Guide to DUI School: Court-Ordered Alcohol Treatment Programs

Judges sometimes order DUI/DWI offenders to attend prevention programs geared toward alcohol education or therapy. This is often a condition of a suspended sentence or condition of probation. The goal is to teach offenders about alcohol dependency and the consequences of DUI.

This article discusses state alcohol education, assessment, and treatment laws. It also addresses DUI school eligibility and covers types of programs as well as their duration.

If you were arrested for impaired driving, get help from a DUI defense lawyer. In some cases, a lawyer can seek lower charges or alternative penalties as part of a plea bargain. Completing a DUI program can often help avoid more serious outcomes like jail time. But you may need a lawyer’s help to negotiate this deal, understand the program requirements, and protect your rights during your case.

What Are DUI Classes?

These programs, known as DUI schools or alcohol education programs (AEP), seek to help drivers change their behavior to avoid future arrests. They focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

DUI education programs usually teach topics like how alcohol affects a person’s driving abilities. They often describe how much alcohol causes intoxication and tips for preventing another DUI. Many DUI treatment programs often have a health care component for addressing addiction and mental health.

These classes often replace, reduce, or eliminate harsher penalties in drunk-driving cases. Those harsher penalties could include driver’s license suspension or jail time. Yet, the classes must be state-licensed or approved to count toward your court requirement. Courts may require DUI classes along with an ignition interlock device (IID) to discourage repeat offenses.

DUI offenders who successfully complete the terms of their DUI classes or therapy program may have their driving privileges restored. Conversely, offenders who fail to comply with the terms of their program aren’t eligible for license reinstatement and may be returned to the courts for further action.

State Alcohol Education, Assessment, and Treatment Laws

Alcohol assessments are conducted before trial but after sentencing. Both state DUI criminal courts and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can order a DUI offender to attend alcohol education classes or treatment programs.

The outcome of an offender’s program is considered in final sentencing. States with mandatory alcohol education laws require the completion of an alcohol education program before reinstating a convicted offender’s driving privileges.

Mandatory alcohol assessment and treatment laws also require convicted DUI offenders to:

• Undergo an assessment of alcohol abuse problems
• Participate in required treatment programs

Two thirds of the states requiring mandatory DUI prevention programs also require alcohol education and treatment. To determine requirements for DUI offenders in your state, see this breakdown of state DUI/DWI laws.

DUI School Eligibility

Eligibility for alcohol education and treatment programs isn’t automatic unless it’s mandatory.

Factors a judge may consider when deciding whether to allow alcohol education include:

• Whether you have any prior DUI charges and are a repeat offender
• Your blood alcohol content at the time of your arrest
• Whether someone was seriously injured or killed during the accident
• Whether you have previously participated in a similar program

The judge may not order alcohol education as part of a DUI sentence. Even so, some states require you to attend alcohol education courses or therapy to reinstate your driver’s license after a DUI. In these states, you must complete alcohol education or therapy in a state-approved behavioral health program. You’ll also need to provide proof of attendance to your state’s DMV office.

Types of Alcohol Education and Therapy Programs

There are different levels of alcohol education and alcohol treatment programs. Depending on the state, they have varying degrees of length of treatment and criteria.

Most states allow minors under 21 and first-time DUI offenders to undergo Level I alcohol education courses. These courses usually consist of 12 hours of education about the effects of alcohol.

Other states may require adult drivers convicted of alcohol-related charges to participate in Level II courses. These courses usually include education and therapy in a state-approved program. The length of the therapy increases depending on the severity of the violation and whether you’ve had multiple DUIs.

In general, you’re likely to be ordered to undergo Level I alcohol education. Exceptions to that general rule arise if your blood-alcohol level (BAC) at the time of your arrest was below or very near .08% in most states (0.05% in Utah) and there were no aggravating factors. 

How Long Do Alcohol Education Programs Last?

The length of DUI classes depends on the nature and severity of the crime. Like other aspects of DUI/DWI cases, the duration of an alcohol education program varies based on several factors.

These factors can include:

• The number of prior DUI convictions you’ve had within a particular period
• Whether this is a first-time drunk-driving offense
• Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC)

For instance, a standard first-offender alcohol education program might require attendance at a three-hour session for 12 weeks. This amounts to approximately 36 hours of coursework. Getting a restricted driver’s license may be possible to allow for driving to and from the program.

However, the standard program for second offenders may be divided into several phases. This program usually begins with mandatory attendance at weekly sessions and gradually changes to sessions every other week.

Finally, there is often up to a 30-month program for multiple offenders. Alcohol education classes are mandatory in some states. However, negotiation and plea bargaining sometimes reduce or eliminate the duration requirement.

Finding Alcohol Education and Treatment Programs

You may have a few options for where you take DUI classes. Some programs offer online classes. They may have different prices and fees.

Before you pay anyone or attend any courses, check the court’s specific requirements. Your lawyer can help you verify whether a program will meet the criteria and help you seek court approval, if necessary.

One of the most well-known alcohol education and treatment programs is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). There are AA chapters in every state of the country and in many cities. In these classes, there is usually a discussion on the harmful effects of alcohol and the consequences of drunk driving. There is often an open discussion about someone’s specific situation. There is also a discussion to help identify symptoms and treatments for alcohol abuse.

Besides Alcoholics Anonymous, other schools and treatment programs exist to help DUI offenders and prevent drunk driving. One example is Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.). M.A.D.D. often partners with organizations to share personal stories of friends or family members who were victims of drunk driving. M.A.D.D. aims to make DUI laws tougher.

Check with your state agency‘s website for locations of alcohol education and treatment programs near you.

Do I Have To Attend Classes?

Successful completion of a DUI program is usually a requirement of your probation. If you violate your probation, a judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest. The violation subjects you to an additional jail or prison sentence.

Another factor to consider is whether you want your driver’s license reinstated. If you don’t take or complete your DUI classes, your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can withhold your license for an extended period of time. You may not be eligible for license reinstatement and may be required to return to court for further action.

On the positive side, if you complete DUI school per the terms of your probation, you may be able to get your driver’s license reinstated earlier.

How Much Will DUI School Cost?

The cost of DUI classes varies by program type, provider, and location. States like California and Georgia regulate fees among the different providers, but only a few states use a flat fee structure. In other states, each provider sets its rates and fees, so you can compare pricing between different options. You may also need to pay an enrollment fee.

The total expense will greatly depend on the required duration of your program. A 12-hour course may cost a few hundred dollars, but a program spanning several months can cost thousands of dollars.

Your attorney can advise you about payment plans, waivers, and other resources that may be available to reduce these costs.

Get an Attorney for Your Driving Under the Influence Case

Suppose you’ve been charged with a DUI offense. In that case, a DUI attorney can help negotiate for DUI school or substance abuse treatment by a provider instead of jail time or other less-desirable sanctions. An attorney can help you whether this is your first offense or second offense, and whether you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or felony.