You’ve just been invited to attend a speed awareness course instead of taking penalty points on your licence — a relief for many drivers.
But then the question hits: will this affect my car insurance?
The answer isn’t completely straightforward — it depends on your insurer, how they view the course, and whether you’re honest about it when renewing or comparing car insurance quotes.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is a Speed Awareness Course?
A National Speed Awareness Course (NSAC) is an educational alternative to penalty points for drivers caught slightly over the speed limit.
It’s offered by police forces across the UK for minor speeding offences, usually if:
You haven’t attended a course in the last 3 years
You were caught within a certain speed threshold (for example, 35mph in a 30mph zone)
Instead of penalty points or a fine, you attend a 2–4 hour course — often online — to improve awareness and road safety understanding.
Do Speed Awareness Courses Go on Your Driving Record?
Speed awareness courses do not result in penalty points or appear on your driving licence.
However, they are recorded on a national database for police and course providers. This means if you’re caught speeding again, you won’t be eligible for another course within three years.
Insurers cannot directly access this database, but they may ask about course attendance when you apply or renew your car insurance.
Do You Have to Tell Your Insurer You Took a Speed Awareness Course?
This depends on your insurer.
Some insurers will ask:
“Have you attended a speed awareness course in the past five years?”
Others only ask for motoring convictions, not courses.
If your insurer specifically asks about courses, you must declare it honestly — failure to disclose when asked could invalidate your policy.
If they don’t ask, you don’t need to volunteer the information.
Will Your Car Insurance Go Up After a Speed Awareness Course?
Not necessarily.
Because a speed awareness course means no penalty points and no conviction, many insurers don’t increase premiums at all.
However, some insurers view course attendance as a minor risk indicator, suggesting you’ve recently been caught speeding — so your premium might rise slightly.
Ultimately, it depends on your insurer’s policy. Some treat it neutrally, while others factor it in with other risk details like age, location, and driving history.
Typical outcomes:
🚫 No increase: Many insurers see it as positive, showing you took steps to improve your driving.
⚠️ Small increase: Some may adjust premiums marginally.
❌ Big increases are rare, as the course replaces penalty points.
How Long Does a Speed Awareness Course Affect Insurance?
If it affects your insurance at all, it’s usually only relevant for 3 to 5 years — depending on your insurer’s data retention policy.
After this time, you typically don’t need to declare it again.
What Happens If You Don’t Declare It?
If an insurer asks about course attendance and you fail to declare it, this could be considered misrepresentation.
That could mean:
Your policy becomes invalid
Future claims might be refused
You could be blacklisted by that insurer
Always answer questions accurately — and shop around if your insurer penalises you for attending the course.
How to Get the Best Car Insurance After a Speed Awareness Course
If your premium rises or you’re unsure how your current insurer views these courses, it pays to compare.
Here’s what to do:
✅ Be honest about your course if asked.
🔍 Compare quotes from different insurers — some ignore speed awareness courses altogether.
📑 Check your policy documents to understand what you’re required to disclose.
💡 Use einsure.uk to instantly compare car insurance quotes from multiple UK insurers — and find one that offers fair pricing even if you’ve attended a course.
Key Takeaways
A speed awareness course is not a conviction and adds no penalty points.
It may appear in insurance questions, so always answer truthfully.
Some insurers ignore it completely, others may adjust premiums slightly.
Always compare quotes — different insurers treat it differently.
Keep your details up to date to ensure your policy stays valid.
Final Thought
Speed awareness courses are designed to educate, not punish. Most drivers who attend them never reoffend — and many insurers recognise this by keeping premiums unchanged.
Still, it’s always worth checking whether your insurer asks about course attendance — and if they do, being upfront ensures you stay protected.
If you think your premium has risen unfairly after attending a course, you can compare competitive quotes in minutes at einsure.uk and find cover that treats you fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Speed Awareness Courses and Car Insurance
Do I have to tell my insurer if I take a speed awareness course?
It depends on your insurer. Some ask whether you’ve attended a course in the past few years, while others only ask about motoring convictions. If your insurer specifically asks, you must answer honestly — otherwise, your policy could be invalidated. If they don’t ask, you don’t need to declare it.
Will a speed awareness course make my car insurance more expensive?
Not always. Because the course replaces penalty points, many insurers don’t raise premiums at all. However, some may see it as a minor risk factor and adjust your price slightly. It’s always worth comparing quotes to find insurers that treat these courses fairly.
How long do I need to declare a speed awareness course for?
If your insurer asks about it, most only want information from the past 3–5 years. After that, it’s unlikely to have any effect on your insurance. Always check your insurer’s specific disclosure period.
Does a speed awareness course go on my driving licence?
No. A speed awareness course does not appear on your driving licence and does not result in penalty points. It is recorded on a police database for course eligibility purposes only.
Is a speed awareness course classed as a conviction?
No, it isn’t a conviction. It’s an educational alternative to a speeding fine or penalty points. Because it’s not a conviction, it usually doesn’t affect your insurance as severely as points would.
Can a speed awareness course reduce my insurance premium?
In some cases, yes. Completing a course shows insurers that you’ve taken proactive steps to improve your driving awareness. While not all insurers offer discounts, it can demonstrate that you’re a responsible driver.
What happens if I don’t tell my insurer about a speed awareness course?
If your insurer asks about it and you don’t declare it, this could be considered misrepresentation. That might lead to a cancelled policy or a rejected claim. Always answer honestly when comparing or renewing your insurance.
Where can I compare car insurance quotes after a speed awareness course?
You can compare car insurance quotes quickly and easily at einsure.uk. Our system helps you find insurers that offer fair prices — even if you’ve attended a speed awareness course.