Does a speed awareness course affect car insurance?

If you're caught speeding, your first thought might be about the fine and penalty points you'll receive. However, in some situations, you might be given the option to attend a speed awareness course instead.

This guide will explain what a speed awareness course entails, including its structure, the eligibility criteria and the benefits it offers.

What is a speed awareness course?

A speed awareness course is a session designed to educate people who have been caught speeding in their vehicle. It can be offered to you as an alternative to a penalty notice – but only if specific criteria are met (see more below).

You have the option to decline the course and accept the penalty points and fine instead.

Do you have to tell insurance about a speed awareness course?

You don't have to tell your car insurance provider about attending a speed awareness course unless they specifically ask. Some insurers might ask when you're getting a quote, and if you don't mention it, your policy could be invalid. Usually, they just want to know if you have any penalty points on your licence.

Saga customers don’t need to inform us if they’ve attended a speed awareness course.

Additionally, the police won’t contact your insurer to tell them you’ve attended a speed awareness course.

How long is a speed awareness course?

The length of a speed awareness course varies. Some courses last about two and a half hours, while others can be up to five hours – it all depends on the location and provider. Every course includes at least one short break.

What to expect on a speed awareness course

A speed awareness course is an educational session that you can attend either in person or online. You won't need to drive during the course – the idea is to get you to think about why you should avoid speeding in the future.

An instructor will show videos and visual aids and encourage group discussions. They will cover topics like how to recognise speed limits, manage your time and understand the dangers of speeding. The course also promotes defensive driving and raises awareness of potential obstacles on the road.

There won't be a test at the end, but you might get a chance to make notes on how you can improve your driving in the future.

What makes you eligible for a speed awareness course?

Not everyone can take a speed awareness course. You need to meet certain criteria to be eligible:

• Previous courses: You must not have taken a speed awareness course in the last three years.
• Admission: You must admit you were driving the speeding vehicle and return all paperwork within 28 days.
• Timing: Your speeding incident must have happened within the last 12 weeks.
• Speed: You were speeding over 10% plus 2mph of the limit, but below 10% plus 9mph. For example, in a 40mph zone, you must have been driving between 46mph and 53mph.

If you don't meet these criteria, you'll receive a fixed penalty notice, a summons, a fine, and/or at least three penalty points.

How much do speed awareness courses cost?

The price of a speed awareness course varies based on where you take it and who offers it. Usually, it costs between £80 and £100. This can be cheaper than the £100 fine for a fixed penalty notice.