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The Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course

Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course - FAQ's
S.34A of The Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 [1] enables courts to refer offenders on to the Drink Driving Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) course. It states:

34A Reduced disqualification period for attendance on courses

  1. This section applies where—
  1. a person is convicted of an offence under section 3A (causing death by careless driving when under influence of drink or drugs), 4 (driving or being in charge when under influence of drink or drugs), 5 (driving or being in charge with excess alcohol) or 7 (failing to provide a specimen) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, and
  2. the court makes an order [...] disqualifying him for a period of not less than twelve months
  1. Where this section applies, the court may make an order that the period of disqualification imposed [...] shall be reduced if, by a date specified in the order under this section, the offender satisfactorily completes a course approved by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section and specified in the order.
  2. The reduction made by an order under this section in a period of disqualification imposed [...] shall be a period specified in the order of not less than three months and not more than one quarter of the unreduced period (and accordingly where the period imposed [...] is twelve months, the reduced period shall be nine months).
  3. The court shall not make an order under this section unless—
  1. it is satisfied that a place on the course specified in the order will be available for the offender,
  2. the offender appears to the court to be of or over the age of 17,
  3. the court has explained the effect of the order to the offender in ordinary language, and has informed him of the amount of the fees for the course and of the requirement that he must pay them before beginning the course, and
  4. the offender has agreed that the order should be made.
  1. The date specified in an order under this section as the latest date for completion of a course must be at least two months before the last day of the period of disqualification as reduced by the order.

If you have been offered the opportunity to take the drink drive rehabilitation course by the sentencing court and you accept, the sentencing court will notify the relevant course provider by means of a course referral order.

You should subsequently receive a letter from your course provider containing information about the course, a booking form and all relevant course start dates along with the date the court instructed you to complete the course by. This date will be at least 2 months before the last day of the period of disqualification as reduced by taking the course.

You MUST complete the course by this date in order to benefit from a reduction of your driving disqualification.

NOTE: Only people who have been referred to the drink driving rehabilitation course by the court that sentenced them will be able to benefit from a reduction in their driving disqualification upon completing the course. Once a referral order has been made, it is up to the individual as to whether or not they choose to take and complete the course, it is not compulsory they do so. If you are not sure if you were referred onto the course at the time of sentencing then you will need to contact the sentencing court in order to find out.

It is possible to take the drink driving rehabilitation course without a referral from court, however, you will not benefit from a reduction in your driving disqualification by doing so.


Drink Driving Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) - Course Information & Content

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) are responsible for setting the national standard for delivery of The Drink Driving Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) courses.

Courses are delivered by trainers who are usually local people who are committed to educating individuals in order to help reduce the likelihood of re-offending and help change their behaviour in relation to alcohol consumption, driving, road safety and road traffic law.

Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course

The course syllabus consists of two units:

  1. Unit 1: Understanding the impact of alcohol use in relation to driving
  2. Unit 2: Change alcohol use in relation to driving

The course combines presentations, group exercises, group discussions and videos used in conjunction with a course workbook with various exercises to complete.

The drink driving course is not, currently, formally assessed. This means there will be no formal test(s) that require course participants to achieve a certain score in order to pass. They must, however, attend all sessions of the course (sober) and participate in the course to the best of their ability.

Course participants will also be given information and advice on re-applying for their driving licence, the DVLA medical for participants who are classed as 'high risk offenders' and re-taking their driving test if they are required to do so.


Who can be offered the Opportunity of taking the course?

Motorists convicted of any of the following offences who are disqualified for at least 12 months may be offered the opportunity to take the drink driving rehabilitation course:

  1. Causing death by careless driving while unfit to drive by being under the influence of drink (contrary to S. 3A(1)(a) of The Road Traffic Act 1988 [2])
  2. Causing death by careless driving while exceeding the maximum prescribed legal limit (contrary to S. 3A(1)(b) of The Road Traffic Act 1988 [2])
  3. Driving a motor vehicle while unfit to do so by being under the influence of alcohol (contrary to S. 4 of The Road Traffic Act 1988 [2])
  4. Being in charge of a motor vehicle while unfit to do so by being under the influence of alcohol (contrary to S. 4 of The Road Traffic Act 1988 [2])
  5. Driving a motor vehicle with excess alcohol (contrary to S. 5(1)(a) of The Road Traffic Act 1988 [2])
  6. Being in charge of a vehicle with excess alcohol (contrary to S. 5(1)(b) of The Road Traffic Act 1988 [2])
  7. Failing to provide a specimen for analysis (contrary to S. 7(6) of The Road Traffic Act 1988 [2])
  8. Failing to allow a specimen to be subject to a laboratory test (contrary to S. 7A(6) of The Road Traffic Act 1988 [2])

Benefits of Taking and Completing the Course

There are several benefits for convicted drink drivers who take the course, these include:

  • A driving disqualification reduction of at least 3 months and up to 25% off the imposed disqualification period upon successful completion of the course
  • Information and help to avoid future drink driving related convictions and to become a more responsible & safe driver
  • A course completion certificate which may help in securing affordable insurance for convicted drivers

To successfully complete the course

In order to successfully complete the drink driving rehabilitation course, those who attend must:

  • Pay the course fee in advance and in full before the start of the course
  • Attend all sessions of the course
  • Attend the course in a sober condition
  • Not drink alcohol before or during the course
  • Participate in the course to the best of their ability

Upon completion of the course

Successful completion of the course allows offenders to benefit from a reduction in their driving disqualification. The process upon completion is as follows:

  • Course provider issues offender with a course completion certificate
  • Course provider sends completion certificate to the sentencing court
  • Sentencing court informs the DVLA that offender has successfully completed the course
  • The DVLA update their records and award the offender the relevant reduction of their driving disqualification

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List of DSA Approved Drink Driving Rehabilitation Course Providers


Amber Light Training Ltd

Ace Driver Safety Ltd

Aquarius DRIVE

Aspire Driver Development

Bakers Solicitors

Drink Drive North Ltd

IAM RoadSmart Driver Retraining Academy Ltd

ISM Psychological Services Ltd

LTP Driver Training

Moorgate Training Ltd

NECA Training

Reform Road Safety & Education

TTC 2000 Ltd




Amber Light Training Ltd
The Annex
Walton Lodge
Hillcliffe Road
Walton
WA4 6NU

TEL: 01925 931790
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: enquiries@amberlight.uk.com
SITE: www.amberlight.uk.com

Areas covered: Cumbria and Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside.

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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Ace Driver Safety Ltd
PO Box 8252
Reading
RG6 9TB

TEL: 0333 772 1707
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: office@acedrivingcourses.co.uk
SITE: www.acedrinkdrivingcourses.co.uk

Areas covered: South west east area, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Thames Valley, London

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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Aquarius DRIVE
236 Bristol Road
Birmingham
West Midlands
B5 7SL

TEL: 0121 622 6913
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: drive@aquarius.org.uk
SITE: aquarius.org.uk/contact/drive

Areas covered: West Midlands and Warwickshire.

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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Aspire Driver Development
6 Peartree Lane
Little Common
Bexhill on Sea
East Sussex
TN39 4QT

TEL: 03330 883 883
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: mail@aspirecourses.co.uk
SITE: www.drinkdriverehab.co.uk

Areas covered: Cambridgeshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, Surrey, Cornwall, East Sussex, Hampshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Devon, Essex, Kent, Suffolk, West Sussex, London, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Thames Valley.

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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Bakers Solicitors
89 High Street
West Glossop
Derbyshire
SK13 8BB

TEL: 01457 859123 / 07875284030
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: tdales@bakers-solicitors.com
SITE: www.bakers-solicitors.com/motor-law/drinking-driving-course

Areas covered: Manchester

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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Drink Drive North Ltd
Unit 10 Stephenson Court
Skippers Lane
Cleveland
Middlesbrough
TS6 6UT

TEL: 0845 459 2006 / 0333 577 3100
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: admin@drinkdrivenorth.co.uk
SITE: www.drinkdrivenorth.co.uk

Areas covered: Cleveland, Durham, Northumberland, North and West Yorkshire.

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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IAM RoadSmart Driver Retraining Academy
IAM House
510 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 5RG

TEL: 0300 303 1138
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: enquiries@iamdra.org.uk
SITE: iamdra.org.uk

Areas covered: Cumbria, Lancashire, Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Cleveland, Durham, Northumberland, North Yorshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Humber, Staffordshire, West Mercia, West Midlands, Warwickshire, East Midlands, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Thames Valley, London.

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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ISM Psychological Service Ltd
Ramsay House
Fairfield Place
Livingston Village
Livingston
EH54 6TN

TEL: 01506 243002 / 07720707673
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: sharron@ismpsychologicalservices.co.uk
SITE: ismpsychology.com/drivers-alcohol-awareness/

Areas covered: South Strathcylde, Dumfries & Galloway, Lothian & Borders, Glasgow, Strathkelvin, North Strathclyde, Tayside, Central, Fife, Garampian, Highland and Islands.

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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LTP Driver Training
Units 1-2,
Hollis Road
Grantham
Lincolnshire
NG31 7QH

TEL: 01476 515936
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: admin@ltpdt.co.uk
SITE: www.lincstp.co.uk/drink-drive-rehabilitation-course/

Areas covered: Cumbria, Lancashire, Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Cleveland, Durham, Northumberland, North & West Yorkshire, Humber, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, West Mercia, West Midlands, Warwickshire, East Midlands, South West West Area, South West East Area, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Thames Valley, London.

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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Moorgate Training Ltd
Dunston House
Dunston Road
Chesterfield
S41 92D

TEL: 0333 577 1447
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: info@moorgatetraining.co.uk
SITE: moorgatetraining.co.uk

Areas covered: Cumbria, Lancashire, Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Cleveland, Durham, Northumberland, North & West Yorkshire, Humber, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, West Mercia, West Midlands, Warwickshire, East Midlands, South West West Area, South West East Area, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Thames Valley, London, North Strathclyde.

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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NECA Training
Derwent Point
Clasper Way
Swalwell
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE16 3BE

TEL: 0191 4146446
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: courses@neca.co.uk
SITE: neca.co.uk

Areas covered: Cleveland, Durham and Northumberland.

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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Reform Road Safety & Education
Unit 1B
Dragoon Court
Hillsborough Barracks
Sheffield
S6 2GZ

TEL: 01142 811229
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: reformoffice@btinternet.com
SITE: n/a

Areas covered: Greater Manchester, North and West Yorkshire, Humber and South Yorkshire, Staffordshire and West Mercia, East Midlands.

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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TTC 2000 Ltd
Hadley Park East
Telford
Shropshire
TF1 6QJ

TEL: 0330 024 1805
FAX: n/a
EMAIL: ddrs@ttc-uk.com
SITE: www.ttc-uk.com

Areas covered: Cumbria, Lancashire, Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Cleveland, Durham, Northumberland, North & West Yorkshire, Humber, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, West Mercia, West Midlands, Warwickshire, East Midlands, South West West Area, South West East Area, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Thames Valley, London, North Strathclyde, Tayside, Central, Fife, Grampian, Highland and Islands.

For course cost and availability please contact course provider

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Frequently asked questions about the drink driving rehabilitation course

Does everybody get the chance to take the drink driving rehabilitation course?

How long does the drink driving rehabilitation course last?

How much does the drink driving rehabilitation course cost?

Can I change or choose the course provider I take the course with?


Does everybody get the chance to take the drink driving rehabilitation course?

Not everybody will be given the opportunity to take the drink driving rehabilitation course, it is at the sentencing courts discretion whether or not they will offer an offender the opportunity. However, almost all first time offenders will be given the opportunity to take the course providing the criteria outlined in S.34A(4) of The Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 [2] is met and they are eligible to do so.

Second time offenders are less likely to receive the opportunity to take the course. Whether or not second time offenders will be offered the opportunity to take the course will be at the courts discretion, the court will take into account the offenders driving and criminal history before making a decision.

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How long does the drink driving rehabilitation course last?

The total duration of the rehabilitation course will be approximately 16 hours and will usually be spread out over three to four days within a two to three week period. The course may be run during the evening or during the day on weekdays and/or weekends.

The exact times and duration of the course will vary depending on the course provider and availability of the courses they run. Your course provider will provide you with information about course availability, times, dates etc.

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How much does the drink driving rehabilitation course cost?

Drink driving rehabilitation course costs vary depending on the course provider and the location of the course. Your financial status may also effect the cost of the course depending on whether or not concessionary rates are available from the course provider for those on a low income or state benefits such as income support, ESA or jobseekers allowance.

Some course providers also allow payment of the course via instalments.

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Can I change or choose the course provider I take the course with?

Yes. If the course provider you were referred too by the courts does not provide courses in areas or on dates that are suitable for you then you can contact that course provider and request them to forward your details and referral order to a course provider of your choice. As long as you complete the course by the date specified by the court on your referral order, you will benefit from the reduction in disqualification regardless of who provides the course.

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Reference:

[1] The Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988

[2] The Road Traffic Act 1988