Do speed awareness courses affect your insurance?

Monday, 23 February 2026

When drivers are caught speeding by the police, sometimes they are offered the option of attending a National Speed Awareness course, instead of a fine and penalty points. But does this mean that their car insurance premiums will go up? Do you always have to tell your insurance company about speed awareness courses?

Does a speed awareness course count as a conviction?

No, a speed awareness course is not considered a driving conviction. For certain speeding offences, you are likely to be offered the opportunity to attend a speed awareness course instead of a fine and penalty points on your driving licence. For example, if it is your first offence in the previous three years, and the incident has been within a specific speed range (eg: up to 42 mph in a 30 mph zone). If the speeding incident has not led to any criminal charges against the driver, then a speed awareness course may be the preferred method of rehabilitation.

Will a speed awareness course affect your insurance premium?

Yes, attending a speed awareness course could lead to an increase in your motor insurance premiums. Legally you are not obliged to tell your insurance company that you have taken part in a speed awareness course as a result of speeding. But if you are asked, you should declare that you have done so. If you don’t, this could invalidate your motor insurance policy.

Not every insurance company will put their premiums up if they know you have been caught speeding. If it is your first offence, they may take a positive approach. After all, the aim of speed awareness courses are to produce safer drivers. However, the chances are you will be seen as a ‘riskier’ driver and your premiums will increase. This may not be as much as if you had been fined and had penalty points put on your licence, so choosing to attend a speed awareness course would still be the better option.

What happens if you don’t declare a speed awareness course to your insurer?

1. Voided insurance policy

You run the risk of invalidating your insurance policy if you withhold information about speeding offences or incidents.

2. Do police seize your vehicle?

No, the police don’t seize or impound your car. If you fail to attend the speed awareness course, further action involving the police may take place.

3. Vehicle put up for auction or scrap

No, your car is not put up for auction or sold for scrap.

Take the medicine

Don’t be tempted not to be honest about a speed awareness course, just to save some money. It may cost you much more in the long term.

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