UKI've been offered a speed awareness course instead of points. Should I accept?
Yes, you should usually accept a speed awareness course if offered — it avoids penalty points and a fine, and is only available once every three years.
What the Law Says
The legal basis for speed awareness courses in England and Wales comes from the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, which allows police forces to offer diversionary courses instead of prosecution for certain endorsable speeding offences.
Speed awareness courses are not mentioned by name in the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, but Section 35 gives police the power to deal with certain offences informally — including by offering education or training as an alternative to prosecution — where it is deemed appropriate and proportionate.
The decision to offer a course is at the discretion of the police force handling the case. It is only available if you meet strict criteria: you were caught driving between 10% + 2mph and 10% + 9mph above the speed limit (e.g., 35–42mph in a 30mph zone), you have no other recent speeding convictions, and you haven’t taken a course in the past three years.
Accepting the course means you admit the offence and agree to attend — but you avoid both penalty points on your licence and a fine. Crucially, it does not result in a criminal conviction.
Statutory Text— Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 s. 35 — c. 53
What to Do
Check your eligibility: confirm your speed, the limit, and that you haven’t taken a course in the last 3 years.
Respond within 14 days — late acceptance may be refused.
Pay the course fee (typically £100–£150) and book your session.
Attend the full course — non-attendance means the original penalty notice is reinstated.
Keep your certificate of completion — though it’s not legally required, it may help if questioned later.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.