction. If you are bored one Sunday it may be worth suggesting going over there. It is a bit extreme but if you are nervous about that it may be the way to go.

The A1 is a motorway around here.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

The A1 is a motorway around here.

You are just showing off

 

[Leftie]

Most of what the newly qualified driver has learnt is how to pass the test.

Learning to drive starts after the test is passed.

Getting extra hours experience with a qualified instructor is the way to go.

IMO of course.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

My lad did the Pass Plus course and it certainly improved his confidence.

 

[CliveW]

It depends on how keen she is to develop good driving skills. When I passed my test some 45 years age and subsequently when my kids learnt to drive fifteen years ago I bought them a copy of Roadcraft, the police driver's handbook which was invaluable. http://www.roadcraft.co.uk/roadcraft/

 

[Imurg]

Pass Plus is ok but it does depend on the instructor and it's a bit limited in that you have 6 hours to cover Town, Rural, Night, Weather, Dual Carriageways and Motorways.
Most of my pupils will have done most of that before they pass, sadly not all instructors teach the kids to drive, many just teach to pass the test.
These days, the Test is much more realistic, although to my mind it took a step back when they introduced the SatNav section.
It cert5wouldnt hurt getting IAM involved but, for me, there's no substitute for road time.
Get out and drive!

 

[clubchamp98]

That's a great shout. I never thought of that.

And a dash cam to back her up in the scam scenario.
My daughter was at a roundabout ,they prey on young girls so NO P plates it’s a magnet.
All you can do is trust what she has learnt.

 

[jim8flog]

I took my son on a hazardous driving course (skid control etc) I sat in the back. Well worth the money.

 

[sev112]

Even when they pass, make them take you out driving VERY regularly. ask them, as they drive, to continuously talk through the hazards that they see and what they are doing. don’t interrupt, occasionally say “car overtaking” or “kids on pavement coming up” etc.

This way they get great value experience in safe and comfortable environment, AND you get to feel progressively more confident about their driving and risk management

DONT SHOUT / CRITICISE or tell them that their driving instructor didn’t do things the RIGHT way

 

[Beezerk]

And a dash cam to back her up in the scam scenario.
My daughter was at a roundabout ,they prey on young girls so NO P plates it’s a magnet.
All you can do is trust what she has learnt.

You lot are going to cost me a fortune this Xmas

 

[Beezerk]

Thanks for all the replies, I've contacted IAM to see what they offer in my area