Will I be offered a speed awareness course?
This is what most people arriving on this page want to know - so let us deal with it first.
A speed awareness course is offered at the discretion of the police force handling your offence. It is not automatic and it is not guaranteed. However, there are clear criteria that determine whether you are likely to be offered one.
To be eligible, you generally need to meet all of the following:
- Your recorded speed falls within the eligible range - not so far over the limit that you exceed the upper course threshold
- You have not attended a speed awareness course within the last three years
- You hold a valid full UK driving licence
- It is a single offence with no other charges attached
- There is sufficient evidence to prosecute - the course is an alternative to prosecution, not a way of avoiding it
Even if you meet all of these criteria, the offer is made at the discretion of the local police force. Some forces are more generous than others. There is no right to demand a course - you can only accept or decline an offer that is made to you.
Courses are administered through the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS), operated by UKROEd on behalf of UK police forces. This is the official scheme used by police forces across England and Wales. Scotland operates a similar but separate system under Scottish law.
Eligibility thresholds by speed limit
The table below shows the full course eligibility range for each common speed limit. These are based on NDORS guidance - individual police forces may apply slightly different limits, so treat these as a guide rather than a guarantee.
| Speed limit | Min. prosecution threshold | Upper course limit | Above this - points or court |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20mph | 24mph | 31mph | 32mph+ |
| 30mph | 35mph | 42mph | 43mph+ |
| 40mph | 46mph | 53mph | 54mph+ |
| 50mph | 57mph | 64mph | 65mph+ |
| 60mph | 68mph | 75mph | 76mph+ |
| 70mph | 79mph | 86mph | 87mph+ |
Check your speed - what outcome are you likely to face?
These are the most common speeds drivers search for after being caught. Find your speed limit below.
In a 20mph zone
- 23mph or below - below prosecution threshold, no action likely
- 24mph to 31mph - within course eligibility range, course likely if criteria met
- 32mph to 35mph - fixed penalty likely, £100 and 3 points
- 36mph and above - court summons likely, higher fine and possible ban
In a 30mph zone
- 34mph or below - below prosecution threshold, no action likely
- 35mph to 42mph - within course eligibility range, course likely if criteria met
- 43mph to 50mph - fixed penalty likely, £100 and 3 points
- 51mph and above - court summons likely, Band C fine and possible ban
In a 40mph zone
- 45mph or below - below prosecution threshold, no action likely
- 46mph to 53mph - within course eligibility range, course likely if criteria met
- 54mph to 65mph - fixed penalty likely, £100 and 3 points
- 66mph and above - court summons likely, higher fine and possible ban
In a 50mph zone
- 56mph or below - below prosecution threshold, no action likely
- 57mph to 64mph - within course eligibility range, course likely if criteria met
- 65mph to 75mph - fixed penalty likely, £100 and 3 points
- 76mph and above - court summons likely, higher fine and possible ban
In a 60mph zone
- 67mph or below - below prosecution threshold, no action likely
- 68mph to 75mph - within course eligibility range, course likely if criteria met
- 76mph to 90mph - fixed penalty likely, £100 and 3 points
- 91mph and above - court summons likely, higher fine and possible ban
On a 70mph motorway
- 78mph or below - below prosecution threshold, no action likely
- 79mph to 86mph - within course eligibility range, course likely if criteria met
- 87mph to 100mph - fixed penalty likely, £100 and 3 points
- 101mph and above - court summons likely, fine up to £2,500 and possible ban
These are general outcomes based on NDORS guidance. Your actual outcome also depends on your driving history and the discretion of the police force involved.
Real examples - will you get a course?
Caught at 35mph in a 30mph zone. You are within the typical course eligibility range. If it is your first offence and you have not attended a course within the last three years, a speed awareness course is likely to be offered.
Caught at 42mph in a 30mph zone. This is right at the upper edge of the course threshold for a 30mph limit. Whether a course is offered will depend on the exact speed recorded and the police force handling the case. You may receive a fixed penalty instead.
Caught at 46mph in a 30mph zone. This exceeds the typical upper course threshold for a 30mph zone. A course is unlikely. You will most likely receive a fixed penalty.
Caught at 46mph in a 40mph zone. You are within the typical eligibility range for a 40mph limit. A course is likely to be offered if you meet the other criteria.
Caught at 79mph on a 70mph motorway. You are within the course eligibility range for a motorway. A course may be offered - this is one of the more common scenarios where drivers receive a course offer rather than a fixed penalty.
Caught at 90mph on a 70mph motorway. This exceeds the upper course threshold for a motorway. A fixed penalty or court summons will apply. A course will not be offered at this speed.
How speeding fines are calculated - Band A, B and C explainedCan you ask for a speed awareness course instead of points?
No - and this is one of the most common misunderstandings about how the system works.
You cannot request a speed awareness course. The offer must come from the police force handling your case. If you are eligible and they choose to offer it, you can accept or decline. If they do not offer it, there is nothing you can do to request one.
What you can do is respond promptly to the Notice of Intended Prosecution and the Section 172 notice, identify yourself as the driver, and wait to see whether an offer is made. Attempting to contest the offence while also hoping for a course offer is not advisable - if you appeal and lose, the course option is typically withdrawn.
From camera flash to course - the timeline
The process from being caught to completing the course typically takes several weeks. Here is what to expect at each stage.
Online vs in-person courses
Since the pandemic, most speed awareness courses are available both online and in person. The content is identical - only the format differs.
In-person courses are held at a venue near you, though you can book anywhere in the UK. Group sessions have up to 24 participants and two facilitators. Duration is approximately four hours with a short break, and sessions are available on weekdays, evenings and weekends depending on the provider.
Online courses are conducted via a secure video platform such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. You need a laptop or computer with a working webcam and microphone and must be in a private, quiet room for the full duration. Your camera must remain on throughout - joining from a phone or in a public place is not acceptable. Duration is approximately two and a half to three hours.
Neither format involves a test. There is no pass or fail mark. You are expected to participate actively, engage in discussions, and remain present for the entire session.
What if you ignore the offer or leave the course early?
If you ignore the offer. The offer has a firm deadline. If you do not accept and book within the time stated in your letter, the offer is withdrawn. Your case reverts to the standard fixed penalty - £100 fine and three penalty points. In some cases it may be escalated to court.
If you leave the course early. Leaving before the course ends, failing to participate actively, or behaving disruptively means the course will be marked as incomplete. The provider will notify the police and your case reverts to prosecution. You will not receive a refund of the course fee.
If you miss your booked session. Contact the course provider as soon as possible to rebook. Most providers allow rescheduling with sufficient notice. Simply failing to show up without rearranging risks the course being marked incomplete.
Is it worth doing?
For the vast majority of drivers, yes. Here is the honest breakdown.
Reasons to take the course: no penalty points, no fixed penalty fine, no entry on your DVLA driving record, typically less impact on car insurance than receiving points, and full protection of new drivers from the six-point licence revocation threshold.
Reasons some drivers hesitate: the course fee of £90 to £100 is slightly higher than the £100 fixed penalty in some cases, and it requires approximately four hours of your time. Some insurers also ask whether you have attended a course.
Three penalty points can increase your car insurance premium by a meaningful amount per year for three to four years - a potential additional cost considerably higher than the difference between the course fee and the fixed penalty. For most drivers, taking the course is the cheaper long-term option once insurance is factored in. For new drivers it could be the difference between keeping and losing their licence entirely.
Does a speed awareness course affect your insurance?
A speed awareness course is not a conviction. It does not appear on your DVLA driving record. You are not legally required to declare it to your insurer unprompted in the same way you must declare penalty points.
However, some insurance providers include a specific question on their application or renewal forms asking whether you have attended a speed awareness course. If that question is asked, you must answer honestly - failing to disclose information when directly asked could invalidate your cover.
Where disclosed, course attendance is typically treated more favourably than penalty points by insurers, or has no effect on the premium at all. If you are unsure, check your current policy documents carefully before renewal.
How penalty points affect your car insurance premiumCan you do another speed awareness course in future?
You can only attend a speed awareness course once every three years for a similar offence. If you are caught speeding again within three years of completing a course, you will not be offered another - you will receive a fixed penalty or court summons instead.
There is no lifetime limit on the total number of courses you can take. After three years have passed, you become eligible again.
The three-year clock runs from the date of the offence, not the date you attended the course.
Can you fail a speed awareness course?
There is no test on a speed awareness course and no pass mark. However, you can be marked as having failed to complete it in the following circumstances.
Non-participation. If you sit silently throughout, refuse to engage in group discussions, or show no willingness to participate, the course facilitator can mark you as non-compliant.
Leaving early. If you leave before the session ends - whether in person or online - the course is marked as incomplete regardless of the reason. If you have a genuine emergency, contact the provider immediately. Some providers may allow you to rebook in exceptional circumstances.
Disruptive behaviour. Aggressive, disruptive, or offensive behaviour toward the facilitator or other participants is grounds for removal from the course.
Technical failure during an online course. If your internet connection fails, contact the provider as soon as possible. Most providers have a procedure for this and may allow you to complete a rescheduled session. Do not simply disconnect and assume the matter will resolve itself.
In all cases where a course is marked as incomplete, your case reverts to the original fixed penalty - or in some circumstances may be referred to court.
Common myths about speed awareness courses
“You can choose a speed awareness course instead of points.” No. The course must be offered to you by the police. You cannot request one.
“Everyone caught slightly over the limit gets offered a course.” No. Eligibility depends on your exact speed, your recent history, and the discretion of the police force involved.
“Completing a course removes points from your licence.” No - and this is an important distinction. Completing a course means you never receive the points in the first place. It does not remove existing points from previous offences.
“You can do the course online on your phone.” No. Online courses require a laptop or computer with a working webcam and microphone, in a private room. Joining from a phone or public space is not permitted.
“The course goes on your criminal record.” No. A speed awareness course is not a conviction and does not appear on any criminal record or DBS check.
“If you have had points before you cannot do a course.” Not necessarily. Previous points do not automatically disqualify you. The key criterion is whether you have attended a speed awareness course within the last three years.
“You can take the course whenever you like once offered.” No. The offer letter contains a firm deadline. If you miss it the offer is withdrawn and you revert to the fixed penalty.
Speed awareness course vs fixed penalty - at a glance
| Feature | Speed awareness course | Fixed Penalty Notice |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £90–£100 | £100 |
| Penalty points | None | 3 points |
| Court appearance | No | No |
| Appears on DVLA record | No | Yes - 4 years |
| Must declare to insurer | Only if directly asked | Yes |
| Insurance impact | Minimal | Increases premium |
| Available to all drivers | No - eligibility applies | Yes |
| Time required | ~4 hours | None |
| Repeatable | Once every 3 years | No limit |
What happens next?
If you have been offered a speed awareness course, book it promptly. Slots fill up and the deadline in your letter is firm.
If you were not offered a course and received a fixed penalty instead, your next decisions are whether to accept the points, request a court hearing, and how those points will affect your licence and insurance.
How speeding fines are calculated - Band A, B and C explained How many penalty points before a driving ban What to do when a Notice of Intended Prosecution arrives How penalty points affect your car insurance premium Back to the caught speeding guide