13 replies to this topic

[Boycie]

Hey all,

I recently got caught speeding by a mobile van,

got the inevitable letter through the post- 37mph in a 30 limit.

I 'fessed up and got a further letter through the post, saying if I do a speed awareness course, they waive the penalty points.

So, to keep my licence clean, I've taken the awareness course (costing nearly twice as much as the original fine...)

Good idea/ bad idea/ waste of time/ money?! Anyone else done one?

[che]

I attended one of these courses absolutely dreading it; I thought we would all be sitting there and made to feel awful. However I was completely wrong! I found the course to be very beneficial, wasn't made to feel awful in any way at all. We were all sitting there in the same boat so to speak; there was only one know it all on the course and very quickly they were put into place lol!

Definitely worth it to keep your licence clean.

Just noticed you are in Kent too, I went to the centre near Gillingham. Good luck let us know what you decide on.

[Guess-Works.com]

Guilty.....

Don't know where you got done, but in Warwickshire the charge for the course was the same as the fine...

I suspect the content of the course will vary county to county because they will probably use a different provider, but the one I went on was very good and worth the expense... They didn't go on about 'You've been done for speeding' but more about recognising why there are speeding camera's at various locations, what you can do to avoid speeding and the difference 5 mph makes on terminal velocity.

[roofless]

yep

[Boycie]

Cheers chaps-

yes Che I have to travel to Gillingham for mine too!!

What's the craic with the practical bit.. hoping it's not a driving test! (15 years since I was taught to drive/ passed my test!)

[maryquant]

I got offered this, but I was only allowed to take it in Dorset, I figured that a 5 hour round trip with a full days course in between wasnt worth the expense/travelling costs/risk of being caught speeding again. If you could do them locally I would have 'served my time' so to speak. They do look beneficial.

[che]

Cheers chaps-

yes Che I have to travel to Gillingham for mine too!!

What's the craic with the practical bit.. hoping it's not a driving test! (15 years since I was taught to drive/ passed my test!)

The morning was spent on theory stuff, studying photos, questions answers etc, none of this was too daunting. The morning session was only a couple of hours or so, not too bad at all. Then we had lunch; sarnie and drink. Afternoon session we were paired up and taken out on the road - much to my horror! It was about 35 years ago since I passed my test and I have to admit to being extremely concerned about this part of it. However all was fine, we were all taken out to meet a fleet on driving instructors together with their vehicles which were covered in L plates and stuff. There were 3 of us in each car (including the instructor).

It started off with the instructor driving a fair distance; I think we ended up south of Maidstone via the scenic route. All the time he was chatting about what he was observing etc, then the other "passenger" drove for about an hour or so and then I drove for an hour or so before going back to the centre. Actually the driving was ok and at no stage was I or anyone made to feel terrible. We were given tips, what to look out for, etc etc.

At the end of the driving session (almost 3 hours) we were marked.

Enjoy it!

[SolarB]

Yep, been on a course, clocked at 37 in a 30 limit (maximum of 38mph to be eligible for the course). Either £60 and three points or £60 and an afternoon off work - no contest really. I had to travel across to Bristol but well worth the time and expense to keep my licence clean and learn a few things. It's made me a better driver (well, not been caught, crashed of run anyone over since).

[Jimmy Hat]

My dad did one once... Although it wasn't his fault, apparently everybody else who was there had been done by the same camera because the speed limit signs were so cunningly hidden!

The course was also the same price as the fine for him, and he didn't get the points obviously. Seems like a good idea but he drives like an old woman now...

[Boycie]

Seems like they've upped the price, instead of £60 and 3 points, I'm having to pay £110..

[SolarB]

Seems like they've upped the price, instead of £60 and 3 points, I'm having to pay £110..

Price depends on the area you were caught speeding in. Some courses are a full day and take you out in a car, others are half a day based in the classroom. My £60 course lasted 4 hours and was held in a very nice country house with tea and biscuits.

[benb12]

My old man had to do one when his girlfriend got caught speeding in his car while on holiday in Exmoor, he could probably have told them who it was but he's too soft. So he went all the way to Bristol to do his. Best bit was when they were teaching everyone the importance of being in the right gear, and they went round the room asking everyone what gear they were in when they got caught. The first couple of people were like "Erm, 4th?" but then it came round to my dad who simply said "D". It's amazing how many automatics were in that room after that!

[Juju]

Take the course.
I've just been caught at 50mph in a 40 zone. I'd much prefer to go on a Speed Awareness Course than have 3 points on my licence for 3 years, but I wasn't given that option.

[998dave]

I haven't, but it sounds like something similar to a free course the police run round Suffolk sometimes.

For bikers really it involves some talk about safe riding, then a police rider follows you out on your bike, you're told not to worry too much about speed limits and that it's not a driving test.

They mic you up, so they can talk to you, point out when they think you're going to fast, and give you tips on observations, better lines, and safer riding practices, (without telling you to go 30mph everywhere).

My Dad went on it, and despite having passed the high-speed response courses and having been a bike instructor, years ago, said it brought him up-to-date, and he learnt some stuff, so can't be bad.

Dave