All defendants convicted of a DUI in Florida must complete a DUI course from a provider approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). The court will order you to take one of two DUI school programs: Level I for first-time offenders or Level II for offenders with multiple DUIs.
The state designed these DUI programs to educate offenders about the effects of alcohol on driving, help participants assess the nature of their substance abuse problem, and embrace alternatives to drunk driving.
If you were recently arrested or charged with a DUI in St. Petersburg, the team at Goldman Wetzel can assist with your case. For questions about DUI school, getting your hardship license, or legal representation, call 727-828-3900 to schedule your free consultation.
What can I expect with DUI school?
FLHSMV-approved DUI courses are taught by state-certified instructors, involve a standard DUI curriculum, and require a certain number of instruction hours. During the course, you can expect a mixture of lecture, instruction, discussion, and class participation, all with an emphasis on education, evaluation, and empowerment.
The Level I DUI course: The course for first-time offenders includes at least 12 hours of classroom instruction. The class involves a substance abuse evaluation, psychosocial evaluation, and discussions and activities centered around the issues regarding the use of alcohol and drugs. While the fee varies for each school, you can expect to pay between $260 and $290.
The Level II DUI course: The program for DUI offenders with past convictions on their record is more intensive and longer than Level I. This course requires at least 21 hours of classroom time, using primarily interactive educational techniques in a group setting. The maximum class size for a Level II class is 15 participants. The class instruction centers around problems of repeat offenders and their readiness level for treatment. The DUI Level II class fee is around $425.
Where can I attend DUI school?
You must meet in a physical location for the classes (there are no virtual classes). Unless the courts have granted you an exception, you must register for the DUI program in the county where you live, work, or attend school. Most providers offer daytime, evening, and weekend classes to accommodate participants’ schedules.
You will need the following when you register:
- Proof of identification
- Your traffic citation
- A copy of the Arrest Affidavit
- The results of your breath, blood, or urine test or of your refusal to test
- Your court order with the judgment
- Your full driving history
Our attorneys primarily work with defendants in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties. We can help you sign up for the classes in these counties and collect the paperwork you need to register.
For those in Pinellas County, the only approved DUI school is Suncoast Safety Council, Inc., with locations in St. Petersburg and Clearwater. Call 727-442-0233 for registration information.
Hillsborough residents can attend school at DUI Counterattack Hillsborough, Inc. in Tampa. For more information, you can call 813-875-6201.
And those in Manatee or Sarasota County will need to register for school at State College of Florida Traffic Safety Institute in West Bradenton. You can call 941-752-5286, register on the site, or at the campus.
For listings of schools in other counties, visit the FLHSMV DUI School Directory.
Handling Your Legal Matters after a DUI Arrest
Having a DUI on your record can have a very negative impact on your future. If you are still in the early phases of your case, our defense attorneys can step in and try to prevent charges or lessen the penalties.
If you failed or refused the breathalyzer test, you will need to enroll in DUI school and get a lawyer to assist you with getting a hardship license through the DMV administratively. We can help you apply for your hardship license before time runs out. The earlier we intervene, the better.
The administrative, civil, and criminal proceedings for DUIs in Florida are complex and time-sensitive. Our team of determined DUI defense attorneys can walk you through the proceedings and work together to handle everything in the most effective manner possible.
Contact Goldman Wetzel in St. Petersburg today at 727-828-3900 for a free consultation.