Drivers caught speeding in the UK are encountering a significant price disparity for mandatory speed awareness courses, with some paying up to 20% more than others depending on their location. A record 1.85 million motorists participated in these courses last year, a 12% increase from the previous year and a 70% rise over five years. This surge is partly attributed to the controversial rollout of 20mph speed limits, which has led to a more than 500% increase in drivers caught by speed cameras in these zones.
Speed awareness courses are offered as an alternative to fines and penalty points on a driver's license. However, the cost of these courses varies widely, with prices ranging from £82 to £100. Motorists typically only learn the price of their specific course after selecting a provider and a time slot, limiting their ability to compare options and find the cheapest available course. To find lower prices, drivers must manually inquire with each course provider, a process that can be time-consuming.
Course Costs and Revenue Distribution
The National Speed Awareness Course program is managed by UK Road Offender Education (UKROEd), an arm of the Road Safety Trust. UKROEd receives approximately 6% of each course fee, amounting to around £9 million annually. The police force takes the largest share, 52% of the fee, while the company or local authority running the course receives the remaining 42%. Police forces state that their share is intended to cover administrative costs associated with the courses, which total an estimated £95 million nationally. They also emphasize that these courses serve as an educational alternative to prosecution, aiming to change driver behavior and improve road safety.
Campaigners and motoring experts have criticized the current system, with some describing the courses as a "cash cow" and a "revenue generator." Concerns have been raised about the lack of price transparency and the potential for drivers to be "treated like cash cows." The growing implementation of 20mph speed limits is expected to further increase the number of motorists taking these courses, potentially escalating revenue.
How Speed Awareness Courses Work
Drivers caught speeding typically receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution within 14 days of the offense. This notice details the speed, the limit, and includes a Section 172 form to confirm the driver's identity within 28 days. Upon returning the form, drivers are presented with three options: take a speed awareness course, accept a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) with three penalty points, or face a court summons for high-speed offenses. Ignoring these options can result in more severe penalties, including additional license points and higher fines.
Opting for a speed awareness course requires drivers to visit a designated website, input a reference code, and select a course provider and time. Courses can be taken in person or online, typically lasting three hours. Online courses require continuous camera and audio monitoring to ensure the participant is engaged. Failure to comply can result in the course being failed, requiring a retake.
Alternatives and Penalties
The alternative to a speed awareness course is a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice, which also incurs three points on a driver's license. These points can increase motor insurance premiums. The eligibility for a speed awareness course is generally for drivers caught speeding between 10% plus 2mph and 10% plus 9mph above the limit. Exceeding these thresholds may result in a fine and penalty points without the option of a course. Driving significantly over the speed limit can lead to disqualification, higher fines, and an automatic driving ban for accumulating 12 penalty points over a four-year period.