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Aggressive Defense of DUI Cases

Sarasota, Bradenton and Key West, Florida

What's All This About DUI School in Florida?

by Tom Hudson 

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One of the more mysterious things about a DUI charge in Florida is the requirement of "DUI School."  For anyone who is charged with, or convicted of, DUI in the State of Florida, DUI School is almost always required.  This is because they get you two ways:  If your license suspension is upheld in your Formal Administrative Hearing, then you must at least be enrolled in DUI School before the DMV will allow you to apply for a  restricted hardship  license. 

Even if your suspension is overturned in your Administrative Review, you will have to show proof of completion of DUI school before the State of Florida will let you get your driving privileges back after a conviction of DUI or Reckless Driving. 

That's it in a nutshell:  To get a limited license before conviction, you must at least be enrolled in DUI School.   To get a limited license after conviction, you must show proof of completion of DUI School.

So what does DUI School involve?

Level I DUI School is a 12-hour class whose goal is to educate drivers about the effects of drugs and alcohol on the process of driving.  During the class, students undergo a one-hour psychosocial evaluation conducted by a certified DUI evaluator, which is designed to identify drivers who are drug- or alcohol-dependent or in danger of becoming drug- or alcohol-dependent.  Teaching tools include lectures, handouts, videos and class discussions, and are often taught from a police perspective, which gives very little attention to niceties like the United States Constitution.  In addition to the effects of drugs and alcohol, the course specifically deals with Florida's DUI and traffic laws, the DUI process in both the courts and the DMV, and drug and alcohol programs available in the community. 

Requirements needed to register for DUI School are:

1. Court order, if the driver has been convicted.
2. Arrest Affidavit or Traffic Crash Report (legible copies).
3. DUI Citation(s) (legible copies).
4. Breath / Blood Alcohol Content reading (BAC).
5. Driver’s License Number.
6. Photo Identification.

The class is normally held in either three 4-hour sessions or two 6-hour sessions, but different providers have different schedules.  If the provider in your county doesn't have a good schedule for you, you may be able to attend DUI School in a different county. 

Level II DUI School is a 21-hour class for second-offenders and those who have previously attended Level I.  If you have ever had a previous DUI arrest, they will likely force you to take DUI School Level II.  Its content is very similar to Level I School, with the same focus on the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving, and the legal process.  More emphasis is placed on recognizing the signs of alcohol dependence.  The registration requirements are the same as for DUI School Level I. 

The cost of Level I DUI School is generally from $230 to $275, and the cost of Level II DUI School is generally from $350 to $400.

 

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