Can a Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Course Reduce Your Ban?
A drink-drive rehabilitation course can reduce a driving disqualification, but only when the court offers the course and it is completed with an approved provider by the deadline set. The reduction is usually up to one quarter of the ban. It does not overturn the conviction or remove the other consequences of the offence.
Key points:
- The court may offer a course when a person is convicted of a drink-driving offence and disqualified for 12 months or more.
- A course is not automatic and cannot normally be added later simply by asking the provider. It must be offered and accepted at the point of sentence.
- The course must be completed by the date specified by the court.
- The ban is usually reduced by up to one quarter after successful completion.
- The participant must pay the course fee, which can be up to £250.
- The course does not remove the conviction and is separate from any DVLA medical requirements for high-risk offenders.
What is a drink-drive rehabilitation course?
The drink-drive rehabilitation scheme is an educational programme for people convicted of specified drink-driving offences. It is intended to reduce repeat offending by improving understanding of alcohol, driving risk and the consequences of drink driving.
The court decides whether to offer the course when sentence is imposed. If it does, the court specifies the date by which the course must be completed and the reduced disqualification period that will apply after satisfactory completion.
The legal framework is found in sections 34A to 34C of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 and the Courses for Drink-Drive Offenders Regulations 2012.
Who can be offered a drink-drive course?
The course may be offered where a person is found guilty of a drink-driving offence and is banned from driving for 12 months or more.
The decision belongs to the sentencing court. A defendant cannot insist upon a course, and an approved course provider cannot create an entitlement that the court did not grant.
The court may consider matters including the offence, the sentence and whether the person agrees to take part. The precise terms of the court order should be checked carefully before a course is booked.
The decision of whether to offer a driver the opportunity to complete the course rests with the Judge or Magistrates passing sentence. Some courts are currently taking a hard line on courses and will not offer the opportunity to attend if the driver has already attended recently and warn that the course will not be offered if the driver is convicted after trial.
We always ask for the course to be offered to our clients, as successful completion of the course can result in a significant reduction in the length of the disqualification.
How much can a drink-driving ban be reduced?
The reduction is usually up to one quarter of the disqualification period. The court order should state the original ban, the reduced period and the course-completion deadline.
For example, if you receive an 18-month disqualification after pleading guilty to drink driving, your ban could be reduced by 18 weeks if you complete an approved rehabilitation course by the specified date.
What happens if the course deadline is missed?
If the course is not completed satisfactorily by the deadline, the original disqualification continues. Starting the course is not enough; the approved provider must confirm successful completion in accordance with the scheme.
If you are offered a course, you should therefore check the deadline promptly, select an approved provider and leave enough time to complete every required session. You, as the participant are responsible for paying the course fees.
Does completing the course remove the conviction?
No. Successful completion shortens the period of disqualification specified by the court. It does not quash the conviction, remove the sentence, cancel a fine or prevent the offence appearing on the driving record for the applicable period.
It is also separate from the rules that apply to DVLA high-risk offenders. A person within that scheme may still need to satisfy DVLA medical requirements before a new licence can be issued, even if a rehabilitation course has reduced the ban.
Frequently asked questions about drink driving courses:
Can anyone with a drink-driving ban take a course to reduce it?
No. The court must offer the course as part of the sentence. A person cannot obtain a reduction merely by enrolling independently.
How much does a drink-drive rehabilitation course cost?
The cost of attending the course varies between providers and currently ranges from approximately £155 to £250. Payment of course fees is made to the course provider and not to the court.
How much will the course reduce my ban?
The reduction is usually up to one quarter, but the court order gives the controlling dates and reduction in each case.
What if I do not finish the course on time?
The original disqualification continues if the approved course is not completed satisfactorily by the court’s deadline.
Can the course remove a drink-driving conviction?
No. It can reduce the disqualification period but does not remove or overturn the conviction.
Will I automatically get my licence back after the reduced ban?
Not always. A driver may need to apply for a new licence, and a DVLA high-risk offender may have to satisfy separate medical requirements before being relicensed.
Specialist drink-driving advice– Speak to Ashworth Motoring Law:
If you have been accused of drink driving and need advice about reducing or avoiding the disqualification altogether, contact Ashworth Motoring Law on 0330 33 22 770. The earlier we get involved, the more we can do.
