How Much Is a Speed Awareness Course? UK Costs Explained
Offered a speed awareness course after a speeding ticket? Most cost between £80 and £120, around the same as the fine but without the points. Here is what you pay and if it is worth it.
Getting caught speeding is stressful enough without the confusion over what happens next. If the police offer you a speed awareness course instead of points, the first question most people ask is a simple one: how much is it going to cost? The short answer is that you will usually pay between £80 and £120, with most courses sitting around £90 to £100. The exact figure depends on where you were caught and which provider runs the course.
Below we break down the cost in detail, explain why the price varies, and look at whether paying for the course is better value than taking the fine and the points.
How much does a speed awareness course cost?
A speed awareness course typically costs between £80 and £120. The fee is set by the region and the approved provider rather than a single national price, so it changes depending on where you book. To give you a feel for the range, recent course fees include around £79 in the Durham and Cleveland area, £88 in the West Midlands, £93 in Staffordshire and £98 in Lincolnshire. Prices are reviewed each year, so it is worth checking the exact amount when you book.
That fee is roughly the same as the £100 fixed penalty you would otherwise pay for low level speeding. The difference is what you avoid, which we come to below.
Why does the price vary by area?
Speed awareness courses are run under the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) and delivered by approved providers such as AA DriveTech and TTC Group. Each police force area sets its own fee to cover the cost of delivering the course locally, which is why two drivers caught a few counties apart can pay different amounts. Whether the course runs online or in a physical classroom can also affect the price, though the content is the same either way.
Is the course better value than the fine?
On the upfront cost alone, the course and the fine are close to identical at around £100. The real saving is on your licence. Accept the fine and you also get three penalty points, which stay on your record for several years and can push up your insurance noticeably. Industry estimates put the extra cost of points at anywhere from £100 to £300 a year for three to five years, so the points can end up costing far more than the course fee itself. Taking the course means no points and no fine once you complete it. You can see how motoring penalties fit into the bigger picture in our guide to average car running costs in the UK.
Who can take a speed awareness course?
You cannot ask for a course or book one yourself. It is offered at the discretion of the police, and only if you meet the criteria. You generally qualify if your speed fell within a set band, roughly from the speed limit plus 10% plus 2 mph at the lower end up to the limit plus 10% plus 9 mph at the upper end. In a 30 mph zone that works out at around 35 to 42 mph. You also cannot have attended a similar course in the previous three years. Drive too far over the limit and a course will not be offered at all. The official rules on speeding penalties are set out on GOV.UK.
What happens on the course?
The course is theory only and usually lasts around three hours. There is no test, no police involvement and no driving. You can take it online over a video platform or in a classroom, and you need to stay for the full session and take part. Expect a mix of presentations on speed limits, hazard awareness and the consequences of speeding, along with group discussion. If you are taking it online you will need a working camera and microphone, and you have to be on time, since latecomers are usually turned away.
Will it affect my car insurance?
A speed awareness course does not put points on your licence, so in that sense it has no direct effect. You are not legally required to tell your insurer you have taken one. However, some insurers do ask whether you have attended a course in the last few years, and if they ask, you must answer honestly. Failing to disclose it when asked could invalidate your cover. A small number of insurers may nudge your premium up slightly, but the impact is far smaller than penalty points would be.
How to book your course
If you have been offered a course, you book through the NDORS booking system at ndors.org.uk. You can usually pick a provider and location that suit you, and choose between an online or in person session. The three year restriction starts from the date you complete the course rather than the date you were caught, so booking promptly is the sensible move.
FAQs
How much for a speed awareness course?
A speed awareness course usually costs between £80 and £120, with most around £90 to £100. The exact fee depends on the police force area and the provider running it, and prices are reviewed each year.
How much do you pay for a course compared to a speeding fine?
The course fee is roughly the same as the £100 fixed penalty for low level speeding. The advantage is that the course avoids three penalty points, which can raise your insurance by £100 to £300 a year for several years.
Can I choose to take a speed awareness course?
No. You cannot self-refer or request one. A course is offered at the discretion of the police, and only if your speed and history meet the set criteria.
How long does a speed awareness course take?
Around three hours. It is theory only, with no test or driving, and can be taken online over a video platform or in a classroom. You must stay for the full session and take part.
Does a speed awareness course affect my insurance?
It does not add points to your licence. You are not legally required to declare it, but some insurers ask whether you have taken one, and you must answer honestly if asked. The effect on premiums is far smaller than penalty points.
How often can I take a speed awareness course?
You can normally only take one every three years. The three year clock starts from the date you complete the course, not the date you were caught speeding.