When an officer stops a person who is driving while intoxicated, or DUI, in Florida, the offender often receives more than court dates and high-priced fines. According to the Florida State Legislature’s Statutes, any driver who has physically been in control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or has registered at unlawful alcohol levels via blood or breath tests is mandated to attend driving school for a specialized DUI program.
Those who are facing a license suspension after losing points due to alcohol-related offenses must attend and pass a class before the courts will reinstate their driving privileges. In addition, a person who is suspected of driving under the influence who refuses to submit to a breath, urine or blood test can be required to attend a DUI course.
If a person has been instructed to install an interlocking device on a vehicle’s ignition and has been found in violation of the requirements, the statute dictates that they can be sent to an instructional program and must successfully complete it in order to retain driving privileges. Failure to do so can result in revocation of the license until the course is passed.
Run by Florida’s Department of Motor Vehicles, the DUI classes for first-time offenders, or Level I classes, include at least 12 hours of instruction. For repeat offenders, a Level II course is required, which includes 20-plus hours of instruction.
However, driving school for DUI offenses costs more than time. Attendees are responsible for the registration and any additional administrative or program-related fees, which can cost hundreds of dollars.
