Around four hours How long is a speed awareness course? The speed awareness course aims to promote responsible driving within safe speed limits. Typically, the duration of the course is around four hours, providing participants with valuable insights and knowledge to improve their driving habits.
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How long is my speed awareness course?
Before booking your course – Before booking your course you must:
authorise NDORS to share your data with usagree to the terms and conditions (PDF, 120.7 KB)
For information about how we use and share your personal information for the purpose of booking a driver education course, read our privacy statement, Before attending the National Speed Awareness Course you must read the medical fitness advice from GOV.UK, Make sure the DVLA are kept up to date.
How long is the Zoom speed awareness course?
What Happens During an Online Speed Awareness Course? – As with in-person classes, an online speed awareness course will not require that you take a test. However, you will still need to attend the classes, engage in the discussion and be willing to contribute throughout the course.
- An online speed awareness course will usually have around 9 participants per course.
- You can expect to learn the same content as you would in the in-person sessions.
- A virtual speed awareness course is usually 2 hours and 30 minutes long, with a 10 minute break.
- You will be sent a link and instructions on how to join the session ahead of the class.
You will need a stable internet connection and a built-in camera or webcam to attend.
What do you do on a speed awareness course?
WHAT HAPPENS ON A SPEED AWARENESS COURSE?
- What is a speed awareness course?
- When would you be offered a speed awareness course?
- What to expect of the speed awareness course
- Speed awareness course FAQs
- How much is the speed awareness course?
- What do you need to take?
- Can you fail a speed awareness course?
- How many times can you take a speed awareness course?
What is a speed awareness course? In the UK, there are rules all drivers have to comply with, including speed limits. Break these limits and you could be penalised. After all, speed limits are in place to keep drivers safe. If you’re caught speeding, you could be offered a speed awareness course instead of getting a fine and penalty points on your licence.
Throughout the country, speed awareness courses are run by independent companies which are regulated by the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS). In 2019, 1,282,698 people attended a speed awareness course. Since 2010, when only 447,724 completed the course, the figures have shot up,, Of course, there are more motorists on the roads, most of whom will consider themselves sensible drivers.
But some people do have a complete disregard for the speed limits. With an increase in speed cameras and mobile police checks, many drivers are caught driving above the speed limit. Many of these choose to take a speed awareness course instead of getting a fine and penalty points.
- The half-day session is basically a theoretical driving lesson which educates drivers about their speeding and the dangers of speeding.
- It’s designed to stop them becoming a repeat offender.
- When would you be offered a speed awareness course? After being caught speeding, whether by a speed camera or if you’ve been stopped by the police, you’ll be sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution and a Section 172 Notice – usually within 14 days.
It’ll inform you what’s happened and the consequences. You’re required to return the Section 172 Notice to let them know who was driving the car. Then, typically, you’ll be given three choices:
- Pay the fine and take the points on your licence
- Take a speed awareness course
- Go to court to settle it
However, not everyone will have the option to take the speed awareness course. You only qualify if the following applies:
- The police have offered it to you
- It’s your first speeding offence or your first in the past three years
- You didn’t commit any further offences at the time of the speeding offence
- It’s within the speed limits allowed for the course – between 10% of the limit plus 2mph and 10% plus 9mph
The below shows what these limits would be for different speed limits. But do take these as a rough guideline only.
- Speed limit 30mph – Between 35mph and 42mph you’d likely be offered a speed awareness course
- Speed limit 40mph – Between 46mph and 53mph you’d likely be offered a speed awareness course
- Speed limit 50mph – Between 57mph and 64mph you’d likely be offered a speed awareness course
- Speed limit 60mph – Between 68mph and 75mph you’d likely be offered a speed awareness course
Speed limit 70mph – Between 79mph and 86mph you’d likely be offered a speed awareness courseIf you were caught speeding excessively, you wouldn’t be offered the choice of a speed awareness course. You’ll have to pay a fine, take three points on your licence or could even receive a court summons if you’re speeding way beyond the speed limit.
Speeding is a serious offence. If you’re offered a speed awareness test, it’s a good idea to take it. It means you don’t have to take the penalty points on your licence. Every time you’re caught speeding, three points can be added. If you get 12 or more within three years, you could be disqualified from driving.
Within the first two years of you passing your driving test, you’d only need to get six points to be disqualified. Taking the speed awareness course could also save you money on your car insurance. You must let insurance providers know about any speeding convictions, and this could affect your premium.
But it’s important to be aware some insurance firms will ask you if you’ve taken a speed awareness course too. They cannot check, as this information is held by local police forces rather than the DVLA, but not disclosing the truth may make your policy invalid. What to expect of the speed awareness course The speed awareness course lasts around four to five hours.
Courses take place throughout the week, including evenings and weekends. During the course, you’ll be part of a group of drivers (around 15 to 25 attendees) learning together. It’s a classroom-based workshop and rather than spending time in a car, it focuses on opening people’s eyes to the dangers of speeding.
- As such, you’ll focus on refreshing your knowledge of the Highway Code and its importance.
- For example, understanding where different speed limits apply or the stopping distances for how fast you’re going.
- The course also focuses on defensive driving, which teaches safe driving practices to help drivers avoid dangers.
It increases awareness of hazards, obstacles and dangers and how to stay safe despite the actions of other drivers or conditions. Another thing you do on the speed awareness course is explore the behaviours behind speeding – in fact, you’ll have to consider why you sped and share your experiences.
- Speed awareness course FAQs
- Even the most experienced drivers amongst us can make mistakes on the road – whether it’s losing attention for a moment or learning bad habits. If you find yourself having to take a speed awareness course, the following details are handy to know:
- How much is the speed awareness course?
Courses are run by independent companies, so costs can vary a bit. Usually, a speed awareness course will cost between £80 and £100. A fixed penalty notice for speeding tends to be around £100 along with the points on your licence. What do you need to take? On the day, you’ll need to bring either:
- A photocard driving licence OR
- A paper driving licence and some photographic ID e.g. your passport
If you don’t have your driving licence with you, you might be able to show two forms of ID. But it’s best to check with individual centres because rules may vary. Can you fail a speed awareness course? There’s no exam to take on the day, but you will be judged on how well you’ve actively participated in discussions.
- People running the course want to see that you’ve demonstrated a positive attitude and contributed to any group activities or discussions.
- After the course, the provider will get in touch with the police to inform them you’ve completed it.
- This information will be stored in the NDORs database.
- If you left the course before it had finished or didn’t engage throughout the day, you might ‘fail’.
Then you’d have to take the points or be summoned to court. How many times can you take a speed awareness course? The course is designed to teach you why you shouldn’t be speeding. You can’t keep taking it without changing your behaviour. So, you can only take the course once every three years.
Can you use IPAD for speed awareness course?
Mobile devices – Unless you are using the device to participate in the course, mobile phones are not allowed to be used during a course. They should be switched off throughout although you can use them during the scheduled breaks. The same goes for iPads or other communication tools.
Can you do speed awareness course twice?
Once you’ve attended a course, you won’t be allowed to go to another one for 3 years. If you end up with another speeding offence, then you’ll have to pay the fine and take the points. Your details will remain on a database if you’ve taken a course. As such, there’s no way to get around it.
How much does a speed awareness course cost UK?
Do you need Zoom for a speed awareness course? – 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.
Do you need pen and paper for speed awareness course?
What will I need for my course? – You must have photo identification to show to the trainer during the registration process. More information about course requirements and the registration process can be found for each course by visiting TTC’s website,
In order to attend an Online Driver Awareness Course, you will need a device (such as a computer or laptop; tablet; smartphone) that has access to a stable internet connection; a web camera; microphone; speakers or headphones; enough battery charge to last the duration of the course. Once you have successfully joined the online course, there are no tests or typing involved.
We do recommend that you have a pen and paper to hand, in case you need to make any notes during the course.
What is the speed limit tolerance in the UK?
The main reason for having a speed limit tolerance is that drivers can slow down safely without having their vision fixed on the speedometer rather than the road, combined with any inaccuracies with the vehicle’s speedo. Certain speed cameras will have small tolerances, meaning you could be slightly over the speed limit before you are landed with a fine.
The MET (London Metropolitan police) have now reduced their tolerances, which could mean that more drivers are being caught unaware. Of course, the speed limit should be adhered to at all times, but knowing that there could be a tolerance of a few mph, many drivers would risk it, and the tolerance is no excuse for breaking the speed limits set.
The tolerance of mph is not the only thing that is confusing when it comes to speed cameras. Most drivers believe that they will see a camera flash if they have tripped the speed limit, but this is no longer true, as the newer cameras will have infrared technology, so you could be shocked when a speed fine lands on your doorstep.
Learn more about our Pre-Court advanced driving courses. Speed camera tolerances Even though you must adhere to all speed limits at all times, many Police forces have some tolerance for their speed cameras. For those that do, the tolerance is usually 10% over plus 2 mph. A few examples of how tolerance can work; in a limit of 70 mph, + 10% tolerance can mean you could be travelling at 79 mph before you get a fine, the same in a 30 mph limit, you could drive 35 mph before getting a fine.
One of the reasons that tolerances have been looked at again is that the faster you are driving, the tolerance can be even more dangerous. Below are the results of a recent survey from 45 Police forces across the UK that have released their data.10% + 2 mph over Avon and Somerset, Cheshire, Cleveland, Derbyshire, Devon and Cornwall, Durham, Gwent, Hampshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Merseyside, Metropolitan Police (TFL), Norfolk, North Wales, Northumbria, Northern Ireland, South Wales, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Thames Valley, Warwickshire, West Mercia, and West Yorkshire. 
Counties not revealing threshold limits Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire, Nottinghamshire, Scotland, Staffordshire, and the West Midlands. Many counties above border each other, so it’s important to know that speed tolerances differ between them and where you could be driving just over the speed limit on the same road, in one county, you could be fined, and in another county, you may not be.
Average speed cameras Average speed cameras work slightly differently from fixed and mobile speed cameras. Your speed is monitored over a few miles instead of the immediate speed you are doing when crossing a fixed camera. Average-speed cameras are more accurate and may not carry any tolerances at all.
Mobile speed cameras Mobile speed cameras have a range of up to two miles on a straight road, and the technology will also impact the overall range of the mobile camera. Fixed speed cameras Fixed speed cameras are placed in areas that are particularly known for speed breaches and dangerous roads; they will catch drivers within the marked lines on the road if they are above the speed limit.
It is also worth knowing that some fixed-speed cameras will also have noise level sensors, and you could also find yourself in trouble if you have a particularly noisy exhaust or engine. The consequences of hitting a speed camera The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) may allow a 10%+ 2 mph speed tolerance before taking action, but depending on the speed level, you could receive any of the following actions.
You could be offered to attend a speed awareness course – these are classroom-based courses and are taken with your local police force or shire halls. By taking a speed awareness course, you could avoid points on your licence and a fine, although you will have to pay for the course.
- They are priced between £80 and £100, but each county will have its own pricing.
- You could get a general fine through the post, which will likely result in points on your licence.
- You need to return the form to agree or disagree with the fine.
- If you agree, it is quite simple: you return the form, send off your licence to the DVLA, and pay the fine.
These fines are now based on your weekly income, so the more you earn, the more you will pay for speeding. If you disagree, you will have to provide evidence that it is not you that was driving, or it is not your car. This can take a while to be settled.
- You could get points on your licence – if you get points on your licence, it is important to know that once you reach 12 points, it will result in a driving ban and possibly a court appearance.
- You could get a driving suspension – if you are facing points, that will mean you are over 12 points or if caught speeding over 100 mph, you could receive a complete driving ban where you will be unable to drive for a period of time.
This will not only disrupt your daily travel arrangements, but it can also increase your car insurance premiums for the future. At the end of the day, speed limits are the legal limits, and tolerance may not be a way to wriggle out of points or a fine.
- Just 1 mph over the limit is a chargeable offence.
- How long will a speed ticket take to arrive If you are unlucky and caught speeding by a camera, you will usually receive notice of intended prosecution (NIP) within about 14 days of the offence.
- The Police force issues this from the jurisdiction you were caught and sent to the car’s registered owner.
This will mean that even if you were not driving, you would be the person receiving the NIP. You must then provide evidence of the driver. It is an offence to take points if you were not the driver causing the notice. Speeding penalties and car insurance If you do not declare your speeding penalties to your insurers, you could find that your claim will be void.
- If you have an accident, they will access your licence via DVLA, this can not only have the claim voided, but you could also find your insurance policy cancelled.
- It is vital to keep your insurers fully aware of any licence penalties.
- Pre-Court driving course (Facing a driving ban?) We have a number of clients who are due in court on a motoring charge, often through topping up points who take an advanced driving course with us.
While there is absolutely no guarantee taking such a course will help avoid a ban, we have noticed many doing such have avoided a ban totally and/or had a substantial reduction in a fine. You can learn more about this course here, 
How many points do you get for speeding UK?
The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points added to your licence. You could be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years – check your driving licence record to see if you have points on your licence.
Can you do a speed awareness course in Scotland?
Lack of speed awareness courses in Scotland 
Despite ministers accepting a need for speed awareness courses, there is still a lack of speed awareness courses in Scotland. Speed awareness courses are widely available throughout the rest of the UK, but for some reason, they’re not available to motorists here in Scotland.
- So if you have the misfortune to be pulled over for low-level speeding, ae.g.nd just over the 30 mph limit or just over the 70 mph limits you don’t have an option of a speed awareness course.
- If you’re stopped for that sort of speed down in England, you’ll be asked if you want to go in a speed awareness course.
If you choose to pay for that course, then you will not have penalty points endorsed on your license in Scotland. Unfortunately, we do not have that available to us. Some questions have been asked recently in the Scottish parliament in connection with that.
- We would like to see speed awareness courses available throughout Scotland.
- There’s no real reason why they’re not available and it is something that could be easily implemented.
- The companies who provide these courses done in England could easily have their systems replicated up here.
- It’s very easy for the whole system to be rolled out and very quick.
And I would suggest that it’s something that could be available by the end of the year, but it does need some political will.
Who is the cheapest speed awareness course?
How much is a speed awareness course?
| Force area | Course provider | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Durham | Hartlepool Borough Council | £73.00 |
| Dyfed-Powys | Dyfed-Powys | £92.00 |
| Essex | Safer Essex Roads Partnership | £90.00 |
| Gloucestershire | Driver Education Gloucestershire | £85.00 |
How much does a speed awareness course cost near Bristol?
Here’s what to expect on a Speed Awareness Course – 
The course educates motorists about the life-threatening risks they pose when breaking the speed limit. (Image: Getty) Drivers who break the speed limit must meet certain criteria to be invited to the course meaning they will avoid a fine of £100 and three penalty points.
The course is offered to motorists who have not exceeded the speed limit by more than nine miles per hour plus ten percent of the given zone they were travelling in. The cost of completing a speed awareness course varies by region but is typically priced between £90 and £100. The four-hour long course is designed to educate motorists about the life-threatening risks they pose to themselves and other road users when breaking the speed limit.
Tim Alcock of LeaseCar.uk said: “Speeding is a very serious offence, no matter how well a motorist knows an area or if they are only a few miles per hour over the limit they are still breaking the law. “A lot of motorists who attend find it a sobering experience and while the aim is not to make anyone uncomfortable, the shocking effects speeding can cause are not shied away from.
Do Essex Police offer speed awareness courses?
As the driver, depending on the speed, once you’ve responded to the notice you’ll be sent; an option for a speed awareness course.
What is the speed limit in Northern Ireland?
Speed limits – Speed limits are the absolute maximum for a particular road and you should always reduce your speed to take account of road condition, the presence of other users, particularly vulnerable users, weather conditions, visibility and time of day.
in built up areas: up to 30 mph unless shown different outside built up areas: 60 mph motorways and dual-carriageways up to 70 mph variable speed limits set by overhead signs/roadside signs may be seen on motorways 20 mph limits are increasingly common in built up areas Rule 123 Highway Code NI
A car towing a caravan or trailer:
must not use the outside lane of a motorway with three or more lanes be restricted to 50 mph on single carriageway roads outside built-up areas be restricted to 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways
How do you qualify for the speed awareness course in the West Midlands?
What are the criteria for a speed awareness course? – You’ll qualify for a speed awareness course if it’s your first speeding offence or if you haven’t been caught in the past three years. On top of that, there are set speeds that qualify for a speed awareness course, so if you were speeding by more than these amounts, you won’t be given the option of a course.
You’re only eligible for a speed awareness course if the police offer it to you as a choice. The amount by which you can break the speed limit and still be eligible to take a speed awareness course is between 10% of the speed limit plus 2mph, to 10% of the limit plus 9mph. However, this is dependent on the specific rules set out by the prosecuting police force.
T he general rule of thumb for speeding course tolerences are:
30mph limit road: speeding between 35mph and 42mph 40mph limit road: speeding between 46mph and 53mph 50mph limit road: speeding between 57mph and 64mph 60mph limit road: speeding between 68mph and 75mph 70mph limit road: speeding between 79mph and 86mph
Can you do a speed awareness course in Scotland?
Lack of speed awareness courses in Scotland Despite ministers accepting a need for speed awareness courses, there is still a lack of speed awareness courses in Scotland. Speed awareness courses are widely available throughout the rest of the UK, but for some reason, they’re not available to motorists here in Scotland.
- So if you have the misfortune to be pulled over for low-level speeding, ae.g.nd just over the 30 mph limit or just over the 70 mph limits you don’t have an option of a speed awareness course.
- If you’re stopped for that sort of speed down in England, you’ll be asked if you want to go in a speed awareness course.
If you choose to pay for that course, then you will not have penalty points endorsed on your license in Scotland. Unfortunately, we do not have that available to us. Some questions have been asked recently in the Scottish parliament in connection with that.
We would like to see speed awareness courses available throughout Scotland. There’s no real reason why they’re not available and it is something that could be easily implemented. The companies who provide these courses done in England could easily have their systems replicated up here. It’s very easy for the whole system to be rolled out and very quick.
And I would suggest that it’s something that could be available by the end of the year, but it does need some political will.
