Speed Awareness Courses

Wyndham

Before anyone condemns me, I realise I've broken the law! But, I thought I was in a 50 zone, which was actually a 40 zone, and I've got a ticket.

They've offered me a speed awareness course as an alternative. Has anyone done one of these? And, in 18 years of driving this is my first ticket, so can someone explain what points on my licence actually means?

Just trying to work out the best way to deal with this....

pendulum

Dad did it.

It's best to go on the course. That way you avoid the points and the insurance increase. I think it costs around £100 - £120 and they bore you for a few hours but you cannot fail this course (unless you are unruly / deliberately disruptive).

If you get 12 points in 3 years it's a court appearance and probable ban, so always best to avoid points when you can.

vax2002

Insurance companies are adding the deceleration of speed awareness courses on thick and fast, so that line of saving will soon vanish.

Beastface

I did one a couple of months ago. Expected it to be full of baseball cap wearing neds but turned out to be a mix of business professionals and housewives!

Actually a reasonably interesting 3 hours with some interesting theory around the physics of driving etc - never thought I'd say it but I'm genuinely a bit more careful now particularly in 30 zones.

Nice coffee and biscuits, police officer was a nice guy and open to a bit of a chat in the break.

Overall way better than 3 points!

Yorkie1234

I did one in April this year. Worth going on to avoid points on your licence. It lasted 4 hours and was a mixture of doing some exercises about spotting hazards when driving by looking at photos, reasons for speeding etc. I mentioned about tailgating when you stick to the limit which resulted in a session about stopping distances which most of us struggled with so I would brush up on those before the course.

It cost me £90. Did get a coffee but unfortunately no biscuits!

GaryC_3

I'm a know-it-all, no one-can-teach-me-about-driving. In 25 years of driving I have at various times collected no more than 9 points and largely avoided anything other light scrapes and small dings.

I went on a speed awareness course 2 or 3 years ago. I learnt and remembered lots of useful stuff.

I would heartily recommend taking up one of the rare opportunities that an experienced driver will be offered to reflect on their driving.

Mine cost £110 which at that time included a hours driving assessment with an advanced driver. This confirmed that I am a largely good driver and generally better than the average and that I there is a lot I don't know or have forgotten about driving.

Well worth the time and money.

LandyAndy

I went on one a few years ago. Well worth going.

corbyboy

Although if you are looking at it from a purely financial poit of view, try getting car insurance quotes with and without the points.

Often going from 0 to 3 points makes no difference to your insurance premiums. Add in the fact that you will have to give up a day off or take a day off work and you might decide it's better to take the points.

It probably depends on how much it costs though. Personally I would avoid points at all costs.

Wyndham

Thanks all for the help.

One question I have is how much flexibility there is for the course in terms of both location and time? I'm currently working 160 miles away from home so away in the week, meaning I have two possible locations, but it it would be a pain if I was offered the 'wrong' one for the 'wrong' time. Did you all get to pick, or is it mandated?

And are the courses only Monday to Friday? I work full time, so it would be a day off work as well as potential travelling, and I'm not sure it's how I want to spend a day's holiday.

We're further on, slightly. The ticket actually came to my husband, as it's his car, but I was driving and am happy to admit that. But he has to return the form to say it was me driving, and then I assume they'll send me a ticket in my name? Seems like a faff, to be honest!

Yorkie1

It is a bit of a faff, but yes your husband has to return the s.172 notice as he will presumably be the registered keeper. They will then send you the same paperwork but in your name, you then return it duly completed.

kingstreet

As long as the course provider is a member of the national scheme, you should be able to take the course in another area. Many are available on Saturday mornings too.

http://www.driver-improvement.co.uk/

Advice - take the course. It's always easier to defend the first quarter of your licence than the last!