Prosecution for speeding (gulp) - what happens now?

[TheHappyCamper]

I have just opened my post and there is a letter saying that I've been caught doing 36mph in a 30 zone right near my house.

I'm not going to contest it, although I am cross (and embarrassed).

I wondered if anyone knows what I should expect when I send the letter back saying it was me?

I really, really don't want to have to go on one of those courses (I'm a teacher, I think I'd die of shame) .

DH thinks that if I don't go on the course, I'll get points instead which will effect my insurance.

This is the first time in 12 years driving that I have done anything remotely naughty - I am the world's most cautious driver normally grrr.

[AnnaBegins]

You'll certainly be offered a course if it's only 36 in a 30! Definitely worth doing, they are ridiculous patronising things run by idiotic middle aged men IME (and assumed everyone was at least 35 - as I was 23 I did not appreciate the references I didn't get and the constant mentions of feckless younger drivers...) but it is 4 hours of your life and that is so worth the lower insurance premiums for the next 5 years!

If you take the course - £75 and no more.
If you take the points - 3 points, £60, and increased premiums for 5 years.
No contest!

[lougle]

Yes, you'll get offered a speed awareness course. It's actually very informative.

[TheHappyCamper]

Oh dear - I was worried that was going to be the case.

Will the course be at the weekend or evening then. I can't imagine my head teacher being willing to cover my lessons for a full day (which is what a 4 hour course would mean)?

I am so, so cross with myself! (understatement of the century). I actually feel like I never want to drive again. That can't be a normal reaction surely?

[LIZS]

The courses are all dates/times but the w/e ones get booked up almost as soon as they are released. You have a fixed period (3 months ?) to do the course or it is referred back to court.

[lougle]

I was devestated and actually cried, TheHappyCamper. What made it worse was that it was genuinely a case of 'changed car, bigger engine, didn't anticipate increased acceleration.' This was definitely the case because I had two speeding tickets in a one week period - never before or after (although I can't claim never to have been guilty of speeding and not being caught).

I took the SAC for the first set, but while I was waiting to attend the second Fixed Penalty Notice came through. I had to just take the points.

[Abra1d]

My course was in the evening--5pm to 9pm. It wasn't bad. Learned some useful tips about how to identify speed limits in areas where it's not clear: for instance: would you know the limit for a dual carriageway with a grassed-off central reservation but no fence? :)

At our course there were people ranging from a young woman of about 29 to several retired people.

[hermioneweasley]

I found the course really good - I was pleasantly surprised as I was expecting to be lectured and completely bored. Obviously they vary though.

[Abra1d]

Oh but my course cost rather more than £75. Think it was about ninety pounds or so.

[mildred37]

It wouldn't be for 5 years - only 3. I had points added nearly 3 years ago for speeding but as it was for 41 in a 30 I wasn't offered a course, just told I had to pay the fine and accept the points. I informed my insurance company and my renewal quote was extortionate, but I shopped around and went with another company who gave me a policy at about £30 more a year than previously. However I would have gone on the course if I had the option!

[LIZS]

Points affect premiums for 5 years, but disappear from driving licence after 3

[TheHappyCamper]

Glad it's not a total over reaction. I did feel like crying but DH being all smug that it was me not him is tipping me over into cross atm!

I did have a chuckle though as it was on Friday afternoon when I had just left school for half term. I must have been happy to be leaving for a week's holiday! Wonders idly if they catch many of us out like this?

[TheHappyCamper]

Ok. I looked on the FAQ bit on the local police website a.d the course is £93

[Justfornowitwilldo]

If you are offered and do the course that's it. It disappears. You don't have to tell the insurance company so no higher premium.

[Justfornowitwilldo]

Actually scrap that ^. DH was told this on one of those courses but I just found this

[ajandjjmum]

My course was actually very informative, and the guy was the absolute opposite of patronising. I learned some very useful tips, and I do think it's taught me to be a better driver - after 30 years driving, you pick up some bad habits!

[Justfornowitwilldo]

Latest advice is:

'
The insurance industry is becoming increasingly interested in NDORS attendance and completion. A frequently asked question from people being offered and attending courses is whether or not an NDORS course offer and attendance should be notified to their insurers. Legal advice is that attendance on an NDORS course is not a conviction, nor should it be treated as a conviction, unlike a fixed penalty. However, as always, the detail is in the small print.
There appears to be a very inconsistent approach by the industry to NDORS, with some insurers adjusting premiums once notified and others displaying no interest whatsoever. If an insurance company has asked, on its proposal form, at the time the insurance policy is first taken out, whether a driver has attended or is about to attend an NDORS course, then an honest answer must be given. Failure to do so would render the policy void. Similarly if, having answered ?no? to such a question, the driver subsequently accepts an offer of a course, it is advisable to notify the insurance company as, by asking the question at the time the policy began, the insurance company has shown that they consider the answer to be material. Conversely if the insurance company has asked no questions about a course and has limited their questions purely to accidents and convictions within specified periods, then it is difficult to see how they could later suggest that attendance at a course designed to improve driver skills represents a material change.

This situation is currently being looked at on a national level between the Course providers (NDORS) and the insurance industry governing body.
Until a satisfactory resolution is developed, we recommend that you keep your insurance company appraised of any re-education courses that you?ve attended. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy with some companies.

[TheHappyCamper]

That seems a bit counter productive doesn't it?

The only reason I'd take the course over the points would be if it stops my insurance going up. Otherwise I'd much rather have points and it would seem a smaller fine (around £60).

[Justfornowitwilldo]

It's the insurance companies being greedy.

[MrsMeg]

I really enjoyed my speed awareness course, I found it very informative and not patronising at all. And they give you coffee and cake :)

[Needalegaleagle]

A teacher here. I've just booked one of these courses today as I got caught doing 52 in a 50. Fair enough.
Was actually pretty glad to be offered the course. I booked it for an evening, my school will never find out and to be honest- even if they did, I doubt they'd be interested.

[FaithLehane]

How do you get the points taken off your licence after 3 years then? Do you send it back to the DVLA and they change it? Just wondering as DH got 3 points in March 2010 for speeding, and obviously they're still written on the paper part of his licence. I declared them when we took out new insurance last month but now I'm wondering if they should be wiped? I'm confused.

[ivykaty44]

Insurance companies have now started asking if you have been on any driving courses - so maybe your insurance company will ask maybe they will not - but soon it will make no difference if you take the points or your do the course.

Courses are at weekend (my ex had to go on one so lost his weekend with his dc )

[FaithLehane]

Ok, just googled and according to this they stay on your licence for 4 years.

[lougle]

Another thing to bear in mind, is that if you don't go to the speed awareness course and you get the points on your licence, you then must declare that you have a conviction on any subsequent Disclosure and Barring Service (previously CRB) check forms.

I am applying to volunteer at my DD's school and I had to tick 'yes' to the 'have you ever had a conviction' because of my 3 points on the licence. That will last forever.

[Abra1d]

Funnily enough the instructor on my course said they always had several teachers most evenings! He was surprised we only had one the night I attended, and very surprised we only had one nurse and/or doctor.