Start with who is asking
A class can be required by a court, as part of a sentence or probation; by a licensing agency, such as a DMV or Secretary of State, before you can drive again; or by a DUI program your case was assigned to. The same words can mean different things depending on who wrote them, so look at who sent the paperwork first.
Words to look for in your paperwork
- “DUI school,” “DUI program,” “alcohol highway safety” or a named program usually means a specific state program.
- “Licensed provider,” or a list of providers to choose from, means only those providers count.
- “Alcohol education,” “alcohol awareness” or “drug and alcohol class,” with a number of hours, usually means an education class.
- “Assessment” or “evaluation” means a clinical interview comes first, and any class or treatment follows from it.
When an online alcohol education class can fit
When a court or probation officer orders an alcohol or drug education class, often after an offense such as minor in possession or an open container, a live online class may be allowed. Schroeder Counseling’s drug and alcohol awareness class is taught live on Zoom by Jennifer Schroeder, M.S., CADC, from $100 for 4 hours to $325 for 16 hours.
Your signed letter of completion is emailed to you the day you finish your required hours, with a certificate ID anyone can check at schroedercounseling.com/verify. Our guide to alcohol awareness classes explains what the class covers.
When it probably won’t
Schroeder Counseling’s class is education, not DUI school or substance abuse treatment. If your requirement comes from a DMV, the Secretary of State, or a DUI school or program, confirm with them before you book, because it may have to be a specific program. The same goes for a treatment order.
In Michigan, getting a revoked license back after an alcohol- or drug-related offense goes through a Secretary of State hearing, which calls for a Substance Use Evaluation on Form SOS-258 rather than a class. See the Michigan license restoration evaluation page.
Often the first step is an assessment
Many DUI cases start with a substance abuse evaluation, and the class or treatment you need follows from its recommendations. If your paperwork asks for an assessment or evaluation, book that first. A substance abuse evaluation with Schroeder Counseling is a one-on-one interview over secure Zoom; our guide to DUI evaluations explains what it involves.
Not sure? Ask before you pay
Call the court clerk, your probation officer, your attorney or the licensing agency, and ask which program they need and whether a live online class counts. You can also call us at (734) 834-6934 to ask what our class covers.