How to get offered the drink driving course in court?

Convicted Driver Insurance

EC1234

New Member
Hi

Messaging on behalf of my partner, he was pulled over at the side of the road early hours of Sunday morning. He below 47 and then 46 - he totally admits he was at fault and has a clean record.

I'm aware that there is a driving course that you can be offered which will reduce your ban by 25% - is this offered to everyone? As he is a first time offender what is the likelihood of them offer him this and most importantly, if he is not offered this (We are not using a solicitor) At what point and how does he ask to attend the course to reduce the ban to 9 months rather than 12?

Thanks
 
The offer of a course can vary from area to area. A few years and I checked the stats and 95% of drink drivers in Derbyshire were offered the course. In Merseyside the figure was 50%
the magistrates these days do generally offer the course, but are human and occasionally forget.
The best thing is to make a note of the need for a course and ask for it IN COURT if the magistrates do not offer it themselves.

the process MUST be completed during the hearing. Even if your partner went back into the court 15 minutes later and said “I forgot to ask for the course…” it would be too late.

A reading of 46 will attract a ban of 12-16 months, with a 3 month reduction for 12 months and “up to 25% reduction for anything above that.
 
Thanks so much for your response! Yes 12 - 16 months, we are hoping that with his clear record and job that is will be 12 months but I know there is always a chance for more.

At what point does he ask for the course should he not be offered it? Is there someone that he speaks to before he goes into the court? Or does he ask for his on the stand?

Apologies, this is not something that we are familiar with at all.

Thanks
 
Thanks so much for your response! Yes 12 - 16 months, we are hoping that with his clear record and job that is will be 12 months but I know there is always a chance for more.

At what point does he ask for the course should he not be offered it? Is there someone that he speaks to before he goes into the court? Or does he ask for his on the stand?

Apologies, this is not something that we are familiar with at all.

Thanks
Hire a local lawyer. It should cost no more than £400. They will speak with your partner, get details of what happened, any mitigation and probably ask him to obtain character references.

Make sure your partner asks your solicitor to ask for the DDA course at sentencing.

At least you know about it. The first time it happened to me I didn't know anything about the course and my lawyer didn't request it and I still feel he should have.
 
Thanks! We have been in touch with a few and honestly they are charging £300 + VAT an hour which they estimated to around £2,600 - £3,000 which seems crazy for a driving penalty. I will ask him to ask for this and we have found some local DDA courses too I am hoping for the best.

That is so frustrating! How long were you banned for?
 
Thanks so much for your response! Yes 12 - 16 months, we are hoping that with his clear record and job that is will be 12 months but I know there is always a chance for more.

At what point does he ask for the course should he not be offered it? Is there someone that he speaks to before he goes into the court? Or does he ask for his on the stand?

Apologies, this is not something that we are familiar with at all.

Thanks
The magistrates with tell your partner what their punishment will be, including the length of their ban. They should then ask him if he would like to be referred to a drink drive rehabilitation course to reduce the ban by x number of months. If they do not mention that at that point, he should ask if he could be allowed to do it as “there are clearly things that I need to understand”. They would be hard pressed to refuse.
 
Thanks! We have been in touch with a few and honestly they are charging £300 + VAT an hour which they estimated to around £2,600 - £3,000 which seems crazy for a driving penalty. I will ask him to ask for this and we have found some local DDA courses too I am hoping for the best.

That is so frustrating! How long were you banned for?
You are definitely being ripped off by the solicitor. I don't know where you live, but if you can, go to the court where your case will be heard and look around the area. There will be more than a few solicitors offices in the vicinity. Speak to one of them. There is no need to go to a specialist Drink Driving solicitor.

Plus you cannot 'take' the DDA course yourself, (well you could but it wouldn't count.) It needs to be offered at sentencing and the provider for your local area will then be in touch with you regarding booking the course.

I have stupidly been banned twice. In April 2017 I blew 124 and was banned for 20 months with a £400. In July 2019 I blew 96 and was banned for 36 months discounted to 27 with the course and another £400.

I haven't had a drink in 2.5 years, goo to AA and intend to continue in that vein.
 
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