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Speed Awareness Course

If you are caught speeding, the police can give you the opportunity to go on a course to help you keep to the speed limit in future.

It costs £90, but when you have completed the course, you don’t have to pay the normal £100 fine, and you don’t get points on your licence.

Who is it for?

To qualify for the course, you must:

  • have committed a low-level speeding offence – which means you were not way above the speed limit - anywhere except on a smart motorway; and

  • have not taken the same course in the three years before your most recent speeding offence.

After completing the course, there’ll be no further action taken for the speeding offence. But if you book a course, and don’t turn up, the case goes to the Crown Prosecution Service.

What sort of course is it?

You’ll learn how to identify speed limits, the consequences of speeding, the benefits of sticking to the limit, and how to avoid speeding again. There is no driving, and no test.

You can now complete the 2¾ hour course:

  • EITHER - online from the comfort of your own home using ZOOM with 9 clients and our Trainer.

  • OR - at one of our classroom venues by travelling to either Bolton (Horwich), Gorton or Trafford - subject to availability.

If you choose the online course, you will need access to a device (computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone) with microphone and camera with reliable internet connection capable of streaming video. Smartphones may be used, however the course will be far more effective if you have a larger screen. You will need to be in a private room, alone without disturbances. You must engage in the course throughout - clients must not switch off their webcam, leave the course or have other members of the household in the room with them (unless previously agreed). Clients should give their full attention to the course and not be distracted.

  • DriveSafe offers the National Speed Awareness Courses in British Sign Language (BSL) - see below.

To book your course you will need:

  1. Your police reference number and PIN (shown on your police course offer letter).

  2. To pay £90 (Visa or Mastercard)

  3. To be aware of our terms and conditions and privacy notice (below).


Already booked a DriveSafe online course?

Once you have booked a DriveSafe online course, to ensure you can successfully join your course please watch our 2 minute video and view helpful information.

You can also check your device requirements, test Zoom and view other important information.

Check or rearrange your course date

If you have already booked your course, you can check the venue, date and time.

You can change your course date up to the day before – although it must still be within the deadline set by the police.

If the course is 14 or more days ahead, it’s free to rearrange.

But if it is less than 14 days away it costs £41.


DriveSafe now offer National Speed Awareness Courses in British Sign Language (BSL). The course is presented online by a Deaf Trainer using Zoom.

BSL National Speed Awareness Courses are currently available on:

  • Saturday 20 April 2024, 8:00am-10:45am - FULLY BOOKED
  • Thursday 23 May 2024, 8:00am-10:45am
  • Thursday 20 June 2024, 8:00am-10:45am
  • Monday 8 July 2024, 6:00pm-8:45pm

To book your course please email BSL@drivesafe.org.uk

Watch our BSL video to prepare for your online course.


1. Course Provider
The Scheme is administered and delivered by DriveSafe on behalf of the referring Police Force. The Scheme is run in accordance with national guidelines required by UK Road Offender Education.

2. Time Limits
It is a condition of the course offer that you complete the course within a period of time imposed by the referring Police Force. If you are unable to complete the course within this timescale for whatever reason, you are no longer eligible and your offer of a course will be withdrawn. The Police are at liberty to withdraw the course offer at any time up to the point that you have successfully completed the course.

3. Course Fees
The course fee must be paid in full at least 21 days prior to the course (if booking online the full course fee must be paid at the time of booking a course by debit / credit card). If you are unable to attend the course date allocated to you, you must contact us immediately to arrange an alternative date. By agreeing to the course fee, you are also agreeing that should you re-arrange your course with less than 14 days notice prior to your course date an additional fee of £41.00 will be payable. You may only book / re-arrange a course a maximum of 3 occasions. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have the right to cancel your course within 14 days (the “Cancellation Period”) from the date on which you booked the course. However, your right to cancel and obtain a full refund will be lost if you book a course date during the Cancellation Period (in these circumstances you are entitled to a partial refund of £49.00 and you should contact us to arrange this). Any cheque returned by your bank due to insufficient funds will incur an administration charge of £12.00. Subsequent payment will only be accepted by credit / debit card or postal order.

If you are bringing your own interpreter to the course, you must notify us in advance of their name and to ensure that there is sufficient space available (they must be at least 16 years and preferably a driver). It is essential interpreters bring photographic identification to the course. There is no extra charge to bring your own interpreter. However if you wish us to book a professional interpreter for you, there will be a charge for this (please contact us for more information). If you need a British Sign Language Interpreter (BSL), please notify us at the time of booking - there is no charge for this. However if a BSL interpreter is booked and you fail to attend the course, there will be a charge for the interpreter to attend a further course with you.

4. Identification
It is essential you bring photographic identification to the course (preferably a photocard style driving licence). If you do not have a photocard style driving licence, you must bring a passport or similar photographic means of identification. We can only accept original identification (electronic copies or photocopies cannot be accepted). Should you be unable to produce the required documentation, this will be classed as failure to attend. It is an offence to attempt to illegally misrepresent the true identity of another driver of a motor vehicle by attending the course in place of someone else.

5. Failure to Attend
If you fail to attend a course, or are refused entry to a course if you are unable to produce the required documentation, it may be possible to offer you an alternative course date subject to availability and the Police time limit. This is subject to payment of an additional fee of £41.00. If you fail to attend a course due to illness, the additional fee may be waived upon receipt of medical evidence (e.g. doctor’s note).
Late arrivals will not be allowed to participate. We recommend that you locate the venue prior to the course date. You must arrive promptly at the stated time on the day of the course. If an alternative course is not available, or has not been requested by you, your file will be returned to the Police for further action.

6. Course Checklist
A course checklist will be provided. It is recommended you use this checklist to ensure you will be allowed to participate.

It is a condition that you present yourself in a fit state, having had proper rest and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You must be appropriately dressed for the consideration of other clients – no work clothes such as overalls or muddy boots. If you need glasses or contact lenses make sure you bring them with you. Mobile phones, tablets and similar electronic devices must be switched off during the course. Every effort will be made to accommodate any special requirements you may have provided you have notified us. If we have not received any notification from you, we cannot be held responsible should you be unable to complete the course.

There is no course test, pass or fail. To complete the course you must attend all sessions on time, complete all course paperwork, make a positive contribution and demonstrate a willingness to improve your driving skills. However, any abusive or inappropriate language, threatening or disruptive behaviour towards either our staff or other clients will result in you being removed from the course.

7. Non-Completion
If you fail to comply with these Terms & Conditions, you will be certified as non-completion. In such cases the offer of a Diversionary Course will be withdrawn and your file will be returned to the Police for further action. In these circumstances you are entitled to a partial refund of £49.00 and you should contact us to arrange this. Any course refund will be made using the same method of payment as originally used.

8. Course Cancellation
In the unlikely event we are unable to deliver a course due to reasons beyond our control, we will reschedule your course as soon as possible within the time limit imposed by the Police at no additional cost to you. DriveSafe shall not be liable for any fees, costs and/or any other expenses incurred by you as a result of a cancelled course.