Drink-Driving Course

We offer courses UK-wide - Attend online or in person

Concerned about your insurance?

Why should I do an IAM RoadSmart course?

Completion of our course will make you eligible to apply for a 25% reduction in the length of your ban, getting you back on the road sooner, equipped with the knowledge you need for a future of safer driving. Guided by our professional trainer, you will participate in a group workshop alongside others in the same situation.

Completing the course means you'll also gain access to quotes from IAM RoadSmart’s insurance partner, who acknowledges the benefits of our course in demonstrating a reduced risk level. The savings they offer typically help to offset the price of the course.

You can choose to do the course online or in person. Check availability when booking your course.

3 days over 3 weeks

Our 3-day course is typically scheduled over three weeks, on the same day each week. Our online and in-person courses both cover the same syllabus over the same total number of hours.

Over the three days, our friendly trainer will take you and your fellow course attendees on a journey towards understanding the effects of alcohol on driving, and you will have the opportunity to talk about your experience with other people in the same position as you.

Topics covered

The course has been designed to focus on practical learnings and positive actions and is carried out in a welcoming, conversational format. There are a range of discussion topics including:

• The laws relating to alcohol and driving
• The impact of drink-driving
• How alcohol affects our ability to drive in a safe manner
• The broader health effects of alcohol consumption
• Dispelling myths and misunderstandings about alcohol and its effects
• Producing a realistic assessment of your own alcohol consumption
• Recognising the triggers for drink-driving and devising strategies for dealing with them
• Setting SMART goals for changing behaviour

Your questions answered

Below are answers to the most popular questions some of our clients ask. If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact our customer service team free on 0300 303 1138 or by emailing info@iamddrs.org.uk

For full Terms and Conditions, please click here.

What happens in court?

At your sentencing hearing, it is likely that you will be offered the opportunity to take a Drink-Drive Course. While waiting for your hearing, ask your solicitor, the court’s duty solicitor, or court staff such as an usher to provide you with any available information.

A drink-driving conviction carries a minimum driving ban of 12 months. A 25% reduction would enable you to return to the road after just 9 months. Longer bans may be applied under more serious circumstances, or to offenders who have previous drink-driving convictions.

After your court hearing

Having accepted the court’s offer and chosen IAM RoadSmart as your provider, you will need to book your course at the earliest opportunity. Within a few days of your hearing, you will receive an invitation letter, providing you with all the information you need to make your booking. You may also receive text message reminders from us, provided your mobile number has been included in your court information.

If you do not receive contact from us within a week of your hearing, please call our team on 0300 303 1138 to ensure that we have received your correct details, or to make your booking by phone.

Completing your course in time

When you choose to participate in the course, the court will issue a deadline for completion of your course. This ‘critical date’ is set by the magistrate at the time your referral order is made. It will normally be set two months earlier than the date on which your licence would be returned to you if you have satisfactorily completed the course. This two-month period is used to allow for any correspondence and administrative procedures, so that they do not impact on your period of reduction.

You are not allowed to complete your course later than this date. Therefore, we encourage you to book your place as soon as possible, as courses do tend to fill up quite quickly. The earlier you book, the more options and choices are available to you. It is your responsibility to arrange your DDR course in good time. Last-minute bookings should always try to be avoided.

Upon completion

Upon your successful completion of the course, we will issue a certificate of completion, which is sent to the court as evidence of your having attended and completed the course. The Court will then inform DVLA accordingly, and you will be able to proceed with applying to have your licence returned.

Our course itself will give you a better understanding of the reapplication process.

Getting your licence back

After a period of disqualification from driving, you will need to reapply for your licence. Full details on reapplying for your licence can be found in the DVLA’s leaflet ‘How to apply for your driving licence after being disqualified for drink driving’ (PDF)

The application process varies, depending on whether you are in the high-risk offender (HRO) category.

For non-high-risk offenders, DVLA will send you a D27 form 56 days before your disqualification period ends. You will need to fill in the form and return it to DVLA. You may need to send in a new passport-style photo with your application. You need to make sure that DVLA have your most up-to-date details.

For high-risk offenders, DVLA will send you an application form 90 working days before your disqualification ends. This will be a D1 form for car and motorbike licences, and a D2 form for bus, coach and lorry licences.

You are only classed as a high-risk offender (HRO) if you were disqualified:

• With an alcohol level of over 200 milligrams (mg) in 100 millilitres (ml) of blood, 87.5mg in 100ml of breath, or 267.5mg in 100ml of urine
  
• Twice in 10 years for being above the legal limit, or being unfit to drive because of drink
  
• For failing to supply a breath, blood or urine sample for testing

Any other driving offences are classed as non-high-risk.

Before you get your licence back, high-risk drivers must have a medical examination with one of DVLA’s appointed doctors to prove you’re fit to drive. The examination will include:

• A questionnaire about your medical history and use of alcohol
  
• A physical examination
  
• A urine test
  
• Blood tests
  
• You’ll have to pay for your medical examination
  

You can download the leaflet above for more information on applying after disqualification for a drink driving offence.

For non-GB licence holders, DVLA will return your licence when your disqualification period ends.