Is a Speed Awareness Course Worth the Cost in 2024?
Is A Speed Awareness Course Worth the Cost?
Are you considering taking a speed awareness course but unsure if “is a speed awareness course worth the cost?”
This blog post will dive deep into the world of speed awareness courses, explore their benefits and costs, and help you make an informed decision.
Buckle up and let’s hit the road!
Understanding Speed Awareness Courses
A speed awareness course aims to educate drivers caught speeding as an alternative to fines and penalty points.
These courses cover essential topics like stopping distances, recognizing speed limits, and identifying potential consequences of speeding.
Conducted by organizations like the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS), these courses have numerous benefits, including a reduced likelihood of reoffending and no penalty points added to the driver’s license.
National Speed Awareness Course:
The National Speed Awareness Course focuses on understanding speed limits, controlling vehicle speed, and recognizing the risks associated with breaking speed limit rules.
It is available to drivers who have been recommended by the police, and attendance is not compulsory.
Eligibility is typically within 14 days of being stopped by the police or detected by a speed camera, and the specified range of speeding offenses is between 10% of the speed limit plus 2 mph to 10% of the limit plus 9 mph.
Course Providers
The National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) collaborates with independent organizations to offer speed awareness courses across the UK.
These providers ensure that the course content adheres to national guidelines, helping drivers become safer on the roads.
Eligibility for Speed Awareness Courses
To be eligible for a speed awareness course, you must be a first-time offender, not caught speeding in the past three years, and offered the course as a choice by the police.
Drivers are restricted to attending one speed awareness course every three years. Any additional courses taken within this period will not be recognised.
If caught speeding again within three years of taking the course, the driver will be subject to a fine and points on their license.
Caught Speeding
Being apprehended for speeding can result in a minimum fine of £100 and 3 penalty points on your license, and can even lead to disqualification from driving if you accumulate 12 or more points.
Taking a speed awareness course can help reduce the likelihood of reoffending, with some studies showing a 23% reduction in speeding among participants after six months.
In addition, attending a course can potentially decrease your car insurance premium, making it a financially advantageous decision.
Penalty Points
Penalty points are added to a driver’s license as a deterrent for hazardous driving and can remain on the license for four to eleven years, depending on the offense committed.
By attending a speed awareness course, drivers can avoid accumulating these points and better understand the importance of driving within the speed limit.
Costs of Speed Awareness Courses
The cost of a speed awareness course ranges between £80 and £120, which may seem significant but could ultimately save you money in the long run by avoiding fines and penalty points.
Additionally, payment options are available to help manage the course fee.
Course Fee
Speed awareness course fees can vary depending on the course provider and location, generally ranging from £73 to £100.
Most providers accept payment via debit or credit card, although some may also accept cash or cheque.
Payment Options
For a speed awareness course, you can pay by debit/credit card, scheduled payments, cheque, postal order, or banker’s draft.
Some providers may even offer payment plans consisting of a maximum of three installments, making it more accessible for those on a tight budget.
Impact on Car Insurance
The impact of attending a speed awareness course on car insurance rates depends on the insurance company’s policy and whether they inquire about it.
It’s essential to be honest with your insurer and inform them of your course attendance when you receive your car insurance renewal notice.
If your insurance costs increase, comparing car insurance quotes can help you find a better deal.
Informing Your Insurer
It’s crucial to inform your insurer about your attendance at a speed awareness course, as some insurers may raise your premium if they become aware of your participation.
If your insurance company inquires about the course, it is advisable to contact them and inform them that you have completed it.
Always provide this information to your new insurer before purchasing a policy.
Comparing Insurance Quotes
Comparing insurance quotes after completing a speed awareness course can help you determine its effect on your insurance rates.
Research different insurance providers, analyze their rates and coverage, and select the most suitable option for your needs.
In some cases, attending a speed awareness course may lead to a reduction in insurance rates, depending on the insurance provider.
Online vs In-Person Courses
Both online and in-person speed awareness courses are available, providing flexibility for participants with different preferences and schedules.
Online courses are conducted via video calls, while in-person courses take place in a classroom setting.
Online Course
An online speed awareness course typically takes approximately 4 hours and has a maximum capacity of nine attendees.
This virtual format allows participants to complete the course from the comfort of their own home, making it a convenient option for those with busy schedules or limited access to in-person courses.
The course is designed to help participants understand the importance of driving safely and responsibly, and to provide them with the knowledge and skills to do so. It covers topics such as speed limits.
In-Person Course
An in-person speed awareness course is a classroom-based training session lasting around 4 hours, with a maximum capacity of 24 attendees.
The course covers the risks of speeding and enhances awareness of hazards, obstacles, and dangers on the road.
In-person courses allow for more direct interaction with instructors and fellow participants, which can help reinforce the course content and promote safer driving habits.
Success Rates and Reoffending
Statistics show that attending a speed awareness course reduces the likelihood of reoffending, with a rate of decrease up to 23% in the six months post-course.
Importantly, attending a speed awareness course will not incur penalty points on your driving license, ensuring that your driving record remains clean.
Statistics on Reoffending
Research indicates that speed awareness courses may slightly reduce the likelihood of recidivism, with a rate of decrease up to 23% in the six months post-course and a reoffending rate of 21% within three years.
These statistics highlight the positive impact that speed awareness courses can have on driver behavior and road safety.
Driving Licence Impact
One of the main benefits of attending a speed awareness course is the fact that it will not result in any penalty points being added to your driving license.
By avoiding these points, drivers can maintain a clean driving record and potentially benefit from lower car insurance premiums.
Booking and Attending a Speed Awareness Course
Speed awareness courses are available at various times throughout the week, as well as in the evenings and on weekends, providing flexibility for participants.
Booking a course typically requires providing your driving license number, course offer letter containing your police reference number and PIN, and a credit/debit card for payment.
It’s important to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the course’s commencement to ensure a smooth start.
Course Availability
To check the availability of speed awareness courses, you must log in with your driving license number on the course provider’s website.
The availability of courses may vary depending on the location and provider, so it’s essential to research your options and choose the most convenient course for your needs.
How to Book:
To book a speed awareness course, you must have received a letter inviting you to take the course. Access the website provided in the letter, enter your driving license number, police reference number, and PIN, and use a credit/debit card to pay for the course.
Some course providers may require you to complete a workbook or view a brief video before the course, so be prepared to invest some time in pre-course preparation.
Final Thoughts…
A speed awareness course can be a valuable investment in your driving safety and education.
By providing an alternative to fines and penalty points, these courses aim to educate drivers on the risks of speeding and promote safer driving habits.
With flexible online and in-person options, a range of payment plans, and potential benefits to car insurance rates, a speed awareness course may be the perfect solution to help you become a more responsible driver on the road. Remember, safe driving saves lives!
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section we answer common questions about the UK’s the Speed Awareness Course.
What is a speed awareness course?
Speed awareness courses are designed to help drivers improve their understanding of speed limits and the potential dangers of exceeding them. They provide an opportunity for those who have been caught speeding to learn how to drive more safely in the future, without having to receive points on their licence or pay a fine.
By attending a speed awareness course, drivers can gain a better understanding of the risks associated with speeding and how to drive more safely. This can help them avoid future speeding offences and the associated penalties.
Do I need to tell my insurer about speed awareness course?
In summary, it is advisable to check with your insurance provider before attending a speed awareness course to ascertain whether they need to know about it.
It is important to be honest when providing any information to your insurer, as withholding information could invalidate your policy.3 Apr 2021.
Do all speed awareness courses cost the same?
Overall, speed awareness courses cost generally the same amount, with the fee typically ranging from £100-£150 depending on the course provider and location. Nevertheless, the exact cost may vary slightly in certain cases.
How long does a speed awareness course stay on your record?
On average, a speed awareness course stays on your record for 3.5 years. This period will be retained on a national police database, during which time you may not be eligible for another speed awareness course should you commit further offences.
