How much is the speed awareness course? And what's involved?
Published Date: 26th Apr 2016
The majority of today’s drivers are careful and very aware of other road users, whilst keeping a clean licence, fully free from penalty points. However with the growing number of stationary and mobile speed cameras, a single dip in concentration on your speedometer could lead to a fixed penalty fine and 3 points.
Fortunately in some cases you can take a speed awareness course and you don’t have to add the three points onto your shiny clean licence. Your insurance may not go up as a result, although you may have to disclose the course to your insurance company. Generally this is a bit of a grey area but read through your policy. In most cases you only need to tell them if they ask you.
The system is not in place across the whole country as it depends whether your local police force has signed up for the scheme. Another factor that plays a part in whether you can be offered some speed awareness training, is of course speed, there is a threshold of how much you broke the limit by which determines your options.
What are the limits for the speed awareness course?
If you’re speeding is extreme and reckless, then you have no choice and you would have to take it on the chin with a possible courtroom appearence. Keep it within the threshold and you will made more aware of the consequences and keep a clean license. The limits range from 10% of the limit plus 2mph and 9mph depending on the speed limit on the road.
30mph limit: speeding between 35mph and 42mph
40mph limit: speeding between 46mph and 53mph
50mph limit: speeding between 57mph and 64mph
60mph limit: speeding between 68mph and 75mph
70mph limit: speeding between 79mph and 86mph
How much? And what happens?
Generally the course will cost around £100, different police forces use different organisations to deliver the content at varying amounts. It will be around the same as a fixed penalty notice but without the stigma of points.
The training comprises of a half day session ran by a number of independent companies including the AA. No exams to worry about but you will have to attend and show a positive attitude and join in the activities and group discussions.
Photo ID is required and if you’ve taken the course within the last three years you won’t be eligible. The course provider will then notify the police and inform them of your attendance. The courses run throughout the week during the day, evening and weekends, so you may not need to take the time off work to attend.