21May 2025
Congratulations to David Flynn, who completed the final part of his Passplus on May 7, 2025.
Dave decided to split the 6-hour course into 2 separate drives. We did the first part a couple of weeks ago in my car. This was the first time he had driven an automatic and also his first time on a motorway or city centre. We practiced several motorway junctions and discussed the dangers of joining a motorway from a slip road, as well as what to be aware of when you are already on a motorway, but you’re approaching a slip road where other cars are about to join your lane. We then continued on towards Chester city centre, and experienced roadworks and closed lanes. Good awareness and planning were crucial to stay safe through this particularly hazardous section.
Yesterday evening we used Dave’s manual car (his first-ever car, which he has only had for a month). We drove through the Mersey tunnel, through Liverpool city centre, following signs to M62. We continued towards Manchester and got onto M60 towards Trafford Park, where we stopped for a coffee at the Chill Factore. Our return journey was via M6, M56, and M53, in the dusk, then darkness.
We finished off with a drive down some very dark, narrow unlit, single-track roads in Storeton, making use of full-beam headlights, which Dave hadn’t experienced before.
At the end of the course, Dave now feels that he has the confidence to make some longer journeys by himself. Hiking in Yorkshire is top of his list!
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed our 2 very worthwhile road trips, and hope the course opens up a world of new driving adventures!