When a driver is involved in a Road Traffic Incident, usually a collision and there is sufficient evidence which indicates that they have been "Driving Without Due Care and Attention, or Driving Without Reasonable Consideration for Other Road Users" contrary to Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, or other like offences, they may be given an option to attend a National Driver Alertness Course. This is offered as an alternative to having the incident referred to the Crown Prosecution Service which usually results in a prosecution where the driver may receive a fine and penalty points on their driving license.

The current course will run for 6 hours and will consist of an in-class interactive workshop and an on-road practical session (using professional instructors in dual-controlled vehicles). Participants will receive a workbook to guide them through each element of the course and this is available to take away at the end.

The aims and objectives of the Driver Alertness Course are to help drivers explore their attitudes & perceptions towards safer driving and to identify what puts them at risk. By the end of the course drivers will gain a better understanding of the causes and consequences of collisions and develop an action plan to stay safe on the road.

A driver choosing a National Driver Alertness Course may opt to take it at any of the national course venues and will have to pay for the cost of the course. A person may only attend one Driver Alertness Course in a 3 year period. Subsequent offending will be dealt with by way of prosecution.

NDAC is a different scheme from National Driver Improvement Scheme (NDIS) and therefore drivers who have been offered one scheme cannot elect to complete the other as an alternative.