Learn More About California DUI School

For a drunk driving arrest, most states in the United States make it mandatory for the offender to enroll and participate in an education program for the treatment of alcohol. This is irrespective of whether it was due to driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI) or whether it was the individual’s first offense, second offense or third offense.

Individuals have to enroll in a DUI School even if the court does not subject him/ her to enroll in the program. This is because a drunk driving charge results in the suspension of the offender’s driver’s license and driving privileges. In order to get back the driving privileges, the Department of Motor Vehicles in each state requires that the individual enroll in an alcohol treatment program. The duration of the DUI program and the specifications of each program vary from one state to the other. In addition, the treatment program for each offense such as first DWI or DUI offense, second DWI or DUI offense  and third DWI or DUI offense also vary.

California DUI/DWI Legislation for DUI Programs

In 1978 California State passed legislation to implement a treatment program for reckless drivers and to curb multiple DUI offenses in the state. The objective behind this was to come down hard on people who risk the lives of others by driving under the influence or while intoxicated.

In accordance with this legislation, the penalties and punishment for drunk driving were increased by imposing steep fines, putting restrictions on driving privileges of offenders, limiting plea-bargains for drunk driving convictions, and making it mandatory for offenders to serve a jail sentence.

Apart from passing strict laws for DUI and DWI, California State also found the need to formalize its DUI and DWI programs. Based on this need, in the year 1990 California State issued state license for programs for the treatment of alcohol and drugs for the first time offenders. The duration of the program was set at three months. Subsequently, a law was passed in 1999 that required offenders to commit to an education program on DUI even if they were arrested under “wet and reckless” charges.

Finally, in 2006, California State passed a law that offenders guilty of DUI or DWI in the state with a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.20 percent and higher must commit to a DUI program or enroll in a DUI School for a duration of 9 months to get back their driving privileges. A total of 134,046 individuals were enrolled in California DUI School in 2006.

Administration of the California DUI Program/ School

In California, the DUI Program Division of the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs’ Office of Criminal Justice Collaboration is responsible for the running of the DUI Program. This Division supervises, regulates, determines the fees of the participants of the program, draws up the program schedule, authorizes licensing of all DUI programs in the state and provides technical assistance and information on DUI.   

Objective of the California DUI Schools/Programs

The aim of the California DUI School/Programs is to restrict the chances that individuals who are enrolled in DUI programs will recommit DUI or DWI offenses. It also strives to give an opportunity to the offenders to focus on their drug or alcohol problem and help them manage the problem through educational programs aimed at treating the same.

Presently, the Division has licensed 251 first time DWI or DUI offenders, 31 individuals in its 30 month DUI program and 195 individuals to their 18 month DUI program. There were 150,484 offenders who had enrolled in California’s DUI School in 2008 of which 114,706 have completed their program.

DUI Programs in California State

In California, DUI programs have several levels such as program for wet and reckless, DUI Program for first time offenders, 18 month DUI Program and 30 month DUI Program. To enroll in a DUI Program in California State, you must be either referred to by the Department of Motor Vehicles or a court in California State.

Programs for Wet and Reckless DUI Charge

An individual arrested for a charge of “wet and reckless” driving offense requires enrolling for a minimum of 12 hour education program on DUI in California. This is the first level of treatment program that is offered by the state.

First Offender Programs

The program for the first time DWI and DUI offenders involves attending an alcohol treatment program that requires offenders to participate in either one session each week for three hours for a period of 12 weeks or complete a 36 hour coursework.  A first time DWI or DUI offender in California can apply for a restricted driver’s license or driving privileges that can be used to drive from home to work or to take care of any emergencies.

If the blood alcohol concentration level of the offender is 0.20% or above, then the individual has to enroll in a sixty hour education program on drug and alcohol and also submit to a counseling program that is approved and licensed by the state. The education programs are designed in a way that it allows the offenders to incorporate corrective measures such as a shift in the lifestyle, behavior and attitudes that can help to eliminate his/her dependency on alcohol and drugs.

Eighteen Month Program on DUI

This program is for the second time or the third time DUI or DWI offenders. This program requires offenders to enroll in an education program on alcohol and drugs that comprises of 52 hours of counseling in a group, attend a treatment program on drug and alcohol for 12 hours, to be placed under a program on community re-entry for 6 hours and also submit to personal interviews, twice a week for the first one year of the program.

30-Month DUI Programs

This is program is administered under specialized circumstances and is available only in Stanislaus County and Los Angeles County. The requirements for a 30 month DUI Program are alcohol and drug education program for a period of 12 hours, mandatory community service of 120 to 300 hours and also submit to individual one on one interviews on a regular basis.

For information on the relevant statutes and other information about the California DUI School visit http://www.adp.ca.gov. In addition you can also call the DUI Division of the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs at (916) 322-2964 or contact the office at Program Branch, 1700 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95811.