what does speed awareness course involve

A speed awareness course is an instructor-led session that offers an honest discussion about safe driving. It aims to change your attitude towards speeding and make you a safer driver. Most importantly, it is a theory test refresher.

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What happens on speed awareness?

The session is designed to reduce the likelihood of you speeding in future, and will include information about stopping distances, improving awareness of your surroundings, and working out the speed limit of an unfamiliar road. It will also touch on the possible consequences of speeding.

How long is a speed awareness course on Zoom?

two and a half hoursA virtual speed awareness course session is usually two and a half hours long with a 10-minute break in-between. You'll be sent instructions on how to join using a secure link and attend the online sessions. In case you're unable to attend the course, you can usually reschedule your booking.

How long is a speed awareness course UK?

about four hoursWhat happens on a speed awareness course? The course is designed to encourage you to drive responsibly within safe speed limits. It usually lasts for about four hours. This may sound a bit dull, but in fact the majority of people who take the course praise the experience and say they've learnt something new.

Can you fail a speed awareness course?

A speed awareness course does not contain any tests, so technically you cannot fail a course. However, the workshop leaders will expect you to engage and to take part in discussions. After the course, they'll call the police to let them know that you've fulfilled your commitment.

Do they ask you questions on a speed awareness course?

This depends entirely on whether or not the insurer asks the question. If they do not ask, it cannot be used as a factor when working out your premium. However, if you are indeed asked whether you have attended one, you will need to answer honestly, and your premium may be affected depending on underwriting criteria.

Do I have to tell my insurance company about a speed awareness course?

You don't legally have to tell your insurance provider that you've been on a speed awareness course, unless they specifically ask you. You won't be asked when starting a quote with us, as it's not classed as a driving conviction.

Does 3 points affect your insurance?

However, bearing all that in mind, research suggests three points could raise a driver's car insurance premium by an average of 5%, while six penalty points could push the cost of insurance up by an average of 25%.

Do I need to tell insurance about points?

You should inform your insurance company of any penalty points you have received. The details you provide to them form the basis for your insurance quote and subsequent insurance cover. If any of the details change or are incorrect and you do not inform your insurer, it may affect your cover.

How many points can you get for speed awareness?

If you’ve already been on a speed awareness course in the last three years, you won’t be able to do it again and you’ll likely be slapped with at least three points and a fine.

What to do if you've been caught speeding?

If you’ve been caught speeding, you may be invited to attend a speed awareness course. Here’s what you can expect. Speed awareness courses - sometimes referred to as driver awareness courses – are for motorists who’ve been caught speeding and want to avoid points on their licence and a fine.

Does speed awareness raise insurance premiums?

Some insurance companies may raise your premium as a result, but not all of them do. If you find that the cost of your car insurance has gone up after declaring that you’ve been on a speed awareness course, it might be a good time to shop around for a better deal.

How long is a speed awareness course?

Speed awareness courses take between 4/5 hours with a break in the middle. They don’t provide food, so you’ll need to bring your own if you wish to eat during the break. Courses are available during the day, evenings and at weekends.

What is speed awareness?

A speed awareness course is an instructor-led session that offers an honest discussion about safe driving. It aims to change your attitude towards speeding and make you a safer driver. Most importantly, it is a theory test refresher.

What to do if you've been caught speeding?

If you’ve been caught speeding, you may be offered a speed awareness course. It’s a discussion about driving habits that aims to change your attitude towards speed and make you a safer driver.

Does the police offer speed awareness courses?

Your police force doesn’t offer speed awareness courses. If you’re eligible for a speed awareness course, your Notice of Intended Prosecution (the document informing you of a speeding offence), will give you the option and all the relevant information.

Is speed awareness a punishment?

Speed awareness courses aren’t quite as non-patronising as the providers describe. For starters , it is still a punishment. It’s less severe than a speeding fine, but you do have to ‘sit down, do as you’re told, get it done and move on’.

Does speed awareness affect your driving licence?

This means you may see higher quotes than you’re used to. Speed awareness courses don’t affect your driving licence in any way.

What is speed awareness course?

What is the speed awareness course? The speed awareness course is something which may be offered to a motorist if they have been caught committing a speeding offence. The course is offered in place of receiving penalty points on your driving licence and is usually only offered if it is a lower level speeding offence ...

How long does a speed awareness course take?

There is no strict time limit for how long a driver awareness course must last. On average, a speed awareness course takes around four hours to complete.

How long can you take a driving awareness course?

When a motorist completes a driving awareness course, from that moment on they will not be able to take one again for three years. If a driver is convicted of speeding less than three years after taking an awareness course, they will have no choice but to take on the penalty points and fine attached with the offence.

How long do you have to take a speeding course?

You’ll also have to take the course no more than 12 weeks after the date of the speeding offence, and no further offences must have been committed at the time of the speeding offence. As mentioned earlier, you’ll only be offered the chance to attend a course if you haven’t already been to one in the last three years and if your speed was within ...

Do you need a driving licence to take a speed awareness course?

If you are eligible to attend a speed awareness course, you’ll be notified by the police. When you are given the go ahead you can book a speed awareness course online, and you’ll need your driving licence number to do so. You’ll also need to bring photographic identification with you when attending the course ...

Does speed awareness affect insurance premiums?

When a motorist is hit with a speeding conviction they may see their insurance premium increase by around 30 per cent. But a speed awareness course is not the same thing, so your insurance premium may not be affected at all. However, while taking a speed awareness course technically means you’ve avoided being convicted for a speeding offence, ...

What is speed awareness course?

A speed awareness course is designed to educate drivers about the increased risk posed when speeding. It is offered by some regional police forces as an alternative to penalty points and a fine and allows them to divert low-end speeding motorists to re-education.

How long does it take to get a notice of prosecution for speeding?

If you are stopped by the police for speeding or are caught by a speeding camera, you will be sent a notice of prosecution within fourteen days of the offence. This must be completed and returned within the given time.

Is speed awareness mandatory?

The speed awareness course is run by the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) and is not a compulsory option. It is down to the regional police force to decide whether to offer it and to the speeding driver to accept it.

Is speed awareness required?

No, attending a speed awareness course is not compulsory. You can decline the offer to take the speed awareness course and instead pay the listed fixed penalty notice and accept the points on your licence.

Is speed awareness a driving conviction?

A speed awareness course is not classed as a driving conviction, as you avoid taking any penalty points and your licence remains clean, therefore should not impact your insurance. However, some insurers may raise your premiums on the basis that you do pose an increased speeding risk.

What is a speed awareness course?

Now, this is a very good question if you're not familiar with this course. Basically, it's a course that motorists can take if they have been caught speeding and want to avoid any points on their license and a fine.

Who can take the course?

Just because you've been caught speeding, doesn't mean that you'll get off with not getting any points and that you can just take the speed awareness course as a lesser penalty. Sadly, it doesn't work like that.

How much does the speed awareness course cost?

Cost is everything! Whether you'd prefer to do the course or if you have to pay the fine, speeding is going to cost you. These courses aren't much cheaper than your average speeding fine, so you'd be looking at around £85.

Should I pay the fine or take the course?

It all comes back down to money. Depending on your income, a fixed penalty fine might seem like the better option for you if you don't have the time to be spending around half a day doing the course.

What can I expect on the day?

On the big day of your speed awareness course, you should probably free up around 4-5 hours for it. Your course will be shared with around 25 other people, so you don't need to worry about all eyes being focused on you. Think of the course as a workshop. It's very much like a classroom, so expect to take part in some lively discussions.

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What is speed awareness course?

Speed awareness courses are an alternative to a accepting speeding ticket. But what are they all about? If you’re caught speeding in the UK there are usually two possible penalties: the first is the dreaded speeding ticket, this entails a hefty fine and points on your license.

What is the second option for speed awareness?

This is usually offered to first-time offenders and those who have only strayed ever so slightly over the limit. Speed awareness courses aren’t exactly popular with a lot of drivers, with many considering them to be just another tax in disguise or simply a waste of time.

Can you take pictures while taking speed awareness?

You're not allowed to have anyone else in the same room as you while taking the course, and nor are you not permitted to take pictures or record the material. Any interference could result in your online speed awareness course ending without a chance of rescheduling.

Do insurance companies hike premiums for drivers who have accepted offers to attend speed awareness courses?

There is evidence that insurance companies have hiked premiums for drivers who have accepted offers to attend speed awareness courses but, of course, the same happens for drivers who have points on their licences too. You must inform your insurance company if you attend a course – but only if you are asked.

When is National Speed Awareness 2020?

National Speed Awareness Online Course. National Speed Awareness Online Course iNSAC. TTC Group is pleased to confirm that, from Monday 6th April 2020, it will be delivering digital classroom-based National Speed Awareness Course (iNSAC) to members of the public who have already booked a place to attend a face-to-face course.

When will face to face driver awareness courses be suspended?

All face-to-face driver awareness courses were suspended on the 19th March 2020 as a result of guidance from UKROEd. This organisation oversees all police-referred driver offender retraining courses in the UK.

Can you view face to face courses online?

Also, all the content from face-to-face courses can be viewed online through a secure, video link. The technology required to participate is straightforward; a fully-charged laptop, tablet or phone, together with a webcam/in-built camera and good-quality access to the internet.

What is a speed awareness course?

The theory goes that if you want to prevent someone persistently doing something they shouldn’t, education is better than punishment. Rather than giving drivers a proverbial slap on the wrist without truly explaining that what they did could have catastrophic consequences, speed awareness courses set out to put that right.

What does the course cover?

The NSAC isn’t a pass or fail test. It’s designed to make participants realise how dangerous exceeding the speed limit is. They will be taught that driving too fast may not get them to their destination that much quicker. They’ll learn about the driving environment and hazards that they may not have appreciated.

Who is offered speed awareness courses

Not every driver is offered a speed awareness course. They are suggested at the discretion of police forces to those considered to be less serious offenders. That means drivers who are caught by police officers, mobile or fixed speed cameras doing the speed limit plus 10 per cent plus between 2mph and 9mph.

Do the courses prevent re-offending?

To find out whether the courses are worthwhile or not, NDORS has done some extensive research. It concluded: “A total of 99 per cent of clients who responded at follow-up reported that they had changed their driving after attending the course.

How many times can you do a course?

The NSAC isn’t an excuse to persistently flout the speed limit and still keep your licence. You can only do one speed awareness course every three years.

Are the courses worthwhile?

The courses aren’t free so they’re not a cheap get-out. Prices vary across the country but they usually cost somewhere between £70 and £100. And of course, you’ll have to take a day off work to attend. Where NSAC differs to taking the points and a fine for speeding is that in the eyes of the law, a course isn’t a conviction.

Speed awareness course limits - will I be eligible for a speed awareness course?

If you have been caught speeding, you will receive a letter informing you of the consequences. In many cases, you will be able to choose from three options: paying the fine and taking the points, going to court to settle it, or taking a speed awareness course with a slightly reduced fine and no penalty points.

How often can you take a speed awareness course?

Not every driver caught speeding will be offered the chance to take a speed awareness course, partly because not all police forces subscribe to the programme.

Speed awareness course: how much does it cost?

Different police forces use different organisations to provide the speed awareness course, and each charge a different amount, though they typically cost between £80 and £100.

What to expect

The speed awareness course is a session run by a number of independent companies, including the AA. Although there’s no exam to pass, you have to display a ‘positive attitude’ throughout the course and contribute to group discussions.

Taking a speed awareness course online

Speed awareness courses moved online during the Covid-19 pandemic, so you had to join a video call to participate. Obviously that was necessary at a time in which everyone had to stay at home and meant that you didn’t have to travel to a centre to take the course, which made it a little more convenient.

How long does it take?

A course will usually run for about four hours, with some time for a break in the middle of the session. Courses take place throughout the week but also during the evenings and weekends, so you won’t necessarily have to take time off work to attend.

Can a speed awareness course affect your car insurance?

This is a slightly grey area. While any speeding convictions and points must legally be declared to your insurance company (or any potential insurer when getting quotes), the onus is on the insurer to ask about whether you’ve taken a speed awareness course.