Before you attend your first class, it’s important to read and understand the DUI class attendance rules. These guidelines determine how many absences are allowed, what counts as an excused absence, and how make-up sessions work. Ignoring them can delay your program completion and create unnecessary legal trouble.

Purpose of DUI Classes
California’s DUI education programs are meant to rehabilitate drivers, reduce repeat offenses, and ensure participants meet their legal obligations after a DUI conviction. They combine education, counseling, and group discussions to promote lasting change.

Who Must Attend
Drivers convicted of DUI or sanctioned through a DMV administrative process—whether for alcohol, drugs, or both—are often required to enroll in these state-approved programs.

Program Lengths
The duration of your assigned program will depend on the specifics of your case. First-time, low-BAC offenders might attend a three-month course, while repeat or high-BAC cases can require 18 or 30 months.

Structure and Curriculum
DUI classes typically include lectures on the effects of alcohol and drugs, group counseling sessions for peer learning, and one-on-one counseling for personal assessment. Each component is designed to address different aspects of behavior change.

Strict Attendance Requirements
Attendance is taken seriously. Being late or leaving early may be marked as a partial absence, which counts toward your limit. Unexcused absences can result in dismissal from the program.

Consequences of Missing Classes
If you’re removed for attendance violations, you’ll likely have to re-enroll, pay fees again, and restart the program—delaying license reinstatement and potentially extending probation.

Monitoring and Reporting
Program providers maintain detailed attendance and participation records, sending regular reports to the court or DMV to verify compliance.

The Role of Group Participation
Sharing and listening in group discussions offers insight into the impact of impaired driving and fosters accountability among participants.

Value of Individual Counseling
One-on-one counseling provides an opportunity to address personal triggers—like stress, social influence, or substance dependency—that may have contributed to your DUI.

Benefits of Successful Completion
Completing your program on time fulfills a major legal requirement, often allowing you to regain driving privileges sooner and showing the court your commitment to change.

Long-Term Impact
Many participants find that the education and support they receive have a lasting effect on their lifestyle and driving habits.

Final Perspective
Understanding and following attendance rules from day one ensures a smoother experience, fewer risks of setbacks, and a better chance of completing the program successfully while building safer driving habits.