As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, various driving courses were suspended in order to protect the public’s health and reduce the risks of spreading the virus. The vast majority of courses have now been transferred online for defendants to complete within the designated time scales.
There have been some updates in relation to certain courses, depending on whether they are offered by the police or by the court.
Police Referred Courses
The police will often refer drivers for courses following an offence as an alternative to prosecution, a fine and or penalty points being endorsed. The most common course is the Speed Awareness Course although courses may also be offered for careless driving or failing to comply with traffic signs, such as red traffic lights.
UKROEd (UK Road Offender Education) which manages the schemes on behalf of the police service, announced on 20 March 2020 that no classroom courses are to take place until at least 3 August 2020. Classes are now currently held online via secure video link.
Please note that you must be offered a course by the police as an alternative to prosecution. If you miss the deadline to complete the offered course, it is unlikely you will be offered a second opportunity.
Court Referred Courses
In the vast majority of cases, a driver convicted of a first-time offence of drink driving will be offered the opportunity to take a course on the Drink Drive Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS). The courses were initially suspended, however, the DVSA have announced that classroom courses will resume from 13 July 2020. Anyone who is currently booked on courses who are affected by rescheduling will be contacted regarding changes.
There is no similar course available for anyone convicted of drug driving.
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