If you are convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI), you may be required to take Dui Classes as part of your sentence. You may also be required to take these classes if you lose your license as a result of failing to comply with implied consent laws in your state. Let’s take a closer look at what it means to drive while under the influence, why courts require drivers to take DUI classes and what happens if you don’t complete a course in a timely manner.

What Is a DUI?

In most states, you are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle if your blood alcohol level is greater than .08%. Commercial drivers may be charged with a DUI if their blood alcohol level is greater than .04% while motorists under the age of 21 may be charged if they have any alcohol in their systems at all.

Generally speaking, consuming one alcoholic beverage increases your blood alcohol level by .02%. However, your weight, gender and the contents of your stomach can influence the exact impact that beer, wine or liquor have on your body. Furthermore, if you have a low tolerance for alcohol, even a single drink may make it unsafe for you to drive.

By the time your blood alcohol level gets to .08% or higher, you will have trouble regulating your emotions, processing information or maintaining control of your body. Ultimately, this increases your risk of speeding or maintaining your lane. It may also make you vulnerable to running red lights or going through stop signs without even knowing what you have done.

Officers will use a number of criteria to determine if you are under the influence of alcohol. For example, physical signs of impairment include bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and difficulty standing. A Breathalyzer test might be used to get a clearer idea of how much alcohol is in your system. A blood draw may also be obtained in an effort to confirm the results of the Breathalyzer test.

What to Know About DUI Classes

DUI classes are designed to be both educational and insightful. For instance, a typical course will go over seemingly mundane topics such as the DUI laws in your state or the signs of impairment. However, you will also learn more about your relationship with alcohol and how it impacts your life and the lives of those around you.

In a typical class, the first thing that you will do is take an alcohol assessment test. The test is designed to determine if you should be labeled as dependent on beer, wine or other intoxicating beverages. If you are found to be dependent on this substance, you may need to take a longer course that is focused on rehabilitation as much as it is focused on education.

Why a Court May Compel You to Take a DUI Class

For a first-offense, a judge may allow you to take a DUI class in lieu of jail time, community service or a fine. If you complete the course in a timely manner, it’s possible that the charge will be dropped or reduced, which will make it easier to get your license back or remain employed.

However, you may be required to take the class if you are convicted of an aggravated felony or have been convicted of misdemeanor DUI in the past. Aggravating factors may include an extremely high blood alcohol level or an accident causing bodily injury or property damage.

How a DUI Class Can Help You

At first, you may agree to take a DUI class because it is the only way to maintain or reinstate your driving privileges. However, you will likely find that such a course can transform your life in a positive way. If your assessment shows that you aren’t dependent on alcohol, you’ll likely only have to take the standard 12-hour class.

This class generally features guest speakers and other interactive activities designed to help highlight the danger of driving while impaired. However, courses for those who are considered to have an alcohol dependency will likely be enrolled in a course that takes up to 30 weeks to complete.

During this time, you’ll learn to identify the triggers that lead to excessive drinking. For instance, you may drink because you’re stressed about paying bills or how you’re perceived at work. You may also drink because it helps you cope with childhood trauma or a traumatic event that happened as an adult such as the loss of a close friend or relative.

In some cases, simply understanding your triggers is enough to overcome the urge to drink alcohol when you’re feeling stressed or anxious. If your trigger was an undiagnosed mental issue such as anxiety, depression or ADHD, taking medication may enable you to manage your symptoms.

At a minimum, understanding your triggers may help you avoid them altogether. For instance, if you get stressed when you pass by the spot where you were struck by a vehicle, you may decide not to travel past that spot whenever possible. If your trigger is a day of the week, month or year, you can think of peaceful activities such as yoga or meditation to take your mind off of your anxiety.

Other possible coping strategies include journaling, going for a run or talking to a therapist. If you enroll in an outpatient rehabilitation program, you may be given a sponsor who you can contact at any time when you’re feeling vulnerable.

You Learn How to Be Accountable

If you take a DUI class seriously, it can provide you with an opportunity to turn your mistake into an opportunity to help others. For instance, if you have friends or family members who are dependent on alcohol, you can use the tools that you were given in class to help them understand that change is possible.

You may also decide to offer yourself as a designated driver to those who may need a ride home. Acting as a designated driver may prevent another person or family from dealing with the pain of losing a loved one. Furthermore, by helping a friend or family member avoid a DUI, you may be saving that person’s family avoid the problems that come when a parent is in jail or a breadwinner is no longer employed.

Make Sure to Take an Approved Course

Your attorney may be able to help you find an approved course provider in your area. The DMV in your area may also be able to help you take a course that is in compliance with state law. Although these courses are often made available online, a virtual course may not qualify for the purposes of getting your license back or otherwise completing your sentence.

The Consequences of Not Taking a DUI Class

Taking a DUI class is typically a requirement of getting your license back after it has been suspended. It may also be a requirement to obtain a provisional license or to prevent your full license from becoming restricted or suspended. Therefore, if you fail to enroll or complete an approved DUI course, your driving privileges will likely be taken away.

It’s also possible that failing to comply with a judge’s order could result in being held in contempt of court. A contempt charge may come with a fine as well as a jail sentence of several days or weeks. Even if you aren’t held in contempt, drawing the ire of the court may make it seem as if you aren’t taking your actions seriously.

If you were given a suspended jail sentence after a DUI conviction, a judge could move to restore the original penalty. Alternatively, failing to take a DUI course might be seen as a violation of your probation, which could also result in jail time or other penalties.

Conclusion

When you are ready to start the journey to sobriety, the folks at Illinois Recovery Center are ready to help. The alcohol detox and rehab center uses a variety of evidence-based programs designed to help you overcome your dependence on alcohol. You can visit our website to learn more about our services or begin the process of enrolling in our program.

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