Launched in Cambridgeshire in April 1997, the National Driver Improvement Scheme (NDIS) is run by the County Council, in partnership with Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
It is offered to drivers, who have committed the offence of 'careless or inconsiderate driving'. The one and a half day course is offered as an alternative to penalty points on their licence, a fine and/or a court appearance.
However, drivers who fail to complete the course satisfactorily, or to pay their course fees, are automatically referred back to the Police for prosecution in the usual way.
Fully self-financing, the course comprises half a day spent in the classroom looking at hazard perception and accident avoidance techniques, followed by two half days of practical 'in car' driver training. Motorcyclists are also catered for. Courses are based in Cambridge, with plans underway to open a further centre in the North of the County.
Drivers referred to the course have committed their offence within the area covered by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, which includes Peterborough City Council's area. Drivers can be referred to Cambridgeshire from other areas of the country, and a reciprocal arrangement exists for us to refer non-Cambridgeshire drivers to the relevant local authority.
NDIS is available within almost all local authority areas nationally, apart from in Scotland. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency administers a national database for all drivers referred to this scheme to ensure compliance with the ruling, which prohibits a driver being offered NDIS until 3 years after a previous course has elapsed.
Cambridgeshire County Council continues to be represented on the management group of the 'Association of National Driver Improvement Scheme Providers', which exists to share research and information on best practice.
The Road Safety Officer for Driver Behaviour will continue to work with the Police to increase the number of drivers participating in NDIS and to maintain the zero re-offending rates of those completing the course.
Driver trainers for the National Driver Improvement Scheme include:
Amber Driver Training
Merit Driver Training
13/50 Driver Development
First Gear Driver Training
Parkway Driver Training
David Gill School of Motoring
Style Driver Training
Windmill Driving School
KL School of Motoring
Patience School of Motoring
North Herts driving School
Kevin Isaacson
Mick Collin
John Irvine
Mike pipe
Reg Jackson