Proof awareness courses are just a cash cow ?

[Sheepshanks]

Jimmyarm said:

Nope, it was not a speed awareness awarenessawareness course for a start.

In some areas speed and driver awareness courses are the same. In other areas the driver awareness course includes actual driving.

I can't say the story is untrue, but it seems unlikely the motorbike cop wouldn't check the drivers address on DVLA. Also the offer is usually fixed penalty or take a course - so gets sent to the drivers registered address.

And as many others have pointed out, licence details are taken on the course and recorded with DVLA as you can only take 1 course every 3yrs.


If it is true as written then it's a massive local scam.

[Rich1973]

Has anybody ever told the officer they are not interested in the course and would sooner take the points?

[Paul Dishman]

Rich1973 said:

Has anybody ever told the officer they are not interested in the course and would sooner take the points?

My son-in-law had an offer of a course through the post following being caught by a scamera van and decided to take the points instead.

He said it didn't make any difference to his insurance, so taking the points was cheaper than taking time off work and travelling back to Dorset for the course

[rewc]

A Dorset Police Officer can certainly not offer you a Driver Awareness Course. You are reported for the offence and it goes to the Central Ticket Office. They then decide on the options of course, FPN or summons depending on the offence and criteria.
I think but do not know that their options of offering words of advise or using discretion have been curtailed. Words of advice earn the Police income if they are given as part of a course.

[Paul Dishman]

rewc said:

A Dorset Police Officer can certainly not offer you a Driver Awareness Course. You are reported for the offence and it goes to the Central Ticket Office. They then decide on the options of course, FPN or summons depending on the offence and criteria.
I think but do not know that their options of offering words of advise or using discretion have been curtailed. Words of advice earn the Police income if they are given as part of a course.

I did say "through the post"

[rewc]

Paul Dishman said:

My son-in-law had an offer of a course through the post following being caught by a scamera van and decided to take the points instead.

He said it didn't make any difference to his insurance, so taking the points was cheaper than taking time off work and travelling back to Dorset for the course

Did he get any follow up from Dorset Roadsafe after he declined the course? They have been known to call or even visit to point out the real benefits of going on the course

[pork911]

even if true, OP starts this thread to be critical of the courses but not of his friend or himself? okaaaay

[overend]

Phil303 said:

For consideration here is the wording copied verbatim from the confirmation email sent out once you have booked your course:

Please bring the following on the day of the course:
Original Driving Licence (see below)
Photographic Identification (see below)
Reading glasses and hearing aid (if appropriate)

You must bring your original driving licence with you to the course, a photocopy will not be accepted. Please note that both parts of the Photocard licence MUST be produced. If you do not have a new style Photocard licence, you must also bringphotograph ID with you to the course i.e. passport in addition the old style paper licence. You will not be able to take part if you do not have your full licence including photo identification with you and your fee will not be refunded.

If you hold a non-European driving licence you must bring your passport and any other appropriate documents showing proof of entry into the UK.

I don't think this is the full or accurate story and I claim my £5.

Edited by Phil303 on Friday 12th December 23:24

Above seems sensible requirements, but I have a speed awareness course tomorrow. Letter states 'it will be a requirement to produce a valid driving licence'

But then states 'if you do not have your valid driving licence in any form then you can attend with two other forms of ID listed below

[Mr Classic]

Maybe he has a license, but not one that covers the vehicle? Ie motorbike or provisional license?

[Foliage]

Kids broken up for Christmas already?

[chevy-stu]

Paul Dishman said:

Rich1973 said:

Has anybody ever told the officer they are not interested in the course and would sooner take the points?

My son-in-law had an offer of a course through the post following being caught by a scamera van and decided to take the points instead.

He said it didn't make any difference to his insurance, so taking the points was cheaper than taking time off work and travelling back to Dorset for the course

If offered a course you can ask to take it locally. I was caught by specs on roadworks on the M4 near Bristol few years back, but did my course only a few miles from home in London..

[foreright]

Rich1973 said:

Has anybody ever told the officer they are not interested in the course and would sooner take the points?

Yep - me. I knew I couldn't keep my mouth shut during the course and would probably say something silly and end up with the points anyway so I elected to take the points. Annoyingly I was pinged by a camera a couple of weeks later (33 in a 30 zone!) and you don't get the option the second time. They've all expired now though!

[pork911]

foreright said:

Yep - me. I knew I couldn't keep my mouth shut during the course and would probably say something silly and end up with the points anyway so I elected to take the points. Annoyingly I was pinged by a camera a couple of weeks later (33 in a 30 zone!) and you don't get the option the second time. They've all expired now though!

so the course may have helped

[9mm]

Jimmyarm said:

I've waited a while to post about this due to the content.

A period of time ago someone I know very well was pulled over as he was obviously using his mobile whilst driving.

He was spotted by a motorbicycle officer who sits in the samee spot regularly and has been observed pulling other road user for the same offence.

My 'friend' was offered the usual course or points and fine, all normal.

Except he was pooping his pants as he had no tax, no insurance, no MOT and perhaps most importantly, no fecking driving licence.

He thought he was fecked but instead, the officer gave him the paperwork saying he had to attend a driver awarness course.

Online he went and booked and paid for the course, all the while waiting to be sked for some details of his driving licence but none where required, ho he rejoiced when he discovered he didn't even need to produce it at the course !

He has tax, mot and insurance now, but still no license.

So, cash cow or not ?

I don't know about cash cow but it's definitely bull st.

[Monkeylegend]

Maybe his friend had to surrender his licence very recently due to illness, and it hasn't shown up as such.

There was somebody on here posting about surrending his licence a few days ago

[foreright]

pork911 said:

so the course may have helped

That's a fair point

[anonymous-user]

The OP's story is manifest BS. What a rubbish attempt at trollery.

[Sheepshanks]

Breadvan72 said:

The OP's story is manifest BS. What a rubbish attempt at trollery.

Looks like you're the troll.

[anonymous-user]

overend said:

Phil303 said:

For consideration here is the wording copied verbatim from the confirmation email sent out once you have booked your course:

Please bring the following on the day of the course:
Original Driving Licence (see below)
Photographic Identification (see below)
Reading glasses and hearing aid (if appropriate)

You must bring your original driving licence with you to the course, a photocopy will not be accepted. Please note that both parts of the Photocard licence MUST be produced. If you do not have a new style Photocard licence, you must also bringphotograph ID with you to the course i.e. passport in addition the old style paper licence. You will not be able to take part if you do not have your full licence including photo identification with you and your fee will not be refunded.

If you hold a non-European driving licence you must bring your passport and any other appropriate documents showing proof of entry into the UK.

I don't think this is the full or accurate story and I claim my £5.

Above seems sensible requirements, but I have a speed awareness course tomorrow. Letter states 'it will be a requirement to produce a valid driving licence'

But then states 'if you do not have your valid driving licence in any form then you can attend with two other forms of ID listed below

That's considerate of them. The wording on mine above does state that You will not be able to take part if you do not have your full licence including photo identification with you and your fee will not be refunded. so it was a case of having at least some part of your driving licence or you would be sent home.

I will say that since the course (more through coincidence that anything they said) I've made an effort and my speed on motorways has remained more or less at 70 rather than 80, but that's more to do with what I've read on these forums about actual time saved (minimal) and extra fuel used (not minimal, especially in a thirsty V8).

It makes for a much less stressful drive knowing you don't have to worry whether the Transit parked up on the flyover is a camera van, or at night, if the car you are rapidly gaining on is the police or not.

[Sheepshanks]

Phil303 said:

That's considerate of them. The wording on mine above does state that You will not be able to take part if you do not have your full licence including photo identification with you and your fee will not be refunded. so it was a case of having at least some part of your driving licence or you would be sent home.

Certainly there was a thread on here not long ago of someone being turned away as they didn't have the paper part of the licence.

However, perhaps as the OP alludes, it is all about the bums on seats in some areas.

Phil303 said:

It makes for a much less stressful drive knowing you don't have to worry whether the Transit parked up on the flyover is a camera van, or at night, if the car you are rapidly gaining on is the police or not.

I slowed down after getting nicked (got penalty and points, no SAC offer) at 85 by a camera operator hidden off to the side of a motorway bridge. Made me realise just how easy it is to get caught so I've knocked a few MPH off and don't have to worry about constantly scanning bridges on the horizon.