Where do I take DUI school in Palm Beach or Broward County?

"DUI school" is the everyday name for the substance abuse education course and evaluation that Florida requires after a DUI. Every DUI conviction comes with an order to complete "a substance abuse course conducted by a DUI program licensed by the department under s. 322.292," including a psychosocial evaluation (s. 316.193(5), Florida Statutes). The same course is needed to reinstate a license after many suspensions, and it is a condition of the Palm Beach County first-time DUI program. FLHSMV licenses and regulates the programs, and its list is the only official directory. Mr. Mead's approach to DUI charges is on the main DUI defense page.

Which DUI programs does FLHSMV list for Palm Beach and Broward?

The list is FLHSMV's, not a recommendation, and FLHSMV publishes each location's phone number on the same page. It also warns that services and hours may be affected and to check with the provider. Programs and addresses change, so confirm on FLHSMV's page before enrolling. The two Delray Beach locations on West Atlantic Avenue are close to the courthouse described in what to expect at the South County Courthouse in Delray Beach.

How does DUI school work, step by step?

1. Enroll at a program that serves your county. FLHSMV says "you may only attend a DUI program that serves the county of your current residence, the county of your current employment, or the county in which you attend school." Each program collects a $15 state assessment at enrollment (s. 322.293(2)).
2. Take the evaluation. The course includes a psychosocial evaluation, which decides whether the program refers you to treatment (s. 316.193(5)).
3. Attend the classes. Level I is for first offenders and involves at least 12 hours of classroom instruction; Level II is for people with multiple offenses and involves at least 21 hours, in groups that average no more than 15 students (FLHSMV).
4. Complete any treatment. If the program refers you to an authorized treatment provider, finishing that treatment becomes a condition of probation (s. 316.193(5)). FLHSMV says treatment from a provider licensed by the Department of Children and Families is often used with Level II.
5. Get proof of completion. Courts, FLHSMV and the State Attorney's program each ask for proof, so keep the certificate.

When do I need to finish DUI school?

It depends on what the course is for. For a hardship license after a first conviction, FLHSMV says the driver must complete DUI school first; the hardship process is described in a hardship license after a Florida DUI. A driver who waits until the revocation ends must show enrollment or completion, and FLHSMV's DUI questions page says that failing to complete the course "within 90 days after reinstatement will result in cancellation of the driver license until the course is completed." Section 322.291 sets the same 90-day rule for many suspensions and revocations. Under the Palm Beach County first-time program, proof of completing DUI school is one of four pre-conditions to finish within two months, as explained on our page about the Palm Beach County first-time DUI program.

How does DUI school fit with the license decision in the first 10 days?

The course often comes up before anyone has been convicted, because of the license. A driver whose license was suspended at the arrest has 10 days to choose between asking for a review of the suspension and seeking a restricted license, and the restricted-license route asks for proof of enrollment in DUI school. Which route fits depends on the case, and the choice is explained on our page about keeping your license within 10 days of a DUI arrest. Enrolling does not admit anything about the criminal charge; it is a requirement of the licensing process.

The course is also tied to other conditions that often run at the same time. In the Palm Beach County first-time program, DUI school sits alongside community service, the Victim Impact Panel and an ignition interlock, all within two months. After a conviction, a hardship license may also carry an interlock requirement, covered on our page about when an ignition interlock is required. Planning the course, the device and work hours together avoids missing a deadline on one of them.

What changes the answer?

• First or repeat offense. First offenders take Level I; repeat offenders take Level II, and FLHSMV says most Level II students are referred to treatment.
• Where you live, work or study. That decides which county's programs you may use, not where the arrest happened.
• A treatment referral. The referral cannot be waived without an independent psychosocial evaluation by a provider the court appoints, and the court reviews both evaluations (s. 316.193(5)).
• A reduced charge. FLHSMV says that when the court has reason to believe alcohol or drugs contributed to a reckless driving violation, the person "must complete DUI school if ordered by the court." Pleas to reckless driving are discussed in can a Florida DUI be reduced to reckless driving.
• Age. A driver under 21 with an alcohol level of 0.05 or more stays suspended until finishing a DUI program course, as our page on a driver under 21 stopped after drinking explains.

A worked example

For example, a hypothetical Boca Raton resident who works in Fort Lauderdale is arrested for a first DUI in Delray Beach. Because she lives in Palm Beach County and works in Broward County, FLHSMV's rule allows her to enroll in a licensed program serving either county. She enrolls in a Level I course, pays the program's fee and the $15 state assessment, and completes the evaluation, which does not refer her to treatment. She keeps her certificate of completion for the hardship hearing and for court. If the evaluation had referred her to treatment, finishing it would have been a condition of her probation, and a failure to complete it would have been reported to the court and to FLHSMV. The example is invented to show how the rules fit together.

What happens if I do not finish?

If an offender fails to report for or complete referred treatment, or fails to complete the course and evaluation, the DUI program must notify the court and FLHSMV, and FLHSMV "shall cancel the offender's driving privilege," even if the suspension or revocation has otherwise ended (s. 316.193(5)). FLHSMV may temporarily reinstate a restricted privilege once the program confirms the person is back in treatment and has finished the education and evaluation.

Common mistakes people make

• Enrolling at a program in a county where you do not live, work or study.
• Taking an online or out-of-state course without confirming it meets Florida's requirement.
• Waiting for the court date, when the Palm Beach program and a hardship license both need the course early.
• Skipping recommended treatment, which can lead to cancellation of the license.
• Losing the completion certificate.

What to do this week

1. Check FLHSMV's licensed DUI program list for your county of residence, work or school.
2. Ask your lawyer whether enrolling now makes sense for a hardship license or a local program; timing is covered in our first-week checklist after a DUI arrest.
3. Call the program to confirm the next Level I or Level II start date and its fee.
4. Plan for the evaluation and any treatment in your work schedule.
5. Keep every receipt and certificate in one folder.

Frequently asked questions

How much does DUI school cost?

FLHSMV sets by rule how program fees are approved (s. 322.292(2)), so the price comes from the program. The $15 state assessment is collected at enrollment; other state costs are listed on our page about how much a DUI costs in Florida.

Is DUI school the same as the Victim Impact Panel?

No. The Palm Beach first-time program lists them as separate pre-conditions: proof of completing DUI school and proof of completing the Victim Impact Panel.

Can I take DUI school before I am convicted?

Enrollment and completion are often needed before a conviction, for a hardship license or a local program. Whether to enroll early is a strategic decision best made with a lawyer.

Who runs the DUI programs?

FLHSMV says DUI programs are non-profit organizations required to provide drug and alcohol education to DUI offenders, and section 322.292 makes FLHSMV responsible for licensing and regulating them.

Does a refusal case require DUI school?

FLHSMV says a driver suspended for refusing a breath, urine or blood test must show proof of enrollment in DUI school when applying for a hardship license. Section 322.291 requires proof of enrollment in a DUI program course, or an approved advanced driver improvement course, before reinstatement after a refusal suspension.

Does an out-of-state conviction count?

FLHSMV's rules for DUI programs include reciprocity with similar programs in other states or countries (s. 322.292(2)(b)3.). Ask the program and FLHSMV before relying on an out-of-state course.

How can Mr. Mead help?

DUI school is one of the first things a DUI client can do, and doing it at the right time can matter for the license and for local programs. Mr. Mead explains the timing for your case and what proof the court and FLHSMV will expect. Every case is different, and no outcome can be promised. For a confidential conversation, call (561) 362-6677, 24 hours a day.

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