Road safety driver training

Older driver refresher training

For many older people in Herefordshire, a driving licence provides independence, the ability to keep in touch with friends and attend social events. We are committed to helping people to retain their independent mobility whilst remaining safe on the road.

However, with increasing age many people start to lose confidence in their driving abilities. They may find that their eyesight, hearing and judgement are not as sharp as they used to be. Also, our roads are constantly changing; they are becoming busier with larger and faster vehicles.

Some practical driver training can help to increase confidence, improve driving skills and reduce the risk of being involved in a collision.

We offer drivers who live in Herefordshire and are aged 70 or over a two hour practical driving session with an approved driving instructor, in their own vehicle. It will only cost you £10.00; Herefordshire Council will pay the remainder of the fee.

For further information and an application form please phone 01432 260946 or email eljones@herefordshire.gov.uk or jfreeman@herefordshire.gov.uk

Alternatively you can download the application form below.

Young drivers

Road traffic collisions are the biggest cause of accidental death among young people with over 1000 17-25 year olds killed every year as a result of a road traffic collision. In Herefordshire in 2008 over 30% of people dying on our roads were in the 16-19 age group.

• A 17 year old male driver is seven times more likely to be involved in a collision than any other age group
• If you have just passed your test, your reactions could be up to two seconds slower at recognising potential hazards
• The accident rate to novice drivers drops by more than 30 per cent after the first year of driving

Three of the main reasons why so many young people are involved in road traffic collisions are:

• A lower level of technical experience
• A less developed road sense
• An attitude that results in risk taking

If you are a novice driver you may wish to consider joining the Pass Plus scheme to improve your standard of driving.

Pass Plus

Pass Plus is a Driving Standards Agency sponsored scheme to promote improved standards of driving, primarily among novice drivers.

The scheme consists of six specially designed driver training sessions. The course follows a structured programme of tuition designed to help you become a more confident driver. You will gain experience on roads and in conditions that you are not familiar with, such as town driving, rural driving all weather driving, night driving, motorways and dual carriageways.

There is no test at the end of it - your driving will be continually assessed and you must successfully complete all the modules in the course to an "achieved" or "exceeded" standard.

On completion of the course you will be issued with a certificate which can be used to gain a substantial discount on your first year's insurance from a list of companies.

With Pass Plus you will:

• Gain valuable driving experience safely
• Be taught how to deal with a wide range of road and traffic situations, many of which you probably won't have faced before
• Build on your existing skills and knowledge - it can take years to become a skilled driver 
• Reduce your risk of being in a road crash - the course will help boost your awareness of all kinds of hazards and help you learn how to anticipate, plan for and deal with them safely
• Boost your confidence - if you feel nervous driving on your own, Pass Plus training can help

Herefordshire Council's Subsidised Scheme

Herefordshire Council will pay £50 towards the cost of Pass Plus providing:

• You live in Herefordshire
• You have passed your test within the last 12 months

For further information and an application form please contact the Road Safety Team on 01432 260946 or email eljones@herefordshire.gov.uk or jfreeman@herefordshire.gov.uk