when is a speed awareness course offered

You should be offered the chance to attend the national speed awareness course when you get notification of your speeding offence. This should be within 14 days of being stopped by the police or being caught on camera. It’s down to you whether you attend the course or take the penalty.

Full Answer

When can you do a speed awareness?

You may be eligible if: you haven't attended a speed awareness course in the past three years. the speed you were caught at was within the acceptable range. This is typically between the speed limit + 10% + 2mph and the speed limit + 10% + 9mph (for example, between 35-42mph in a 30mph zone).

How much over 30mph is allowed UK?

As the law stands, a driver is liable for a speeding ticket the minute he or she exceeds the speed limit. That means driving at 31mph in a 30mph limit, 41mph in a 40, and so on.

How much over the speed limit can you go before getting a ticket UK?

HOW FAR CAN YOU GO OVER THE SPEED LIMIT? By law, anything over the official speed limit is liable for a speeding ticket. However, the police usually offer a buffer of 10% plus 2 mph above the speed limit, though this is entirely at their discretion.

Why have I not been offered a speed awareness course?

6. Why haven't I been offered a speed awareness course? It's entirely up to the discretion of your local police on whether or not to offer you a one of these courses. If you've already taken one within the last 3 years, or you were well above the speed limits stipulated by the police, you won't be offered one.

How many points is 40 mph at 30mph?

This covers low level speeding. It will result in three points and a fine of up to 50% of your weekly income. It applies if you are driving up to 30mph in a 20mph zone; up to 40mph in a 30mph zone; 55mph in a 40mph zone; 65 in a 50; 80 in a 60, and; up to 90mph in a 70mph zone.

What is the 10 plus 2 rule?

The 'rule' itself is quite straightforward: if the speed limit is (for example) 30mph, the rule states that you won't get a speeding ticket unless you are going 10% plus 2 mph faster than the limit.

Can I check if I've been caught speeding?

How do you check if you have been caught speeding? There's no way to check if you've been caught speeding, you will have to wait and see if you receive notice from the local police force in the post, which you should receive within 14 days.

Do speed cameras allow 10 percent?

Most police forces have a tolerance of 10% plus 2 mph above the limit before a speed camera 'flashes'. So on a 30 mph road, a camera wouldn't normally activate unless a car drove past at 35 mph or faster. On a 70 mph stretch of motorway, the threshold would go up to 79 mph.

What is speed awareness course?

1) When you’re caught speeding only slightly above the allowed limit, usually 10% above the limit. 2) If you haven’t completed the speed awareness course in the past three years. If you fit the above two criteria, you can be eligible for a speed awareness course.

How long does it take to attend a speed awareness course?

To attend a speed awareness course, you must book your sessions within 14 days of receiving the option to attend the course. • Your police reference number and PIN (shown on your police course offer letter). When attending the course, you should carry a photo ID such as your driving licence or passport.

How many speed awareness tests can you take?

How many speed awareness tests can you do. You can only do one speed awareness test in three years. The National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) records data about when you attend a speed awareness course, and if you pass or fail.

How many people are in a speeding course?

There are usually no more than 24 people in a session and the course is typically delivered by two trainers.

What happens if you drive over the speed limit?

If you’re caught driving above the speed limit, the police can fine you a minimum £100 and add three penalty points to your licence. However, in some cases, you may get the chance to take a National Speed Awareness Course (NSAC) instead of the penalty. The speed awareness course is regulated by the Association of National Driver Improvement Course ...

How long is the driving course?

The course is theoretical, classroom-based and may include some workshops. It’s around four hours long and doesn’t have a test so there’s no pass or fail. During the course, you’ll be expected to contribute positively in discussions and demonstrate a willingness to learn and improve your driving skills.

What happens if you don't turn up for a class?

However, if you don’t turn up for the classes or if you fail to complete the course within the time period mentioned by the police, your eligibility to take the course will be revoked and your file will be returned to your regional police for further action.

What is the National Speed Awareness Course?

The National Speed Awareness course is designed to reduce the likelihood of you speeding in the future and will include information about the dangers of breaking the speed limits.

How to avoid a fine for speeding?

Motorists caught speeding can avoid a fine and points on their licence by attending a National Speed Awareness course. We explain how the driving awareness course works and how much it costs.

What is the speed limit for a 30 mph zone?

In other words, if you were in a 30mph zone, this means anything between 35mph and 42mph, while for those driving in a 70mph zone, it means anything between 79mph and 86mph

How much is a speeding fine?

The minimum fine is £100, but the maximum is £1,000 – or £2,500 on motorways.

How many hours does a fixed penalty course take?

Depending on your income, it’s possible that the fixed-penalty fine may seem a better option as the minimum amount is only marginally more than the cost of the course and does not require you to take five hours for the session.

What happens if you fail a workshop?

While there is not a test to pass, if you fail to complete the course in a satisfactory way (not participating or quitting the workshop before it finishes, for example), then you will have to take the points or be summoned to court.

How fast can you go on a street light?

Keep a lookout for road signs so that you’re aware of speed limits at all times. Remember that roads with regular street lighting usually have a speed limit of 30mph, unless signed otherwise.

What is a speed awareness course?

The national speed awareness course (NSAC) is a course offered to drivers who perform low end speeding offences, usually captured by automatic camera devices or police officers. The course is designed to give on the road users essential advice that will change their behaviour on the road and stop them from reoffending.

When would you be offered a speed awareness course?

As mentioned above not everyone will be eligible for a speed awareness course. Usually, you will only be offered a course if:

What happens during a speed awareness course?

Speed awareness courses aren’t in place to patronise or tell people off. A speed awareness course is all about education and stopping drivers from reoffending. The courses are offered on behalf of the police but ran by the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS).

How much does a speed awareness cost?

For first-time offenders, you can choose to pay a £100 fine and have 3-points on your license, or you can pay to attend a speed awareness course for around £80-£100 and no penalty points on your license.

How many times can you take a speed awareness course?

Speed awareness courses are only offered to drivers every 3 years. If you receive another speeding fine within 3 years of taking a course, you will likely have to pay a fine and have 3 points on your license.

Will completing a speed awareness course affect car insurance rates?

It can be confusing whether a speed awareness course affects your car insurance rates. You don’t have to legally tell your insurance provider if you have taken a speed awareness course but they can ask you specifically if you have and it’s always best to tell the truth.

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.

How long is a scuba diving course?

The course itself should last around four hours, though this may vary slightly depending on where you are.

Can you do speed awareness again?

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

Can you get points on your license if you attend a course?

However attending the course will mean you won’t get any points on your licence. Points on your licence might increase the cost of your car insurance at your next renewal.

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.

What is speed awareness course?

A speed awareness course is a policing initiative designed to clamp down on speeding in the UK.

Who is the UK speed awareness course provider?

There are plenty of UK speed awareness course providers including DriveTech, UKROEd and the TTC Group.

How many people avoided speeding in 2018?

However, thanks to speed awareness courses, 1.29 million people avoided a speeding fine in 2018/19, out of 2.4 million issued tickets. So, it may be worth your while going back to school the next time you're given the chance...

What happens if you are 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.

How much does speed awareness cost?

Speed awareness courses cost about £100. However, each police force sets their own price. The eligibility letter will include the exact price, but you may also find the speed awareness cost near you on your police forces' website.

What is the maximum speeding fine in the UK in 2021?

The maximum UK speeding fine is £1,000. In 2021, that increased to £2,500 for motorway speeding.

When was speed awareness introduced?

Most importantly, it is a theory test refresher. This wasn't introduced until 1996, so many UK drivers have never learned the content before passing their driving test. Speed awareness courses include discussions about the following:

What to do if you've been caught speeding in 2021?

If you've been caught speeding before or during the coronavirus lockdown 2021, you might be offered a speed awareness course. Here's information on whether they will still happen in lockdown, how much they cost, who will and won't be given the opportunity to take one - and if you'll get penalty points on your licence.

How many points does a speeding ticket get?

Any speeding offence committed within three years of the previous offence, will typically see the driver face prosecution and receive a minimum of three penalty points.

How many drivers were caught speeding in 2019?

A Freedom of Information request by insurance comparison site Confused, revealed 2.5 million drivers were caught speeding in 2019 - totalling-up fines of at least £250m.

How many drivers took the What's Driving Us course in 2017?

Of the 1.4 million drivers taking a training courses in 2017, over 1 million were related to speeding offences, followed by around 100,000 drivers taking the ‘What’s Driving Us’ course - this which covers offences, such as drivers using a mobile phone at the wheel.

What does it mean when police look to offer a course?

Police will usually look to offer a course - and prevent a driver being prosecuted and fined - if it is clear that the offence was a genuine lapse of concentration or error of judgement.

How long does it take to complete a scuba diving course?

Completing the course can take up to four hours.

Is speed awareness a practical element?

No. Even before the coronavirus pandemic closed all classroom-based session, speed awareness courses do not have a practical element. All sessions are based in a virtual setting at the moment and in the classroom when Covid-19 restrictions allow.

How often do you have to take a speed awareness course?

You can only attend a speed awareness course once every three years, which means that if you commit another speeding offence in that period you will automatically receive a fine and points on your licence.

What is speed awareness?

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. 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.

Why do you need a speeding course?

These courses are designed to educate drivers on the potential dangers and consequences of speeding so that they don’t break speed limits in future. One of the biggest advantages of undertaking the course is that you don’t get penalty points on your licence.

What happens if you get caught speeding?

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 many days a week are courses held?

Yes, courses are usually held seven days a week and can be attended in the morning, afternoon or evening.

How long is a driver's course?

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. Think of it as an advanced driver training course (albeit a mandatory one), and it will seem like a small price to pay to keep a clean driving licence.

Do insurance companies increase your premiums if you take a speed awareness course?

Do be aware that some companies will increase your insurance premium if they learn you’ve taken a speed awareness course. Despite the fact that you’ve not received any points on your driving licence, it's likely they’ll view you as more of an insurance risk than a driver who has not been caught speeding.