What Florida requires after a DUI arrest or refusal

If you were arrested for driving under the influence in Florida or refused a breath or blood test, the state requires you to complete a Drug and Alcohol Course before you can reinstate your driving privilege. This is separate from any criminal court outcome — it is a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) requirement tied directly to your license.

The course is not optional, and it is not the same as traffic school. Traffic school (also called a Basic Driver Improvement course) handles traffic violations. The Drug and Alcohol Course is specifically for impaired driving incidents and covers substance abuse education, risk assessment, and intervention strategies. You must complete it even if your DUI charge is later reduced or dismissed, because the arrest itself triggered the requirement.

The length and content of the course depend on whether this is your first offense within a certain timeframe and whether you refused the test. A first-time DUI typically requires a 4-hour course; a refusal or second offense within 5 years may require 8 hours. Some people also need a substance abuse evaluation, which is a separate appointment with a licensed evaluator.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida requires a Drug and Alcohol Course after a DUI arrest or test refusal, and you cannot reinstate your license without proof of completion.
  • The course is 4 hours for a first offense or 8 hours for a refusal or second offense within 5 years, and must be taken at a DHSMV-approved provider.
  • You pay the provider directly — costs range from roughly $150 to $400 depending on the provider and course length, and the state does not set a fixed price.
  • After you finish, the provider sends proof of completion to DHSMV, and you then pay a reinstatement fee (currently $150) to restore your driving privilege.
  • You can take the course online, in person, or in some cases by phone, depending on the provider and your county.

Who must take the course and when

You are required to take the Drug and Alcohol Course if you were arrested for DUI in Florida, regardless of the outcome of any criminal case. The arrest itself — not a conviction — triggers the DHSMV requirement. This means even if charges are dropped, reduced to reckless driving, or you are found not guilty, you still must complete the course to get your license back.

If you refused a breath or blood test during the arrest, you face a separate administrative suspension of your license (not a criminal one), and the Drug and Alcohol Course is part of the reinstatement process for that suspension. A first refusal requires the 8-hour course; a second refusal within 20 years requires a longer program.

The timing matters. Your license is typically suspended when ready after arrest. You can request a hearing to challenge the suspension, but whether you win or lose, you still need the course to reinstate. Most people complete it while the criminal case is pending, so they can restore their license sooner.

Finding an approved provider and course format

The course must be taken at a provider approved by DHSMV. You cannot take it at a random online school or through a general education platform. DHSMV maintains a list of approved providers on its website, organized by county. Search for "DHSMV approved DUI course providers" plus your county name, or call your local DHSMV office for a list.

Approved providers offer courses in multiple formats. Many offer online courses that you can complete at your own pace, usually finishing in one or two days. Some offer in-person classroom sessions on weekends or weekday evenings. A few providers offer phone-based courses, though this is less common. The format does not affect the requirement — all approved courses cover the same state-mandated curriculum and result in the same proof of completion.

When you contact a provider, confirm that they are approved for your specific situation. Some providers offer only the 4-hour course; others offer both 4-hour and 8-hour versions. If you are unsure whether you need 4 or 8 hours, ask the provider or call DHSMV — taking the wrong length means you will have to take it again.

Cost and payment

You pay the provider directly, not DHSMV. The course cost varies by provider and typically ranges from $150 to $400. There is no state-set price, so shopping around can save money. Online courses are often cheaper than in-person classes, though not always. Ask about the total cost upfront, including any materials or testing fees.

Some providers offer payment plans if the full amount is not affordable upfront. A few accept payment through credit card, debit card, or bank transfer; some accept cash only for in-person classes. After you pay and complete the course, the provider issues a certificate of completion at no additional charge.

Do not confuse the course fee with the license reinstatement fee. After you finish the course and DHSMV receives proof, you must pay DHSMV a separate reinstatement fee (currently $150 for a first suspension) to restore your driving privilege. This is paid to DHSMV, not the course provider.

What happens during and after the course

The Drug and Alcohol Course covers Florida's DUI laws, the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving ability, risk factors for impaired driving, and resources for substance abuse treatment. You will likely watch videos, read materials, and answer questions or take a quiz to show you understood the content. Most courses do not involve role-play or group discussion, especially online versions.

At the end, you take a final test. You typically need to score at least 70 percent to pass. If you fail, the provider usually lets you retake it at no extra charge. Once you pass, the provider prints or emails you a certificate of completion with a unique course completion number.

The provider then sends an electronic record of your completion to DHSMV. This usually happens within one to three business days. You can check the status of your license reinstatement on the DHSMV website or by calling DHSMV. Once DHSMV confirms receipt of the course completion, you can pay the reinstatement fee online, by mail, or in person at an DHSMV office to restore your driving privilege.

Substance abuse evaluation and treatment referral

Some people are also required to undergo a substance abuse evaluation in addition to the Drug and Alcohol Course. This is a separate appointment with a licensed evaluator (usually a counselor or social worker) who assesses whether you have a substance abuse disorder and whether treatment is needed.

DHSMV orders an evaluation if your arrest involved certain factors — for example, a very high blood alcohol level, a prior DUI within a certain timeframe, or a refusal. The evaluation is not part of the course; you schedule it separately with an approved evaluator in your area. The evaluator charges a fee (typically $100 to $300) and sends the results to DHSMV.

If the evaluator recommends treatment, you may be required to complete it before your license is fully reinstated. Treatment can range from a few counseling sessions to a longer program, depending on the recommendation. This is a real requirement, not a suggestion — failure to complete it will keep your license suspended.

Timeline and what to expect

The course itself takes 4 or 8 hours depending on your situation. If you take it online, you can finish in one or two days. In-person classes may be scheduled over one or two evenings or a weekend. After you complete it, the provider sends proof to DHSMV within one to three business days.

Once DHSMV receives the proof, you can pay the reinstatement fee and your license is restored — usually the same day or the next business day if you pay online. The entire process from course completion to license reinstatement typically takes one to two weeks, though it can be faster if you pay the reinstatement fee when ready after the provider submits proof.

If you are also required to do a substance abuse evaluation, add another one to two weeks for scheduling and completing that appointment. If treatment is recommended, add whatever time that treatment takes — anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the course before my court date?

Yes. The course is a DHSMV requirement, not a court requirement, so you can take it anytime after arrest. Many people complete it while their criminal case is pending. Finishing the course early does not affect your criminal case, but it does let you restore your license sooner.

What if I move to another state before finishing the course?

You must complete the course in Florida before your license is reinstated, even if you move. Some approved providers offer online courses that you can take from anywhere, so you can complete it remotely. Contact a provider to confirm they will accept an out-of-state address.

Do I have to take the course in the county where I was arrested?

No. You can take an approved course from any provider in Florida, regardless of which county you were arrested in. DHSMV recognizes completion from any approved provider statewide. Choose based on convenience and cost, not location.

What if I fail the final test?

Most providers let you retake the test at no extra charge. You typically have one or two attempts included in the course fee. If you fail multiple times, contact the provider about next steps — some may require you to retake the entire course.

Can the course be waived or shortened?

No. DHSMV does not waive the course requirement or allow shorter versions. The 4-hour and 8-hour courses are the only options, and which one you need is determined by your arrest circumstances, not your request.