If you are convicted or accept a plea to an alcohol or drug related driving offense, your drivers license or privilege to drive in New York will be revoked. In order to receive a conditional license, or a conditional privilege to drive in NY you will be required to participate in the New York State Drunk Driving Program . (“DDP”.) DDP is a series of seven classes totaling a minimum of 15 hours which are designed to deter future drunk driving, through educating the offender.
By participating in the program, the Defendant is entitled to a conditional license from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The conditional license allows the defendant to:
- To and from work
- If you drive for a living, then the ability to drive during your work hours
- To and from a class or activity which is authorized as part of the program
- To and from school
- To and from probation activities
- To and from DMV
- A 3 hour consecutive day time period
- To and from Medical Appointments (Dr’s note required)
- To and from school to pick up child
Once you receive an Order of Suspension or Revocation from the Department of Motor Vehicles, the notice will indicate where you can enroll in the DDP. You will need to provide an acceptable form of ID with your signature, and pay the program fee of $75.00. After enrollment, you will be required to pay a fee directory to the program. The fee varies but can not be higher then $225.00. If you are referred for further treatment, there will be additional costs due to the offender.
Classroom Session:
You are required to attend all seven weekly classroom sessions. Each session takes 2-3 hours, for 16 hours total. Once you complete all of the classroom sessions, your involvement with DDP will end, unless the program refers you for a formal evaluation.
Formal Evaluation:
Individuals who participate in in DDP are subject to being referred for formal substance abuse evaluation. There can be many reasons for the referral:
- the results of a written self-inventory.
- two or more alcohol or drug-related driving convictions within 10 years.
- an arrest for an alcohol or drug-related driving violation while enrolled in the DDP.
- attending class under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- a request by the student for help with a substance abuse problem, or an admission that the student is currently in treatment.
If you are referred, then you can choose a provider from a list supplied by the DDP. If you do not agreed with the counselors evaluation, you may contact the Director of the DDP and request a second evaluation. You will be stuck with the results of the second evaluation. If the counselor recommends a formal substance abuse program for you – you will be required to complete the program to obtain the conditional license.
After evaluation, you may be required to complete a formal substance abuse treatment program. If you fail to complete required evaluation or treatment, you will be dropped from the DDP and your conditional license will be revoked.
Completion of the Program:
Once you have met all of the requirements of DDP, you will receive a Notice of Completion which will also be sent to the DMV. Depending on the status of your drivers license will depend if your license will be restored of it you need to apply for a new license.
Re-licensing after DDP:
If your original license had been suspended, you must take these steps:
- complete the DDP;
- go to any state or county motor vehicle office to have your license restored;
- pay a $25 suspension termination fee. For a suspension that has an effective date on or after July 6, 2009, the termination fee is $50.
- if your license had been suspended following a violation of the “Zero Tolerance Law,” you must pay a $100 suspension termination fee and a $125 civil penalty;
- and pay any required license fees, such as for license renewal.
If your original license had been revoked, you must:
- complete the DDP;
- bring your DDP “Notice of Completion” (MV-2026) and conditional license to the state or county motor vehicle office that issued the license;
- meet all DMV requirements and criteria for re-licensing;
- and, pay any required license fees such as for license renewal, or for any required skills tests for Commercial Driver Licenses.