Things you should know before attending a Speed Awareness Course
Attending a Speed Awareness Course can help you avoid points on your license - but what can you expect?
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In 2022, about 1.64 million drivers attended a National Speed Awareness Course (NSAC) in the UK, registering a 113% increase since 2011.
After being caught exceeding the speed limit, motorists might be offered a speed awareness course as an alternative to penalty points, making it an appealing option for those who want to keep their driving licence clean. In fact, on top of a minimum fine of £100, speeding offences can cost you at least three points on your licence.
Drivers have the option of attending an NSAC only if they’ve not been on one in the past three years. But, if it’s your first time attending, what can you expect from the session?
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Speed awareness course: how does it work?
The aim of a speed awareness course is to provide you with all the knowledge you need to drive responsibly when behind the wheel of your used Ford or VW.
Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor here at cinch, explained: “Speed awareness courses are designed to teach offenders about the dangers of speeding, highlighting the impact it may have on themselves, their passengers and fellow road users.
“As a rough guideline, you are likely to be invited to attend the course if you were driving within 10% plus 9mph of the speed threshold. This means that, if a road’s speed limit is 50mph, you might qualify for an NSAC if you are going no faster than 64mph.
You won’t receive a certificate at the end of the session to confirm you’ve ‘passed’. Instead, the course provider will get in touch with the police to inform them you’ve completed your NSAC.”
The structure
Speed awareness courses take place either in person or online – you’re free to choose which one suits you best.
In-person sessions tend to last about four hours and cater for up to 24 motorists at a time. Online NSACs take about 2.5 hours to complete but can only host up to nine drivers.
At the start of the course, participants are sometimes prompted to interact and share their experiences about exceeding the speed limit. Real-life examples can offer the opportunity for a more engaging and thought-provoking discussion between the trainers and the participants.
Both in-person and online sessions will cover the same topics, including the advantages of speed limits, the consequences of speeding, and driver responsibility. So, whichever format you decide to attend, you’ll always benefit from the same content and knowledge.
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Dos and don’ts at a speed awareness course
If you’re nervous about attending an NSAC, don’t worry. You’ll be in a calm, non-judgmental environment where the sole aim is to educate you on road safety.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when booking a speed awareness course:
Bring your driving licence and/or ID – Whether you’re attending an in-person or online session, you’ll always have to bring your driving licence with you and show it to your instructor. If you don’t have your licence on hand, two forms of ID will do.
If you don’t have any personal documents on you, you might not be allowed to join the course – even if you’ve already paid for it.
Don’t be late – Punctuality is key when attending a speed awareness course. If you’re late, you won’t be able to enter the course and you might also be charged an additional fee. You’ll have to rebook your session if you want to avoid points on your licence.
Pay attention during the course – While you can’t fail a speed awareness course, there is a chance that being disengaged, distracted or not completing elements of the session could practically void your attendance. In fact, your course provider might inform the police, who in turn could hand out a fine and penalty points on your driving licence.
What can you learn from a speed awareness course?
NSACs provide offenders with a wide range of teachings about safe and responsible driving.
Speeding at the wheel is a dangerous practice and is the cause of about 7.5% of all road accidents in the UK. This is why speed awareness courses focus mainly on the dangers of neglecting speed limits, as going too fast can bring about an array of unwanted risks.
For example, travelling at high speeds gives you less time to react to hazards ahead of you. It also affects your braking distance, meaning it will take you longer to stop the car when going faster than you should.
If you’re cruising along a built-up area in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland, the speed threshold is usually 30mph (unless signs show otherwise). By adhering to the 30mph limit, your stopping distance will be roughly 23 metres. If you’re driving at 40mph, however, the average stopping distance creeps up to about 36 metres, putting you at a higher risk of serious collisions.
Driving carefully and sticking to the legal speed limit allows you to have better control of the vehicle, a clearer vision of road signs, road users and potential hazards, and better judgment overall.
Speed awareness courses might be a daunting prospect for drivers who have broken the law, but, as well as sparing you from penalty points on your licence, NSACs offer motorists the chance to revise the importance of being responsible in the driving seat.
Make sure to bring your documents, be punctual and, most importantly, pay attention during the session. This will help you become a more conscientious, respectful driver to keep everyone safe on the roads.
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