December 2023
If you have been convicted of speeding in the United Kingdom, you may be eligible for a speed awareness course instead of penalty points and a hefty fine. But how much does a course on speed awareness cost, and what should you know before enrolling?
This article examines the details of speed awareness courses in the United Kingdom, including their cost, available options, and importance in promoting road safety.
A speed awareness course is a driver education programme designed to increase drivers’ awareness of their speed and the potential consequences of driving too quickly.
The course aims to increase driver awareness and promote road safety instead of punishing speeding drivers. During the course, drivers are instructed on speed limits, stopping distances, and the potential repercussions of exceeding the speed limit.
In addition, they are encouraged to have a positive outlook on road safety and to answer honestly when discussing their own driving habits.
On the roads of the United Kingdom, speeding is a leading cause of accidents. Speed-related accidents are estimated to result in approximately 400 deaths and serious injuries yearly. Additionally, speeding offences can result in speeding fines, licence points, and increased auto insurance premiums.
By taking a course on speed awareness, drivers can learn about the dangers of speeding and improve their driving habits, thereby making the roads safer for other motorists.
Before opting to take the national speed awareness course, many people wonder: how much does a speed awareness course cost?
The speed awareness course cost varies slightly based on the course provider and location but the cost of speed awareness course typically between £100-£150. The course fee is paid directly to the course provider and is distinct from any fines or fixed penalty notices you may have received for your speeding violation.
Attending a course on speed awareness can also reduce your auto insurance premiums. Because it demonstrates a commitment to road safety, some auto insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who have completed a speed awareness course.
In the United Kingdom, speeding is defined as exceeding the legal speed limit for the road, as specified in the Road Traffic Act.
The speed limit varies by road type and location, and the driver must always adhere to the limit. If you are a driver caught speeding here, you may be issued a fixed-penalty notice or face prosecution.
Depending on the severity of the offence and the driver’s driving history, the penalty for a speeding conviction can vary.
In most instances, the driver will receive a fixed penalty notice, which carries a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence. In more severe cases, the driver may be required to appear in court and face a heftier fine, additional penalty points, or even a driving ban.
If a driver accumulates 12 or more points within three years, he or she may be disqualified from driving.
Possessing penalty points on your licence can significantly affect your auto insurance premiums and future driving privileges.
If a new driver receives six or more penalty points within two years of passing their test, their licence will be revoked, and they will be required to retake both the theory and practical exams.
Participating in a course on speed awareness can help you avoid penalty points and maintain a clean driving record, making it easier to obtain auto insurance and preserve your driving privileges.
There are two main options
Typically, classroom courses are held in person and last approximately four hours.
They are administered by the local police force and course providers, which the local police department has authorised. Throughout the course, you will participate in group discussions and activities designed to help you comprehend the dangers of speeding and improve your driving practices.
The qualified course trainer will use visual aids and videos to explain the course material. The course fee may vary slightly based on the course’s location and provider.
Online courses can be completed from the comfort of your home using a desktop or laptop computer.
You can complete the online course at your own pace through a series of modules. The modules contain videos, quizzes, and interactive activities and cover the same material as the classroom course.
Online courses are a convenient alternative for those who cannot attend an in person classroom course and typically take four hours to complete.
Not all speeding offenders will be eligible for a speed awareness course. The decision to offer a course is left to the discretion of the local police force or department and depends on the offence’s particulars.
In general, you may be offered a speed awareness course if it is your first speeding offence, you were not driving significantly above the speed limit, and you have not attended one in the past three years. If you are eligible for a course, the police department will send you a letter with booking instructions.
The National Speed Awareness Course is designed for drivers caught speeding on an English, Welsh, or Northern Irish motorway or major road. DriveTech operates the course, which is available in both classroom and online formats.
The four-and-a-half-hour course covers topics such as the dangers of speeding, stopping distances, and cruise control. The cost of the course is £100, payable directly to DriveTech.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some course providers now offer virtual speed awareness courses that can be attended via video call.
The virtual course contains the same material as the classroom course but can be completed at home. This option is especially convenient for those who are unable to attend or book a speed awareness course in person due to health or other reasons.
Attending a course on speed awareness can be a beneficial experience for drivers who have been cited for speeding. By increasing your awareness of speed limits, stopping distances, and the dangers of speeding, you can become a safer and more responsible driver, thereby reducing your future risk of accidents and speeding fines.
The cost of the course varies by region, but it is an investment in your driving skills that could save you money on your auto insurance premiums in the long run. If you have been offered a course on speed awareness, we urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to improve your driving habits and promote road safety.
Completing a speed awareness course is usually preferable to receiving penalty points. By taking a course on speed awareness, you can avoid receiving points on your driver’s licence and potentially reduce your auto insurance premiums.
In addition, completing the online speed awareness course can heighten your awareness of speed limits and the dangers of exceeding them, making you a safer and more responsible driver.
No, you will not receive a fine and penalty points on your driver’s licence if you successfully complete a speed awareness course. You will instead receive a completion certificate, which you should keep for your records.
However, you may still be subject to penalty points and fines if you do not complete the course or do not attend.
No, taking a speed driving awareness course should not increase your auto insurance premiums. As it demonstrates a commitment to road safety and responsible driving, some auto insurance companies may offer discounts to drivers who have completed a speed awareness course.
Always check with your auto insurance company or provider to see if they offer discounts or incentives for course completion.
In the UK, taking a speed awareness lesson doesn’t add points to your licence. This means that it doesn’t stay on your driving record as long as a penalty would. Instead, it’s a way to teach people not to speed in the future.
But if you speed again within three years of taking the course, your past attendance will be taken into account, and you may not be given the option to take the course again. It’s important to know that even though the course doesn’t “stay” on your licence, the police and course providers keep records of your attendance for 3 years.
It is dependent on the course provider and course format. Some course providers offer online speed awareness courses that do not require Zoom and can be completed on a desktop computer or laptop.
Other courses may require you to participate in a virtual classroom using Zoom or another video-conferencing application. If you are uncertain about the course’s prerequisites, contact the provider for clarification.
Yes, failing a course on speed awareness is possible if you do not meet your local course provider’s requirements. The course is intended to be informative and educational rather than a test, but you will still be required to demonstrate comprehension of course material and commitment to safe, responsible driving. You may still be subject to penalty points and fines if you fail to complete the course or do not meet the course requirements.
A course on speed awareness typically consists of a single four-hour session. However, the format and duration of the course may differ depending on the location and course provider.
Some providers may offer online courses that can be completed in multiple sessions, but the content of these courses will be identical to that of classroom courses.
The speed awareness course eligibility decision is at the discretion of the local police department and is dependent on the nature of the offence.
In general, you may be offered a speed awareness course if it is your first speeding offence, you were not driving significantly above the speed limit, and you have not attended one in the past three years. If you were not offered a course, it might be because you need to meet these requirements or the course is not offered in your region.
If you are uncertain why you were not offered a course, you can contact your local police department for clarification.
No, taking a speed awareness course should not void your auto insurance policy.
However, if you fail to disclose your speeding violation or completion of a speed awareness course to your insurance provider, your policy could be voided.
To ensure that your insurance policy remains valid, you must inform your insurance company of any convictions or courses you have completed.
It depends on the particular circumstances and the local police department’s or course provider’s discretion.
You may not be eligible for a speed awareness course if you have multiple speeding convictions within a specified period. However, you should always check with your local police department or course provider to determine your eligibility.
Many British police forces offer speed awareness courses, though not all do. If you have received a speeding ticket, you should contact your local police department to find out if they offer a speed awareness course or if there are any local providers.
No, attending a speed awareness course should not affect your employment prospects.
However, suppose your job requires you to drive. In that case, the accumulation of penalty points on your licence or the loss of your licence due to a traffic violation can hinder your ability to perform your job duties.
Participating in a course on speed awareness can help you avoid penalty points and maintain a clean driving record, making it easier for you to keep a job that requires driving.
Rob writes and edits the content produced by the rest of the team. He has a degree in History from Leeds University and has producing, reviewing and editing the site since 2016
