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By: - 17th December 2014 at 14:37 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Based on friends' experiences but not my own, and bearing in mind the exact wording of your question - take the points and pay the fine. But don't do it again!!:stupid::D
By: - 17th December 2014 at 14:39 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I did the course! If I remember it only cost a few pounds more than the fine.
It was run by the AA and was better than I expected it would be; not too patronising but obviously pitched at a level that most drivers could understand. The most interesting thing was the other people on the course, and how little some of them knew about the Highway Code!
By: - 17th December 2014 at 14:41 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Time for a stupid question; can you get those three points added back, or do they reappear after a set length of time? Can you get a back to a clean licence eventually? The idea of sitting in a portakabin for hours with a group of middle aged 'naughty boys', car park brimming with BMWs of various types, being shown endless Powerpoint slides on stuff I already know, with a bit of morality-thru-shock-factor thrown in, does not sound like fun to me.
By: - 17th December 2014 at 14:45 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Added back? Why would you want them added back?
The only thing I can remember about the points versus the course was that if 'next time' was within three years I couldn't do a course and would have to take the points.
By: - 17th December 2014 at 14:48 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I think the points are valid for totting-up three years and come off your licence in four.
But then as we are about to see the end of the paper licence, who knows?
Moggy
By: - 17th December 2014 at 15:11 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Added back? Why would you want them added back?Plus the points from the original offence. Our are runs a good one (in a comfortable classroom). As it is run on what was RAF/USAF Upper Heyford I suppose it was a lecture room or office in its previous life.The only thing I can remember about the points versus the course was that if 'next time' was within three years I couldn't do a course and would have to take the points.
By: - 17th December 2014 at 15:12 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Yes, I must remember that the three points that I avoided will be added if I'm caught again!
By: - 17th December 2014 at 15:23 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Sorry if I mis read your post but it wasn't obvious that that was what you meant. Either that I've suffered brain fade.
By: - 17th December 2014 at 15:41 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Added back? Why would you want them added back?The only thing I can remember about the points versus the course was that if 'next time' was within three years I couldn't do a course and would have to take the points.
By 'added' back I mean redacted, of course. :stupid:
By: - 17th December 2014 at 15:46 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
They are not even redacted- they are permanently removed - slate wiped clean.
By: - 17th December 2014 at 18:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
You never actually get the points on your licence; if I remember correctly you have to book a speed-awareness course within fourteen days of the ticket being issued. As long as you book the course (which can be done on-line), pay for it when you book, show up (on time) and 'complete' the course you never get any points.
If you get caught speeding again within three years you cannot re-take the course, get three points and a fine, plus the three points from your earlier offence! I keep forgetting that I could still get these three points.
By: - 17th December 2014 at 18:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
What about your insurance, if you have speeding points you have to declare them, if you do the course you don't..
By: - 17th December 2014 at 19:51 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Take the course Mogs - it aint worth having needless points on your licence : )
By: - 17th December 2014 at 20:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
That's a good point about insurance; I didn't tell my insurance company.
I don't think it made any difference to my insurance when I had six points at one stage; which is odd? My insurance company is very keen to know if I've made a claim but I don't recall ever being asked about speeding?
I made a claim on my house insurance for the first time ever two years ago; it is amazing the number of insurance companies that will not even quote now!
By: - 17th December 2014 at 20:33 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I THINK that your insurance company has to be informed if you have been found guilty of contravening any part of the Road Traffic Act.
By: - 17th December 2014 at 21:31 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Insurance company want to know even if you take the course. Of course you don't have to tell them....
Course is actually pretty good (ahem). I was the youngest one there. Didn't stop me getting caught by the damn things again mind, and I too do many, many fewer miles than I used too. Every time I go a distance, I worry for a week that I will get another damn ticket!
By: - 17th December 2014 at 21:32 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Re 12.. Warren is correct. I took the Speed awareness Course in July. Paid for in advance, BUT if you appear just a few minutes late, you will be barred from the course.You do NOT have to tell your Insurance Co that you have attended a S.A.C however, your offence of speeding will be kept for 3 yrs, on the Police National Data base.
As this remains there for 3 yrs, you will have to decide whether you MAY get an Insurance hike, if you accept the 3 points, instead of the Course, against the £90.00. it cost me, plus roughly a 100 miles round trip. My advice, for what it's worth, is to go on the Coarse, it only lasts for about 3 to 4 hrs, then when you leave, you can thrash it all the way home.......:D I wonder what you may have been doing if you had been in the Porche ?.
Jm.
Lincoln .7.
By: - 17th December 2014 at 23:56 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I wonder what you may have been doing if you had been in the Porsche ?.
Probably a bit less. I was always conscious of it being a target vehicle for mildly envious traffic car drivers and was a lot more cautious than I am in the current barge.
I can't recall my insurance being massively affected when I was disqualified, but as ever the company paid for all that anyway. These days when few people stay with the same insurance company on renewal I can't see it will be a factor. My insurance is only about £200 p.a., so even a 20% increase would hardly be a burden.
If the course is somewhere convenient then I'll trot along. But if it's in Ipswich I'll just take the points
Moggy
By: - 18th December 2014 at 07:19 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Ha, yes, I am more likely to speed in my knackered Escort Van than I am in my Jaguar.
By: - 18th December 2014 at 09:10 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
FWIW, SWMBO's job includes sending people on speed awareness courses, and she does get the occasional phone call thanking her for arranging it, as they've found it really educational. YMMV!
Adrian
(awaiting three points from the Abbreviation Police)
Posts: 16,832
By: Moggy C - 17th December 2014 at 14:29
Well I spotted the tax camera van late and could only get the speed down to 83mph.
But that is enough to qualify for a 'speed awareness course'
Now with the nature of my work I drive a lot fewer miles than I used to and my licence is clean.
What would you do? Suck up the points or take the course?
Bear in mind I'd have to travel to the course, and if it is in Ipswich that's something like £15-20 on top of the fine to attend.
Thoughts?
Moggy