Doggy
Member
WHAT IS THIS POST FOR?
When I found out about the drink driving rehabilitation course, I searched the web for reviews in order to find out what the course is REALLY like (not like the glowing reviews on their website ). Whilst I found some insightful posts from users on this site, I never found an all encompassing review. Since I've done it all, I feel it's good karma to repay and hopefully give you the opportunity I never had.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME
I was one of the unfortunate/stupid/chaotic drivers who was caught over the limit. Upsetting, embarrassing & debilitating are a few of the words I would use to describe how I felt (and still feel) about what I have done. . I received a 12 month ban & £500 fine. AT THE TIME OF WRITING, I have 3 months left of my ban. I got 3 months knocked off due to completing the DDRC.
THE COURSE I ATTEND WAS -
£150 - www.vmcl.com for details.
One class a week for 3 weeks. 9 till 3 each day.
THIS REVIEW IS DIFFERENT
I don't intend to review each day with course topics. That's pointless and is already on the website. I will address areas of importance that are worth knowing from my experience (with a bit of colour to spice things up).
A COUPLE OF MY WORRIES PRIOR TO ATTENDING
Below were some of my concerns before attending this course -
So, without further ado, my course 'highlights'
1. TELL ME WHAT YOU DID WRONG
Firstly, not long into day one, you will be asked to explain what happened on the day/night of you being caught. It reminded me of story-time from school, some embellish it into quite a tale, others (like myself) preferred to be as vague as possible. A couple of attendees answered "I can't remember, I woke up in the police station". On reflection, it turns out those are the best kind of answers to give.
BUT WHY? I THOUGHT THE COURSE TUTOR WOULD BE NON-JUDGEMENTAL?
It wasn't about being judged, it was the probing I was uncomfortable with. Rather than just saying your piece, my particular course tutor liked to ask questions...get the gory details etc. Then over the course of the day, he'd reveal stories he had heard previously. It was difficult to get away from the fact that our 'stories' would probably be used by him in his next course.
2. GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOUR
You will find yourself doing lots of paired and group work throughout the days. Basically answering questions on sheets handed out. From what I can remember, such questions are -
3. THE CLOCK TICKS...AND TICKS
One thing that will become apparent is how slow the course content is delivered. After discussing with attendees, we were of an almost unanimous decision that the entire 3 days could have been covered in a single day, without skimming over anything. I don't know if it's the illusion that "a longer course must mean a more valuable course" or we want to feel "we got our money's worth"...either way it wasn't an efficient use of time.
4. CAN THE ALCOHOLICS IN THE ROOM STAND UP
Part of the course involves keeping a drink diary, remembering the amount of alcohol you consume in the week. This part did just seem like mental masturbation on the part of the course tutor. He had a good chuckle at the guy who announced having consumed over 200 units that week. It didn't actually achieve anything. My advice - Say you have quit drink, thus 0 units. You get to avoid the interrogation
5. OBVIOUSLY CONVICTED DRINK DRIVERS DON'T KNOW THE MOST BASIC OF ROAD SIGNS
I mentioned earlier, the course is stretched far longer than needed. Much of the content covers "driving tips". In fact, close to an hour was spent covering the Mirror Signal Position Speed Look which every learner driver understands 3 lessons into learning how to drive. Also, not forgetting handy tips like "What shape is a stop sign". Again, I feel this was most pointless.
6. "WILL ATTENDING THIS COURSE REDUCE MY INSURANCE COSTS?" "UM, IT IS UNLIKELY"
The last hour or so was reserved for discussing "life after the ban ends". I was keen to hear about this as one of my main motivations was to see it make any improvement on the cost of my insurance. The tutor summed it up in about 5 seconds "It will make little difference to your insurance having completed this course".
WAYHEEYYY! . So their website says one thing...and the tutors say another.
7. THE REST.....
There is very little else to add. The course took many hours, and it was very much filler.
SUMMERY
PROS
Summary
If it sounds like I've skimmed over things, I really haven't. Anything of real significance has been mentioned. It is a bare essentials course.
If I knew then what I know now...would I have still done it?
It's really downto 1 question - Is the course cost Worth the time off your ban? Don't consider insurance, it doesn't help. Those months you get deducted vs the course fees. That should be your only consideration.
Personally, I would have not done it. I feel a little saddened that I parted with that £150. It's not because that is a mighty sum, it's the principle. It would be more suitable for the court to just add the additional cost onto your fine rather than mask it behind this "positive & fulfilling" course that is supposed to work wonders. I was remorseful about my mistake, and they see that as a chance to grab an extra £150/170.
-------
I hope that has given you some food for thought.
Another unanimous decision amongst the attendees I was chatting with was this course serves as an additional punishment to the fine and ban. After some serious consideration, that sums it up very accurately.
Feel free to ask questions. If you have signed up for the course, good luck, and DON'T CLOCK-WATCH
When I found out about the drink driving rehabilitation course, I searched the web for reviews in order to find out what the course is REALLY like (not like the glowing reviews on their website ). Whilst I found some insightful posts from users on this site, I never found an all encompassing review. Since I've done it all, I feel it's good karma to repay and hopefully give you the opportunity I never had.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME
I was one of the unfortunate/stupid/chaotic drivers who was caught over the limit. Upsetting, embarrassing & debilitating are a few of the words I would use to describe how I felt (and still feel) about what I have done. . I received a 12 month ban & £500 fine. AT THE TIME OF WRITING, I have 3 months left of my ban. I got 3 months knocked off due to completing the DDRC.
THE COURSE I ATTEND WAS -
£150 - www.vmcl.com for details.
One class a week for 3 weeks. 9 till 3 each day.
THIS REVIEW IS DIFFERENT
I don't intend to review each day with course topics. That's pointless and is already on the website. I will address areas of importance that are worth knowing from my experience (with a bit of colour to spice things up).
A COUPLE OF MY WORRIES PRIOR TO ATTENDING
Below were some of my concerns before attending this course -
- The possiblity of being made to feel even worse about my conviction (Possible kick a man when he's down attitude)
- The chance it was going to be a waste of time/money
So, without further ado, my course 'highlights'
1. TELL ME WHAT YOU DID WRONG
Firstly, not long into day one, you will be asked to explain what happened on the day/night of you being caught. It reminded me of story-time from school, some embellish it into quite a tale, others (like myself) preferred to be as vague as possible. A couple of attendees answered "I can't remember, I woke up in the police station". On reflection, it turns out those are the best kind of answers to give.
BUT WHY? I THOUGHT THE COURSE TUTOR WOULD BE NON-JUDGEMENTAL?
It wasn't about being judged, it was the probing I was uncomfortable with. Rather than just saying your piece, my particular course tutor liked to ask questions...get the gory details etc. Then over the course of the day, he'd reveal stories he had heard previously. It was difficult to get away from the fact that our 'stories' would probably be used by him in his next course.
2. GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOUR
You will find yourself doing lots of paired and group work throughout the days. Basically answering questions on sheets handed out. From what I can remember, such questions are -
- Maths to work out units in different drinks
- Your opinions on the current drink drive laws/suggested changes etc
3. THE CLOCK TICKS...AND TICKS
One thing that will become apparent is how slow the course content is delivered. After discussing with attendees, we were of an almost unanimous decision that the entire 3 days could have been covered in a single day, without skimming over anything. I don't know if it's the illusion that "a longer course must mean a more valuable course" or we want to feel "we got our money's worth"...either way it wasn't an efficient use of time.
4. CAN THE ALCOHOLICS IN THE ROOM STAND UP
Part of the course involves keeping a drink diary, remembering the amount of alcohol you consume in the week. This part did just seem like mental masturbation on the part of the course tutor. He had a good chuckle at the guy who announced having consumed over 200 units that week. It didn't actually achieve anything. My advice - Say you have quit drink, thus 0 units. You get to avoid the interrogation
5. OBVIOUSLY CONVICTED DRINK DRIVERS DON'T KNOW THE MOST BASIC OF ROAD SIGNS
I mentioned earlier, the course is stretched far longer than needed. Much of the content covers "driving tips". In fact, close to an hour was spent covering the Mirror Signal Position Speed Look which every learner driver understands 3 lessons into learning how to drive. Also, not forgetting handy tips like "What shape is a stop sign". Again, I feel this was most pointless.
6. "WILL ATTENDING THIS COURSE REDUCE MY INSURANCE COSTS?" "UM, IT IS UNLIKELY"
The last hour or so was reserved for discussing "life after the ban ends". I was keen to hear about this as one of my main motivations was to see it make any improvement on the cost of my insurance. The tutor summed it up in about 5 seconds "It will make little difference to your insurance having completed this course".
WAYHEEYYY! . So their website says one thing...and the tutors say another.
7. THE REST.....
There is very little else to add. The course took many hours, and it was very much filler.
SUMMERY
PROS
- Gives you an insight into the hazards of drink driving (just in case you were thinking about doing it again)
- Your maths skills get a work out
- You get tea and buiscits at the breaks
- Doesn't influence your insurance costs
- Often time is spent on unrelated issues
- Course is stretched far too long for the content delivered
- Sometimes at the mercy of a tutor who wants the details of your ban
Summary
If it sounds like I've skimmed over things, I really haven't. Anything of real significance has been mentioned. It is a bare essentials course.
If I knew then what I know now...would I have still done it?
It's really downto 1 question - Is the course cost Worth the time off your ban? Don't consider insurance, it doesn't help. Those months you get deducted vs the course fees. That should be your only consideration.
Personally, I would have not done it. I feel a little saddened that I parted with that £150. It's not because that is a mighty sum, it's the principle. It would be more suitable for the court to just add the additional cost onto your fine rather than mask it behind this "positive & fulfilling" course that is supposed to work wonders. I was remorseful about my mistake, and they see that as a chance to grab an extra £150/170.
-------
I hope that has given you some food for thought.
Another unanimous decision amongst the attendees I was chatting with was this course serves as an additional punishment to the fine and ban. After some serious consideration, that sums it up very accurately.
Feel free to ask questions. If you have signed up for the course, good luck, and DON'T CLOCK-WATCH