Driver Improvement Course 

The concept of driver retraining was introduced by Dr P North as far back as 1988, but not adopted by the government until much later.

Dr P North believed that there was little evidence to show that punishing offenders raised standards in motorists driving and that retraining was more likely to bring about improvement in their driving, particularly if the retraining concentrated on the shortcomings in their driving.

Often if you have not yet been charged you can write a letter of representation to the police to influence their decision to offer you a driver awareness course?

NDORS

NDORS is provided by UK Road Offender Education (UKROEd), the trading arm of the Road Safety Trust. The Trust, which describes itself as an independent grant-giving Trust working hard to reduce the numbers of people killed or injured on our roads, gives financial support to road-safety initiatives in the UK. NDORS fees cover the costs of providing the courses, and the surplus is fed into the Trust’s grant fund.

The sole purpose of the seven NDORS courses – all rigidly structured in terms of content and delivery – is to make UK roads safer through the education of road users

It provides general guidance to police officers about what they should take into account:

  • The circumstances of the incident, which will be things such as the time of day, presence of other motorists, risk of collision or injury to name but a few.
  • Any other additional evidence which may be evidence pertaining to the motorist.
  • The defendant’s explanation.
  • Before deciding to prosecute, as opposed to offering the course, they should apply the CPS full code test for charging, which means there should be:-

  • Evidence of the offence
  • It is in the public interest to prosecute

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This can be offered to a motorist who is involved in a road traffic accident where there has been a collision and it would justify an offence under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988(driving without due care and attention or inconsiderate driving).

The decision to offer the course should be made on the failing in the motorist’s driving, and not the consequences of that failing, although there is some consideration to the consequences if they are so serious that they would justify a prosecution i.e. life threatening injuries, fatality or permanent disability.

The course costs £125-£200 depending on the course provider. The course runs for 6 hours and includes both classroom and practical driving sessions.

This course can be offered where a motorist makes an act or omission in driving which does not involve a collision. The aim is to correct the mischief, intentional or deliberate act done by the motorist.

It is for offences such as using a mobile phone whilst driving, or not being in a position to have proper control, which might attract this sort of course. If there is a high risk of a collision or harm then the police are unlikely to offer this course.

The course costs £80-£100. It is classroom based and lasts 3.25 hours.

This course is offered to drivers who exceed the speed limit on the motorway or commit any other minor infringements on a motorway.

The course lasts 3 hours 45 minutes and is classroom based.

Cost between £78-£92

This course is classroom based and is for motorcyclists and covers dangerous, anti-social or careless riding of motorcycles

It lasts 5 hours and costs between £70 - £132

If you’ve committed an offence and been caught by the police, they may offer you an NDORS course instead of points on your licence.

You’ll receive a letter from UKROEd, which will direct you to the NDORS offer portal, and you’ll be taken through the process of logging in (using a given reference number and PIN), selecting a venue and date and making full payment. Your NDORS course booking is not confirmed until payment has been received. 

You can book your course at any NDORS course location, anywhere in the UK, as long as it’s available at that particular venue. You don’t have to do the course in the area where the offence was committed.

You must be able to read a number plate with or without glasses in good daylight at a distance of 20.5 metres (67 feet), or 20 metres (65 feet) if it is a new style number plate.

You must be the holder of a full driving licence.

Yes, you can fail the course if you :

  • Fail to attend with reason which is notified to course providers prior to the course date
  • Arrive late
  • Leave early and do not complete the course
  • Do not participate effectively in the course
  • Are asked to leave by the instructor eg for anti-social behaviour

Whilst the completion of a course indicates an issue with driving and therefore an increased risk, insurance companies will take into account the educational aspect of completing the course, which would ultimately reduce risk in theory.

However, it is likely that your premiums will still increase, however, it will not be as high as if you had been convicted after charge which is likely to have a drastic impact on insurance premiums so if a course is offered it is always worth considering the insurance implications before declining the course.

Please note that these are not national courses to divert prosecution but are training courses. If drivers undertake these courses insurance premiums are on average reduced by 5% (subject to variance depending on the insurance company).

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