Bedford Driving Lessons

Motorists caught using a mobile phone while driving are being offered the option of taking a new road safety course rather than a fine and points on their licence. Suffolk Constabulary is one of the first forces in the country to launch the new course. Some forces already operate a course option instead of fines or prosecution for other offences, including careless driving and speeding. The first course for motorists caught using phones while at the wheel – or supervising a learner driver – will start on tomorrow. Drivers have to pay the course fee of £74, plus VAT, to take part. But by successfully completing the course they avoid getting points on their licence and a £60 fixed penalty fine. Fines of up to £1,000 can be imposed by courts on car drivers using phones. Bus, coach and lorry drivers can be fined up to £2,500. Motorists in Suffolk have been offered the option of going on the course since April 1. The two-and-a-half-hour Call Divert course covers the law on mobile phone use, statistics about accidents and role-play to demonstrate the importance of maintaining attention while driving. More