FAQs and resources for drink drive courses
Resources
Technical support for online courses
Everything you need to prepare and attend an online course including using Zoom.
Multi-lingual resources
Technical videos in other languages and bringing an interpreter to a TTC course.
Read our terms & conditions
Download and read the complete terms & conditions for our drink drive course.
Got another question?
We have a wealth of experience in providing drink drive courses. We’re happy to help.
FAQs
For the eligibility criteria, format and duration of specific drink drive courses, please see the course information on the individual course pages:
Drink driving course
Drug drive course
Post course anxiety support
How do I get referred to a course?
You can only be referred to attend a course during your court appearance. If you do not get a referral during your court appearance you will not be able to go back to court and ask for one at a later date.
Can I be referred to a drink drive rehabilitation course after I have been to court?
No. If you do not elect to attend a course during your court appearance you will not have the opportunity to apply afterwards.
You can do a course as a voluntary referral although this will not entitle you to the early return of your licence; however, it will give you education and skills to avoid being convicted again.
Any convicted drink driver can ask the court to reduce their disqualification period after they’ve been banned from driving for at least:
- 2 years, if the disqualification was for fewer than 4 years
- Half the disqualification period, if it was for at least 4 but under 10 years
- 5 years, if the disqualification was for 10 years or more
Courts will take into account anything you have done to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
Can I do a drink drive course twice?
Yes. There is no legal bar to an offender being referred to a second course.
Support for people with additional needs
Can I have an interpreter with me on the course?
Yes. You can add this requirement at the time of booking. We will need to know the name of the interpreter who will be attending with you. They must be at least 18 years old and will need to show their own photo ID. If you arrive at a course with an interpreter without notifying TTC, you may be asked to leave and rebook.
More support for people with additional needs
Do I need to inform you that I will require disabled access?
Yes, please let us know at the time of booking. Although all of our venues have disabled access and parking, letting us know in advance means we can make sure arrangements are made at the venue.
Can I do the course in another language?
All our courses are delivered in the English language. In Wales, some courses are also available in Welsh. If your understanding of English is not sufficient to be able to understand and participate in the course then you can bring a friend or family member to act as a translator for you free of charge. You must inform us that you are bringing someone with you to translate.
The interpreter who comes with you must be the person named on the booking. They must bring photo ID and be aged 18 or over.
If you arrive at the course without an interpreter and the trainer feels that you are unable to understand them or the course content sufficiently then you will be unable to complete the course. This is because it is important for all participants to be able to understand the trainer and the course content in order to gain the intended experience and knowledge from the session.
What support do you have for people who are hard of hearing?
Some of the classroom course venues have hearing loops (or can provide hearing loops) but some do not have this facility.
Our online courses can be provided with subtitles in English.
If you require a hearing loop or subtitles, please contact us in advance of your course and we will do everything we can to provide reasonable adjustments where possible.
You can also bring a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter or speech-to-language reporter in the same way as you would bring a language translator. See the answer above. You must let us know when you book and whoever comes with you must be the person named on the booking. They must bring photo ID and be aged 18 or over.
I have a health condition or disability, can I still attend a drink drive course?
Every effort will be made to accommodate any special requirements providing you let us know of any specific requests or reasonable adjustments required in advance. If no such indication has been made, we cannot guarantee suitable facilities will be available. If you require personal care during the duration of your course you will need to provide your own carer, but you must notify us if this is the case. Please contact us to discuss your requirements further.
I have already booked my drink drive course and I forgot to request an interpreter or special assistance, is it too late?
If you have already booked and haven’t yet informed us of any special requirements you have, please contact us as soon as possible.
Booking
Booking is easy. You can do it when you get your letter from us, which will contain your unique reference number. Simply press the Book now button anywhere on this page and it will take you to our booking portal. If you have been referred but have not yet got your letter, contact us and tell us the name of the court and date of your hearing and we will do the rest.
How soon can I do a drink drive course?
We advise people to complete the course as soon as possible and avoid leaving it to the last minute as work or family commitments or illness may prevent you completing the required number of sessions within the time limit set by the court.
When can I book a drink drive course?
The best time is as soon as you can after your court hearing, but it is best to leave it at least two working days after your hearing to allow time for your referral to be forwarded to us. If you have not yet got your letter, contact us and tell us the name of the court and date of your hearing and we will do the rest.
Can I change the date/time/venue of my course?
Yes, you can change the time, date and venue of the course once you have booked. However, there may be a charge incurred for changing your booking (see below) which is outlined in our terms and conditions.
Can I transfer my referral to another provider?
You can only transfer your referral in Great Britain, not Northern Ireland where we are the only provider. But we don’t want you to go. Contact one of our agents for help with your transfer.
Cost, payment options and other fees
How much is a drink driving course?
From January 1 2024 the course fees and concessions are as follows:
England:
- Full course fee £160.00 or flexible payment plan 4 x £40.00.
- Early Bird offer (booked within 30 days of sentencing). Full course fee £128.
- Evening and weekend courses charged at full price of £185.00.
- Early Bird offer for evening and weekend bookings £153.00.
Scotland:
- Full course fee £170.00 or flexible payment plan 4 x £42.50.
- Early Bird offer (booked within 30 days of sentencing). Full course fee £136.
- Evening and weekend courses charged at full price of £195.00.
- Early Bird offer for evening and weekend bookings £161.00.
Wales:
- Full course fee £150.00 or flexible payment plan 4 x £37.50.
- Evening and weekend courses charged at full price of £175.00.
Northern Ireland:
- Full course fee £170 (including evenings and weekends) or flexible payment plan 4x £42.50
- Concessionary rate (unemployed, full-time students, pensioners, and those on other state benefits) £110 or flexible payment plan 4 x £27.50
We accept payments by all major debit and credit cards, cheques, postal orders, banker’s drafts, cash, BACS transfer and mobile banking apps.
Is any help available with course payment?
We offer a range of course payment options to best meet your needs, including scheduled payments. If you wish to pay by instalments, please contact us. Please see our terms and conditions for details.
Are there any additional fees for bringing an interpreter or other support worker?
No, but we must know the details in advance to make sure we can accommodate them. Please tell us before you book. If you have already booked and forgot to tell us, please contact us as soon as possible.
Will you charge me if I need to reschedule my course?
You can change the time, date and venue of the course once you have booked. However, there is a charge incurred for changing your booking (see below) which is outlined in our terms and conditions.
If you wish to alter/cancel your course date and time within:
- You have 14 days starting from the day after the date of booking (the “Cooling Off Period”) to cancel your course and receive a full refund unless you have attended your course, before the expiry of the Cooling Off Period. If you have booked a course within the Cooling Off Period and have failed to complete the course, TTC will retain £80 of the original course fee. If you wish to cancel after the Cooling Off Period has expired, TTC will retain £80 of the original course fee.
- From 15 days after your booking but more than 21 days prior to the first date of your course, there is a £35 rearrangement fee.
- Non-attendance, without prior notice, or less than 21 days prior to the first date of your course, there is a £80 rearrangement fee.
- The above rearrangements of courses are subject to sufficient time allowed before your completion date.
We will make every effort to run all scheduled courses, however, if demand for a course is very low it will be cancelled. If this happens, we will give you at least 20 days’ notice of cancellation. You will then be offered alternative dates (if you have allowed enough time) before the completion date, set by the court at the time of sentence.
Preparing to attend the course
How to prepare for a drink drive course?
It is vital to be at your course on time for registration as late arrivals may be turned away. We work under strict guidance and you may need to rebook – assuming there is time. An additional fee will usually be incurred. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes prior to the beginning of each session of the course to successfully complete the course registration process.
We also recommend that if you are attending an online session you sign in early. The trainer will check your photo ID in a private virtual room and register you on the course. Check our terms and conditions for more details.
What do I need to bring with me?
You must show a photo ID in order to attend a session. This must be an original physical document; digital copies will not be accepted. If you do not have photographic ID, you must bring along with you two other forms of identification such as a recent utility bill, bank statement and/or debit/credit card. Failure to produce a valid ID may lead to your exclusion from the course. Every effort will be made to offer an alternative date, provided there is sufficient availability and time within the deadline, but a further rearrangement fee will be required. If you are attending an online session, the trainer will check your photo ID in a private virtual room. Check our terms and conditions for more details.
Getting online
What requirements will I need to attend the online course?
In order to attend an online course, you will need one of the following:
- Computer or laptop
- Tablet
- Mobile phone
All devices must have:
- Internet access
- Web camera
- Microphone
- Speakers or headphones
- Stable internet connection
- Enough battery charge to last the full duration of your course
You will be required to have your camera switched on for the full duration of the course. All delegates will be visible during the course. Please note that the use of blurred or virtual backgrounds is not permitted.
Photo ID is also a requirement of the course. If you do not have any photo ID, please speak with the police force who referred you prior to the course date.
I am not confident in using technology, can I have a relative/friend present on the course to assist with this?
Yes, you can have a someone present on the day to help set up your equipment. However, once the equipment is set up, they will need to leave the room. We also have a technical support team on hand who can provide assistance if necessary. You can contact them at onlinecoursesupport@ttc-uk.com.
I am having trouble logging in and connecting
Please refer to the Zoom guidance document contained within your confirmation email. You can also find it on our online help page below.
Where can I find my course link?
It will be in the information we sent you before your online course. If you cannot find the email, please contact us in good time.
Attending the course
Can I attend the course without valid ID?
You must also show a photo ID in order to attend a session. This must be an original physical document; digital copies will not be accepted. If you do not have photographic ID, you must bring along with you two other forms of identification such as a recent utility bill, bank statement and/or debit/credit card. Failure to produce a valid ID may lead to your exclusion from the course.
Do I need to sign in?
Upon arrival, the trainer will check your identification and mark your attendance before the course commences. If you are attending a classroom course, please locate the trainer for registration.
Failing to complete the course
What happens if I cannot attend my drink drive course?
You may be able to rebook, providing there is sufficient time and course availability within the deadline set by the court. This will incur a rearrangement fee.
If you are ill, you will need to contact us as soon as possible. You will be required to provide a doctor’s certificate.
Please refer to the terms & conditions above for details regarding rebooking fees.
Can I complete my drink drive course after my completion date?
No, however, very occasionally the date set by the court might be incorrect, so it is worth asking the us to double check the dates provided on the referral. Please note the date is always set by the court and there is no provision in law to extend that irrespective of the reasons. We always advise that you leave plenty of time to complete the course.
What happens if I miss a session or turn up late?
All providers work under strict guidance, and you will be turned away and asked to rebook – assuming there is time. An additional fee will usually be incurred.
What happens if I don’t do a drink drive course?
The course is a non-binding court order. If you do not complete a course then we are required to issue you with a notice of non-completion, which closes the court order and is for your records. If you do not complete the course in full you will not benefit from a reduction in the period of time you are banned from driving.
When the course is finished
What do I do with the drink drive course completion certificate?
In England, Scotland, and Wales, we will usually send the original completion certificate to the Court and Tribunal Service Centre (CTSC). The CTSC will then notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). We will also supply you with two copies of the certificate. One copy is to be retained by yourself for insurance purposes. The other is to be sent to the DVLA with your driving licence application form at the appropriate time.
In Northern Ireland, we will provide you with two copies of the certificate. One is to be retained by you for insurance purposes. You must take the other to the court where you were originally sentenced. The court will notify the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA).
Will doing a drink drive course reduce my insurance premium?
Although we cannot guarantee it will reduce your insurance premium, many insurance companies now accept a certificate of completion as indicating that you are a much lower risk, and they recognise the value of the course in reducing reconviction rates. Many offenders find they will achieve a significant discount.
When can I apply for my licence after completing a drink drive course?
It depends where you are in the UK and when your ban is due to end. In England, Scotland and Wales, if you are High-Risk Offender (HRO) then you can apply to the DVLA 3 months before your licence is due back. If you are not a HRO then you can apply 2 months before your licence is due back. We recommend you include with your application a copy of your completion certificate. Please note we will send the original completion certificate to the court.
In Northern Ireland, you can apply for your licence at the end of your disqualification period. For example, if you received a 12-month disqualification, which was reduced to 9 months, a driving licence application can be made at 9 months and not before.
If I am a HRO will I get my licence back in time?
In England, Scotland or Wales you can apply 3 months before the due date. It is very important that you apply at the earliest possible point, this means not leaving your course until the last minute.
However you need to be aware that because of a recent change to legislation you cannot drive until your medical has been completed in full. This means you have had the medical examination, any related blood tests and the full report has been received and approved by DVLA and they have issued your licence.
If you have been referred from a court in Northern Ireland, upon successful completion of the course you must first submit an application for your provisional licence as you will need to resit the driving test. This can only be done at the end of the ban, therefore, if you received a 12-month ban, which upon successful completion of the course was reduced to 9 months, you can only apply after 9 months. You will also need to successfully pass a medical examination by a doctor appointed by the DVA Coleraine (you will be required to pay for this medical).
For more information on this process, visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/driving-disqualifications.
Privacy and confidentiality
Client confidentiality
Protecting the confidentiality of our clients is of the utmost importance, therefore you must ensure that nobody other than you can view your screen. You must attend the online course in a private room with your screen facing a wall to prevent anyone other than yourself from hearing and seeing the course content.
Mobile devices
Unless you are using the device to participate in the course, mobile phones are not allowed to be used during a course. They should be switched off throughout although you can use them during the scheduled breaks. The same goes for iPads or other communication tools. These policies are applied so that the courses can take place without the disruption of active mobile phones or other devices. If you are using a smartphone or tablet to attend the course, then you will need to activate ‘do not disturb’ from the device settings.
GDPR and copyright
The filming and/or recording or reproduction or posting on social media of any part of a course is strictly prohibited as this infringes data protection laws and privacy of other delegates. Anyone using a mobile phone or any other recording equipment is liable to be excluded from taking any further part in the course. A non-completion certificate will be issued which means you will not receive a reduction on our driving ban.
Find out more
For questions about our drink or drug driving courses, and post-course support please contact us.