Published November 2026.
If you’ve been caught speeding by a small margin, the police may offer you a speed awareness course instead of a fine and penalty points. For most drivers it’s the better option: no points on your licence, and in many cases nothing to declare to your insurer. This guide explains who’s offered one, the cost, how long it takes, and the rules on doing it again.
What is a speed awareness course?
The National Speed Awareness Course is an educational course offered by police forces in England and Wales as an alternative to prosecution for minor speeding offences. Courses are run by approved providers under the scheme managed by UKROEd, and are held online or in a classroom.
You’re not fined and you get no penalty points. Instead, you pay a fee for the course and take part in it. Northern Ireland runs a similar scheme; Scotland doesn’t offer speed awareness courses.
Who gets offered a speed awareness course?
Whether you’re offered a course is up to the police, but in general it depends on:
- How fast you were going. Most forces follow National Police Chiefs’ Council guidance: a course is usually offered between 10% plus 2mph and 10% plus 9mph over the limit. In a 30mph zone, that’s roughly 35 to 42mph; in a 70mph zone, roughly 79 to 86mph.
- Whether you’ve done one in the past three years. GOV.UK says you may be offered a course if you haven’t attended one in that time.
- The circumstances. Speeding that was dangerous, or alongside other offences, goes to court.
| Speed limit | Course usually offered at |
|---|---|
| 20mph | 24 to 31mph |
| 30mph | 35 to 42mph |
| 40mph | 46 to 53mph |
| 50mph | 57 to 64mph |
| 60mph | 68 to 75mph |
| 70mph | 79 to 86mph |
These are guidelines, not the law. Any speed over the limit is an offence, and each force decides its own approach.
Why wasn’t I offered a speed awareness course?
- You were above the course band, so the force offered a fixed penalty or went to court instead.
- You attended a speed awareness course within the past three years.
- Your force doesn’t offer a course for that road or that type of offence.
- The notice wasn’t returned in time, so the offer lapsed.
How the process works
- A Notice of Intended Prosecution is sent to the vehicle’s registered keeper within 14 days of the offence, with a Section 172 notice asking who was driving.
- You must return the Section 172 notice within 28 days, naming the driver. Not replying is an offence in itself, with a heavier penalty than most speeding offences.
- If you’re eligible, you’re offered a course with a deadline to book it, usually within a few months.
- You book and pay with the provider, choosing online or in person.
- Once you complete the course, the case is closed with no points and no fine.
Because the notice goes to the registered keeper, it matters that the DVLA’s records are up to date. If you’ve just bought a car, make sure you tell the DVLA you’ve bought it, so that letters about the car reach you, not the seller.
How much is a speed awareness course?
The fee is set by the police force and provider, so it varies by area. In 2026 most courses cost between about £80 and £100. That compares with the minimum fixed penalty for speeding of £100 and three points.
How long is a speed awareness course?
Most courses take around three to four hours, including breaks and checking in. Online courses run live on a video call with a trainer, so you need a computer or tablet with a camera and microphone, and you must be visible on screen throughout. Join late, leave early or don’t take part, and the course can be marked as not completed.
There’s no test or exam. The course covers why speed limits are set where they are, stopping distances, and how to keep to the limit, through discussion and short exercises.
Can you do a speed awareness course twice?
Not within three years. If you’re caught again within three years of attending a speed awareness course, you’ll normally be offered a fixed penalty instead. Once three years have passed you can be offered the course again, though it’s still up to the police.
Do you have to tell your insurer?
A speed awareness course isn’t a conviction, and you don’t get points, so you don’t have to declare it unless your insurer asks. Some insurers do ask whether you’ve been on a course in the past few years. If they ask, answer honestly: a wrong answer can invalidate your cover.
For more ways to keep your premium down, see our guide on how to lower car insurance.
If you’re not offered a course
The usual penalty is a £100 fine and three points, which stay on your licence for four years: see how long points stay on your licence and the SP30 licence code. New drivers lose their licence if they reach six points within two years of passing their test. Higher speeds go to court, with larger fines, more points or a ban.
Frequently asked questions
Is a speed awareness course better than points?
For most drivers, yes. You pay a similar amount but get no points on your licence, which helps keep insurance costs down.
How much is a speed awareness course in 2026?
Usually between about £80 and £100, depending on the police force and course provider.
How long does a speed awareness course last?
Around three to four hours, including breaks, whether online or in a classroom.
Can I do a speed awareness course twice in 3 years?
No. You’re normally only offered one if you haven’t attended a speed awareness course in the past three years.
Do speed awareness courses go on your record?
The police keep a record that you attended, so they can apply the three-year rule. It doesn’t appear on your driving licence.
- GOV.UK: speeding penalties
- UKROEd: the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme
- How long do points stay on your licence?
- Driving licence codes explained
- Red light cameras explained
Bought a car recently? Make sure you tell the DVLA you’ve bought it, so fines and notices about it reach you.
