California DUI School: Frequently Asked Questions

California DUI School is a program of alcohol education and prevention ordered by courts and/or the California DMV. You must enroll in California DUI school if convicted of a DUI or “wet” driving offense such as:

• Vehicle Code 23152(a), driving under the influence ,
• Vehicle Code 23152(b), driving with a BAC of .08% or higher ,
• Vehicle Code 23140, underage DUI (BAC of .05% or higher) , or
• Vehicle Code 23103.5, “wet reckless.”

DUI education program providers must be licensed by the State of California. There are nearly 500 state-licensed DUI programs in California, administered by more than 230 service providers.

DUI School must be done in person, though the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is allowing certain licensed providers to operate via telehealth. Unlike some states, California does not permit you to complete all of your DUI school online. Contact the DHCS for more information at (916) 322-2964 . 1

Most of these DUI school programs will not allow you to enroll unless you have either:

• An order from the court, or
• A driver’s license suspension notice from the California DMV.

How long is California DUI school? How much does it cost?

The required length and likely cost of a driver alcohol/drug education program depend on your specific DUI offense. The following table summarizes the length and cost of California DUI school for various types of offenses:

Type of Offense /

Approx. DUI school cost

Length /

(Max no. missed classes)

$5,000 (some counties only)

Below, our California DUI defense lawyers answer the following “frequently asked questions” (faqs) about California DUI school:

• 1. How long does DUI school take?
  • 1.1. The twelve-hour DUI school for a “wet reckless” plea bargain
  • 1.2. The twelve-hour underage drinking program
  • 1.3. BAC below 0.20% — the three-month first-time DUI program
  • 1.4. BAC 0.20% or greater or second wet reckless — the nine-month DUI program
  • 1.5. The 18-month second-time DUI offender program
  • 1.6. The 30-month multiple DUI offender program
  • 2.1. Summary of approximate DUI program costs and down payments
  • 2.2. What if I can’t afford my court-ordered
    DUI program?
  • 4.1. Proof of enrollment
  • 4.2. Proof of completion
  • 7.1. Probation violations
  • 7.2. Bench warrants for probation violations
  • 8.1. Military duty
  • 8.2. Out-of-state residents

  1. How long does DUI school take?

  You must attend DUI school regardless of whether you were convicted of, or pled guilty or “nolo contendere” (no contest) to:

  • VC 23152(a) driving under the influence,
  • VC 23152(b) driving with a BAC of 0.08% or greater,
  • VC 23103 via VC 23103.5 “wet reckless” (a commonly negotiated plea bargain from DUI charges), or
  • Any other California DUI offense.

  Below is a brief description of the California DUI programs for various kinds of DUI offenses.

  1.1. The twelve-hour DUI school for a “wet reckless” plea bargain

  If you are convicted of a first-time California “wet reckless” offense, you must complete a twelve-hour DUI program. These are sometimes referred to as SB 1176 programs. 2

  You cannot be arrested for a wet reckless violation. Wet reckless is a reduced offense that results from a DUI plea bargain in California. In essence, you admit to driving recklessly with some measurable amount of alcohol (the “wet” part) in your blood. 3

  The twelve-hour DUI school program for “wet reckless” cases consists of six weekly two-hour classes.

  1.2. The twelve-hour underage drinking program

  The driving-under-the-influence program for minors under 21 with a California DUI is also known as an AB 803 program. It, too, involves six weekly two-hour classes. If you are an underage driver, you will be ordered to complete this 12-hour DUI class if:

  • You are 18-20 years old, and
  • It is your first DUI conviction. 4

  1.3. BAC below 0.20% — the three-month first-time DUI program

  You will be required to attend a three (3)-month DUI education program if:

  1. It is your first DUI or “wet reckless” conviction within a ten (10)-year period, and
  2. Your BAC was below 0.20%. 5

  This three-month class is the most common first-time DUI school and is sometimes referred to as an AB 541 class. It covers you whether you were convicted of DUI of alcohol or DUI of drugs (“DUID”).

  If you are ordered into the three-month DUI program, attendance and completion will be conditions of your DUI probation. The three-month driving under the influence program consists of thirty (30) hours of instruction. 6

  Exact classes and programs vary depending on the provider of the drug/alcohol education program. Though in general, you can expect to attend 10-15 classes. This is usually one meeting per week, for three to four months.

  The typical three-month California DUI program consists of:

  • an enrollment and intake session,
  • 12 hours of education sessions,
  • 18 hours of group counseling, and
  • 3 individual counseling sessions.

  1.4. BAC 0.20% or greater or second wet reckless — the nine-month DUI program

  The judge will order a drunk driving offender to attend a nine (9)-month California DUI school (an AB 1353 program) if you:

  • are a first offender whose BAC was 0.20% or higher,
  • refused a chemical test after being arrested for DUI, 7 OR
  • plead guilty to a wet reckless and have another DUI or wet conviction on your record from within the previous ten (10) years. 8

  The typical nine-month DUI education program involves sixty (60) hours of instruction, which consist of:

  • 6 two-hour education classes (which may be a combination of lecture and film),
  • 22 two-hour group sessions (one every other week),
  • 16 individual interviews (lasting 15 minutes each), and
  • a requirement that you attend 36 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

  1.5. The 18-month second-time DUI offender program

  A second DUI conviction within 10 years of a prior DUI or wet reckless conviction will trigger an eighteen (18)- or thirty (30)-month DUI education program. The 18-month drug/alcohol school program (also known as SB38) is the one required for most second-time DUI offenders. 9

  A judge may also allow some third or subsequent DUI offenders to attend this 18-month DUI school in lieu of the 30-month program described below. In order to qualify for the 18-month DUI program as a third or subsequent offender, you must not have previously completed the 18-month program. 10

  “The 18-month DUI education program includes lectures, group discussions, and videos about California DUI laws and drug and alcohol abuse. There are also therapy sessions, in which instructors encourage drivers to identify any drug and/or alcohol problems. They may also suggest ways to change those behaviors.”

  The repeat-offender 18-month DUI school also includes “community reentry monitoring.” This helps to transition you back into a “normal” life.

  This consists of help moving away from the rigorous California DUI school requirements and into self-help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. During this time, the program provider may also help you with job placement, if necessary.

  Specifically, the 18-month DUI school consists of:

  • 52 hours of group counseling,
  • 12 hours of alcohol/drug education,
  • 6 hours of community reentry monitoring, and
  • bi-weekly individual interviews during the first year of the program. 11

  1.6. The 30-month multiple DUI offender program

  Some California counties authorize a thirty (30)-month multiple offender DUI school (SB 1365 program). If you live in one of these counties, the judge must order you to attend this school if you:

  1. had a particularly high BAC during a second-time DUI offense, or
  2. were convicted of — or pled guilty or no contest to — a third or subsequent DUI offense (with any BAC). 12

  Counties offering a 30-month third and subsequent offender DUI school program are:

  • Los Angeles County,
  • Stanislaus County,
  • San Joaquin County
  • Butte County, and
  • Mendocino County. 13

  You should check with the court, however, as this is subject to change.

  When offered, the 30-month DUI education program requirements consist of:

  • 78 hours of group counseling,
  • 12 hours of alcohol and drug education,
  • 120-300 hours of community service, and
  • regular individual interviews. 14

  

  Attending DUI School is a standard penalty following a DUI conviction.

  2. How much does the program cost?

  2.1. Summary of approximate DUI program costs and down payments

  DUI education program costs vary by provider and location. As an example, the average costs of first-offender DUI programs in Ventura County are:

  • 12-hour program (SB 1176 or AB 803): $367,
  • 3-month program (AB 541): $1,128,
  • 9-month program (AB 1353): $2,488,
  • 18-month program (SB 38): $3,579, and
  • 30-month program (SB 1365): $5,000 or higher.

  A down payment of around $357 to $450 is generally required to enroll in most programs.

  These costs may be different in other areas and are subject to change.

  2.2. What if I can’t afford my court-ordered DUI program?

  Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford your court-ordered DUI school. You may request a financial assessment directly from a DUI program provider. 15

  Reduced fees are based on a sliding scale. If you qualify for a fee waiver, the DUI education program may not:

  • Deny services based solely on your financial status,
  • “Waitlist” you or refer you to another provider because of inability to pay the full rate,
  • Require any fees as a down payment, or
  • If you qualify for general assistance benefits, charge missed class fees of more than $5.00 per month, plus a $5.00 rescheduling fee and/or a $10 school reinstatement fee, if applicable. 16

  You should be prepared to provide a general assistance award letter, or other documentation of income, to your DUI school provider. The program will need to verify your income before it can assess a reduced payment schedule. 17

  3. How can I get to classes if my license is suspended?

  If you are a first-time adult California DUI offender whose driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you may be eligible for a restricted license. To be eligible, you must not have refused a DUI breath test or DUI blood test.

  An “IID restricted license” allows you to drive anywhere as long as you have an ignition interlock device (IID) in the car.

  Alternatively, a restricted license allows you to drive:

  • To and from your place of employment during your course of employment, and
  • To and from DUI school. 18

  Before it will issue any restricted license, the DMV will generally require:

  1. proof of enrollment in DUI school, and
  2. proof of financial responsibility. 19

  Note that you are not eligible for this restricted license if you were driving a commercial vehicle at the time of the offense. 20

  4. How do I show the court and DMV that I am enrolled?

  4.1 Proof of enrollment

  During California DUI sentencing, the judge will order you to show “proof of enrollment” in DUI school within 21 days. Once you enroll, the provider will typically send a proof of enrollment certificate to both the court and the DMV on your behalf. 21

  4.2. Proof of completion

  The judge will also order you to complete DUI school by a specific date. The program provider will provide the court and the DMV with a certificate of completion when you successfully complete the program.

  5. What happens if I miss a class?

  You are allowed to miss a certain number of DUI school sessions. However, you must make up missed sessions before you will be issued a certificate of completion. 22

  If you exceed the permitted number of absences, you will be dropped from the DUI program. 23

  The number of classes you may miss before you will be terminated from a court-ordered DUI education program is as follows:

  • 12-hour program (SB 1176 or AB 803): 2,
  • 3-month program (AB 541): 5,
  • 9-month program (AB 1353): 7,
  • 18-month program (SB 38): 10, and
  • 30-month program (SB 1365): 15. 24

  6. What do the classes consist of?

  California DUI school includes both counseling and education. Most of the counseling will be in a group setting. There will also be some one-on-one interviews.

  The education component consists of education on California DUI laws, drug abuse and “problem” drinking. This education be given in the form of

  • live lectures,
  • videos, and/or
  • group discussions.

  You are not required to participate actively in either the educational components or group counseling sessions of California DUI school. However, you must participate actively during individual interviews.

  You must remain sober

  You are expected to maintain sobriety while participating in a court-ordered DUI education program. If you are suspected of being under the influence in class, the program may:

  • require you to undergo a breathalyzer or other chemical screening, or
  • expelyou from the class and drop you from the program. 25

  You can also be dropped from a California DUI school program if:

  • You are disruptive to the class,
  • You sleep during class, or
  • The instructor believes you pose a threat to the instructor or any other student(s). 26

  7. What happens if I don’t complete the program?

  7.1. Probation violations

  If you are expelled from DUI class, you cannot drive under a restricted license. 27 Driving without a license could subject you to a DUI probation violation.

  Failure to complete a court-ordered DUI program is also a probation violation.

  7.2. Bench warrants for probation violations

  Upon your failure to attend DUI school, the program will inform the judge. 28 The judge will then typically issue a California bench warrant for your arrest. 29

  After the arrest, the judge will set a DUI probation violation hearing. A probation violation subjects you to an additional jail or prison sentence.

  In addition, the DMV will revoke any restricted license and reinstate your original license suspension or revocation.

  8. What if I live out of state?

  8.1. Military duty

  If you must leave for military duty, you may request a leave of absence from a court-ordered DUI education program.

  Upon returning to California, you will be permitted to pick up where you left off. You will still need to complete the required DUI school in order to satisfy probation.

  8.2. Out-of-state residents

  If you are an out-of-state resident arrested for a California DUI--or you plan to move out of state–you must still fight the DUI court case in the county where the incident allegedly took place. If ordered to attend DUI school, the judge may give you a 1650 waiver to take classes in your (new) home state.

  Note that the curriculum for the out-of-state DUI education program must be at least as comprehensive as California DUI school. It must also satisfy the California DMV. If it does not, it may trigger an extended driver’s license suspension in your home state. 30

  Note further that taking care of a conviction with the DMV will not satisfy any requirements imposed by the court. Court and DMV proceedings are two separate matters.

  An experienced California DUI defense lawyer can advise you on the best course of action.

  Additional resources

  For more information on DUI or help with alcoholism, refer to the following:

  1. Alcoholics Anonymous – 12-step program for overcoming alcoholism.
  2. Drunk Driving Overview – NHTSA page on drunk driving statistics and prevention.
  3. Impaired Driving: Get the Facts – CDC fact sheet on impaired driving.
  4. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) – California DMV page on driver license suspension for DUIs.
  5. MADD – Non-profit organization devoted to stopping drunk driving.

  Legal references:

  1. Health and Safety Code 11836.10 HS — Requirement that DUI school be with a licensed provider.
  2. Vehicle Code 23103.5(e) VC – “Wet reckless” plea bargains [California DUI school required]. (“(e) Except as provided in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f), if the court places the defendant on probation for a conviction of Section 23103 that is required under this section to be a prior offense for purposes of Section 23540, 23546, 23550, 23560, 23566, or 23622, the court shall order the defendant to enroll in an alcohol and drug education program licensed under Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 11836) of Part 2 of Division 10.5 of the Health and Safety Code and complete, at a minimum, the educational component of that program, as a condition of probation. If compelling circumstances exist that mitigate against including the education component in the order, the court may make an affirmative finding to that effect. The court shall state the compelling circumstances and the affirmative finding on the record, and may, in these cases, exclude the educational component from the order.”)
  3. Vehicle Code 23103.5(a) VC – “Wet reckless” plea bargains [California DUI school required].
  4. Vehicle Code 23502 VC — Driving-under-the-influence program for minors convicted of DUI.
  5. Vehicle Code 23538(b)(1) VC – 3-month DUI education program for first offenders. (“The court shall refer a first offender whose blood-alcohol concentration was less than 0.20 percent, by weight, to participate for at least three months or longer, as ordered by the court, in a licensed program that consists of at least 30 hours of program activities, including those education, group counseling, and individual interview sessions described in Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 11836) of Part 2 of Division 10.5 of the Health and Safety Code.”)
  6. Health and Safety Code 11837(c)(1) HS — 3-month DUI education program for first offenders. (“The court shall, as a condition of probation pursuant to Section 23538 or 23556 of the Vehicle Code, refer a first offender whose concentration of alcohol in his or her blood was less than 0.20 percent, by weight, to participate for at least three months or longer, as ordered by the court, in a licensed program that consists of at least 30 hours of program activities, including those education, group counseling, and individual interview sessions described in this chapter.”)
  7. Vehicle Code 23538(b)(2) VC – 9-month DUI school for first offenders with 0.20 percent BAC. (“The court shall refer a first offender whose blood-alcohol concentration was 0.20 percent or more, by weight, or who refused to take a chemical test, to participate for at least nine months or longer, as ordered by the court, in a licensed program that consists of at least 60 hours of program activities, including those education, group counseling, and individual interview sessions described in Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 11836) of Part 2 of Division 10.5 of the Health and Safety Code.”)
  8. Vehicle Code 23103.5 (f)(1) VC – 9-month DUI school for repeat wet reckless. (“If the court places on probation a defendant convicted of a violation of Section 23103 that is required under this section to be a prior offense for purposes of Section 23540, 23546, 23550, 23560, 23566, or 23622, and that offense occurred within 10 years of a separate conviction of a violation of Section 23103, as specified in this section, or within 10 years of a conviction of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153, the court shall order the defendant to participate for nine months or longer, as ordered by the court, in a program licensed under Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 11836) of Part 2 of Division 10.5 of the Health and Safety Code that consists of at least 60 hours of program activities, including education, group counseling, and individual interview sessions.”)
  9. Vehicle Code 23542(b) VC – Condition of probation [including DUI school requirement] for second offenders. (“In addition to the conditions specified in subdivision (a), the court shall require the person to do either of the following: (1) Enroll and participate, for at least 18 months subsequent to the date of the underlying violation and in a manner satisfactory to the court, in a driving-under-the-influence program licensed pursuant to Section 11836 of the Health and Safety Code, as designated by the court. The person shall complete the entire program subsequent to, and shall not be given any credit for any program activities completed prior to, the date of the current violation. The program shall provide for persons who cannot afford the program fee pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 11837.4 of the Health and Safety Code in order to enable those persons to participate. (2) Enroll and participate, for at least 30 months subsequent to the date of the underlying violation and in a manner satisfactory to the court, in a driving-under-the-influence program licensed pursuant to Section 11836 of the Health and Safety Code. The person shall complete the entire program subsequent to, and shall not be given any credit for any program activities completed prior to, the date of the current violation.”)
  10. Vehicle Code 23552(c) VC — Probation for multiple DUI offenders, including potentially 18-month DUI school. (“In addition to the provisions of Section 23600 [VC] and subdivision (a), if the court grants probation to any person punished under Section 23550 who has not previously completed a treatment program pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 23542 [VC] or paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 23562, and unless the person is ordered to participate in, and complete, a program under subdivision (b), the court shall impose as a condition of probation that the person, subsequent to the date of the current violation, enroll in and participate, for at least 18 months and in a manner satisfactory to the court, in a driving-under-the-influence [California DUI school] program licensed pursuant to Section 11836 of the Health and Safety Code, as designated by the court.”)
  11. California Department of Health Care Services, An Overview of California’s Driving Under the Influence Program, Nov. 2013.
  12. Vehicle Code 23568( b) VC – DUI school programs for multiple offenders. (“(b)In addition to Section 23600 and subdivision (a), if the court grants probation to a person punished under Section 23566 [third DUI conviction in 10 years], the court shall impose as a condition of probation that the person enroll in and complete, subsequent to the date of the underlying violation and in a manner satisfactory to the court, an 18-month driving-under-the-influence program licensed pursuant to Section 11836 of the Health and Safety Code or, if available in the county of the person’s residence or employment, a 30-month driving-under-the-influence program licensed pursuant to Section 11836 of the Health and Safety Code, as designated by the court…”)
  13. California Department of Health Care Services, An Overview of California’s Driving Under the Influence Program, Nov. 2013.
  14. Same.
  15. 9 CCR 9878-9879 [financial assistance in paying for DUI education programs in California].
  16. Same.
  17. Same.
  18. Vehicle Code 13352.4 VC — Restricted license [including for driving to DUI school].
  19. Same.
  20. Same, subsection (g).
  21. Health and Safety Code 11837.3 (d)(1) HS – Proof of enrollment in driving-under-the-influence education program. (“Any person required to successfully complete an alcohol and other drug education and counseling program [a California DUI school] as a condition of probation shall enroll in the program and, except when enrollment is required in a program that is required to report failures to enroll to the court, shall furnish proof of the enrollment to the court within the period of time and in the manner specified by the court.”)
  22. 9 CCR 9876(c) — DUI School Attendance.
  23. 9 CCR 9876(d) — DUI School Attendance.
  24. Same.
  25. 9 CCR 9874 — DUI Program Participant Sobriety and Behavior.
  26. Same.
  27. Vehicle Code 13352.4(f)
  28. Health and Safety Code 11837.3 (d)(2)
  29. Penal Code 978.5 PC — Bench warrants [including for DUI probation violations such as failure to complete DUI school].
  30. California, like most states, is party to the Interstate Drivers License Compact (DLC). Under this set of laws, participating states agree to treat convictions for DUI similarly, including with respect to DUI education program requirements. See Vehicle Code 15023(a)(2) VC.