What happens at a speed awareness course? (2025 update)

Caught speeding? You might be able to avoid a fine and penalty points by attending a National Speed Awareness Course (NSAC).
This course is designed to educate drivers about the dangers of speeding, but is it worth taking? Here’s everything you need to know about speed awareness courses, from what to expect to how to book one.

If you're caught driving over the speed limit, the usual penalty is a minimum £100 fine and three penalty points on your licence.
However, if you're only slightly over the limit and meet specific criteria (below), the police may offer you the chance to attend a speed awareness course instead. This option can save you from points on your licence and potentially higher insurance premiums.

You might qualify for the course if:
1. You were driving slightly above the speed limit. 2. You haven’t attended a speed awareness course in the last three years. If you’re eligible, the police will send you an offer letter. Keep in mind, the course is offered at the discretion of the regional police force so won’t be guaranteed.

The course is tailored to help drivers understand:
• How to identify speed limits • The dangers of speeding • The benefits of sticking to speed limits • How speeding affects other road users • Tips to avoid speeding in the future Depending on availability, you may have the option of an in-person or a virtual speed awareness course.

• Duration: Approximately four hours
• Format: Classroom-based with workshops and discussions • Group size: up to 24 participants • Facilitators: Two trainers The course is theoretical, classroom-based and may include some workshops. It’s around four hours long and doesn’t have a test so there’s no pass or fail. During the course, you’ll be expected to contribute positively in discussions and demonstrate a willingness to learn and improve your driving skills. To complete the course, you must complete all course paperwork and attend all sessions on time. After you complete the course, you won’t be prosecuted for speeding. If you don’t turn up for the classes or if you fail to complete the course within the time period mentioned by the police, your eligibility to take the course will be revoked and your file will be returned to your regional police for further action.

Many providers now offer online sessions:
• Duration: 2.5 hours with a 10-minute break • Format: Live discussions via a secure online platform • Requirements: A laptop with a webcam, a stable internet connection, and a quiet environment The content mirrors the in-person course. You’re not required to take a test, but you’ll still have to actively engage in discussions and contribute throughout the course

If you’re given the option to complete a speed awareness course, you can either:
• Book and attend a speed awareness course • Take the fixed penalty, and pay a fine and get points on your licence • Appeal the offence and attend a court hearing You are free to choose your option.

A speed awareness course can:
• Help you avoid penalty points on your licence • Potentially prevent an increase in insurance premiums • Reduce your likelihood of reoffending—studies show attendees are 23% less likely to speed again after completing the course.

The fee for a speed awareness course typically ranges from £80 to £100, depending on the provider. While this is comparable to the minimum fine for speeding, it doesn’t include penalty points, making it a preferable option for many drivers.

If you’re offered a speed awareness course, you must book it within 14 days. Here’s how:
1. Gather your police reference number and PIN (from the offer letter). 2. Visit the course provider’s website and choose a suitable date and time. 3. Pay using a debit or credit card. When attending, ensure you bring a valid photo ID, such as your driving licence or passport.

You can only do one speed awareness test in three years.
The National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) records data about when you attend a speed awareness course, and if you pass or fail. If you repeat speeding within three years of completing a speed awareness course, you won’t be given the chance to take a speed awareness course again and will have to pay a fine and get penalty points.

Getting a speeding ticket doesn’t impact your insurance premium much as it isn’t a criminal offence. However, informing your insurance provider about your speed awareness course can help avoid a rise in insurance premium.
Driving convictions like accident offence, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and licence offence are considered a criminal offence. If you’re caught committing a driving conviction, it can become difficult to get car insurance or your insurance premium can rise as your insurance provider will consider you as a high risk of committing another motoring offence. However, in some cases, your insurance provider might increase your insurance premium as they feel you could consider you at risk of committing a motoring offence. Some research suggest that getting three penalty points can increase your insurance premium by an average of 5%. In such a case, informing your insurance provider about your speed awareness course sessions might give them confidence in your driving.

In 2020, more than one million people completed an NSAC, according to UKROEd. A study published by The Department for Transport revealed that 15.5% drivers who refused an NSAC re-offended between April 2012 - 2017, as compared to 13.4% course-takers reoffending.
Overall, drivers who took the NSAC were caught speeding again on 23% fewer occasions after six months of the course and on 10% fewer occasions after three years of the course than those who refused an NSAC. The course can help you avoid a speeding fine and getting points on your licence, although you’ll still have to pay a fee for the course. The fee varies according to the regional course provider, and usually costs around £80 to £100.