Driving With Care™ - call 651.829.2880 to schedule - is a cognitive-based drinking and driving program for DUI or DWI offenders. The education classes we provide using this specialized curriculum are often court ordered following a driving while impaired citation. Additionally, Driving With Care is also commonly recommended during chemical assessments in Minnesota. The course is comprehensive and covers a range of topics, including: alcohol education, BAC levels, MN state laws, alcohol consumption patterns, and techniques to reduce the risk of reoffending. Classes are offered in person or online using secure video conferencing. One interesting component of the education curriculum is that it is designed for both people who plan on continuing to drink and people who are trying to quit. The adaptable nature of the classes is a key strength to the education.
A distinct strength to the Driving with Care program is that completing this program will ensure that the court or probation office requiring DUI education will accept and recognize this program. Driving with Care is the gold standard for DWI education in Minnesota. In fact, more and more Minnesota district courts are developing policies mandating that when court ordered DUI classes are mandated, a client must complete this cognitive-based education program over a one day DWI class or a DUI course online.
Additionally, probation offices in Hennepin County, Ramsey County , Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Carver County, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections are requiring this education curriculum with greater frequency. Taking Driving with Care with us ensures that your probation agent will accept the DWI education program certificate, which we will submit to them once you complete the program.
Driving With Care™ is comprised of three separate programs. First-time DUI offenders typically are enrolled into level 1 education, unless the offender's BAC is over twice the legal limit then level 2 education is required. Repeat DUI offenders are generally enrolled into level two education or therapy.
Level 1 Education - is a six lesson, 12-hour DUI education program. The program is designed for people who do not have a history of diagnosed alcohol- or drug-disorders. The central purposes of this education are to prevent re-arrest and to prevent future alcohol and other drug related issues by providing alcohol awareness education.
Level 2 Education - is a twelve lesson, 24-hour DUI education course. This program expands upon the foundational information offered in level one education. An added component is several hours dedicated to helping repeat DUI / DWI offenders reduce the risk of falling back into problematic drinking.
Level 2 Therapy - is a twenty-one lesson, 42-hour DUI education course. It is designed for clients with higher levels of alcohol or drug misuse and psychosocial problems related to their misuse who are in need of treatment. The intervention is therefore longer in nature and includes a customized treatment plan.
Here are a few helpful tips to drive safely:
Yes, DUI and DWI classes are offered online via secure video conference, which is also known as telehealth. All that is needed is a smart phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer with a web camera and microphone. Online appointments provide the greatest level of convenience and privacy. Our DUI course is designed so that you can go at your own pace, and to work around your schedule.
Our DWI program is different from traditional court ordered classes. Traditional drinking and driving courses require a person to attend during a predetermined schedule. This can cause a person to be forced into taking time off work and cause hardship. We take pride In accommodating working adults and making the education process as painless as possible.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has released statistics on the rates of DUI and DWI offenses in Minnesota. In 2017, 24,862 motorists were arrested for DWIs, an average of 68 DWIs each day in Minnesota alone. The problem of drinking and driving is all to common place. In fact, one in seven adults in Minnesota has at least one DUI on their record. The majority - 58 percent - of Minnesotans with a DUI or DWI have only a single incident of arrest on record. However, this also means that almost half of people with one drinking and driving arrest will be re-arrested. Due to this common issue of continuing to drive impaired following arrest, Driving with Care was developed to combat reoffending rates. Interestingly, males accounted for over 70 percent of DUI arrests in 2017, outnumbering females nearly 3:1. About half of offenders - 52 percent - are between the ages of 20 to 34.
The Minnesota House of Representatives has published a helpful guide on MN-specific impaired driving laws. First-time DUI offenders are typically charged with a Fourth-Degree misdemeanor DWI, which is punishable by up to 90 days of jail and a $1,000 fine. Minnesota also recognizes aggravating factors that can increase the severity of the crime. The first aggravating factor is having one’s BAC twice the legal limit (0.16) or higher. Second, having a minor child in the car. Third, being arrested for DUI on a cancelled driver’s license due to past DUI arrests. A person who is repeatedly arrested for DUI can be charged with a felony in the state of Minnesota. The sentencing guidelines presume a stayed sentence of 36 months or more for felony level DWIs.