Speed Awareness Course
A speed awareness course is an educational alternative to penalty points for lower-level speeding offences. It costs about £100 but keeps your licence clean.
What Is a Speed Awareness Course?
The National Speed Awareness Course (NSAC) is an educational programme offered by police forces across England, Scotland, and Wales as an alternative to prosecution for lower-level speeding offences. Delivered by approved providers such as AA DriveTech and TTC Group, the course aims to change driving behaviour rather than simply punish.
If you are offered and accept a course, you avoid receiving penalty points on your licence. You still pay a course fee (typically around £100), but this is a small price compared to the long-term cost of penalty points on your insurance premiums. Research by the NDORS (National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme) suggests that drivers who complete the course are less likely to reoffend.
Eligibility
You may be offered a speed awareness course if your speed falls within a specific range, typically between the speed limit + 10% + 2 mph (minimum prosecution threshold) and the speed limit + 10% + 9 mph (maximum course threshold). The table below shows the typical eligible speed ranges for each common speed limit.
| Speed Limit | Minimum Eligible | Maximum Eligible |
|---|---|---|
| 20 mph | 24 mph | 31 mph |
| 30 mph | 35 mph | 42 mph |
| 40 mph | 46 mph | 53 mph |
| 50 mph | 57 mph | 64 mph |
| 60 mph | 68 mph | 75 mph |
| 70 mph | 79 mph | 86 mph |
You can only attend one course every 3 years. If you have completed a course within the last 3 years, you will not be offered another.
What Happens on the Course
The course lasts approximately 4 hours and can be attended in person at a designated centre or online via a video conferencing platform (an option introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic and retained since). The course is not a test -- there is no pass or fail. However, you must attend for the full duration and participate actively. If you leave early, are disruptive, or fail to engage, the course may be deemed incomplete and you could be referred for prosecution instead.
Topics covered on the course include:
- The relationship between speed and stopping distances
- The physics of collisions at different speeds
- How to identify different speed limit signs and zones
- Hazard perception and situational awareness
- The impact of speeding on communities and vulnerable road users
Course vs Penalty Points: Comparison
Speed Awareness Course
- No penalty points on licence
- No criminal record for the offence
- Cost: approximately £100
- 4-hour educational course
- Minimal or no insurance impact
- Learn safer driving habits
Fixed Penalty (Points)
- 3 penalty points on licence
- Endorsement visible for 4 years
- Fine: minimum £100
- Points count towards 12-point ban
- Insurance premiums likely to increase 5-20%
- 6-point threshold for new drivers
Key Facts
Cost
~£100
Similar to the minimum fine
Duration
4 hours
In person or online
Points Avoided
3
No endorsement on licence
Cooldown Period
3 years
Before another course offered
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a speed awareness course cost?
A speed awareness course typically costs around £100, which is the same as the minimum speeding fine. The key benefit is that you avoid penalty points on your licence, which can save hundreds of pounds in increased insurance premiums over the following years.
How long does a speed awareness course take?
The National Speed Awareness Course (NSAC) lasts approximately 4 hours. Courses can be attended in person at designated centres or online via a video platform. You must stay for the full duration and participate actively.
Will a speed awareness course affect my insurance?
You are not legally required to declare a speed awareness course to your insurer. However, some policies ask whether you have attended one, and failing to disclose if asked could invalidate your cover. Many motorists find that attending a course has less impact on premiums than penalty points.
Can I take a speed awareness course more than once?
You can only attend a speed awareness course once every 3 years. If you are caught speeding again within 3 years of your last course, you will not be offered another and will receive a fixed penalty (fine and points) or be summoned to court.