Drink Drive Courses

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As the UK’s largest provider of drink driving courses, we deliver courses across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Appointed by the Department for Transport (DfT), the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure, TTC has been successfully delivering the Drink Drive Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) and Courses for Drink Drive Offences (CDDO) for over 25 years.

The scheme educates people with a Drink Drive conviction about alcohol and its effects, which encourages people make more informed and safer life choices, leading to a reduction in reoffending.  By completing a Drink Drive course, the attendee can reduce their driving ban by up to 25%, for example, taking a 12-month driving ban down to 9 months. 

The scheme also supports offenders to recognise the problems associated with drink driving and to take personal responsibility for, and to address their behaviour in relation to drinking and driving.

Our Drink Drive Ban Calculator can be used to work out what your reduction could be, by taking the course.

Key points:

  • The only provider approved to deliver courses Nationally
  • The full course is offered online and in classroom
  • Courses delivered remotely online from the safety of your home using Zoom
  • An interactive course containing a mix of presentations, discussions, and activities
  • Minimum taught time 16-hours, to be completed over a period of no less than 14 days (typically spread over a 4-week period)
  • Evening and weekend courses available

 

Download Terms & Conditions

In this video, we'll explain everything you need to know, having been charged for a Drink Driving offence, including how to book a Drink Drive course.

Did you know that by completing a Drink Drive course, you could reduce your driving ban by up to 25%?

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Online courses now available nationwide 7-days a week. Secure a place by booking online in just 2 minutes

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About the Drink Drive course

Regain your independence and return to driving
Our Drink Drive course will give you a fresh start and help you to regain your independence and your driving licence.  By completing a Drink Drive course with TTC, you can reduce your driving ban by up to 25%.  Our Drink Drive Ban Calculator can help you to understand how this works.

Less likely to re-offend
The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) was commissioned by Department for Transport (DfT) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Drink Drive course.  Their research found that there was a marked benefit to those undertaking a Drink Drive course, demonstrating that those not completing a Drink Drive course were between two and three times more likely to re-offend, than those who had undertaken a course.

Helping to change attitudes and behaviours
99.2% of people completing their Drink Drive course with TTC reported a more positive attitude towards alcohol and safer driving behaviours since completing the course.

No test or exams
There are no pass or fail examinations, but you will be expected to participate to the best of your ability and make a positive contribution.  Engaging and entertaining activities, as well as group discussion exercises guide each participant through the course in a supportive, non-judgemental approach.

What topics are covered in the Drink Drive course?
Over the 16-hour course, the following topics will be covered:

  • The impact of alcohol use in relation to driving
  • The potential impact of drink driving on yourself and others
  • The law relating to drink driving
  • How alcohol reduces a driver’s ability to drive safely and responsibly
  • The broader health aspects of alcohol consumption
  • Alcohol use in general and in relation to driving
  • The acceptance of responsibility and accountability for your actions
  • Deciding to change
  • Setting goals to achieve change
  • Recognising the triggers / barriers to change
  • Developing strategies for overcoming those barriers

Access to post-course support services
We offer post-course support, including a free anxiety and stress management course to help give you the greatest opportunity to address the underlying factors that resulted in a drink drive conviction.  
These value added services all contribute towards our primary goal of preventing future re-offending, breaking the cycle to enable you to live a happier, safer and healthier life. 

Those completing a Drink Drive course are between two and three times less likely to re-offend.

Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)

Participant benefits

Drink Driving BanReduce your ban by up to 25% and get your licence back sooner.

PeopleGroup peoplePeopleGreater knowledge and understanding of the potential impact of drink driving to yourself and others​.

DrivingHave a realistic understanding of your alcohol use, in general, and in relation to driving.

ChangeUnderstand the effects of alcohol on the body and be motivated to make the right life choices in relation to drinking alcohol.

Acknowledge the law relating to drink driving and accept responsibility for the actions that led to your conviction.

Proven to reduce the likelihood of re-offending

As part of a research project, having attended a Drink Drive Rehabilitation Course delivered by TTC, I was impressed by how the course embedded behavioural change principles, engaging people throughout and motivating them to make lasting changes to their driving, and indeed, sometimes their lives.

Professor Fiona Fylan Head of Sustainable Behaviour, Leeds Sustainability Institute, Leeds Beckett University

Drink driving ban calculator

Find out when you can get back to driving following a ban and how much you can reduce this by taking the court referred Drink Drive Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) course.

Calculate

Flexible Course Payment Options

TTC offers a range of course payment options to best meet your needs, including:

  • Debit / Credit Card
  • Scheduled Payments
  • Cheque
  • Postal Order
  • Banker’s Draft
  • Cash
  • BACS transfer
  • Mobile Banking App payment
TTC Group Payment Options

Choice of Course Dates & Times

TTC offers a comprehensive choice of courses to give you the greatest opportunity to complete a course, no matter your personal commitments, including:

  • Choice of course start times
  • Choice of course dates
  • Evening courses
  • Weekend course dates
  • Online course delivery
  • Choice of course locations (classroom)
TTC Group | Courses available 7-days a week

Course Locator

With over 220 venues nationwide, finding a Drink Drive course near you couldn't be easier.

Course Locator

Course details

Who should attend

Anyone who has elected in court to attend a drink-driving course.

Delivery method

The interactive workshop is relaxed and informative and facilitated by a licenced trainer. There is no court or police involvement. 

Course requirements

Arrive early
​Late arrivals will be excluded from joining the course.  It is your responsibility to arrive on time for registration.  We recommend ​arriving at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of each session of the course to successfully complete the course registration process.

Valid identification
You must bring photo identification, such as a valid passport, on each day of the course.

If you do not have photographic ID, you must bring along with you two other forms of identification such as a recent utility bill, bank statement and/or debit/credit card.

Failure to produce such identification will result in your exclusion from the course.

No test
This is a theory-only course with no test.

Terms and conditions
This is a quick glance of the course requirements. For more details, refer to our Terms and Conditions.

How much will the course cost?

Course Fee in England:

  • Full course fee £160.00 or flexible payment plan 4 x £40.00.
  • Early Bird offer (booked within 30 days of sentencing).  Full course fee £128.
  • Evening and weekend courses charged at full price of £185.00.
  • Early Bird offer for evening and weekend bookings £153.00.

Course Fee in Scotland:

  • Full course fee £170.00 or flexible payment plan 4 x £42.50.
  • Early Bird offer (booked within 30 days of sentencing).  Full course fee £136.
  • Evening and weekend courses charged at full price of £195.00.
  • Early Bird offer for evening and weekend bookings £161.00.

Course Fee in Wales:

  • Full course fee £150.00 or flexible payment plan 4 x £37.50.
  • Evening and weekend courses charged at full price of £175.00.

Course Fee in Northern Ireland:

  • Full course fee £155.00 (including evenings and weekends) or flexible payment plan 4 x £38.75.
  • Concessionary rate (unemployed and full-time students, call for eligibility) £110 or flexible payment plan 4 x £27.50.

Initially I went to the course to reduce my ban, but after completing the course my attitude to alcohol has changed for the better.

DDRS attendee

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get referred to a course?

You can only be referred to attend a course during your court appearance. If you do not get a referral during your court appearance you will not be able to get a referral at a later date.

Can I be referred after my court appearance?

No. If you do not elect to attend a course during your court appearance you will not have the opportunity to apply afterwards.

You can do a course as a voluntary referral although this will not entitle you to the early return of your licence; it will give you education and skills to avoid being convicted again.

You can ask the court to reduce your disqualification period after you’ve been banned from driving for

  • 2 years - if the disqualification was for fewer than 4 years
  • Half the disqualification period - if it was for at least 4 but under 10 years
  • 5 years - if the disqualification was for 10 years or more

Courts will take into account anything you have done to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

Can I be referred to a second course?

Yes. There is no legal bar to an offender being referred to a second course.

Can I transfer my referral?

You can only transfer your referral in Great Britain, not Northern Ireland.

If you move areas, you can transfer your referral by notifying your original provider. However, please note that different providers charge different course fees.

When should I book a course?

It is advisable to complete the course as soon as is practical and avoid leaving it to the last minute as:

  • work/family commitments or illness may prevent you completing the required number of sessions.
  • if we have insufficient referrals we may have to cancel the course.
Can I book a course immediately?

You can book as soon as the provider has received your referral.

What happens if I cannot attend my course?

We will usually rebook your course providing there is sufficient time before the course completion date as set by the court expires a fee will be charged for this.

In the event of you being unable to attend or complete a course due to illness, a rearrangement fee will be applicable. This may be refunded upon receipt of a medical certificate and after review by us. It may also be possible to offer an alternative date due to other extreme circumstances (providing there is sufficient time within the deadline given by the police). Under such circumstances you must contact our office.

Can I change the date/time/venue of my course?

Yes, you can change the time, date and venue of the course once you have booked. However, there is a charge incurred for changing your booking (see below) which is outlined in our terms and conditions.

If you wish to alter/cancel your course date and time within:

  • 14 days of your original booking is free of charge/full course fee refunded.  Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have the right to cancel your course within 14 days (the 'Cancellation Period') from the date on which you booked the course.  However, your right to cancel and obtain a full refund will be lost if you book a course date during the Cancellation Period (in these circumstances you are entitled to a partial refund of £75.00 and you are required to contact TTC to arrange this).
  • From 15 days after your booking but more than 21 days prior to the first date of your course, there is a £30 rearrangement/cancellation fee.
  • Non-attendance, without prior notice, or less than 21 days prior to the first date of your course, there is a £75 rearrangement/cancellation fee.
  • The above rearrangements of courses are subject to sufficient time allowed before your completion date.

We will make every effort to run all scheduled courses, however, if demand for a course is very low it will be cancelled.  If this happens we will give you at least 20 days’ notice of cancellation.  You will then be offered alternative dates (if you have allowed enough time) before the completion date, set by the court at the time of sentence.

Can I complete a course after my completion date?

No, however, very occasionally the date set by the court might be incorrect, so it is worth asking the course provider to double check the dates provided on the referral. Please note the date is always set by the court and there is no provision in law to extend that irrespective of the reasons. We always advise that you leave plenty of time to complete the course.

What happens if I miss a session or turn up late?

All providers work under strict guidance issued by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and you will be turned away and asked to rebook – assuming there is time – an additional fee will usually be incurred.

What happens if I don’t do a course?

The course is a non-binding court order. If you do not complete a course then we are required to issue you with a notice of non-completion, which closes the court order and is for your records. If you do not complete the course in full you will not benefit from a reduction in the period of time you are banned from driving.

What do I do with the completion certificate?

In England, Scotland and Wales, we will usually send the original completion certificate to the court that sentenced you. The court will then notify the Driving & Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA). We will also supply you with 2 copies of the certificate. One copy is to be retained by yourself for insurance purposes. The other is to be sent to the DVLA with your driving licence application form at the appropriate time.  

In Northern Ireland, we will provide you with 2 copies of the certificate. One is to be retained by you for insurance purposes. You must take the other to the court you were sentenced at. The court will notify the Driver & vehicle Agency (DVA).

Will this reduce my insurance premium?

Whilst we cannot guarantee this will reduce your insurance premium, many insurance companies now accept a certificate of completion as indicating that you are a much lower risk and they recognise the value of the course in reducing reconviction rates. Many offenders find they will achieve a significant discount.

When can I apply for my licence?

In England, Scotland and Wales, if you are High Risk Offender (HRO) then you can apply to the DVLA 3 months before your licence is due back. If you are not a HRO then you can apply 2 months before your licence is due back. We recommend you include with your application a copy of your completion certificate. Please note we will send the original completion certificate to the court.

In Northern Ireland, you can apply for your licence at the end of your disqualification period. For example, if you received a 12-month disqualification, which was reduced to 9 months, a driving licence application can be made at 9 months and not before.

If I am a HRO will I get my licence back in time?

In England, Scotland or Wales you can apply 3 months before the due date. It is very important that you apply at the earliest possible point, this means not leaving your course until the last minute.

However you need to be aware that because of a recent change to legislation you cannot drive until your medical has been completed in full. This means you have had the medical examination, any related blood tests and the full report has been received and approved by DVLA and they have issued your licence.

If you have been referred from a court in Northern Ireland, upon successful completion of the course you must first submit an application for your provisional licence as you will need to re-sit the driving test. This can only be done at the end of the ban, therefore, if you received a 12-month ban, which upon successful completion of the course was reduced to 9 months, you can only apply after 9 months. You will also need to successfully pass a medical examination by a doctor appointed by the DVA Coleraine (you will be required to pay for this medical).

For more information on this process, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/driving-disqualifications

Do I need to register online?

Yes, it is important that using your online course invitation, you sign in to Zoom early to ensure that you experience no technical issues. 

Once signed in to Zoom, the trainer will check your photographic identification in a private virtual room and register you on to the course.