The national driver improvement scheme FAQ's
Questions
- Why do I have to do this course when it wasn’t my fault?
- What can I expect?
- What does the course involve?
- How long does the course last?
- I had my incident in another part of the country, can I take the scheme closer to home?
- Do I choose when to take the course?
- Can I fail the course?
- What happens if I do not attend the course?
- How much training is on the road?
- Is a car provided?
- I had my incident on a motorbike, do I take the course in a car?
- Who are the trainers?
- Can I pay by installments?
- Why do course fees vary around the country?
- I’m on benefit, is there a reduction in the course fee?
- Do you do the course at the weekends?
- Is it really worth doing the course, will I learn anything new?
- I have other commitments, such as my children or my job; do I have to attend all the sessions?
- I have special needs. Can these be accommodated?
- How successful are the courses?
- What about my insurance - if I attend, will I be admitting guilt?
- How many drivers have done this course?
- OK. I still feel that I was not at fault. What do I do now?
Answers
Why do I have to do this course when it wasn’t my fault?
The police have referred you to the scheme because they consider they have sufficient evidence to prosecute you in relation to your part in the incident and that you may benefit from attending the course as an alternative to being placed before a court.
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What can I expect?
A course designed by professionals to improve driver safety.
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What does the course involve?
The course combines driving theory, including the development of appropriate attitudes and behaviour to driving and defensive driving techniques, with a practical on-road driving session under the guidance of an expert trainer.
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How long does the course last?
The course runs for a day and a half. The first half-day is the theory session, followed by two half-day practical sessions.
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I had my incident in another part of the country, can I take the scheme closer to home?
Yes. The course is run at many locations and you will be given the information by the police or service provider as to where the courses are run. It is up to you to choose a venue that fits best with your arrangements.
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Do I choose when to take the course?
No, you will be offered a course date, but, if this is not suitable, you must speak to the service provider where you have opted to complete the course as soon as possible. Further dates may be offered.
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Can I fail the course?
The course is based upon improvement. You cannot fail if you show both theory and practical instructors that you are willing to improve your driving skills and attitude. You will however fail to complete the course through non-attendance, arriving unfit to drive or by not improving your driving skills or attitude. This will result in referral back to the police for possible prosecution.
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What happens if I do not attend the course?
This will result in referral back to the police for possible prosecution.
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How much training is on the road?
Actual driving times may vary, but you will be trained by approved drivers for about seven hours. Some of this time will be as a passenger watching other people behind the wheel as there can be up to three drivers to a car.
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Is a car provided?
Yes. A fully insured, modern car will be provided for the course.
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I had my incident on a motorbike, do I take the course in a car?
No, your service provider will be able to facilitate the practical part of the course being delivered on a motorbike.
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Who are the trainers?
For the theory sessions, appropriately qualified trainers will be used. For the practical sessions you will be with government approved driver trainers.
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Can I pay by installments?
Course fees and methods of payment vary across the country.
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Why do course fees vary around the country?
Course fees do vary around the country because of the difference in cost of financing them, i.e., administrative costs, hire of vehicles etc.
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I’m on benefit, is there a reduction in the course fee?
No. The course fee is a set amount and cannot be reduced.
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Do you do the course at the weekends?
Courses across the country are run at different times of the week.
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Is it really worth doing the course, will I learn anything new?
Yes. The course is designed to improve your driving. Suitably qualified and experienced trainers will help you develop the skills, attitudes and confidence required to make you a safer driver.
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I have other commitments, such as my children or my job; do I have to attend all the sessions?
Yes. If you fail to arrive on time, this will result in referral back to the police for possible prosecution.
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I have special needs. Can these be accommodated?
Contact your service provider who will discuss your needs on an individual basis.
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How successful are the courses?
A two-year study of many drivers who have attended was very positive about the lasting results and concluded that the Driver Improvement Course was a better option than to send someone to court.
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What about my insurance - if I attend, will I be admitting guilt?
You will not be admitting anything as you will not have been prosecuted. The Association of British Insurers does acknowledge the benefits of the Driver Improvement Scheme.
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How many drivers have done this course?
Since 1991, over 70,000 have attended nationwide.
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OK. I still feel that I was not at fault. What do I do now?
You must decline the offer and ask to exercise your right to a trial in court where magistrates are the only ones that can decide. Alternatively, you can seek clarification from the Collisions Unit.
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