Speed Awareness Course
Summary
Attend a speed awareness course and avoid the 3-point endorsement that accompanies a standard speeding fixed penalty. Courses are offered at police discretion for drivers caught up to approximately 10% + 9 mph over the limit (the precise threshold varies by force). They last around four hours and cost £80–£120. Completing the course discharges the offence — no points, no conviction. You are not eligible if you have attended a course within the previous three years, or if the speed recorded is above the force's threshold.
Who can offer a course and on what basis
Speed awareness courses are offered by NDORS-accredited providers under the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme, operated by the police through the Road Safety Trust framework. A chief constable may offer a course instead of a fixed penalty under s.86 Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. Attendance is entirely voluntary — you can decline and opt for the fixed penalty and points instead. Accepting a course offer means you are acknowledging the offence; however, this is not recorded as a conviction.
Eligibility criteria
Most forces apply roughly the same threshold: the recorded speed must be between the limit + 10% + 2 mph and the limit + 10% + 9 mph. Above that, the offence is referred directly for fixed penalty or court. You are also ineligible if you have attended a NDORS course (any type, not just speed awareness) within the preceding three years. Individual force policies differ slightly — check the letter you receive for the specific criteria applied to your case.
Effect on insurance premiums
Course attendance is not recorded on your driving licence, but insurers are increasingly asking about NDORS courses on proposal forms. Failure to disclose a course when asked can void your policy. Check your insurer's questions carefully — some ask only about convictions; others ask specifically about courses.
Completing the course process
- ✓Accept the course offer in writing within the deadline shown (usually 28 days).
- ✓Book a course via the NDORS portal — choose a date and location convenient to you.
- ✓Pay the course fee at the time of booking (typically £80–£120).
- ✓Attend and complete the course — non-attendance results in the fixed penalty being reinstated.
- ✓Keep your completion certificate — you may need it to demonstrate attendance.
When a course is better than points
If you are on 9 points, accepting a course avoids reaching the 12-point totting threshold and potential disqualification. Even at lower point counts, avoiding an endorsement keeps insurance premiums lower. The course fee typically costs less than the insurance premium increase caused by 3 points over 4 years.
Sources
- Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, s.86
- National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) — Operational Guidelines
- Road Safety Trust — NDORS framework
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does a speed awareness course show on my licence?
- No. Courses are not recorded on the DVLA driving record. They are held on a separate NDORS database accessible only to police and DVLA for eligibility checks.
- Can I do a speed awareness course online?
- NDORS-approved online courses were introduced during the pandemic and many forces still offer them. Check the NDORS booking portal when you accept — online and classroom options are usually both available.
- What happens if I do not complete the course after booking?
- If you fail to attend or complete the course without a valid reason, the fixed penalty is reinstated. You will be sent an FPN for the original offence, and the points will be added to your licence.
Related
- NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution)
- Conditional Offer
- nip-14-day-rule
- road-traffic-offenders-act-1988-s-1
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