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DUI School Information

Why should I enroll into a DUI school before going to court? You can significantly reduce any suspension meted out by the Department of Motor Vehicles by enrolling into a three month, first offender school.

Suspensions for a first offense DUI can be four months, six months, ten months or one year. The four month period is for a first offense DUI with a blood level alcohol under .20%. The six month period is for a first offense DUI who drove with controlled substances (certain illegal drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin) in his/her blood. The ten month suspension occurs for a first offender with a blood level alcohol of .20% or more. The twelve month suspension is when a first offender refuses all chemical tests.

Is there anything a person accused of a first offense DUI can do to reduce the period of suspension? Yes. For a first offender who took the chemical test and is 21 years or older, the person can reduce, for example, the four month suspension to one month or less. For the first month following the suspension, the licensee cannot drive at all for any reason. This one month period is referred to as the “hard suspension.” After the one month period (or less if back credits are awarded), the licensee can apply for a restricted license. The restricted license will be for five months.

To qualify for the restricted license, the licensee must enroll in a three month DUI school program. The licensee should enroll in such a program as soon as possible because there are waiting lists. If the licensee waits until his/her 30 day “hard suspension” is up before enrolling in the three month DUI school program, the licensee risks delaying the issuance of the restricted license because there may be waiting lists to enter the DUI school.

A restricted license allows the driver to drive only to and from work, and to and from a DUI program. To obtain the restricted license, the driver must enroll in at least a three month long DUI program, show proof of financial responsibility, and pay a reissuance fee to the DMV of $125. If the driver, however, fails to complete the DUI school or fails to maintain minimum insurance coverage for three years following the DUI, the DMV will resuspend the license.

To enroll into a DUI first offender school, you do not need a court order. Instead, you must go to the DMV and obtain form H6 (in reality, it is not a form but rather a computer printout of your record) and take form H6 to the DUI school. If a person at the school insists that you need a court order, please request to speak to the person’s supervisor who should know that you do not need a court order. Remember: all you need to enroll is form H6 from the DMV.

Each county has DUI alcohol schools that are divided between first and multiple offender programs. To enroll in a DUI first offender school, a person does not have to have a court order. Instead, the person should have a form H6 that is obtained from the DMV. “Form” H6 is a misnomer because it is a printout of your driving record that a form that you would fill in and complete. You must physically go to a local DMV office and request Form H6 and then take it to the DUI school that you select. If you are charged with a DUI and one or more priors, you cannot enroll in a DUI school before being ordered to do so by a court.

First offender programs range in length between six weeks and nine months. The multiple offender programs range in length between 18 and 30 months. The cost of the programs within the same county should be the same. That is, if there are three first offender programs in County X, the cost for the same program at each of the three schools in County X should be the same. Persons whose DUI occurred in County X, but who reside in County Y, have the option of attending a DUI program in either county. However, when the person goes to court, he/she ought to explain clearly to the person’s attorney in what county the person wants to attend, because the court will typically order the person to attend a program in the county where the offense occurred, unless otherwise specified. If a person selects a school in County A, but later moves or otherwise wants to change to a school in County B, the program in County A may charge a transfer fee, as well as demand payment for all classes attended up to the point of the transfer.

The following is for informational purposes only, and may vary from county to county. A first offender six week alcohol school costs approximately $200 in total, a three month first offender program costs approximately $560 in total, a six month program costs approximately $950 in total, and the nine month program runs about $1050 in total. Schools offer payment options, with a licensee required to put some money down, and pay the remainder on a monthly basis. The schools will not issue the certificate of completion until the balance is paid in full. Upon receipt of payment in full and completion of all requirements, the school will issue a certificate directly on line to the Department of Motor Vehicles and by mail to the courts and you.

The programs have potential other charges. If you miss any classes, programs may charge you $20 for each session that you miss. However, if you notify the program at least 72 hours before of an absence before a scheduled session, the program may reduce its charge from $20 to $10. The school also charges for any reinstatement to the program. Reinstatement occurs when, for what ever reason, the school terminates you from their program (example: excessive absences). Upon termination (your expulsion from the program), you will have to return to court and obtain a re-referral back to the program. If the program re-accepts you, you are reinstated and will pay $50 for the reinstatement.

The multiple offender 18 month program costs approximately $1800. The programs accept payments, with approximately $200 as a deposit (“down payment”) and $125/month.

Several other points deserve mention. DUI schools typically will not allow you to “accelerate,” complete the program faster (example: attend three sessions per week instead of one). Also, persons attending the programs must complete a minimum of hours. For the first offender for the six week program, 12 hours; for the three month program, 32 hours; for the six month program, 45 hours; and for the nine month program, 60 hours. Excessive attendance means too many absences. The number of impermissible absences varies, depending on the minimum hours that a person must attend. If a person fails to complete the program, or is expelled from a program, the school will contact the court. The court will then issue an order for the person’s arrest, because failure to complete successfully the alcohol program is a violation of probation. Failure to complete the alcohol program also impedes your ever receiving your license back from the DMV. Lastly, a person may request a leave of absence from a program without facing expulsion. As is the rule elsewhere, advance notice is better than last minute. Also, the school will require a valid reason and proof of your absence. An example: a pre paid, family vacation that had been planned before the DUI. Proof would include airline tickets. Absences of up to 30 days are allowed without a great deal of proof. Anything over 30 days must be well documented, as well as supported by necessity.

Please again note that you cannot begin a multiple offender DUI school (18 months) without first going to court and being ordered to attend.

If you cannot locate a program near you listed below, please use the following internet link:

http://www.calcarenet.ca.gov/alcohol_drug_treatment.asp