IDP/DDP

The Impaired Driver Program

(IDP)

Our program is licensed by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and fulfills both DMV and court mandated training requirements. Classes are held Evenings every Weekday and Saturday mornings at our Brooklyn , Staten Island & Queens Locations

To enroll you must first register at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV Code # 8500).

Visit the Contact Us page for details or call

1-888-482-0055 for more information.

IDP Information - (718) 984-1984

The Following Information is taken from The NYS DMV Website Here.

What happens if I am convicted of an alcohol or drug-related violation in New York State?

If you are convicted of an alcohol or drug-related driving violation, your license or privilege to drive in New York State will be revoked or suspended. However, you may be eligible for a conditional license or a conditional driving privilege if you participate in New York State’s Impaired Driver Program (IDP) (previously known as Drinking Driving Program (DDP) or an approved out-of-state program.

Your “Order of Suspension or Revocation” from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will indicate a nearby state or county motor vehicle office where you may enroll in the Impaired Driver Program and apply for a conditional license/privilege, if applicable.

Your license suspension or revocation officially begins at your hearing or sentencing in court, unless the court gives you a “Continuation of Driving Privileges” (MV-1192). Your credit for serving the suspension or revocation begins on the effective date of the order. If you receive a “continuation,” your suspension or revocation will begin 20 days after sentencing

It is a criminal offense to drive a motor vehicle while your license is suspended or revoked. If you are convicted of driving under suspension or revocation, you may be fined and you may be sentenced to jail and/or probation. In addition, the police may impound the vehicle you were driving when arrested.

If you are placed on probation because of this conviction, you also must bring written permission from the sentencing court, or your probation officer, that allows you to apply for a license.

Driver Responsibility Assessments

If you are convicted of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) or Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, or if you are found to have refused to submit to a chemical test, you will be required to pay a driver responsibility assessment each year for the next three years. For more information, see Pay driver responsibility assessment.

Participation in the Impaired Driver Program (IDP) will not prevent, reduce, or delay fines, fees, or penalties imposed under the driver responsibility assessment program.

Before you decide not to participate in the Drinking Driver Program,

Please read "If You Do Not Participate."

About the Program

The Impaired Driver Program (IDP) (previously known as Drinking Driving Program (DDP)) is part of New York State’s effort to lessen the incidence of injury, disability, and fatality that results from alcohol and other drug related motor vehicle crashes, thereby reducing the risk of re-offense for an impaired driving offense.

Participants in the IDP will receive an in-depth education regarding high-risk alcohol and other drug choices to assist them in identifying and changing high-risk behaviors. Multimedia presentations and guided discussion increase participants’ motivation to change behavior to protect what they value most in life. Individual and group activities are completed using participant workbooks. Participants also complete a preliminary screening designed to identify risk factors for a substance abuse disorder. Individuals found to be at risk for a substance abuse disorder will be referred for a comprehensive clinical assessment and referral to treatment if warranted.

If you are licensed in another state or a province of Canada, see Out-of-State Options for IDP Entry.

CLASSROOM PHASE

As an IDP participant, you must attend all seven weekly classroom sessions. Each session takes 2 to 3 hours for 16 hours total. When you satisfactorily complete the classroom sessions, your involvement in the IDP will end, UNLESS the program refers you for formal assessment and any resulting treatment.

SCREENING AND REFERRAL

IDP participants may be referred for a formal substance abuse assessment by a NY State court, the Department of Probation or the IDP. IDP referrals can result from

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 IDP
attending class under the influence of alcohol or drugs or reasonable suspicion thereof
a written request by the participant for help with a substance abuse problem

If you are referred for assessment by an IDP, you must choose a provider approved by the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). You can find a list of approved providers at the OASAS website. If you are not satisfied with the results of the assessment, you may ask the IDP course provider for a second assessment. However, you must accept the findings of the second assessment.

After assessment, you may be required to complete a formal substance abuse treatment program. If you fail to complete required assessment or treatment, you will be dropped from the IDP and your conditional license will be revoked.

In some instances you may be referred for assessment by a NY State court or probation office prior to enrolling in the IDP. If the assessment results in a determination that treatment is required, you must complete the treatment before the IDP will provide a completion certificate. It is important to understand that regardless of the referral source (IDP, NY State court or a probation office), if the assessment determines that treatment is required, you must complete the treatment in order to complete the IDP.

COMPLETION

The IDP will provide you with a “Notice of Completion” when all program requirements have been met. This information will also be electronically transmitted to DMV. Depending on your license status and driving record, your license may be restored or you may become eligible to apply for a new license. Your eligibility will be affected if

you have two or more alcohol/drug related driving violations on your driving record
your conditional license is under revocation
you were under 21 when the alcohol or drug-related driving violation occurred
you refused an alcohol or drug test on the date of the violation
you committed the alcohol or drug-related violation while operating a commercial motor vehicle

DROPS, RE-SENTENCING, RE-ENTRY

You will be dropped from the IDP and lose your conditional license if you

do not attend class, any required assessment or treatment, or
do not otherwise satisfactorily participate in the program, or
do not pay the program fees

If you are dropped from the IDP, you must obtain consent from the IDP director before re-entering. A re-entry fee of $50 is required, payable to the IDP. Drops reported to the DMV will result in the revocation of your conditional license/driving privilege. Participants can only be re-issued a conditional license one time.

If you are dropped from the IDP for more than 90 days and want to re-enter to obtain a conditional license and complete the course, you must start the entire seven week course over and pay the course fees again.

At the time of sentencing, the court may issue you a conditional discharge (CD) that requires IDP completion. The DMV will notify the court if you do not enroll in the program, or are dropped from it. The court then may call you in for re-sentencing.

PROGRAM FEES

When you enroll in the Drinking Driver Program, you must pay the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) a non-refundable fee of $75. Other fees also may be required in certain cases. Checks or money orders must be made payable to the "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles."

After enrollment, you also must pay a fee directly to the agency that will conduct your IDP classes. The maximum IDP enrollment fee is $235, payable to the program you attend. Motor vehicle staff will tell you the exact fee and who to pay. Payment is expected when you attend the first class. There will be additional fees if you transfer to another IDP or apply to re-enter a program you have been dropped from.

During the IDP course, you may be referred to a DMV recognized health care provider for formal evaluation and, if necessary, any resulting treatment. If formal evaluation or treatment is needed, you will have to pay additional fees to the agency that provides those services.

The Conditional License

NOTE: The limitations for using a conditional license, and the reasons for its revocation, also apply to conditional driving privileges issued to participants licensed in other states.

Where and When you may drive

A conditional license is not valid for driving a taxicab or any motor vehicle that requires the driver to have a Commercial Driver License (CDL).

If you receive a conditional license, it is valid to drive only:

to and from work, and during work if driving is part of your job.
to and from a class at an accredited school or college.
to transport your child to and from a child care facility or school when necessary to maintain your employment.
to and from DDP classes and any required evaluation or treatment.
to and from a state or county motor vehicle office for business related to your conditional license
to and from court-ordered probation activities.
to and from medical examinations or treatment for you or a member of your family, as certified in writing by a physician.
during the three-hour weekly period listed on your conditional license attachment.

If your job or school changes location, you must immediately notify the DMV. To do this, complete a "Conditional License-Privilege Attachment" (MV-2020, available at most motor vehicle offices), and submit it to a state or county motor vehicle office.

Conditional License Revocation

Your conditional license will be revoked if you are convicted of violating any condition listed in "Where And When You May Drive" or of any moving violation, including those concerning cell phones, seat belts, or child safety seats or systems. After the conditional license is revoked, you may continue to attend the Drinking Driver Program, but you must not drive under any circumstances. If you are over 21 years old and complete the program without additional convictions, your full license will be restored at the end of the program. If you are under 21 and your conditional license is revoked, you must serve a one-year revocation even if you complete the DDP.

Your conditional license also will be revoked if you are convicted or found guilty of any additional alcohol or drug-related violation, or any other violation or incident that usually results in license revocation. If your conditional license is revoked you may continue to participate in the DDP without driving, but you will not be re-licensed immediately after you complete the program. The DMV will consider your re-licensing only after you have completed the DDP and have served any required revocation period. You must turn in the revoked conditional license to a state or county motor vehicle office to receive credit toward the revocation period.

If you are dropped from the Drinking Driver Program, your conditional license will be revoked. If this occurs, your original license suspension or revocation will be reinstated for its full length.

You must turn in your conditional license immediately upon receiving a revocation order. If you wait, your return to full license status may be delayed.

Re-Licensing after IDP

You may be eligible for full non-CDL (non-commercial driver license) driving privileges after you complete the IDP, all recommended formal evaluations, and any resulting treatments. Your CDL (Commercial Driver License) or commercial driving privileges will remain suspended or revoked until the end of the original suspension or revocation. After the end of the CDL suspension or revocation, you must go to a motor vehicle office to apply for restoration of your CDL or commercial driving privileges.

If your original license had been suspended, you must take these steps:

Complete the IDP;
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 IDP;
Bring your IDP "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.

Note: Re-licensing after revocation is not automatic. DMV must review your application.

OUT-OF-STATE IDP PARTICIPATION

DDP Participation

Out of State Issues - IDP Entry

Most IDP participants are New York State licensed drivers convicted of alcohol or drug-related driving offenses that occurred in New York State. To participate in the IDP, those drivers should follow the instructions previously described in this publication.

The situation of other drivers may fit the "out-of-state" Circumstances described in "Out-of-State - IDP Participation." Proof of alcohol or drug-related conviction is required. For more information, contact the DMV Driver Improvement Adjudication Unit (DIAU).

If you do not participate

If you are eligible to participate in the Impaired Driving Program and you choose not to participate, you will not be eligible again for the program or a conditional license for the next five years. Under some plea-bargain agreements, the court may order you to participate even if you already had attended the IDP within the previous five years. However, you will not be eligible for a conditional license.

Note the effective date on your "Order of Suspension or Revocation" (MV-110.1L). Unless you already have turned in your license to the court, you must turn it in to a DMV office or a county motor vehicle bureau by this date.

If you do not participate in the IDP, your license suspension or revocation officially begins at your hearing or sentencing in court, unless the court gives you a "Continuation of Driving Privileges" (MV-ll92). Your credit for serving the suspension or revocation begins on the effective date of the order. If you receive a "Continuation," your suspension or revocation will begin 20 days after sentencing. You must then turn in your license at a motor vehicle office, unless it has already been taken by the court. If your license is missing, contact a state or county motor vehicle office for guidance about what to do.

It is a criminal offense to drive a motor vehicle while your license is suspended or revoked. If you are convicted of driving under suspension or revocation, you will be fined at least $500, and you will be sentenced to jail or probation. In addition, the police will impound the vehicle you were driving when arrested.

Re-Licensing for Non-Participants

New York State Licensed Drivers: If your driver license is suspended, it will be restored after the end of the suspension period and payment of the suspension termination fee. You may pay the fee at, or mail it to, any state or county motor vehicle office. You may also mail it to the DMV Driver Improvement Adjudication Unit (DIAU).

If your driver license is revoked, you must apply directly to the DIAU for a new license, and pay a non-refundable re-application fee of $100 and any other license fees. If the effective date of the revocation was before July 6, 2009, the re-application fees is $50. Your application cannot be approved before the minimum revocation period is served, but the DMV will accept it for review up to 45 days before the revocation ends. If you are placed on probation, you must present written permission (also called, "probation clearance") from the sentencing court or your probation officer.

If your CDL and non-CDL driving privileges are both revoked, you may apply to the DIAU at the end of the non-CDL sanction for restoration of your full non-CDL privileges. Then, at the end of the CDL revocation, you may apply at any motor vehicle office for the restoration of your CDL privileges.

If your driving record contains two or more alcohol or drug-related incidents in 10 years, the DMV requires written evidence, before your application will be considered, that substance abuse treatment is not required or has been successfully completed. See "Information About Evaluation and Treatment Providers".

If your license is revoked for a second "Zero Tolerance Law" violation (driving after consuming alcohol, under age 21), the reapplication fee is $100, and you must pay a $125 civil penalty. You must also pay a civil penalty fee of $300 ($750, second offense) if you had refused to submit to a chemical test at the time of arrest.

You must submit a completed "Application for Driver License" (MV-44), available from the DMV Internet Office, a DMV Call Center, or any motor vehicle office. Payment must be by check or money order only, payable to the "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles." Mail your application and payment to:

Driver Improvement Adjudication Unit

Department of Motor Vehicles

6 Empire State Plaza

Albany, NY 12228

Phone: 1-518-474-0774

The DMV will review your driving record and notify you by mail whether your application is approved or denied. If approved, you must bring it to a state or county motor vehicle office for processing. You may be required to pass qualifying tests. After your license is issued, you must serve a six-month probationary period.

For Drivers Licensed Outside New York State:

After you complete your period of suspension or revocation, you may request the restoration of your New York State driving privilege. Send a letter requesting restoration to the DMV Driver Improvement Adjudication Unit (DIAU). Your letter should include your full name and date of birth. Also enclose a check or money order of $25 for the restoration fee, payable to the "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles." You must not resume driving in New York State until the DMV notifies you, in writing, that your driving privilege has been restored.

Driver Responsibility Assessments

In addition to paying any fines, fees, penalties and surcharges authorized by law, you must pay a "Driver Responsibility Assessment" for certain violations that result in a conviction or administrative finding. Your learner permit, driver license, or driving privileges will be suspended if you do not make these payments.

Participation in the Impaired Driver Program (IDP) will not prevent, reduce, or delay any fines, fees, or penalties imposed under the driver responsibility assessment program. The most recent information about the "Driver Responsibility Assessment" program is available from the DMV Internet Office.

Information about Evaluation and Treatment Providers

A driving record with two or more alcohol or drug-related incidents occurring within a ten-year period establishes a history of alcohol or drug abuse as defined in Part 136.1(b)(3) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

If your license, learner permit, or privilege to drive in New York State has been revoked and your driving record contains a history of such alcohol or drug abuse, at the end of your revocation period, an application for a new driver license, learner permit or clearance of your NYS driving privileges cannot be approved until you show proof that you have completed alcohol or drug rehabilitation. Acceptable proof of alcohol or drug rehabilitation must be submitted on DMV form DS-449 "Alcohol and Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Program Summary"; and, include evidence that you have had an alcohol or drug evaluation within one year from the date you reapply, and that: 1) treatment was not recommended; or 2) that you have successfully completed all stages of an alcohol or drug treatment program, and that no further treatment is necessary.

The letter or Order of Suspension or Revocation you received from DMV regarding your alcohol/drug conviction provides information about your eligibility to participate in the New York State Impaired Driving Program (IDP). Successful completion of the IDP may satisfy the rehabilitation requirement described above. However, if you choose not to participate in IDP, or if you are not eligible to participate in IDP, you can find acceptable evaluation and treatment providers within and outside of NYS by accessing the NY State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) website at DWI Screening and Assessment Information.

If you choose an alcohol or drug evaluation/treatment provider, the provider must appear on the listing. A provider will not be accepted unless they have been approved by OASAS. To get on this approval list the provider must contact OASAS at 1-800-482-9564 for instructions.

If the provider is found on this site, and does not have the DMV form DS-449 "Alcohol and Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Program Summary", they may contact Driver Improvement Bureau, Receiving and Control Unit, Room 220, 6 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12228, fax: 1-518-402-2991, to obtain this form.

Any Federal Department of the Interior or Department of the Secretary program, conducted on military bases would be deemed acceptable.

If you do not have access to the Internet and would like a copy of the acceptable providers mailed to you, please call 1-800-482-9564.

EVIDENCE OF COMPLETING REHABILITATION FROM PROVIDERS WHO ARE NOT ON THE WEBSITE OR PROVIDER LISTING WILL BE ACCEPTED OR REJECTED BY THIS DEPARTMENT AFTER A REVIEW OF THE PROVIDER'S QUALIFICATIONS BY OASAS.

Please take this notice to the agency conducting your evaluation.

NOTE:Participation in ONLY a Detoxification Program or in an Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous Program will NOT be accepted as evidence of rehabilitation.

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