Prior to attending

Who runs the NDORS courses?

In Essex the course provider is Essex County Council, working in partnership with Essex Police as part of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership.

You can attend a digital course in the comfort of your own home regardless of where you live.

Other courses are also available in other areas.

How do I know if I am eligible for a Driver Education course?

Courses will only be available to drivers/riders via an offer from a police authority. Having attended a course, you will not be eligible to attend a second course of the same type within three years of your offence.

How do I know if I am booking the right course?

Your driving licence number will be recognised for a specific course type

How do I book a course?

The Safer Essex Roads Partnership offer all courses. The letter offering you a course from the referring police authority will give you details of how to book a course.

Click here to book a course.

If I attend a course will I still have to pay the fine and have penalty points on my licence?

No. Once you have successfully completed the course, there will be no further action taken for that offence and there will be no record of this on your licence.

Am I able to change my mind once I have booked a course?

Yes, if you decide to take the points and penalty all your details are returned to the referring police authority.  In this situation we will issue a full refund.

Do I have to pay for the course?

Yes. The cost of the course varies between course type. Please see Course Information document for current price of courses

(If you have financial difficulties with making the payment at the time of booking, please contact the Safer Essex Roads Partnership Booking Office.)

When do I have to pay for the course?

All courses need to be paid in full, a minimum of 14 clear days before attendance.

What happens if I am late, or am unable to attend on the day?

If you are late you will not be admitted to the course. It is your responsibility, having accepted the offer, to ensure that you arrive in plenty of time.

You should contact your course provider if you are not admitted or unable to attend to arrange an alternative course date. For Essex courses please contact the Booking Office (above) rebooking fees may be incurred. Full details can be seen in our terms and conditions.

If you fail to re-arrange a course that you have been late for, or have been unable to attend, your details will be returned to the referring police authority for their further action and a partial refund will be issued (the amount will vary depending on the course fee that you have paid).

What if I have specific needs?

Prior to attending a course, please advise the booking office if you have any specific needs that may need to be taken into consideration in order to ensure that you can fully participate in the course. Every effort will be made to make reasonable adjustments to facilitate your needs.

How safe is my personal information that I must provide?

Please see our privacy statement

Will there be a test? Can I fail the course?

There will not be a written test, however there will be group discussions that you will be expected to participate in to successfully complete the course.

For courses with a practical element: The practical element MUST always be completed in Essex. If you demonstrate that your driving is a danger to yourself or other road users, it may not be possible to complete the course. Whilst this situation rarely occurs, termination of a course at this stage will result in the client details being returned to the referring police authority for their consideration.

At the course

What will I need when I attend the course?

For all course types you are required to produce current photo identification (original only, copies will not be accepted). For digital courses, also please provide paper and pen and ensure that the camera and audio equipment on your device is working with no background effects in place.

Will there be a break during the course?

Yes, all course times allow for a comfort break

How many people will be on the course?

The number of people on the course may vary but generally they will be 24 people on a course at a venue and 9 people on a digital

Where will I have to go to do the course?

Your booking confirmation will confirm the date and time that you have chosen to attend the course

Digital courses - are online courses that can be completed in the comfort of your home

Venue courses - are arranged at various locations in Essex

All courses are arranged weekday, evenings, weekends, and bank holidays and are subject to availability

After the course

How will the police know that I have attended the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, the register is updated and submitted to the national police database

You will receive an email confirming your attendance and the opportunity to give anonymous feedback.

What do I do if i'm unhappy with the service received?

Please email driverintervention@essex.gov.uk

Course Terms and Conditions

By accepting the opportunity to attend a course from the referring police authority, you are entering into a contract to abide by the following Terms & Conditions.

1.Course Booking

The course fee (as advertised) is payable by debit or credit card at the time of booking, SERP retains the right to vary course fees at any time.  A booking confirmation email will be sent upon receipt of full payment, SERP cannot be held responsible for its non-delivery.  A text reminder will be sent 48 hours prior to the course date via the telephone number provided, an email reminder will be sent 24 hours prior to the course date, it remains the client's responsibility to ensure attendance at the selected date and time.  For digital (online) courses the email will include the link and password to access the course.  For SCD courses two separate reminders will be sent.

2. Course Amendments/Cancellations

Amendments to bookings can be made but we require 15 clear days notice prior to your course date. After this time any changes made will be subject to a rebooking fee of £41.00, or for Safe and Considerate Driving courses a fee of £126.00 will be payable. If SERP cancels a course due to unforeseen circumstances, clients will be rescheduled as soon as possible within the limit imposed by the police at no additional cost. SERP shall not be liable for any fees, costs and/or other expenses incurred resulting from a cancelled/rescheduled course.

3. Special Requirements

Every effort will be made to accommodate special requirements when notified in advance, SERP assumes no responsibility for any omissions and cannot be held responsible for clients unable to complete their course as a result.  Clients needing the services of an interpreter will be required to provide one at their own cost.  SERP must be notified in advance and the interpreter must be a minimum age of 18 and be able to provide photographic identification at registration of the course.

4. Digital (online) courses information

To attend an online course please download: Zoom – One platform to connect. 

It is the client’s responsibility to ensure both audio and video settings are correct and virtual and blurred backgrounds are turned off.  Please see digital checklist below for additional ZOOM support.  If your equipment fails or you fail to ensure settings are correct a re-booking fee will be incurred. 

All clients must be in a private room on their own without distractions (including unsupervised children) and remain visible on screen for the duration of the course with a pen and paper for notes. 

5. Identification

It is a condition of the course that you have photo identification (whether practical, physical classroom or digital (online).  Clients must bring their physical photographic identification i.e. photocard driving licence or passport, photocopies or photos on mobile phones/devices are NOT acceptable forms of ID.  If unable to produce this documentation, please contact the booking office prior to the course date.  Failure to provide the required identification will result in you being unable to complete the course, a re-booking fee of £41.00 or £126.00 for Safe and Considerate driving courses will be payable.

6. Mobile Devices

Unless being used to complete the course, the use of mobile phones or other devices is banned, devices must be switched to ‘do not disturb’, ‘meeting’ or ‘silent’ and stored out of sight.  The vibrate function should be turned off to minimise disruption.  The use of any device for recording or photographic purposes is prohibited during the course.  Failing do so will result in clients being removed from the course and their details returned to the referring police authority.

7. Additional course information

• All clients must arrive on time (15 minutes prior to the start time); late arrivals will not be allowed to participate, attend for the entire duration of the course, make a positive contribution through active participation, and demonstrate a responsible attitude to safe driving.
• Client must dress appropriately, to avoid causing offence to other participants.
• Any clients who are abusive or disruptive will be removed from the course immediately and their details returned to the referring police authority.
• No alcoholic beverage to be consumed during the course, if a client is unfit through alcohol or drugs, they will not be allowed to complete the course.

• A client's personal data will only be used for the purpose of providing the course.

Only persons responsible for the delivery of the course and clients attending the course will be allowed to attend. There may be occasions where a registered assessor or monitor will attend the course to ensure national compliance.

8. Failure to Attend

If a client fails to attend their course or fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions, a re-booking fee of either £41.00 or £126.00 will be applicable.  In cases where the course offer is withdrawn, and clients are returned to the referring police authority a partial refund will be issued.  Refunds will be made using the same method of payment as originally used.

Updated  06.10.2023

How long is the course? How much does the course cost?

The course duration and price vary depending on the course type:

If you have financial difficulties with making this payment at the time of booking, please contact the Essex County Council Booking Office on 03330 137590  (Mon-Fri, 8.00am – 4.30pm).

When are the courses?

We endeavour to provide a variety of start times, seven days a week (including Bank Holidays), morning, afternoons, evenings, subject to availability.

What do I need to complete the course?

The client must produce their valid photographic I.D. ie.  photo card driving licence or passport. Please note: A photocopy or photograph of the document will not be accepted. If a current photo identification is not available, the client must contact the booking office prior to the date of the course

You will need pen and paper

There is no test to be taken on any of the driver education courses but drivers must fully participate to complete the course.

Aims and objectives of the driver education courses

SERP is committed to road safety and is actively seeking to educate rather than prosecute drivers who have exceeded specific speed limits.

The purpose of the NDORS courses is to give eligible offenders the opportunity to attend a course as an alternative to the Fixed Penalty system (Paying a fine and penalty points to be endorsed on their licence).

In some situations, it could prevent a summons to attend court being issued.

The courses are only available by referral from the police.

NDORS website..

The general philosophy is that motorists may be offered a course as an alternative to enforcement sanctions, only where their driving may have amounted to a lapse of concentration or an error of judgement, with no serious consequences or high risk

The police developed the policy behind NDORS and the scheme is operated on behalf of the police, who recognise the value of trying to change how people drive rather than imposing a fine and licence penalty points for traffic offences.

Aims and objectives by course type

National Speed Awareness Course

The course aims to: Make our community safer by helping people to drive at a safe speed within the speed limit through the following objectives: • Improve knowledge of speed limits and skills in identifying different speed limit areas; • Increase understanding of the negative consequences of speeding; • Increase skills in recognising and managing pressure to speed; • Increase awareness of the importance of concentrating on the roads and anticipating hazards; • Increase intentions and reduce barriers to drive or ride at a safe speed.

National Motorway Awareness Course

The course aims to make motorways safer and more efficient, providing a better experience for people who use them and work on them. It does so by: • Increasing knowledge of the meaning of smart motorway signs; • Increasing understanding of why variable speed limits and lane closures are imposed; • Increasing understanding of how to use emergency areas safely and appropriately; • Increasing awareness of the risks of breaking rules on motorways; • Increasing intentions and reducing barriers to comply with motorway rules

What's Driving Us Course

The course aims to create safer communities by increasing the likelihood that clients drive safely and considerately, in line with the Highway Code. Its objectives are to: • Increase clients’ understanding of what constitutes safe and considerate driving, and the ways in which the Highway Code supports this • Increase clients’ understanding of the causes and negative consequences – for themselves and for others – of risky and inconsiderate driving • Increase clients’ understanding of their own personal susceptibility to these consequences • Increase clients’ understanding of the extent to which other road users drive in accordance with the Highway Code – and expect them to do so too • Increase clients’ understanding of the importance of concentration, observation, anticipation and allowing adequate space and time • Increase clients’ awareness of reasons why their own driving is unsafe or inconsiderate, and encourage them to create an action plan to address personally relevant issues

Safe and Considerate Driving Course

The course aims to create safer communities by increasing the likelihood that clients drive safely and considerately, in line with the Highway Code. Its objectives are to: • Increase clients’ understanding of what constitutes safe and considerate driving, and the ways in which the Highway Code supports this • Increase clients’ understanding of the causes and negative consequences – for themselves and for others – of risky and inconsiderate driving • Increase clients’ understanding of their own personal susceptibility to these consequences • Increase clients’ understanding of the extent to which other road users drive in accordance with the Highway Code – and expect them to do so too • Increase clients’ understanding of the importance of concentration, observation, anticipation and allowing adequate space and time • Increase clients’ awareness of reasons why their own driving is unsafe or inconsiderate, and encourage them to create an action plan to address personally relevant issues • Improve clients’ driving behaviours and skills through practical, personalised, on-road coaching The last of these objectives is addressed in a follow-up coaching session

National Rider Risk Awareness Course

National Rider Risk Awareness Course (NRRAC), the NDORS course, for riders of motorcycles and mopeds and which aims to help keep them safer on UK Roads by providing opportunities to change riding behaviour. The course is aimed at recreational riders, those commuting or riding for work and well as courier and delivery riders. There are a wide variety of offences triggering referral to the course change

Digital Courses

Courses are available on the Zoom digital platform. The courses can be completed in the comfort of your own home.

For more details please view Course Information.

Venues

If you would prefer to attend a course at a venue, we are currently offering courses at the following venues;

Please click on the venue name to see location map

ACL - Basildon

ACL - Colchester

ACL - Witham

Colchester United Football Stadium, Colchester 

Holiday Inn, Basildon

Holiday Inn, Brentwood

Holiday Inn, Southend

Harlow Hotel, Harlow

Latton Bush Centre, Harlow

Springfield Parish Centre, Chelmsford

A video explaining the joining process can be viewed at:

https://youtu.be/a2k0HW2Z6jE

Process for clients who have limited or no internet facility:

1. Do you have internet connection? Do you have a device?
2. If you do not have a device, can a friend or family member help you with loan of a device?
3. With your permission, the booking office will offer to speak to family/friend/neighbour to offer help and advice if required
4. We can assist/advise how to download the app or suggest family/friend may do it for you.
5. If you are unsure that you are able to access the course, we can arrange for a trial zoom meeting with a member of our team, to ensure that your settings are ready for the course i.e. audio and video settings. To arrange a trial zoom meeting please contact the booking office.
6. We will assist you and reassure you at every step until you can see and hear our team member on zoom.
7. Alternatively, if you would prefer to complete your course in person at a venue, please contact the booking office to re arrange.

Zoom issues If using a computer/laptop

If you have used Zoom before:

• 15 minutes before course start time, click course link sent to you in the email the day before course
• If asked, enter your name (first name only)
• You will see yourself on the screen, click – Join with Video
• “Please wait, the meeting host will let you in soon” message will appear
• When Host admits you, click – "Call using Internet Audio”

If you have not used Zoom before, you may need to download the Zoom app before the course:

• 15 minutes before course start time, click course link sent to you in the email prior to the course
• Internet browser opens

Underneath ‘launch meeting’ click on Don’t have Zoom Client installed? ‘Download Now’

Installation of zoom will now start

• If prompted please agree Terms and Conditions and allow access to camera/microphone
• If asked, enter your name (first name only)
• You should see yourself on the screen, click – Join with Video
• Once connected, you will see a message “Please wait, the meeting host will let you in soon” please be patient, the trainer will be with you as soon as possible, they may be registering other clients.
• When Host admits you, click – Call using Internet Audio”

If using a mobile phone or tablet (excluding Samsung device – please see below)

• These devices require the use of “Zoom Cloud Meetings” app (please download prior to day of course)
• 15 minutes before course start time, click course link sent to you in the email prior to the course
• If prompted please agree Terms and Conditions and allow access to camera/microphone
• If asked, enter your name (first name only)
• You should see yourself on the screen, click – Join with Video
• Once connected, you will see a message “Please wait, the meeting host will let you in soon” please be patient, the trainer will be with you as soon as possible, they may be registering other clients.
• When Host admits you, click – Call using “wifi or cellular data”

If using a Samsung mobile phone or tablet

• These devices require the use of “Zoom Cloud Meetings” app (please download prior to day of course)
• Once app is installed on device the following settings need to be checked;

Go to device settings, CLICK “Apps”, CLICK the three dots in the top righthand corner, CLICK “Permission Manager/App permissions”, CLICK “Microphone”, Check if “Zoom” is in the “ALLOWED” section, if not, CLICK “Zoom” and select “Allow

• 15 minutes before course start time, click course link sent to you in the email prior to the course
• If prompted please agree Terms and Conditions and allow access to camera/microphone
• If asked, enter your name (first name only)
• You should see yourself on the screen, click – Join with Video
• Once connected, you will see a message “Please wait, the meeting host will let you in soon” please be patient, the trainer will be with you as soon as possible, they may be registering other clients.
• When Host admits you, click – Call using “wifi or cellular data”

If using a fire tablet

From the Home screen of your Fire tablet, select Settings.

• Select Apps and Notifications.
• Select Manage All Applications.
• Scroll through the list of install apps and select Zoom.
• Select Permissions.
• Tap the sliders next to Camera and Microphoneto allow the app access.

Please contact us in advance of your course if you are unsure, have any questions or would like to have a practice zoom session

Updated 3 Dec 2021

We cater for the requirements of people who share a protected characteristic e.g., providing a prayer room for those who require prayer facilities, helping those with hearing impediments or providing facilities for breastfeeding mothers.

If you have a mobility issue, all our venues are compliant with the Equality Act 2010 and offer disabled parking facilities.

If you have any additional requirements, please contact us and we will undertake a risk assessment and try and facilitate your needs.

Our booking office hours are: 0800 - 1630, Monday - Friday

Email: driverintervention@essex.gov.uk
Telephone: 03330 137590 

If the line is busy please leave a message and a member of our booking office will call you back as soon as possible.

If you are calling or emailing outside our working hours, we will call you the next working day.

If you call over the weekend, we have reduced staff and your call will be returned on Monday morning.

The information you provide will only be used for the purpose of administering a Diversionary course and will be securely shared with NDORS to administer the course. If you complete the course, your information will remain on the NDORS national database for road safety research purposes for three years, after which your personal data is removed to anonymise the record. This anonymised data will be kept for another three years before being deleted. We will not share your data with any other third parties unless we are required or permitted to do so by law.

"I have just completed the Speed Awareness Course online and wanted to say how informative and interesting it was.  It was a good refresher of knowledge and consequences and the trainer was knowledgable and kept us all engaged."

“Thank you for the course today. I thought the course was great and the trainer led it very professionally but also friendly. Thanks so much.”

"Just a quick email to say thought the course I was on was a real eye opener, it was run well and not what I was expecting wasn’t like a class room which was good. I think this is much much better online it’s easier to get course and to be able to choose one at the best times rather than having to book a day off is a huge bonus. Think this way even after lockdown will benefit everyone."

"I attended a speed awareness course and the trainer was fantastic. Very clear and easy to understand. I learned a lot from the course and being a first time zoomer found it very easy to do."

"I was not looking forward to attending the course and I thought I would be bored. However, the trainer made it fun which meant the time went quicker than expected. He was also very clear with what he was saying and made sure everyone understood or had any questions.

I also felt that the trainer was non judgemental which helped us all feel at ease.

The trainer had a great energy about him which helped with the learning and I could tell he was passionate about what he does."

"The trainer we had was very good, a lot of inclusion with the group and very engaging. 

Even though the course was just shy of 3 hours, the time flies by."

 "I just wanted to take the opportunity to express how positive the course was. The trainer made everyone feel comfortable, and really differentiated the learning successfully based upon our existing experience and needs. She was warm and friendly whilst remaining exceptionally professional. The subject content, which could potentially have been a tad dry was made really interesting in a way that ensured that lessons to take away remained paramount, whilst also really engaging the entire group."

"To be able to say that I have learned a lot after over 20 years of driving, as well as leaving the course truly committed to establishing good driving habits AND to have enjoyed the course was largely thanks to the trainer. I would really appreciate it if this feedback could reach her-she she really is making an important difference in doing what she does.

Many, many thanks."

Diversity and Inclusion

The Safer Essex Roads Partnership is committed to the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion and recognise the importance of adhering to these principles to ensure those who use our services are guarded against discrimination.

We recognise that those who use our services are individuals with different needs and abilities and work with our clients to ensure services are fair, relevant, and accessible.

We comply with the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that no individual will be unjustly discriminated against regardless of:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage or civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin)
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

For more information on our approach to equality and diversity please contact: driverintervention@essex.gov.uk