Driving Under the Influence Education Program

The Maryland Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Education Program at Beacon of Hope Wellness Center is a State approved alcohol and drug education program to assist individuals with a DUI or Driving While Impaired (DWI) conviction to regain their driving privileges. DUI education services are offered to adolescents and adults, and provided in-person, face-to-face. Our DUI education classes are conducted in a group setting, in which an evidence-based curriculum is used to educate and promote the involvement of participants to assess and change their attitudes, beliefs, and thoughts as it relates to alcohol and other drugs while operating a vehicle or boat. Some of the topics of the DUI Education Program include identifying triggers, making better life decisions, motor vehicle laws and associated penalties, health consequences of alcohol and drug use, and lapse and relapse prevention. The purposes of the program’s group format are to raise participants’ awareness, influence behavioral changes, and encourage and maintain sobriety; thereby, lowering the risk for any future DUI/DWI offenses and/or substance use or misuse problems. A certificate of completion is issued at the course completion.

Our DUI Education Program has two components, Level I and Level II. The first step is to complete an intake, which a staff member completes a brief screening assessment to determine if a potential participant is appropriate for our treatment facility. Before admission into the DUI Education Program, the participant will meet face-to-face with a substance abuse counselor to complete an alcohol and other drugs (AOD) assessment to determine her/his level of care placement. The assessment appointment will take about 90 minutes. The results of the assessment will indicate if the participant is an alcohol abuser or alcohol dependent. If the results of the participant’s assessment indicate a higher level of care, our licensed/certified substance abuse counselor will discuss the matter with the participant and make appropriate referrals for additional mental health services or substance use treatment such as Outpatient (OP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), or inpatient or residential treatment. Our organization offers OP and IOP services. We offer easy enrollment and rolling start dates into our DUI Education Program.

In the State of Maryland, DUI and DWI, are classified by the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC):

  • Driving While Impaired (DWI), BAC of .07 to less than .08
  • Driving While Under the Influence (DUI), BAC of .08 or more
Level I ~ 12-hour Alcohol Education Program (AEP)
  • 2-hour sessions each week for six weeks.
  • The course is conducted in a group setting.
  • The participant does not identify as either an alcohol/drug abuser or alcohol/drug dependent as determined by a thorough alcohol and drug assessment.
  • The participant has no prior offenses, first time alcohol or drug offense, no prior diagnosis of substance abuse or substance dependence, and no other problems related to alcohol and other drugs use or misuse.
  • Parents who have a youth participating in court diversion or juvenile justice programs.
  • Must begin within 90 days from the due date printed in the top right hand corner on your referral letter.
  • The admission process is about 90 minutes, an hour and a half.
  • The cost is $300, payable by money order or certified bank check to Beacon of Hope Wellness Center. No personal checks or cash are accepted. The fee includes the participant workbook.
  • You must come alcohol and drug free for your intake/assessment appointment. If you are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs when you report for your appointment, we will NOT conduct your assessment. If you are on probation, we are required to report the matter to your probation officer and/or attorney.
Level II ~ 26-week is Alcohol Treatment Program
  • 2-hour sessions each week for 26 weeks.
  • The course is conducted in a group setting.
  • The BAC was at the impaired driving level when the participant was arrested.
  • Incorporates the 12-hour AEP curriculum
  • The participant identifies as either an alcohol/drug abuser or alcohol/drug dependent as determined by a thorough alcohol and drug assessment.
  • The participant has been convicted of more than one alcohol or drug-related traffic offense.
  • Parents who have a youth participating in court diversion or juvenile justice programs.
  • Random breathalyzers and/or urinalysis tests.
  • The admission process is about 90 minutes, an hour and a half.
  • The cost is $450, payable by money order or certified bank check to Beacon of Hope Wellness Center. No personal checks or cash are accepted. The fee includes the participant workbook.
  • You must come alcohol and drug free for your intake/assessment appointment. If you are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs when you report for your appointment, we will NOT conduct your assessment. If you are on probation, we are required to report the matter to your probation officer and/or attorney.
What to bring with you at your initial DUI Education Program appointment?
  • Referral letter
  • A photo identification of you like your driver’s license, passport, Military ID or government issued photo identification.
  • A certified, lifetime Maryland MVA driving record and/or Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving record from any state where the participant has previously had a DUI/DWI and /or where s/he currently hold a driver’s license.
  • Notice of citation or suspension
  • Superior or District court order
  • Documentation of chemical test results (breath/blood test-Blood Alcohol Concentration-BAC) or documentation of the refusal to submit to chemical tests
  • A copy of the arrest report
  • Participants who are more than 15 minutes late for this appointment, may be required to reschedule and pay a fifty-dollar ($50.00) missed appointment fee, payable by money order or a certified bank check to Beacon of Hope Wellness Center.

Costs

The cost for the DUI education program is $300 for the 12-hour DUI course and $450 for the 26-week DUI course, payable by money order or certified bank check to Beacon of Hope Wellness Center. No personal checks or cash are accepted. The fees include the participant workbook.

Program Hours

The DUI/DWI education classes take place every Wednesday from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who should attend the 12-hour AEP?

  • Participants presenting with first-time DUI/DWI or similar offenses.
  • Participants needing a 12-hour, DUI approved program.
  • Parents who have a youth participating in court diversion or juvenile justice programs.

Who should attend the 26-week DUI Education Program?

  • Participants who have at least minimal indicators of past problems associated with alcohol and other drug use or misuse and whose arrest BAC was at the impaired driving level.
  • Participants needing a 26-week, DUI approved program.
  • Parents who have a youth participating in court diversion or juvenile justice programs.

Who will facilitate the DUI education group?

We have credentialed and licensed substance abuse counselors to facilitate each group. They are knowledgeable, experienced, compassionate, and nonjudgmental.

How long is my first appointment?

Your first appointment is the admission process, which takes about 90 minutes, an hour and a half. You will sign admission forms, complete an alcohol and drug assessment to determine your level of care placement, and review the guidelines of the program.

Is there a waiting list for the DUI Education Program?

No. All of the DUI education program groups are open-ended; meaning new clients can enter an ongoing group at any time. Each group session will usually have new clients as well as some finishing the program.

Will my insurance cover DUI Education?

No. Most insurance companies do not reimburse for DUI education. You may contact your health insurance carrier for any specific questions. The only form of payment is self-pay, which is due in full at your initial appointment.

Do you offer a sliding fee?

We do not offer any sliding scale fee discounts for the DUI Education Programs.

How do I pay for services?

Payment is expected in full at the time of your first appointment. Please use our online client portal to make an online payment. Our client portal is safe and secure as it uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), an encryption protocol, to protect your payment information. You can make an online payment by check, credit card, or debit card. Payments are processed in real time or on the same day as you make the payment. If you make an online payment on Saturday or Sunday, your transaction is processed the following Monday.

We also accept office payments in the form of a certified check or money order. The certified bank check or money order should be made payable to Beacon of Hope Wellness Center. No personal checks or cash are accepted.

How do I enroll in the DUI Education Program?

Please call our office at (410) 685-2830 to ask any questions you may have or to schedule an intake appointment. Also, you may complete an online referral form requesting DUI Education services, which we will follow-up with you in 1-2 business days.

Our Facility

Driving Under the Influence Education Program

Outpatient Program

Intensive Outpatient Program

Medication Assisted Treatment

Welcome To Beacon Of Hope

An outpatient behavioral health, psychiatric, substance use disorder, and psychiatric rehabilitation provider, which is licensed through the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Since 2018, Beacon of Hope has been awarded the national, gold seal accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF®).

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Baltimore, MD 21217

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