Frequently Asked Questions about the Speed Awareness Course
1) What if I am late or unable to attend?
You must arrive on time or you will not be allowed to take part in the Course. If you are ill on the day, then you must notify the Course administrator at the earliest opportunity. To book another Course you will have to pay a rebooking fee of £45.
In the event of any no-show, your file will be referred back to Sussex Police for their consideration as the matter may have reverted to a Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty.
2) Adverse Weather Conditions
During times of bad weather, a decision will be made based on the current information & weather warnings and based on safety reasons as to whether courses should go ahead or be cancelled. To check the status of a course please click on 'Current Course Status' on the left of your screen.
3) What do I need to bring on the day?
It is essential that you bring photographic identification with you. If you have a new photo-card driving licence please bring this, alternatively you will need to bring a passport or similar ID.
Failure to bring an acceptable form of photographic identification will result in you being refused the opportunity to participate in the Course.
4) What are the benefits of the Course?
The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) offers the Course to individuals who have had a lapse in concentration.
- Keep three penalty points off your licence
- Give you the opportunity to reassess your driving skills
5) Can I fail the Course?
So long as you participate fully in the session you will be able to complete the Course.
6) Is there a test?
No. There are no tests.
7) What happens on the Course?
The Course offered by Sussex Police, at various times and venues across Sussex, consists of a four hour classroom session. Speed Awareness Courses are offered in the area where the offence occurred or can be attended in any other area where the National Scheme has been adopted.
During the session the following topics are covered:
- Identifying Speed Limits
- Causes and Consequences of Speeding
- Hazard Perception
- Strategies to help you stay within the Speed Limit
8) What is the aim of the course?
The aim of the Course is to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding and give you skills to stay within the speed limit.
The Course is self-funding and receives no income from other sources.
9) What happens now?
If you decide to take up the Course rather than receiving points and a fine you will need to follow the instructions on the Speed Awareness Offer. You must respond to this offer within 14 days or your case will automatically be reverted to a fixed penalty notice.
10) Do I need to tell my insurance company that I’ve attended a Speed Awareness Course?
The following guidance comes from the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS), who are responsible for developing the National Speed Awareness Course.
The insurance industry is becoming increasingly interested in NDORS attendance and completion. A frequently asked question from people being offered and attending courses is whether or not an NDORS course offer and attendance should be notified to their insurers. Legal advice is that attendance on an NDORS course is not a conviction, nor should it be treated as a conviction, unlike a fixed penalty. However, as always, the detail is in the small print.
There appears to be a very inconsistent approach by the industry to NDORS, with some insurers adjusting premiums once notified and others displaying no interest whatsoever. If an insurance company has asked, on its proposal form, at the time the insurance policy is first taken out, whether a driver has attended or is about to attend an NDORS course, then an honest answer must be given. Failure to do so would render the policy void. Similarly if, having answered “no” to such a question, the driver subsequently accepts an offer of a course, it is advisable to notify the insurance company as, by asking the question at the time the policy began, the insurance company has shown that they consider the answer to be material. Conversely if the insurance company has asked no questions about a course and has limited their questions purely to accidents and convictions within specified periods, then it is difficult to see how they could later suggest that attendance at a course designed to improve driver skills represents a material change.
This situation is currently being looked at on a national level between the Course providers (NDORS) and the insurance industry governing body.
Until a satisfactory resolution is developed, we recommend that you keep your insurance company appraised of any re-education courses that you’ve attended. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy with some companies.
