Why Was I Not Offered a Speed Awareness Course? FORD Focus Mk4 Hatchback (HN) (01.2018 - ...)

If you were caught speeding in your 2018 Ford Focus but weren’t offered a speed awareness course, the most likely reasons relate to the speed you were driving, your previous course history, and police discretion.

Here’s why you might not have been offered the course:

Speed Threshold: To be eligible for a speed awareness course, your speed must fall within a specific range above the limit. For example, in a 30 mph zone, you need to be driving between 35 mph and 42 mph to qualify. If you were going faster than the upper limit of this range, you would not be offered the course but instead face a fine and penalty points.

Previous Course Attendance: If you have attended a speed awareness course in the last three years, you are not eligible to take another one. The police check this before offering the course.

Police Discretion: Even if you meet the speed and timing criteria, it is ultimately up to the local police force whether to offer you a course. They may decide not to offer it based on their policies or the circumstances of the offence.

Location and Enforcement Policy: Some police forces or specific locations may have different policies or may not offer courses for certain types of speeding offences, such as those on motorways or in certain enforcement zones.

Your speeding notice or letter should clearly state whether you are eligible for a course or not and what your options are (pay fine, attend course, or contest in court).

- Check the speed you were recorded at versus the speed limit and the eligibility ranges.
- Confirm if you have taken a speed awareness course in the past three years.
- Remember that the offer of a course is not guaranteed and depends on police discretion.
- Review your speeding notice carefully for your available options.