Can I Attend a Course Instead of Gaining Penalty Points?

Q.

I have recently received I speeding ticket for travelling at 37mph in a 30mph zone. I would like to know if I can pay to go on a speed awareness course rather than receive the points on my license. I live in Sunderland. I have been driving since 1989 and this is my first offence. I'd appreciate it if you could give me some advice.

A.

Speed Awareness courses and workshops have been running in the Sunderland area since around 2005, and since then, 95% of people who have been offered a place on the three hour interactive course have taken up the option, rather than getting points on their licence and paying a fixed penalty fine.

What is covered on the courses?

With the emphasis on re-education rather than punishment, the courses have a double purpose - they give each attending driver an assessment of their driving ability and they also teach drivers about the dangers of driving over the speed limit - even by just a few miles per hour. Motorists can find out how much the survival rates increase and decrease for cyclists, pedestrians and other road users as driving speed moves between 30-40mph. Discussion of driving skills, behaviour and attitude assessment are all elements of the speed awareness course which go towards making up a better overall understanding between the driver and their relationship with the road and with other road users.

Can I put myself forward for a Speed Awareness Course?

Unfortunately, you won't usually have the option to apply for a Speed Awareness Course - if you are eligible to take part, then the course will be offered to you for a fee of around £65 as an alternative to the usual punishment of a £60 fine and 3 penalty points on your licence. The eligibility criteria will centre around how fast you were going (the course is considered to be most effective for those who were recorded travelling at marginally over the acceptable speed limit), and how many times you have been found guilty of similar offences. As you were doing 37mph in a 30mph area and it is your first offence, this would usually make you a good candidate for the course and it is likely that you will be offered a place. If you aren't offered a place on a course and you think you should have been, there's no harm in calling the number on the ticket to see if it is an option - but the courses fill up quickly, so you may be out of luck.

How many courses can you do instead of getting points?

In most cases, motorists are only allowed to take one speed awareness course every three year period, so if you are offered the option and take it, then are stopped again a few months later for the same offence – you will get points and a fine.