A New York motorist who is convicted of driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired or drug-related driving offense will have their license suspended or revoked.
In order to obtain a conditional license while suspended or revoked (or conditional driving privilege for those residing out-of-state), a driver must take the Drinking Driver Program. For those who are put on probation, they cannot take the DDP without written permission of the court or their probation officer. Many courts require enrollment in the DDP even if the motorist does not want to get a conditional license.
So what is the DDP?
The DDP is a class designed to reduce personal and property damage losses caused by alcohol and drugs. It costs $75 to enroll and up to $225 to attend. You enroll at your local DMV office.
It is a class where its students explore their arrest and the reason for it. They also learn about making appropriate driving decisions for the future. Participants discuss the social, medical, legal and driver safety issues caused by alcohol and drugs.
The class consists of seven weekly sessions which take 2 to 3 hours each for a total of 16 hours. Some DDP participants are referred for substance abuse evaluation when, for instance, they have two or more alcohol convictions within 10 years, are arrested for a driving and alchol (or drug) charge while enrolled in the DPP, and attend class while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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A similar program has been in effect in Michigan for many years. Overall, there has been a decrease in drunk driving arrests and accidents during this period, but my gut feeling is that this is a result of increased enforcement action and social awareness of the dangers of drunk driving.