Motorway safety course - Cheshire Constabulary

Although motorways continue to be one amongst the safest roads, due to the speeds involved the volume of traffic when there is a collision the results can be devastating. Furthermore tailbacks occur, not just on the motorway but also other roads.

The motorway safety course is a new course unique to Cheshire that is offered to offenders who may be eligible for a fixed penalty notice for offences committed on the motorway. The course takes the attendee through the risks of driving on the motorway and the consequences of certain actions. The attendees are then asked to think what they can do differently on the motorway network.

The course lasts half a day and is delivered in Winsford. There is no ability to take the course anywhere else in the Country and a motorist who has completed a course will be ineligible for another motorway safety course offer if they reoffend within 3 years of the original offence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Important: Please read the following guidance notes carefully.

Who runs the courses

Where will the course be held

What does the course involve

Do I have to do any driving

Is there a test and can I fail it

What happens after I have returned the application form

When will the course take place

How long does the course last

Can I attend a course outside Cheshire

What if I have special needs

When do I make a payment

Do I need my driving licence

If I opt to take the course do I have to pay the fine and get penalty points

Who runs the courses?

The courses are delivered by experienced advanced driving instructors.

Where will the course be held?

All courses are held at:
The Driver Training Centre,
Verdin Exchange,
Winsford,
Cheshire
CW7 2AN

This course is not available at any other venues.

What does the course involve?

The aim of the course is to increase drivers’ awareness of the risks associated with unsafe driving on the motorway.

The course will seek to increase drivers’ awareness of hazards on the motorway and will aim to contribute to casualty reduction.

Do I have to do any driving?

No - This course is a classroom based theory only course.

Is there a test and can I fail it?

No - However, you will be expected to make a positive contribution to the course.

What happens after I have returned the application form?

We will write to you with full details of the course including the booking arrangements.

If you have not received the relevant documentation within 10 days of returning your application, please contact this office on 01606 364072.

When will the course take place?

As part of the course booking process, you will be given the opportunity to choose the most convenient date from the courses available. Currently, courses are held on Mondays and Fridays only. However, it should be noted that you will have to complete the course within 4 months from the date of the offence.

Failure to do so will render the offer invalid and the matter will be referred back to the officer in the case to consider summons proceedings.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately 3 1/2 hours, including registration and breaks.

Can I attend a course outside Cheshire?

No, the course can only be taken in Cheshire.

What if I have special needs?

You will be asked prior to attending the course if you have any special needs. We will cater for most needs with the exception of an interpreter. In this instance, you will be expected to bring your own.

When do I make a payment?

Payment must be made in full when booking a course date.

Failure to do so will render the offer invalid and the matter will be referred back to the officer in the case to consider summons proceedings.

Do I need my driving licence?

You will be required to produce a valid photo card driving licence at the start of the course.

If you do not hold a photo card style driving licence, you will need to provide your passport or other suitable photo identification (e.g. work ID card, student card) in addition to your paper licence.

Failure to do so will disqualify you from participating on the course and the matter will be referred to the officer in the case to consider summons proceedings.

If I opt to take the course do I have to pay the fine and get penalty points?

No - if you accept the offer and successfully complete the course, the police will not take any further action in respect of this matter.

Terms and Conditons

Your course must be completed within 4 months of the offence date. If you are unable to complete the course in this time, the offer of a course will be withdrawn and the matter returned to the issuing officer for court proceedings.
The course fee must be paid in full at the time of booking.
If you need to change your course date you must contact the Central Ticket Office on 01606 364072 to discuss your requirements. Any changes made within 14 days of your course date will attract an administrative charge of £35.00.
In the event of you being unable to attend or complete a course due to illness, a refund of the course fee will only be considered upon receipt of a Doctor’s note (MED3) with an original signature.
The course fee will not be refunded if you are unable to complete/attend a course for any other reason than that detailed above. Every effort will be made to offer an alternative course date. However, you will be required to pay a further full course fee at the time of re-booking.
You must provide details of any special needs at the time of booking. Failure to provide this information at the time of booking may mean that your needs cannot be met. The Constabulary will aim to accommodate most needs with the exception of an interpreter. In which case, you would be expected to bring your own.
It is your responsibility to meet any expenses or loss associated with attending this course, including travel, child care, dependant person’s provision and any loss of earnings or leave entitlement. We have no facilities to accommodate children or dependant adults.
If your course is cancelled at short notice (including on the day), due to unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather, you will be offered an alternative date within the 4 months from the date of your offence. Any costs or loss of earnings or leave entitlement associated with the cancelled course or attending the re-arranged course will be your responsibility.
Disruptive, uncooperative and unacceptable behaviour including abusive or foul language, either to other attendees or course presenters, will not be tolerated. In such circumstances, you will be asked to leave the course and your file will then be referred back to the issuing officer to commence court proceedings. No refund of the original course fee will be made and no further course will be offered.
If you do arrive late or fail to produce suitable photographic identification (e.g. current Passport, photo card driving licence, work place photo ID or bus-pass with photo) you will be refused admission and your course fee will NOT be refunded. It may be possible to offer you an alternative course date (providing there is sufficient time within the 4 month deadline) However, you will be required to pay the full fee for the new course.
Parking is provided at the venue but is used entirely at your own risk.
To satisfactorily complete the course you must attend the whole course, complete all paperwork and make a positive contribution. If you leave the course early or fail to attend any parts, you will not have completed the course. In such circumstances, your file will then be referred back to the issuing officer to commence court proceedings. No refund of the original course fee will be made and no further course will be offered.
You must attend the course in a fit state to fully participate (and not be incapable of participating by reason of tiredness, alcohol, drugs or other cause) If you are found to be unfit to participate, you will be asked to leave and your file will then be referred to the issuing officer to commence court proceedings. No refund of the original course fee will be made and no further course will be offered.
Mobile phones/pagers must be switched off for the duration of the course.
For client confidentiality reasons, no-one other than those attending the course will be permitted into the course training room. The exceptions to this are clients accompanied by an interpreter.
You must book your course within 14 days of this letter. Failure to do so will result with the offer of a course being withdrawn and the matter returned to the issuing officer for court proceedings.