Do advanced driving courses really lower your car insurance costs?

What is an advanced driving course?

Advanced driving courses help improve your road safety, building on the skills you learnt when passing your driving test. Instead of teaching you how to drive, they focus on how to drive better – improving observation, anticipation, positioning and control in real-world driving situations.

If you’ve taken an advanced driving course, some insurers might offer cheaper car insurance quotes. The key word here is ‘might’, although more on this shortly.

Advanced driving programmes are crash courses in not crashing. They involve learning how to drive defensively, with greater awareness of the road and other road users. But defensive driving doesn’t mean driving slowly.

Advanced driving courses:

• Teach you to drive with more confidence
• Give you greater control of your vehicle, whether car or motorbike
• Help you reduce your car’s wear and tear 
• Save money on petrol or diesel – more control equals better fuel efficiency
• Progress your driving to the next level, ultimately making you safer on the road
• Give you a skill you can put on your CV

Will an advanced driving course actually save you money on car insurance?

An advanced driving course might reduce your car insurance premium, but it’s by no means guaranteed. Some insurers offer discounts to drivers with recognised qualifications because they’re seen as lower risk, while others don’t factor them in at all.

To benefit, you need to declare the qualification when getting quotes. Compare insurers carefully, as not all providers recognise the same courses.

Here are some other useful pointers if you're looking to save money on car insurance.

Who can take an advanced driving course?

Anyone with a full UK driving licence can take an advanced driving course, regardless of age or how long they’ve been driving. You don’t need a minimum level of experience, and many courses are suitable for:

• Newly qualified or young drivers
• Drivers who are nervous about going on the motorway
• People returning to driving after a break
• Experienced drivers wanting to refresh or refine their skills

The key areas these courses focus on include enhanced observation, hazard perception, vehicle control and driving efficiency – all skills that help reduce risk on the road.

Plus some courses meet the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)’s quality-assured standards. This means they follow nationally recognised criteria for safer driving and are delivered by qualified instructors.

What are the differences between advanced driving lessons and standard lessons?

Standard driving lessons are designed to help learner drivers pass the driving test by covering the core skills required to drive legally and safely. But advanced driving lessons go further.

Advanced courses focus less on rules and more on judgement. This is all about teaching drivers how to read the road ahead, anticipate hazards early, and position their vehicle smoothly and safely.

There’s also more emphasis on real-world scenarios, such as high-speed roads, complex junctions and changing weather conditions, rather than test-style manoeuvres.

What will I learn on an advanced driving course?

While the content varies by provider, most advanced driving courses teach a similar set of skills. These are in essence the principles of defensive driving, which include:

• Advanced observation techniques to spot hazards earlier
• Better anticipation of other road users’ behaviour
• Improved vehicle positioning and cornering
• Safer overtaking and motorway driving
• Smoother braking and acceleration
• More efficient driving to reduce fuel use and wear

The aim isn’t just to pass an assessment. Rather, it’s to build habits that make driving safer and more confident over time.

How long does an advanced driving course take?

The length of advanced driving training depends on the course itself and the driver’s experience. Some courses are completed in a single day, while others are spread across several sessions over a few weeks.

Most involve multiple hours of on-road tuition, often tailored to your ability, with continuous feedback rather than a rigid lesson structure.

Which are the most popular advanced driving courses in the UK?

Several well-established advanced driving courses are widely recognised across the UK.

Pass Plus

Pass Plus is run by the UK government's Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). It’s a six-module course aimed mainly at new or young drivers who’ve recently passed their test. It covers areas such as motorway driving, night driving and driving in different weather conditions.

There’s no test at the end. Instead, assessment is continuous throughout the course. Pass Plus is delivered by Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs),and is often seen as a confidence-boosting next step after passing the driving test.

IAM RoadSmart

IAM RoadSmart courses are delivered by the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM), based on the Roadcraft system. This focuses on observation, control, timing and positioning. The course ends with a formal test, and successful drivers gain an advanced driving qualification and IAM membership.

IAM also offers alternative options such as the Young Driver Assessment and Mature Driver Review for senior drivers. These are informal assessments designed to boost confidence rather than lead to a qualification.

RoSPA Advanced Drivers and Riders

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) advanced driving courses aim to achieve the highest standards of road safety, also using Roadcraft principles. Drivers take a graded test – Bronze, Silver or Gold – overseen by serving or retired police officers.

To maintain a gold standard, drivers must retest every three years. Training is often provided free through local volunteer groups, although there’s usually a test fee or membership cost.

How much does an advanced driving course cost?

Costs vary depending on the course and provider. These are some of the typical prices you can expect to pay:

• Pass Plus: around £150–£200, although it could go up to £300 depending on where you live and the instructor. Certain councils offer discounts. In particular, in Wales the Pass Plus Cymru course is heavily subsidised and can cost just £20.
• IAM RoadSmart: the Advanced Driver/Rider Course costs around £204-£215 (including the first year's membership). Annual membership renewal is around £47-£52 (and usually cheaper by direct debit).
• RoSPA: costs vary. The Advanced Test fee costs around £77 for cars and £85 for bikes (including 1 year's membership), although you need to join a local group for a small annual fee (eg £35-£40). Training is often free or otherwise cheap through these local groups.

While there’s an upfront cost, you might feel that the long-term benefits make it worthwhile. Even if you don’t save on your car insurance, the improved skills and confidence should lead to being safer on the road. While this is a benefit in itself, it could indirectly lower your premiums through hopefully many years of claim-free driving.