TL;DR: Too long, Didn’t read
The Deal: A Speed Awareness Course allows you to avoid 3 penalty points and a £100 fine by paying for a class (approx £90).
The Rules: You are only eligible if you haven’t taken one in the last 3 years and your speed was within a specific limit (usually 10% + 9mph).
The Insurance Trap: You do not legally have to tell your insurer unless they specifically ask. If they ask, you must tell the truth, or your policy is void.
The “3-Year” Clock: The 3-year rule is calculated from the date of your previous offence, not the date you took the course.
You saw the flash. You waited 14 days. The letter arrived. Now you have a choice: Take the 3 points on your licence (and watch your insurance skyrocket), or take the course.
For most drivers, the Speed Awareness Course is a “Golden Ticket.” It costs about the same as the fine (£90-£100), but it keeps your driving record clean. But it’s not an automatic right. Police forces have strict criteria on who gets offered one. Plus, there is a massive confusion over whether you have to declare it to your car insurance provider.
Here is the definitive guide to saving your licence in 2026.
Am I Eligible for a Course?
You cannot “request” a course. The police will offer you one if you meet these three strict criteria:
1. The “Speed Threshold” You were speeding, but not too fast. The National Police Chiefs’ Council suggests a threshold of 10% + 9mph.
30mph Zone: You must be doing between 35mph and 42mph. (43mph+ is usually points).
50mph Zone: Between 57mph and 64mph.
70mph Zone: Between 79mph and 86mph.
Note: If you were doing 34mph in a 30, you might just get a warning or nothing (10% + 2mph rule), but this varies by force.
2. The “3-Year Rule” You must not have completed a Speed Awareness Course within the last 3 years.
Crucial Detail: The 3 years is calculated from the date of the previous offence, not the date you sat in the classroom.
3. You Admitted It You must return the Section 172 Notice (the form asking “Who was driving?”) within the 28-day deadline and plead guilty. If you try to fight it and lose, the course option is taken off the table.
The Insurance Trap: Do I Have to Declare It?
This is the biggest myth in UK motoring. Drivers think: “It’s not a conviction, so I don’t have to tell anyone.” This is dangerous.
The Law: The police do not tell insurers. The DVLA does not record it on your licence. HOWEVER: Your insurance contract is a legal agreement based on “honesty”.
Check Your Policy Wording Carefully:
Scenario A (Most Common): The question asks: “Have you had any motoring CONVICTIONS or POINTS in the last 5 years?”
Answer: NO. A course is not a conviction.
Scenario B (The Catch): The question asks: “Have you attended a Speed Awareness Course?” or “Have you had any driving offences/penalties?”
Answer: YES. You must declare it.
If you lie: They will find out if you make a claim. They can void your policy, refuse to pay out, and blacklist you from getting insurance ever again (the “Cancelled Policy” mark is worse than points).
Pro Tip: Admiral and its sister companies (Elephant, Diamond) are known for asking specifically about courses. Other big insurers might not. Always check the phrasing.
What Happens on the Course?
It is no longer a boring lecture in a dusty police station.
Format: Most are now online (Zoom/Teams) or in-person at a hotel.
Duration: Approx 2.5 to 3 hours.
Content: You discuss stopping distances, hazard perception, and why you sped. There is no test (pass/fail). You just have to turn up and participate.
Cost: usually between £85 and £100 (payable by you).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a course for other offences?
Yes. There are specific courses for other mistakes, such as the “What’s Driving Us?” course (for mobile phone use or tailgating) or “Seatbelt” courses. These have their own separate 3-year limits.
I live in London but got caught in Manchester. Do I have to travel?
No. You can take the course anywhere in the UK (or online). You book it through the national provider (UKROEd), regardless of which police force caught you.
Can I take the course if I have 9 points?
Yes, potentially. If you meet the speed criteria, the course allows you to avoid hitting 12 points and receiving an automatic 6-month ban (“totting up”). It is a lifeline for drivers on the edge.
(Sources: UKROEd – National Course Provider, Compare The Market – Insurance & Speeding, Citizens Advice – Traffic Offences)
This guide applies to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland operates different rules (often Points or Fine only).