1. Do I automatically lose my driver's license when I get arrested for DUI?
2. If my license is suspended for a DUI, can I get a license to drive to work?
3. What are the major areas of concern in a DUI case?
4. What do police officers look for when they are looking for drunk drivers?
The Georgia DUI, Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program
1. What is a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Course?
2. How do I know the school has been approved?
3. What is the cost of a DUI, Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program?
4. How long is the course?
5. I was 5 minutes late and the instructor would not allow me to attend the class. Can they do that?
6. Can I get a refund from the school if I'm unable to attend the class or if I was denied entrance because I was late?
7. Can I attend a course via the Internet?
8. What is a clinical evaluation?
9. Who has to have a clinical evaluation for license reinstatement?
10. What happens if I have more than one DUI within five years in Georgia?
11. What happens if I have more than one DUI within ten years in Georgia?
12. What happens if I now live out of state and have to clear up my Georgia license?
13. How do I get my license reinstated?
14. What if I lose my Certificate of Completion?
15. If I experience problems with a Defensive Driving School, instructor or course, what can I do?
1. Do I automatically lose my driver's license when I get arrested for DUI?
No. If you have been arrested for DUI act quickly, you have ten days to send a letter to the DMV to preserve your license. Call our office and we can get the ten day letter out for you immediately.
2. If my license is suspended for a DUI, can I get a license to drive to work?
Depending on your criminal and driving record, we can almost always get you a Georgia Occupational Driver’s permit that will allow you to drive to and from work. It will also allow you to drive between locations, if your job requires you to travel as part of your duties.
3. What are the major areas of concern in a DUI case?
- Whether the stop was constitutional,
- Whether the administration of roadside tests was constitutional,
- Whether there was Probable Cause for the arrest,
- How Miranda will play a role in the case with statements and other evidence,
- How the roadside tests were administered,
- The administration of any Breath or Blood Samples given,
- The constitutionality of the search and seizure.
4. What do police officers look for when they are looking for drunk drivers?
According to the DUI Detection training manual published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2004, officers look for anything which may draw their attention to the vehicle (especially at night time) such as,
- A moving traffic violation:
- Weaving across a lane
- Abruptly swerving
- Turning with too wide a radius
- Almost striking an object or other vehicle
- Stopping incorrectly
- Rapid acceleration or deceleration
- Driving on the wrong side of the road
- Slow response to traffic signals
- Slow or failure to respond to officer’s signals
- Stopping in a lane for no apparent reason
- No headlights
- Driving in an area other than a marked traffic lane
- Throwing objects out of the car or other inappropriate behavior such as leaning out of the window or yelling out of the window.
- An equipment violation (burned out tail light or burned out license plate light).
- An expired registration or inspection sticker.
- Any unusual driving actions, such as weaving within a lane or moving at slower than normal speed.
- After the stop, evidence of drinking or drugs in the vehicle itself.
The Georgia DUI, Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program
The Department of Driver Services (DDS) regulates the DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program (RRP) also more commonly referred to as DUI schools. This is an intervention program mandated by law for people convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), possession of illegal drugs, underage possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle, or Boating Under the Influence (BUI).
1. What is a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Course?
A course designed to focus on changing the actual drinking and drug use behavior of the individual. It is required for all those who have received a DUI, BUI or possession of illegal drugs or controlled substance conviction.
2. How do I know the school has been approved?
Click here for a list of approved schools or consult the Yellow pages under Driving Instruction.
3. What is the cost of a DUI, Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program?
The course is composed of two components. Schools must charge $82.00 for the Assessment Component, $190.00 for the Intervention Component and an additional $15.00 Materials Fee. The total cost of the course is $287.00.
4. How long is the course?
The Assessment Component takes most individuals 1/2-hour to one-hour to complete. The Intervention Component class is 20-hours long.
5. I was 5 minutes late and the instructor would not allow me to attend the class. Can they do that?
Yes. Schools are required to deny entrance to any student that is not on time for the beginning of each class or late returning from breaks.
6. Can I get a refund from the school if I'm unable to attend the class or if I was denied entrance because I was late?
Most schools will not issue refunds. They may allow you to attend another class.
7. Can I attend a course via the Internet?
No. DDS only accepts classroom instruction at a certified school for the DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program requirement.
8. What is a clinical evaluation?
The evaluation process designated by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developemental Disabilities, which is used to diagnose an individual's substance abuse and/or dependence and, if indicated, refer the individual to appropriate treatment.. See www.mop.uga.edu for more information.
9. Who has to have a clinical evaluation for license reinstatement?
Effective July 1, 2008, clinical evaluation and possible treatment is required for anyone with two (2) or more DUI convictions in ten (10) years. Refer to www.mop.uga.edu for more information. Note: A court may order clinical evaluation with a first DUI, but court ordered evaluation for a first DUI has no impact on licensing.
10. What happens if I have more than one DUI within five years in Georgia?
You must undergo a clinical evaluation and possible treatment. Refer to www.mop.uga.edu for more information.
11. What happens if I have more than one DUI within ten years in Georgia?
Effective July 1, 2008, clinical evaluation and possible treatment is required for anyone with two (2) or more DUI convictions in ten (10) years. Refer to www.mop.uga.edu for more information.
12. What happens if I now live out of state and have to clear up my Georgia license?
You should contact 678-413-8400 to determine whether the program in the state you are now living is approved and accepted by Georgia.
13. How do I get my license reinstated?
In most cases, you will need to provide the original Certificate of Completion from an approved DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program and a reinstatement fee. Because there may be other outstanding issues, you should contact 678-413-8400 for information specific to your driver license.
14. What if I lose my Certificate of Completion?
You must contact the school you attended and request a replacement certificate of completion. The school will charge $5.00 for the replacement certificate.
15. If I experience problems with a Defensive Driving School, instructor or course, what can I do?
All complaints relating to Defensive Driving Schools or instructors must be made in writing, signed by the complainant and mailed to the address below:
Georgia Department of Driver Services
Regulatory Compliance Division
P.O. Box 80447
Conyers, Georgia 30013