Speed Awareness Courses

I am a named driver on my partners policy I've been caught speeding 59 in a 50 will I get offered a speed awareness course plz help

Hi Julius,

It’s at the discretion of the police, so you’ll have to live with the points.

Hi Mark,

Again, it’s at the discretion of the police.

Hi Amz,

1) Given how far over the limit you were it’s unlikely you’d be offered the course (see the above article) but, again, it’s down to the police.

2) Your wife is probably better off taking the points for speeding. The penalties for driving without insurance (which we would apply to her friend) can be between 6 points to a disqualification and she could be fined between £200 and £5,000. The penalties your wife would face for allowing an uninsured driver to use her car would be in the same ball park.

Hi Julius,

It’s at the discretion of the police, so you’ll have to live with the points.

Hi Mark,

Again, it’s at the discretion of the police.

Hi Amz,

1) Given how far over the limit you were it’s unlikely you’d be offered the course (see the above article) but, again, it’s down to the police.

2) Your wife is probably better off taking the points for speeding. The penalties for driving without insurance (which we would apply to her friend) can be between 6 points to a disqualification and she could be fined between £200 and £5,000. The penalties your wife would face for allowing an uninsured driver to use her car would be in the same ball park.

I did 94 mph on M25 in April as I beleived the speed limit has changed to 80 according to the news and when I was stopped I explained this yet admitted that I was still over the limit for 80.
Two weeks later I had a letter offering speed awareness course or 3 point penalty, I asked a solocitor and they said that I should take the course and that I was lucky to be caught at 94 as anything above that would have been a definite court summons.

Hi there I have two questions:
1st question:
I was driving on a road which I thought was 40 but found out it was 30 on park lane I was doing 47 can anything be done? Like a course or something that I can do to avoid the 3 points money is not an issue but points are.

2nd question:
My wife's friend was driving her car and she got pulled over for spending, but as she was scared she wasn't allowed to drive the car as she didn't have insurance she gave my wife's details and put the points on to her licence. Can anything be done for this?

hiya...ive only been driving 4 weeks now and yesterday i got a letter saying ive been caught doing 35mph in a 30mph zone...will i get a chance to do a speeding course
or havent i been driving long enough???

Hi there, got 3 points today for speeding in 30mph zone. I asked police myself if could attend course but they havent replied to this and got issued with ticket, 3 points and £60.00. Is there is any chance i can contact police back or attend course as an volunteer to reduce that 3 points? thanks for genuine response

Hi Arne,

That is at the discretion of the police force in question.

Hi Mandy,

Do you know who the course provider was? It sounds as if he may have to take the points.

hi, i have been caught speeding 35 in a 30. i already have 12 pointa due to a previous ban. how ever i have never been caught speeding! will i get offered a driving course instead of recieving 3 points and getting banned again??

Was stopped for moving my phone from the dash to a cubby hole in my van, they wrote me a ticket ect and said I would be given the option Of a drivers course fine I thought.
However nearly 4 weeks later and still nothing in the post, it says I need to contact them after 3 but why should I? Has anyone else just let it ride with no outcome??
Cheers

My boyfriend was booked on a course but then it was cancelled due to bad weather. When ringing up to book another he was told he couldn't book another cause it had to be rebooked within 7 days. He was not told this information. They have no ref no's for my boyfriend nor is he on their system. He has lost the initial email from them and thensecond letter stating to rebook and he assures me it did not say it had to be booked within 7 days. They have told him he will get a refund but will have to accept the 3 points and £60 fine. Where does he stand with this please? Help?

Hi Andy,

I'm afraid there's not a lot you can do about it. Unintentional speeding is still against the law. Moreover, it's unlikely you will be offered the course as the speed you were doing is in excess of the normal parameters (10% of limit + 9mph) within which you can receive an offer.

Hi, i was just caught doing 70 on a dual carriageway...i thought the limitt was 70.....hence the speed i was doing! Yet it turns out it was 50...hence i was stopped...i had no intent to break the law.....what can i do?

Hi Alwayssurfing,

No. You'll need to wait until you're contacted via mail to see if you'll have that option. You should also note that the speed you were travelling over the limit falls outside the parameters of the marginal speeding the course is usually offered for. This means it's unlikely you'll be offered the course.

Unmarked fire arms police Warwick, let me pass at 90 then follows, pulled for 94 in a 70. Filled out a form, says do nothing, and wait. Is that the offer of a course?

i have recieved a speeding ticket for doing 52 in a 40mph two weeks ago in hull would i be able to do the speed awareness course as i have three points for speeding which i recieved on27 08 10 which i did not take the awareness course

Hi. I got caught by a police car with camera who pulled me over and gave me a ticket. He said i was to do nothing and wait for a letter telling me if i get points or a sac and it could take 4-6 week. Well its been 6 week now. Is there a time limit for them to get to me?

I think I got caught speeding 31mph on a 30 speed limit its been almost 2 weeks will I still hear anything or have I got away with it could you tell me please

hey i was doing 37mph in a 30mph basically didnt slow down quick enough from jus being on a national spped limit road ...D'oh

what are the rules on children on these courses i have NO childcare what so ever. I have a 2yr old and a 3week old who happens to be exclussively breast fed so i cant leave her with ne one as they dont have boobs!

im obs not refusing to do the course but surely they have to make consideration for people in my situation otherwise its discriminating against parents im really unsure on what to do now x

i think i may have been caught by a truvello camera last night and my licence will be clean for the 1st time in years as of the 23rd of this month. i have not been caught speeding for appox 4 years , will i be able to do this course rather than getting points on my licence again (i was doing approx 58 in a 50 zone).cheers lee

i was doing 36 on 30 and i got a letter in the post for option to do the driving awareness course which i wanted to do as this was my first conviction for speeding and would not get the 3 points ,i posted the letter by regestered post as was advised i did not hear back from them for a appointment to do the course and now they want to give me the 3 points and fine, it is not my fault that they did not get back to me and i spoke to them that i want to do it

hi, do you get confirmation of the SP30 offence after you have paid the £60?
I hold an EU driving licence, the £60 were taken out of my account and I sent in a photocopy of my EU driving licence, but I am not sure whether the three points are added on my licence or not.
Is it normal for the police to send out confirmation of the offence, or not?
Thank you

Hi,i was caugth doing 38mph in a 30 area speed camera 12 clock night time and iwas on course 3 years ago,its any ceans to do that course again?thank you!

If you do the course and then get caught speeding again a month later dou you just get 3 points for the second offence or dou you get the points from the first offence added too?

Colin. Its a room full of about 15 other offenders. Its like a classroom and they make you watch speeding videos like a child getting run over or crash test dummies. Go to the course. They also go over the hazard stuff. Its much better than taking points.

if you miss a course what happens. this was a genuine mistake.

i seem to explain but go mo replys

can any one tell me this is my first afence i have been driveing since 1958 and got caught by camera dong 40 mph instead of 30 miles i am 74 years old and going on the course can any please hel me what questions do they ask you as since i was driveing all these years no speeding and no parking tickets just worried about questions you do will it be arkward for me to do the course os can you change your mind and take points so please please help me

i passd my test in about 1956 and had a very cleancence till then and passed a speed camera and car was behind me then camera flashed then i got a sumons through th door i am 74 years old very very clean licence i sent the letter back to nottingham office the same day by recorderd delivery to go on the course just hope i be okay as since i was driveing all things changed i never intend to break the law i have alwys done things legal just hopeing i will be okay on the course it is just changed now

I was caught speeding in a 30mph zone. It was 12pm and there were no cars on the roads or people about. I was doing 39mph. I have been offered the chance to go on the course. The letters i have received say 'Alternative to prosecution' yet go on to say i will be fined £60 and have 3 points on my license. Glorified extortion if you ask me. These letters are frightening people with the word 'prosecution'.

I will not go on the course and will instead take the £60 fine and 3 points. They are not extorting money out of me!

Newcastle Police soaks !!!!!!!!!!

Even if you attend a course the police still tell your insurance company you were caught speeding. But THEY DO NOT TELL THEM YOU ATTENDED THE COURSE!!!!

i been stoped by officer asking me to follow him which i did. after driving for 5min he get out of his car and he walked checkin my car then asked me to look y car and follow him to his car. I was so scared i started cryin and shakin he asked me to translte to him what im sayin in my languge i ended cryin then st ttranslate to him his atituude was so scary he remind me of moroccan officer i though he will slap me. after he finished his writtin he asked me to sign something i never said i refused and his face experssion changed then i statred shakin i told him that pharse doesnt make since and i never said that he asked me to repeat it to him after all this he askme to sign then he said u can leave i asked him where im he just ignored me and walked to his car and drove.ell takin to the court and i will make complain the fact is i though in england the police officer are different from my home but people was soooo scared i though myself i was in morocco. i wet myself so scary.

I have just attended a speed awareness course in Bracknell. Although very educational and informative, all it really taught me was that I didn't know the highway code or things had changed since I passed my test 28 years ago.

It lacked the hard hitting, impact messages that are needed to stop people speeding in my view.

I have been caught doing 42 in a 30 three weeks ago. My first time being caught since passing my test nearly 25 years ago. I'm usually a careful mini cab driver. I didn't realise I was even going that fast concentrating on what is going on around me . I live in London and want to find out whether I am eligible for Speed Awareness Course. I am wondering whether going at 42 in a 30 would make me eligible for the course being a first time offender.

I was caught doing 42 in a 30 last weekend. My first time being caught since passing my test nearly 12 years ago. I'm usually a careful driver. I didn't realise I was even going that fast concentrating on what is going on around me - making sure the driver wasn't going to turn out off a petrol station in front of me etc. I live in Lincolnshire and get have the Speed Awareness Seminars. Just wondering whether going at 42 in a 30 would make me eligible for the course being a first time offender.

Hello there,
I have been driving for 22 months and have 3 points on my license for speeding, i wasn't offered the course this time around. however, i just drive passed a police motorbike which was waiting behind a corner with a camera attached to it. i didn't see it and i think i was doing 34 mph.. i don't know what to do , is there any way of finding out if it caught me?

Hi there
i was doing 33-34 mph in a 30mph zone and unfortunately there was a speed camera there but i am not sure wethere that speed camera caught me or not so is there any way to know wethere i got a speed offence or not like a website or a phone number where i can phone them and ask them about that?
thanx

hi please help! was coming home from work, i overtook a van as he was driving slow, once i arrived at my destination he must have followed me and confronted me, saying i was driving like an dangoursly and going to fast. Which i wasnt he said he had a camera in his van. Can the police do anything?

I was driving to Scotland and received a letter saying i had been driving on M6 go Birmingham Junctions 6-8 which apparently is 50mph speed limit. They said i was doing 61mph. Have been offered to do a SAC with TTC, I have moved to Scotland and it looks like there are none in Scotland. The nearest one looks like over 2 hours drive away in Cumbria.
Is it a case of accepting the one over 2 hours drive away or not at all?
I have also noticed a lot of conflicting info on some sites regarding how it affects insurance. Some people say its a rip off as the insurance companies somehow find out anyway. If i accepted a course how does i actually affect my insurance? Would i need to tell my insurance? I have also read some insurance companies now automatically ask if you have been on a SAC. Is the best thing to accept the course??? Please help..(Clean License so far up until now)

how do i get on the course im so confussed

I was stopped by a police officer doing 45mph in a 40mph limit 1have only had my licence 3 months would i be able to do the awareness course

Hi I think I got caught by a speeding van overtaking on a dual carrage way at 80mph I was wondering as I got caught speeding 3months ago and turned down the speed awareness course if I get done for this offence will I be offered the speed awareness course even though I refused the first one? Please help I'm worried

tim,

I was doing 36mph instead of 30mph and i was not offered the opportunity to attend speed awareness course.can i appeal to get that offer?Thank you.

Please advise - I am a breastfeeding mum who has been told that my baby (9 weeks old) can only attend on the basis I bring a carer with me who will sit outside the room and I will feed baby if and when necessary!
Surely this cannot be correct? I feel discriminated against and forced to leave my child something I have not done since birth! I am at a loss all I want is for my baby to attend or the course put back until next year until I wean her..

Any advice or guidanced welcomed

Someone please help?

i have 3 points on my licence and i have got caught on a speed camera,can i appeal or pay 2 stop the points goin on thanks

I have been asked if I have been charged with any offence in connection with a motor vehicle. A year or two ago I was caught speeding and attending a speeding seminar rather than receiving points. Would the answer to the question be yes or no? Was I charged with the offence or not?

I have a date to take the course, but Im going to be unable to attend because I cant get childcare.
can I

(a) Book another date
or
(b) Take the points and the fine

Hi I was due to attend a course on Saturday 22nd September. As I was driving to the venue I witnessed a serious RTA involving a farm vehicle and a Motorcycle. I stopped to provide frist aid to the casualties and a statement to the police. This meant I was unable to attend the course. The Police gave me an incident reference number and name of Officer in charge. I called today and rebooked the course. In the instrcutions it states the only valid reason for non attendance is sicknees supported by a doctors certifcate. Given that the police would not allow me to leave the scene, will I have to pay again?

Got 6 point already but just been caught by speed camera doing 37 in a 30mph zone - manchester. gonna send the form back. Am i likely to be offer the offender retraining instead of points. never taken the course before?

Don't bother with this course if you think it will protect you against higher insurance premiums. I was told that only the police would have this information and that it would not be released. I duly undertook the course and paid £100 and wasted the best part of a day only to be told at the the END that insurance companies would still be allowed to increase the premium but only if I volunteered th info which I was not required to do.
The course is a con. My renewal suddenly bumped up another £100 because somehow the insurance comapny had access to the information that only the police had and would not release to other parties...
supposedly!

Hi, I've just received a speeding ticket I was doing 38 in a 30 so I know that would entitle me to do the speed awareness course but just wondering if age or how long i have had my license affects whether I can do it??

Can you opt back into doing a speed awareness course after opting out on the original form asking you to name the driver driving the car? I have changed my mind and would like to attend a course but there is nowhere on the form asking for my driver's licence to opt back in.

Hi Bram,

Having spoken to various course providers, we’ve been told that points would not be carried over, even if you were immediately caught reoffending. However you most certainly would get to do the course again for the next three years. You would only get the three points for the new offence.

Hi Jay,

It’s down to the constabulary I’m afraid.

Hi David,

Yes you’d be able to take the points if you aren’t able to attend.

Hi James,

You’d be in the usual parameters for an offer, but it’s entirely at their discretion.

Hi J,

Check out this link.

Hi Reezy,

The course providers I’ve spoken to have confirmed that points that you’ve avoided by doing a course cannot be retrospectively applied due to a new offence. It’s not like a suspended sentence. However you can only do one course every three years, so he will definitely be taking 3 points for the new offence.

Hi Noel,

Rest assured that many people feel the same way you do. As a side note, to count as entrapment the police would have to actively encourage you to speed in order to then catch you. Hiding vans is seen by many as unfair method of catching people, but it isn’t entrapment as they aren’t actually trying to make you exceed the speed limit.

Hi Sue,

If you were caught you should soon receive a notice of prosecution that makes everything clear. You may be offered a place on a course, or you may be given three penalty points.

Hi All
I was coming down the road and a sign said slow down i was driving at 38 in a 30
The sign send slow down and also my car reg was on it will i get point from this

Why are camera partnerships allowed to hide their vans as this happen be entrapment and should not be used to do soas is breaking a law to enforce a law? its becoming quite common that police force are guilty of this? practise they have put a BIG RED SPOT on the chestes of every motorist in the UK. No longer can you keep our eyes on the road but they to be set on your speedo! yes I have been caught 35 in a 30 but the van was hidden @08.23 am on a very wet sunday morning and on down ward slope & close to a set of traffic lights so had keep one on rearview mirror one on speedo & watch the road all at the same time its my first in 30+ years of driving & you some little git sitting in back of a hidden van on the wrong side of the road and not only that these people have to move around in these vans which have no stableisers so therefore their movements can alter the cameras even on a tripod? its not the speed that kills it councils failing to carry out road repairs ie potholes & unleven surrfaces? not only has the motorist have to worry abount these cameras but fuel costs & damage repairs to their cars due to lack of repairs to our roads. sorry I am very unhappy with this these police force sit back & laugh at the public who help to pay their wages through taxes you see this on every tv police program? these cameras are just cashcows & not for our safely.

I was one of those "victims" not being offered a speed awareness course, just to find out when I spoke to the local constabulary that I did not tick the box that requests to be considered for the course, very relieved that they were very helpful to rectify my mistake. Awaiting paperwork for the course now.

Hi

I have moved back to the UK and still have my US licence. Just got a speeding ticket on a car not registered to me and was wondering if I could use my US licence, pay the fine but that way at least I would not have the 3 points. I still get paid in the US and have a US address. There is nothing (as far as I am aware) on the summons form that says I am doing anything illegal. Any reason why I can't?

Hello,
my father in law was caught speeding and offered the speed awareness course instead of points which he attended.
A week later he foolishly sped again and was caught. Will the points from his first offence now be added with the second set of points he's due to receive?
Thank you for your time.

HI, Please could you tell me where a speed awareness course would be held if I live in Mansfield , Notts

hi I was caught doing 35 in a 30, by a mobile police van, but am not sure weather it could be for a tax check or weather it was a speed van, and do they inform you of your speed on the letter, and does this mean I am eligble for the speed awareness course? help please

Hi guys hope someone can help.

I was comeing off a roundabout which was 40mph and was checking my blind spots for trafficc as i was coming off it, I then seen the sign that reduces the speed to 30mph which is almost instantly off the roundabout (this stretch of road has not been long changed from 40 to 30) and I started to slow down steadly and safley !!! I noticed the speed van wch is often there , it was about 1/4 of a mile away and it caught me just after the 30 sign no more than 10 - 20 yard coming out of a 40 zone doing 38 mph (baisically no time to slow down).

Anyway my questions are as followed.

1) they no longer allow you to view the offence online any more ? they used to.

2) I have been offered to go to the speed awareness course but due to my disabilities I am unable to attend this offer.

Can i accept option 2 , conditional offer of fixed penalty of £60 and 3 points.

Is this also a gurentee of only 3 points and £60 fine ?


Im quite angry at this speeding fine as i never speed and I was only going over the 30mph speed limit due to watching the road and forgetting the new speed limit but also they snapped me speeding right after the zone change and also they were over 1/4 of a mile away.

any advice on my questions or just general feedback would help.

regards

David

36 in a 30 in chester got 9 points licence but 3 are not valid as are over 3 years nearly 4 in october will i be eligable for the course?

hi, please could you advise me would be much appreciated.
i found out a month or so i have been caught speeding however i have being offered a place on the speed awareness couse which i am very grateful for. however i have just been informed i may have been caught again (both times by the mobile hidden cameras). i have heard that if i recieve any points in a said period of time after my awarness course the original points will be added so i will have a total of 6 points? any help would be appreciated. thanks

Hi Sam,

The answer is no I'm afraid. You can't apply to do the course instead of points, you can only be offered that option by the police at the time that they prosecute.

Kind Regards,

UK Net Guide

I was recently caught on a speed camera doing 46 in a 40. At that time, I was on my US driving license. The letter I received stated that I can take the awareness course if I have a UK license and if I am on a foreign license I do not have the option of taking the awareness course.
The week after I was caught on camera, I received my Provisional license. My question is- Now that I have my provisional license, can I apply for the awareness course with it?

Here are answers to some of the questions being raised in the comments section. Hopefully you’ll find them helpful. Hi Pierre, In many cases you don’t have to tell your insurers about speed awareness courses (indeed course instructors are often keen to stress this to participants as a way of getting enthusiasm up). It really depends on what your policy states. Some insurers have been known to treat the offer of the course as ‘a material fact’ affecting a policy (unfortunately, there’s no real clear cut definition of what legally constitutes a ‘material fact’). It’s certainly a grey area. The Cumbria police, for instance, boast on their site that you can use the course to avoid premium hikes (see here). The Staffordshire County council make the same claim on their site ((http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk). Despite this some insurance companies will actually ask about such courses themselves when it comes to taking or renewing a policy. On balance it might be best to, having checked your policy, adopt a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell stance.’ Hi Marianna, Yes, you can do the course with a foreign license (at least in the case of most course providers. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that seems to be uniform across the board when it comes to these courses.) Hi Rob, As you’ll see from comments through this thread, we can’t say if it’s likely or not, as it’s utterly down to the prosecuting force. We can say that you do fall within the parameters of what is considered marginal speeding and that courses are running in that part of the country, i.e. Merseyside and the Wirral. Hi Jeanette, No, there’s no formal test to be passed. However, in rare circumstances, if the instructors feel you haven’t engaged with the course or really tried to learn from the experience, they can feedback to the police and you could be prosecuted anyway. This is rare though. Hi Julian, You can’t contact someone to get on the course instead of points, you can only be offered that option by the police. You’ll have to wait and see. Hi Kevin, This is an odd issue, legally speaking. Hidden speed traps are firmly against correct police procedure. They are supposed to be visible. But this is a point of procedure, rather than law, meaning they can still prosecute you. You can make a complaint against the officer, but that would be a separate issue to your prosecution. Kind Regards, UK Net Guide

think ive just been caught by a mobile speed gun at 10 o clock at night,the police van was parked in a lay by with no lighting, and no signs. This was a A road ,think i was doing just over 40.Can the police do this ?

been caught doing 39 in 30 zone just wondering how to contact some one about doing the speed awareness course asap i got three points and im a taxi driver cant afford the points please help!

Please can anybody advise me. I was due to take the speed awareness course on Monday 2nd July. Today 27th June I received a phone call to say the course has been cancelled asmthe premises had been flooded and I have to phone back. Didn't say to rearrange. What are my rights? By law I have to take the course within a certain time frame or else. Nothing about my rights when a course is cancelled at short notice. Some
People seem to take this all in their stride but for personal reasons I can't and I can't go through a week like I've just had. Advice would be very very welcome. Thank you

hi do you have to do a test on the course

hi I was caught doing 41 in a 30 last week in merseyside by a fixed camera, am I likely to get offered a speed awareness course for that or not? I already have 6 points could defo do without another 3 pleAse help thanks rob

Havrecently received notice of intent to prosecute, 35 in 30 zone. Am confused about whether I have to inform Insurance? Policy states must inform them of motoring convictions or pending prosecutions? will opefully be offered Speed Awareness Course.

Hi Carol,

If you appeal, you lose the option to take the course instead of points. Whether or not you have to inform the insurer is down to the small print in their policy. Very often you wouldn't need to tell them, but check your policy first.

Hi Nana,

No, I'm afraid you couldn't do that.

I have been asked to surrender my Licence as I have maximum points (speeding). Can I still go for the Course and maybe have three points taken off so I can drive again?

I UK Net, i have had a CLEAN licence for 29 yrs in Sept. just been caught by a HIDDEN mobile camera doing 39 in a 30, quiet rd, few houses, that are not opening out onto the rd at 7pm,.i driving down a dip,with a slight curve to accelerate getting back up the hill in 4th gear, only small car 1149cc, I didn't see any sign, but received a letter 8 days later, now i'm aware that the van it is there,iv'e looked out for it, not speeding just annoyed re not seeing any sign, this time the van+ camera was, very visible parked on main rd,and a sign on lamp post. iv'e continued to look each time iv'e passed, however this Friday i passed approx same time 6-50pm and there was a residents lg white van parked up, which i have seen lots of times, but after pondering on it now for a couple of wk's, if the sign was there it was obscured by the white van which is why i didn't see it?(i know i was sill going over limit but would have slowed down) I have been offered the speeding course, is it worth appealing?re the sign, and if i did would i lose the option to do the course? Lastly do you HAVE to inform the insurance company of the speeding ticket as i have no points or do i tell them i'm taking course? iv'e been told by a number of people who have DONE THE COURSE that there is no need to declare? if i take the course (as mine is up for renewal in next couple of days,) . (unless i did appeal and lost ?) i would be grateful for your advice, carol, confused and stressed

I've been nabbed and done the course and I can tell for a fact . EVERYTHING that's asked here is dependant on the constabulary that caught you AND the course arn't that bad. No one is going to march you through the town where the locals spit on you. It's not a bad caourse at all.,
The one in Dartford is 4hrs long ( and you have to attend all 4 hours of it ) and they teach you how about road laws that you wouldn't normally be aware of so you don't get caught again. That's it.

On other courses in the area there were driving sections but that doesn't apply to all courses.

seriously .... if it's offered take it !!!

Hi All,

Hopefully these points of information will answer most of the questions down the thread;


• Even if you’re within the parameters mentioned in the article, whether you’re offered the course is solely at the discretion of the prosecuting police force.

• Many constabularies don’t offer the course at all.

• You can’t apply to do the course, you can only be offered it.

• It can only be done in place of the penalty points for one offence, once every three years.

• Usually, you’ll be asked to do the course in the area where you offended. However, some police forces do work in partnership with others in different parts of the country that run also the course, so, in some cases, you’ll be able to do the course closer to home, but not always.

• You can’t get points that have already been applied taken off your license retrospectively by doing the course.

• If you appeal the speeding notice and lose, the course will not be an option, even if you were offered it at first.

The main thing to say is that you don’t need to search out courses in your area, worry about your eligibility or make applications, as it is the police who will decide if you do the course and where you’ll do it, and they’ll let you know their decision and all the details of the course (where it’s being held and when etc.)

You will be offered the course at the same time as they write to you to inform you you’ve been caught. If you aren’t made an offer at this time, you can try replying with a request to do the course, outlining your suitability- but that’s about all you can do.

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to say as a rule whether you’ll be offered the course or not in any one situation. All you can do is wait and see, and if you’re unlucky try begging! It worked for this Telegraph journalist.

Hi - just a quick question I was caught speeding its a fair cop to coin a phrase, 38 in a 30 zone, I have had a clean licence for 6-7 years now but I have not been offered a Speed Awareness course has anybody else suffered a similar fete, I know atleast 4 other folk who were doing slightly faster in my area that have been offered the course, makes no sense to me.

Has anyone seen a grey mobile speeding van before? I went passed one on the A14 it's a 70 limit I was doing approx 85 but after a week no ticket. Is it defiantly a mobile speeding van???

i was caught doing 87 in a 70mph limit.
can i apply to have a spped awareness course as i am 1 mph over the threshold of 10% plu 9

I have been charged with doing 36 in a 30 stretch of road in Dorset. They have offered me the driver awareness course but stipulate on the form that I have to do it in Dorset. Is this correct? I live in London, have two young children and it will be very difficulty fro me to get to the course.

I use the Wallasey tunnel daily to and from
Work which is 40mph I needed petrol and used the Birkenhead tunnel as it's closer, not realising it's 30mph until I approached the first narrow bend in the tunnel at which point I slowed down. On exiting the tunnel I was stopped by a Mersey tunnels police officer issuing me with a fixed penalty £60 and 3 points. He said I was doing 43 but how will he have known this? He was alone. Do I apply for an awareness course at the police station when I go to produce my driving licence? I have been driving for 2 1-2 years and have never been in trouble before?

hi can anyone help me i was doing 37 in a 30 and got a ticket will i be able to do a speeding corse and not take the fine and ponts and also can anyone help me in where the nearest one to stamford linconshire is plz asap would be very helpful thanks in addvance

hi can anyone tell me where the closest place to stamford lincs is and if they offer the speed awareness course

Hi, I pased my test about 2 years ago but lost it under thenew drivers act after 22 months. i re-did my test and re-gained my liscence as it was recuired for my job. I now have 6 points on my liscence but have never taken such course. as i have now totaled my 2 year probation but only held my 2nd liscence for a matter of months am i able to do the course? I was doing 49 in a 40 in a transit van but arguably manouvering round a cyclist hence the reason for a small increase in speed. Your quick response would be much appreciated as i shortly have to send of details. (It was a mobile speed van)

Got caught by a speed camera tonight which I knew had been there for years! I know I was doing either 40 or just under...im 19 and have been driving for 10 months...do you know if there are any course going in Newport South Wales??? Please help!

Hi there, I just received a Notice of prosecution for driving @ 47 mph on a 40 mph road. How do I know if I am eligible for the speed awareness course so I can avoid the penalty and points on my licence. It's my first offence. As it is within the +9 mph over limit range, I should be eligible for the course.

Am I right in assuming so?

Thanks

Hi, can anyone help with my query? I was caught doing 37mph in a 30 a couple of weeks ago and I have just received another one today 36mph in a 30. If I am offered the option of a Speed Awareness Course will that clear all fines and points or only one set, leaving me to pay the fine and take points on the remaining?

I have a license for 1 year. I did 60 in a 50mph average speed camera limit and 4 days later i got caught doing 61 on the same road. I got both my NIP together in the post. Is there any chance i coul be offered a speed awareness course or will i get 6 points and lose my license??

Hi. I drove at 58mph in a 50mph zone. I have a foreign licence (from Portugal). I'd like to know if I'll have the possibility to do the course instead of having the 3 points added to my licence, after all I was within the 10% of the limit plus 9mph. I'd appreciate your reply, because I'm eager to know what's going to happen...Thank you.

Hi All, To reiterate, whether you are offered the course is at the discretion of the police, but you can only do one within a three year period. If you are offered the course, all you need to do is accept and you'll avoid the points. Regards, UK Net Guide

hi i have 10 points on my licence but have 3 coming off in may and 4 coming off in august i was done 2 weeks ago doing 35 in a 30 will i get the course or a ban thanks

58 in a 50 will I get offered a course plz help !!

I was caught doing 46mph on a 40 mph road by a roadside police biker with a gun. Within two months of passing my test I had a crash and went on a two day course to save my licence. That was 4 years ago and have'nt re-offended since. Does the earlier course i did also have the 3 year limit? Or is there a longer wait. Is there a chance I might be offered the drive awareness course?

I have been offered a speed awareness course, but I have done one in the past but I cant remember when I did it, is there a way of finding out?
It also says that the the police do checks on this before sending out the offer, is this true?

well going on my speed awareness course today got caught doing 36 in a 30 mph by a speed van who was nicley hiding away so you could,nt see him till it was to late,so now when i'm driving down that same road i blow my horn as i go past and flash my light's just to say hi i'm here.

Hi,

All offers to do the course are at the discretion of the police, but the general guideline for eligibility is if you are within 10% of the limit, plus 9mph. So, don't expect an offer if you we're over that. You can do the course if you've already taken points in the past, but you can't do the course more than once in three years.

Hi there I had a notice for penalty and I was driving at 42 at 30mph. Am I still eligible for the test.

i will answer my own question, yes you can be offered the speed awareness course even tho you already have points on ur licence. I had 6 points from motorway offences, got caught in the NorthEast doing 35 in a 30 zone by a mobile camera. Just had a letter back offering me the speed awareness course which will cost me £84 but no further points on mi licence.

Hi, think i've just been caught speeding doing roughly 40 in a 30, is the course a option for me as i've only held my licence for 10 months? also is it true anything under 42 in a 30 the course is a option? thanks

I have been offered a course for a recent speeding offence. If I decide to not take the course, will I still be offered the option of a course next time, assuming I am with in the usual parameters ?

i got caught for doing 48mph on 40mph. got their and dont know what to do. do i request them for the course or they gonna offer me a course after i accept that i was driving?? plz help because i need to fill the letter in.

Hi
Was accused of driving at 87mph on a motorway. As was just accelerating past a car it is possible. Have I any chance of requesting to take a course, or am I too much of an offender?

been driving 2 weeks, young driver, caught speeding 37 in a 30mph by mobile unit, no school nearby, road changes from 30mph to 40mph in short distance, can i take the speed awareness course offered in the letter?

hiya, i was recently caught speeding doing 55 in a 40 although i thought i was in a 60 zone, not that im using it as an excuse, but this is my first offence and i was wondering do u think i would get offered a speed awarness course cus i could really do without the points?

THIS IS A VERY BRIEF DESCRIPTION DETAILING MY SITUATION THAT HAS ARISEN WITH MY CONCERNS AS GOING THROUGH A LOT OF STRESS AND ANGUISH CURRENTLY AFTER LOSING MY CONTRACT JOB WITH A NATIONAL COURIER COMPANY AFTER 1.2 YEARS SERVICE DUE TO CONTRACTUAL PROBLEMS AND NEW DELIVERY SYSTEM APPLICATIONS.
WITH USING MY VAN / CAR. I HAD 3PTS SP30 WHEN APPLIED FOR VACANCY( OCT 2010) THAT AFTER 2 WEEKS INTO THE JOB I THEN HAD TO RETURN LICENCE FOR ANOTHER 6PTS MS90 TO BE ADDED (9PTS) THAT DIDNT AFFECT MY JOB UNTIL NOW WHICH IS NOW STRESSING ME GETTING EMPLOYMENT BACK INTO VAN WORK .
COULD I APPLY FOR A SPEED AWARENESS COURSE DUE TO HARDSHIP CONCERNS & NEEDS AS NOT ABLE TO GET EMPLOYMENT WITHIN MY MAIN CAREER IN PRINTING AT PRESENT . COULD I DO THIS THROUGH THE LOCAL BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE FORCE OR SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS. PLEASE COULD YOU ADVISE ME WITH THIS . I APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN IN THIS MATTER . THANKS!!

I have being caught doing 35mph in a 30mph zone by a mobile camera in the Northeast. I already have 6points on my licence for two speeding motorway offences. Could i be offered a speed awarness course or do these only apply for 1st time offenders??

Hi Jennifer, Sorry to hear about your dilemma. Unfortunately, having already done a speed awareness course recently, you won't be able to take one again in the place of points. It would appear you have little option but to accept the penalty points or appeal the charge.

All the Best,

UK Net Guide

Hi Joe, It seems very unlikely that an exception would be made for you, I'm afraid. All the Best, UK Net Guide

Hi Aaron,

That would depend on what the police force in question offer you. You yourself won't be able to choose (other than to accept or decline a place.)

All the Best, UK Net Guide

Please help! I have just recieved a letter (notice for prosecution) for speeding in a 30mph zone in Manchester City Centre (when driving at 37mph).

I have already been on a speed awareness course last year, for speeding 8 miles over on a motorway.

I'm really distressed about this as my husband is disabled and I drive him around. I have been so vigilant since the speeding awareness course, but clearly not enough. Do you have any advice?

Hello. I was caught speeding at 36mph on 30mph road in Bedfordshire. As I live in Northampoton, can I do the Speed Awareness Course in Northampoton or do I have to do it in Bedfordshire? Thanks.

Hi there, I have a predicament. I got caught doing 45 in a 30 by a marked car. this is my second penalty, (got caught slipping again my mistake i know) with my first being only less than a week ago, so i cant actually physically surrender my license. this means that my cause will be taken to court considering i have 2 days left to surrender my license and it hasnt arrived yet. even more so is that i am within my first 2 years of driving so will be stipped back to a provisional most likely, however i also recieved a public order warning for driving offences, and therefore would a court take into account that i am only extremely margainly over the limit of a speed awareness course, however due to recieving a police warning they could make an exception? im not asking the courts to make a big thing about it, but common sense says that loosing your license when youve been given a warning and are only slightly over the boundary for a speed awareness course, isnt it better to rehabilitate than to outright punish?

Hi i was caught doind 38 in a 30 zone,and got a speeding fine.I think i may be offered a course,but what dose the course entale? Is it a test that has to be passed? Is it written or will I have to rive around in my car? I live in the north lincs area?

Hi Graham,

It varies between insurers, some will ask you directly about it or state that you have to inform them, others don't, meaning you can potentially keep it to yourself.

All the Best,

UK Net Guide

I hahe just been caught doing 37 mph in a 30mph zone..Based on what I have read above I will probably be offered a speed awarenes course.If I am do I have to inform my insurance company what has happened or not.?

Husband caught in Huddersfield in November and a couple of days later thought he had been caught in Manchester. Got notice re Huddersfield and did the Speed Awareness Course in December. Today heard that due to mix up the Manchester notice sent to wrong person and he should now be receiving notice in a couple of days. As both speeding offences were within days of each other will be just be fined or automatically get points on licence. Told the silly so and so that he should drive slower !

Hi I've recently been caught doing 71 in what I thought was a 70 speed limit turns out I hadn't realised i drive a van so it's was 60mph if I have already got points for non speed related am I still able to be offered the speed awareness course?

Hi Martin, Hi Natasha,

It is at the discretion of the police to offer you a place on the course, you cannot request it unfortunately.

All the Best,

UK Net Guide

I was caught on camera three years ago doing 36mph on a very open quiet 30mph road and completed the speed awareness course. I have just received a similar 36mph in a 30 zone. Am I able to take the course again or not?

Hi...

I think I may have been caught speeding by a mobile camera, I believe I was doing 35/6ish in a 30.

If the points come through the post without the option of the speeding awareness course can I request it? I feel it may be benifical to me.

Many thanks

Hi Nicole, Whether you are offered the course is entirely at the police's discretion, however it was implemented primarily for people like you, caught close to the limit. We'd suggest replying to both of the two letters separately, seeing as they were sent that way. All the Best UK Net Guide.

Hi,
I have received 2 speeding tickets- actually the Notice of Intention to prosecute,both same day -max speed was 30mph tickets says 37 and 38mph. From your previous discussions it seems I am eligible for the course,right? Is this available in Manchester? Should I ask for the course? Should I send both replies in the same envelope or separate to increase my chances of receiving the course? thanks

Hi Sam,

It's down to the force that caught you, but normally you'd have to be within 10% of the speed limit plus nine mph. So in a 50 zone, the upper parameter would be 64. As you were going faster than that, you probably won't be offered the course.

All the Best,

UK Net Guide

Hi

I got caught with speed camera on M4!
it was TEMP 50 MPH ROAD WORKER and i was doing 67MPH
considering it was TEMP sign,can i go to the course instead of 3 points

thanks

Hi Martin, whether you are offered the course will depend on which force your case is being dealt with by. If you get on the course you will have to pay for the course, but not an additional fine and you wouldn't get the points. As for insurance, taking the course is not supposed to add to your premiums (according to course leaders) but some people have found that when they've informed their insurer they were on the course, their premium increased. It seems to depend on the insurer and whether require to declare having been on the course.

60 in a 50 I believe should get me a speed awarness course offered. Can you confirm that, by taking this course I will not need to pay an additional fine and I will not get points on my licence? Also, will I need to inform my insurance and would it affect my premium as a result? Thanks to cruise control.

Hi All,

In answer to your questions, the final decision as to whether you are offered a place on a course rests with the police department concerned, so unfortunately, though the guideline of being within 10% of the limit + 9mph is the normal parameter, it's down to how things are done in your area.

Kind Regards,

UK Net Guide

i was stopped doing, as the police stated no less than 44mph on a 30mph zone. the police stopped me on the 40mph zone which i was approaching after the 30mph zone where they say i committed the offence. i have been driving 15 mths and fall into the young drivers regulations and need my licence for my job. i am from scotland can i do the course

i was photographed speeding at 28 mph in a 20mph zone

Looking at the rules do i get 10 percent above the limit plus 9mph to be able to go on the course?

If that is the case i am inside the allowed limit

i was caught speeding 58mph on a 50, am i entitled to a speed awareness course?

Stoped doing 88 in a 70 can I do the course

I was travelling in mid-wales near Tallybont just before Christmas and received a letter in the new year stating I`d been caught on camera doing 35 in a 30 zone, I was a stranger to the area and cannot recall seeing any signage ref speed limit. Having completed a speed awareness course approx 12 months previously I knew I weasn`t eligible to do another so will have to take the points on the chin. However the real pirpose of my note is to tell you that a work colleague has been on two speed awareness courses in less than 12 months?!? how can this be/ he puts it down to fact it was two seperate Police force areas? I prefer to think it may have been a clerical error and he was simply lucky?

Hi Debi,

You were within the parameters that would allow you to take the course, but whether you can do it depends if it's available in your area. Ayashsatellites, it sounds like you need to contact your local police department, they would have sent out the notice. You should be able to find their number online.

All the Best,

UK Net Guide

hi got a letter about me speeding but i lost the letter i been looking for the phone number ,,please help if you have the number send it to me i think its t l c or t c l not sure the name on the letter

I was doing 52 on an A road which had just changed from 60 to 40 without me realising. The opposite side of the road was still 40. I have just been sent a letter for a £60.00 fine and three points, am I elidgable for the speeding course?? Thank you

Hi Becca,

The circumstances of your case mean that you should be eligible, but it is also a matter of whether courses are available in your area. As they are not offered everywhere it's not 100% that you'll be offered the course.
All the Best, UK Net Guide

I was doing 37mph in a 30mph zone and have been driving for 14 months so under the 2 years. Would just like to no how reliable the information is on this site I.e that you can be doing 10% + 9mph and if it's under that you will 100% be offered the speed awareness course?....

Hi Luke, Hi Sophie,

In both cases you should be offered the option to do the course as you were within 10% of the limit + 9mph. Let us know what your experience is like, or if things don't go as you'd expected.

All the Best,

UK Net Guide

I was caught doing 84 in a 70 will i have a chance to do the course?

will i be offered to do it?

it was in a company car and i havent seen the ticket yet.

its been 4 months since i passed my test did 50mph on 40mph dual carriageway no schools etc nearby and was in the fast lane overtaking missed the camera by mistake, i work at the bank and am under 25 female, will i be offered the driving awareness course instead of points??

I was just nailed bang to rights doing 40 in a 30 zone. The camera has been there years, and although it was only reduced from 40 to 30 a little while ago, I've driven past it OK every morning for the last 6 months.

It was before 6 in the morning, I went to bed at 1 a.m., there was nobody else on the road and I was daydreaming. No excuses, I was bloody furious with myself when the flash woke me up; probably a good thing!

Now I have the Notice of Intended Prosecution, and it says you can be eligible if:

You were doing equal or less to +10% + 9mph. This is OK for me, as in a 30 zone this equates to 33 + 9mph = 42.

The second factor is you haven't done a Speed Awareness course in the previous 3 years. I haven't.

Assuming I'm offered the chance, I'll take it. I like my licence staying clean, and I just know my insurers will whack my premium up as soon as I tell them I picked up an SP30. £93.20 for the course, but probably worth it.

I'll walk out if I have to get on my knees and grovel, but otherwise I'm going to stick it out. I feel like an idiot for speeding past a camera I knew was there and what the limit was. The opportunity to keep a clean licence and keep my insurance premium the same is great. I am beating myself up about it as it is, since I'm not a habitual speeder.

Hi Daryl,

As you were over the speed limit by more than 10% + 9mph, you would not be eligible to take a course instead of points.

All the Best,

UK Net Guide

Just attended a course with a selection of speeders - 85 in a 70, 33 in a 30 plus others in 40,50 and 60 limits

I was in a 40mph zone I didn't realise I was breaking the speed limit, the police motorcycle gave me 3 points and fine because I was apparently doing 60mph. Rather than contesting and having to go court is there a way to do speed awareness? Thanks in advance

38 in a 30 caught out. Sat Nav read 35 but - I had just had massive wheelspin and torque steer at 25 mph. When I slipped it into 4wd (lock by mistake) the car surged to 35mph as it regained traction. 25 to 38mph in the distance is technically impossible in that gear. Did the car snapping back into line from a drift into the other lane over-trigger the camera? It all seems so bizare that the sat nav read 35, the speedo read came back to 32 which is the normal difference. Can a speedo be 6mph out and is that why I frequently get 'undertaken' particularly alongside buslanes?

Hi Jill, We looked into your question and found they are held at the following location; The Old Rectory Hotel, North Walsham Road, Crostwick, Norwich, Norfolk, NR12 7BG, You can call them on 0845 345 9623 for more information.

All The Best, UK Net Guide

Where are the courses held in Norwich?

I was caught doing 46mph on a 60mph road in a Hgv which us only allowed to do 40mph so would I be eligable for this course