DRINK-DRIVE REHABILITATION COURSE

Courses are run in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Magistrates' Courts of Teesside, North Yorkshire and South Durham.

Aim of the course

The purpose of the course is to educate people on alcohol and its effects and to reduce re-offending.                                                                            

A range of issues will be covered, including:

• Information about alcohol and its effects on the body
• The effect of alcohol consumption on performance particularly driving ability and behaviour
• Analysis of drink-driving offences
• Alternatives to drink-driving future action and sources of advice

Format of the course

The course is educational and lasts for 21 hours over three days, inclusive of breaks.

There are presentations, group discussions, team exercises, videos, quizzes to test your knowledge.

Most courses are held on one day a week for three weeks e.g. three Fridays, three Saturdays. An occasional course may be held over a single weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Each day has six hours learning time, starts at 9.30 am and finishes about 4.30 pm allowing for lunch and tea breaks.

Benefits of attending

After successful conclusion of the course a Certificate of Completion will be issued. The Clerk of the Court will notify the DVLA of your success, thus reducing your period of disqualification by up to 25%.

The course can help you to keep your licence. The Department for Transport has been monitoring a group of people who have been convicted for drinking and driving. It has been found that "nearly two and half times more non-course attenders than course attenders had re-offended (17.9% as compared with 7.6%)". (TRL report 574 2003).

The Certificate can be part of your personal record and may prove useful whenever you are obliged to declare your criminal conviction.

You will receive insurance information that may reduce premiums for course certificate holders.

A reduction in the numbers of people who drink and drive reduces death and injury on the road.

How do I access the course?

To access a course you must have been referred by the court on the day you were sentenced. The court then notifies the Albert Centre who contact you. If you are not contacted within 14 days please telephone the Albert Centre.

The Road Traffic Offenders Act 1998 specifies that it is a condition of the Court that the Course must be completed by the date specified by order of the Court at the time of Sentencing. This date is NON-NEGOTIABLE and you must complete the Course by this date otherwise the full period of disqualification will apply. Under no circumstances will the Courts consider an extension beyond this date.

Course numbers are limited and places are taken up quickly. It is therefore essential to book early to avoid disappointment.

Typical end of course comment:

"I dreaded coming but really enjoyed it"

"It opened my eyes, gave me a lot to think about"

"Treated like a person not a criminal"

"Non-judgemental, well paced and varied"

The people who have attended the course believe that it has enabled them not to re-offend. Many think the course should be compulsory.

Where are the courses held and what do they cost?

Course are currently held at venues in:

Middlesbrough, Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Hartlepool, Catterick Garrison, Harrogate, York and Scarborough.

 What is the Cost?

Course fees are £120 for unemployed, full time students and OAP's and £220 if employed.

To accept the reserved place or to book an alternative date please contact us on 01642 218364, or return the enclosed acceptance form together with payment. Cheque/Postal Order should not be post dated and be made payable to "The Albert Centre". To pay by Debit or Credit card please telephone 01642 218364 with your card details. Payment may be in full, or the minimum non-returnable deposit with three subsequent instalments. To secure a place on a course, the full balance must be received in at least 10 working days before the commencement date. Non-attendance without expanation may result in loss of fee.

You pay the fee directly to the Albert Centre, which is a registered charity. The fees pay for the provision, administration and management of the courses.

We recognise that cost may be an issue for many people therefore we hope to be able to help with a payment plan. Please contact the centre for further details.

Further Information

Two members of staff organise the courses and are available during office hours. Both have completed the course as learners and would be very pleased to discuss any of your concerns or queries.

The Albert Centre is an approved course provider, a member of the national Association of Drink Drive Approved Providers of Training (ADDAPT) and holds their Quality Mark, AQAC. 

Please not the course is delivered in the English language. If you have any disability, learning difficulties, non English speaker or have any special requirements we would be grateful if you would discuss these with a member of the team prior to booking the course. We will then be able to contact the Course Tutor and ensure any requirements can be provided for.

If you would like to book a place on a course or for further information please contact the Drink-Drive Department on 01642 203810 or email drinkdrive@thealbertcentre.co.uk