Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)

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Question reference: S6W-42721

Asked by: Stephen Kerr, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 18 December 2025
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 14 January 2026

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the full timeline of decisions and delays relating to the introduction of speed awareness courses.

Much of the law on prosecution and punishment of road traffic offences is reserved to the UK Government (UKG). However, the Scottish Government continues to discuss the importance of implementing Road Traffic Diversionary Course (RTDC) which includes Speed Awareness Courses, with the UKG.

Scotland’s Road Safety Framework 2030 contains a commitment to implement speed awareness courses in Scotland as part of a broader roll-out of Road Traffic Diversionary Courses, which aim to divert ‘low-level’ road traffic offenders from punishment into education to prevent re-offending and help equip participants to change their behaviour towards speed and can also reduce pressure on the criminal justice system.

In August 2024, a multi-agency steering group, led by Transport Scotland officials, was convened to consider the implications and requirements of introducing RTDCs in Scotland. The group contains representation from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service and Police Scotland.

In November 2024, the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) published their thematic inspection of road policing in Scotland, making the following recommendation: Police Scotland should engage with UK Road Offender Education (UKROEd) and other key stakeholders to progress the full implementation of educational training courses for people who commit driving offences that may be appropriately addressed through learning.

Given that the legislation in this area is not devolved, Transport Scotland have been liaising with Home Office colleagues to confirm where we can assist with the laying of the required legislation in Westminster. The last meeting between Transport Scotland and Home Office officials took place on the 16th December 2025.

Further to this we are in process of discussing and agreeing with key partners areas of policy which will define the detail of legislation and this is unfortunately taking longer than anticipated and we are stressing to all partners the need conclude this.

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Question reference: S6W-42721

Answer