DUI School in Tampa

After an arrest for DUI, contact an attorney before you enroll in DUI school. If you are challenging the administrative suspension of your driver’s license, you do NOT need to immediately enroll in DUI school to get a 42-day driving permit.

Suppose the administrative suspension is not invalidated at the formal review hearing. In that case, you must enroll in DUI school before you qualify for hardship driving privileges or reinstatement after an administrative suspension.

If you enter a plea to DUI, then the judge in Hillsborough County, FL, is required to order you to complete DUI school as a condition of probation. You might even be required to attend DUI school as a condition of probation if your charge is reduced to reckless driving.

DUI Counterattack, Hillsborough, Inc., is the only DUI school certified by the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for Hillsborough County, FL.

Anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Hillsborough County, FL, can attend DUI school at DUI Counterattack, Inc., even if the DUI occurred in another county. You can register online, by mail, or in person.

The required documents include the Arrest Affidavit/Crash Report, Breath, Blood or Urine Test Results, Full Driving Record, and Picture ID.

Attorney on DUI School in Tampa, FL

If you were arrested within the last ten days, do NOT apply for an immediate hardship license during a waiver review hearing until after you have spoken to an attorney.

An attorney can explain why it might be better to demand a “FORMAL review hearing.”

When you demand the formal review hearing, your attorney can pick up your forty-two (42) day permit so you can keep driving to work and school while the attorney fights the administrative suspension.

The formal review hearing at the Bureau of Administrative Review (BAR) office is the most important part of your case. It allows your attorney to question all of the witnesses against you and lock them into their story.

That testimony can later be used in your criminal case.

Don’t just waive all your rights and stipulate to the administrative suspension without talking to an experienced DUI defense attorney about a much better alternative.

We wrote this article to explain how and when to complete DUI school. If you live or work in Hillsborough County or attend school there, then you can attend the classes with the DUI Counterattack, Hillsborough, Inc., in Tampa.

Call 813-250-0500 today.


What is DUI Counterattack, Hillsborough, Inc.?

DUI Counterattack, Hillsborough, Inc., is a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. User fees support the organization.

With offices in Tampa and Brandon, users can register online, in person, or by mail. Classes are available seven days a week. Classes can be scheduled during the day, at night, or on weekends.

Incorporated in 1971, DUI Counterattack was licensed by the Supreme Court of FL from 1971 – 1993. Since then, DUI Counterattack has been licensed by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV).

Under F.A.C. 15A-10, the regulations include the certification of staff, the standardized curriculum & evaluation, and the course fees and forms.


Should I Enroll in Level I or Level II DUI School?

If you have a prior arrest for DUI that resulted in either an administrative suspension, a conviction, or a requirement that you complete DUI school, then a new DUI arrest means that you must enroll in Level II DUI School.

This requirement exists even if the authorities in Florida don’t realize you have a prior DUI arrest.

The rule provides that attendance in Level II DUI School “shall be determined if the person has previously attended the Level I class or has been convicted two or more times of an offense requiring DUI program attendance.”

If attending in pre-conviction status, attendance at Level II will be made if Level I has already been completed.

Suppose a client is convicted of another offense while attending the Level I program. In that case, he must complete both the Level I and a Level II program before receiving a certificate of completion.

A second evaluation shall be conducted if the client was not referred to treatment due to the first evaluation. The course shall be taught using primarily interactive educational techniques in a group of an average of 15 people.

When you schedule your evaluation, make sure you bring the following information:

  • a copy of the breath/blood alcohol or urinalysis results or documentation that it is unavailable, or documentation of refusal;
  • proof of social security and/or driver license number and/or picture identification;
  • a copy of your probable cause/arrest affidavit and/or traffic crash report or documentation that it is not available;
  • original official full driving record (dated within 30 days of your enrollment.

The administrative rules for DUI Schools in Florida are found in Rule 15A-10.025, which provides the following:

  1. The standardized Level II curriculum shall be used. It shall be a minimum of twenty-one (21) hours in length. Modifications cannot be used unless approved by the Department utilizing the Criteria Checklist for Level II Curricula, HSMV Form 77049, incorporated by reference in Rule 15A-10.043, F.A.C.
  2. The total time for breaks made available to students shall not exceed one hundred forty (140) minutes per twenty-one (21) hours of the Level II course.

90-Day Rule for DUI School

All of the following requirements for the DUI School Program must be completed within 90 days of your original enrollment date:

  1. You must complete all of the enrollment paperwork;
  2. You must complete the appropriate mandated DUI education program;
  3. You must complete a substance abuse evaluation with a State certified evaluator;
  4. You must complete any follow-up substance abuse treatment recommended by the State certified evaluator and show proof of intake.

Suppose you fail to complete any of the above-mentioned requirements within 90 days. In that case, you must re-enroll in the program again, complete the entire program again and pay, and program fees to avoid certain consequences to your driver’s license.


Failure to Complete the DUI Program Requirements

If you are convicted of DUI and fail to complete the DUI program, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) may cancel your driving privileges.

Even if your Florida driver’s license has been reinstated after a DUI conviction or a failure to complete the substance abuse treatment as recommended by the certified Evaluator, your reinstated driver’s license may be canceled under Florida Statute 322.291.


Hillsborough County DUI School Counterattack

Tampa DUI Counterattack School Location
4711 North Hubert
P.O. Box 151351
Tampa, FL 33684
Phone: (813) 875-6201
Fax: (813) 876-0648

Registration Hours:
Mon & Tues: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Wed, Thurs, & Fri: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Select Saturdays: 8:30am to 12:00pm

Plant City DUI Counterattack DUI School Location
2102 N. Park Road ( Citrus Room )
Plant City, FL
[Evaluations and registrations are held in Brandon Office, while the classes are held at the Holiday Inn Express in Plant City]

Brandon DUI Counterattack DUI School Location

1063 E. Brandon Blvd.
Tel: (813) 571-4040
Fax: (813)571-4035
Registration Hours:
Mon, Wed, & Thursday: 9:00am to 5:00pm

How Much Does it Cost to Enroll in Level I DUI School?

Tampa DUI School (After First DUI Arrest) – The new enrollment cost is $268. Previously, the enrollment costs were $233.00.

The Level I course is for first-time offenders and requires at least 12 hours of classroom instruction with interactive and didactic educational techniques.


How Much Does it Cost to Enroll in Level II DUI School?

Tampa DUI School (After Second or Subsequent DUI Arrest) – The new enrollment cost is $413. Previously, the enrollment costs were $363.00.

The Level II course is for persons with a prior DUI. The Level II DUI School in Tampa requires at least 21 hours of classroom time, focusing primarily on interactive educational techniques in a group setting. The average class size may not exceed 15 students.

Level II DUI School in Hillsborough County focuses on issues confronting the repeat offender. The class also prepares the student for treatment which is typically required for students in the Level II DUI program.

Placement in Level II does not replace substance abuse treatment.


Requirements for the DUI School Evaluation in Tampa, FL

Anyone required to enroll in DUI School must also complete a substance abuse evaluation. The purpose of the substance abuse evaluation is to determine whether you have a possible drug or alcohol abuse problem and to refer you to follow-up abuse counseling if deemed necessary. Additional fees for follow-up counseling are required.

When you appear for the evaluation, you must bring the following documents. If you fail to bring the following documents, you will be required to reschedule the appointment (and pay a rescheduling fee):

1. Copy of the arrest affidavit and/or traffic crash report;

  • Arrest affidavits are provided at no charge at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Hillsborough County.
  • Out of County or Out of State DUI Arrest – You must contact the court in the county or state you were arrested in or the arresting agency for arrest documents such as the arrest report or citation.

2. Current official full driving record from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV);

  • keep in mind that “current” means that the original driving record must be dated within 30 days of your enrollment;
  • the driving record cannot be obtained via a third party provider or internet source; and
  • individuals with out-of-state licenses must obtain a full official driving record from that state); and

3. Copy of the results of your breath test, blood test, and/or urinalysis results.

  • You can contact your attorney, the arresting agency, or the hospital for the results of your blood test or urine screen. If the results are unavailable, your attorney can write a letter stating that the results have not yet been provided through the discovery obtained from the prosecutor.
  • In some cases, the results are never provided if the charges are dropped or if the case is resolved before the test results come back (especially when the defendant refuses to waive his right to a speedy trial).

You will not receive a certificate of completion until these documents are received (or you must submit proof that the listed documents are not available in your particular case).

If your test results are invalid, you must re-take the test within five (5) business days of your substance abuse evaluation appointment.


Standards for Licensing DUI Programs in Florida

Rule 15A-10.001 explains the standards for licensing Driving Under the Influence programs in Florida, certifying personnel, and regulating the conduct of these programs and courses by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles under Sections 322.292 and 322.293, F.S.

Compliance with these rules is required to obtain and maintain licensure and certification by the Department.


What is Required for Level I DUI School in Florida?

As explained in Florida Administrative Code 15A-10.024, the Level I DUI course must include behavioral objectives for the students, at least 12 hours of classroom instruction, including didactic and interactive educational methodologies, and not less than two hours of drug abuse information.

For Level I DUI schools in Florida, the classes are limited to an average attendance of thirty (30) students, not to exceed thirty-five (35) enrollees. The course shall have a curriculum consisting of the following elements:

  1. Orientation.
  2. Definition of the DUI problem.
  3. Law enforcement role.
  4. Judicial role.
  5. Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles role.
  6. Physiological effects of alcohol and other drugs on the body and their relationship to the driving task.
  7. Sociological effects of alcohol and other drug abuse.
  8. Causative factors underlying alcohol and other drug abuse.
  9. Community treatment services.

What is Required for Level II DUI School in Florida?

For the Level II DUI school, the classes must be for a minimum of twenty-one (21) hours in length. The person must attend Level II DUI school instead of Level I DUI school if the person has previously attended the Level I class or has been convicted two or more times of an offense requiring DUI program attendance.

If attending in pre-conviction status, attendance at Level II will be made if Level I has already been completed. If a client is convicted of another offense while attending the Level I program he must complete both that Level I and a Level II program before receiving a certificate of completion.

A second evaluation shall be conducted if the client was not referred to treatment due to the first evaluation. The Level II DUI course must be taught using primarily interactive educational techniques in a group of an average of 15 people.

Under the reciprocity provision of Rule 15A-10.003, F.A.C., the DUI programs recognized, approved, licensed, or certified by another state or country’s driver license authority shall be recognized by the Department as being similar to the Driving Under the Influence program in this State.


Florida’s Certification Requirements for the DUI Evaluator and Instructor

Florida law imposes the following certification requirements for the DUI evaluator:

  • a bachelor’s degree in human services, nursing, or a doctorate degree in medicine;
  • a minimum of 4,000 hours of experience in one of the fields listed above;
  • completion of 20 hours of pre-service training provided by DHSMV and 24 hours of DHSMV approved training biennially to maintain certification.

Florida law imposes the following certification requirements for a DUI instructor:

  • a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in human services, criminal justice, adult or secondary education, traffic safety, nursing, or a doctorate degree in medicine;
  • a minimum of 4,000 hours of experience in one of the fields listed above;
  • completion of 20 hours of pre-service training provided by DHSMV and 24 hours of DHSMV approved training biennially to maintain certification.

In addition to Level I requirements, Level II Instructors must also:

  • Document 252 hours of clinical/therapeutic group experience; and
  • didactic experience must be in a substance abuse or mental health setting.

Additional Resources

Safety First Traffic School – DUI Counterattack Hillsborough – Find out more about many certified traffic safety classes offered, including Tampa Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDI) (may keep points off a Florida driver’s license after being issued a traffic ticket), Tampa Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education Course, Tampa Traffic Collision Avoidance Course (TCAC) (for Florida driver’s cited with either any traffic offense involving property damages of $500 or with any two (2) traffic crashes within any two (2) year period.

Licensed DUI Programs in Florida – Visit the website of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to learn more about the Florida DHSMV’s Bureau of Motorist Compliance and DUI Programs. Find a list of licensed DUI programs listed by county. Under Rule 15A-10, F.A.C., this bureau maintains quality assurance and evaluates the programs’ effectiveness for DUI Level I and DUI Level II schools. The DUI programs are private and professional non-profit organizations that provide treatment referral services, psychosocial evaluation, and education to DUI offenders to satisfy judicial and driver licensing requirements.


Lawyer on DUI School Requirements in Hillsborough County, FL

Within the first ten days of your arrest, seek out the services of an experienced DUI defense lawyer in Tampa, FL, for a free consultation to discuss your case.

We can help you fight the charges to avoid the typical punishments tolled out by the courts. We can help you understand when you are required to enroll in DUI school.

You may be required to take DUI school even if your case is dropped or dismissed.

Even if you are NOT convicted of DUI in Hillsborough County, FL, if you are subject to an administrative suspension (because you blew over the legal limit or refused to submit) and lost your review hearing to invalidate the suspension, then you must still enroll in DUI school to obtain a hardship driver’s license for work or business purposes only.

Failure to complete DUI school requirements can result in a notice of cancellation being sent to the DHSMV and the repayment of the full fees if you re-enroll during the administrative suspension period.

To find out more, call 813-250-0500.

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Our Attorneys

Leslie M. Sammis

Leslie M. Sammis

Jason D. Sammis

Jason D. Sammis

Joshua L. Monteiro

Joshua L. Monteiro

Dominique Celerin

Dominique Celerin

Katherine A. Aranda

Katherine A. Aranda

Idalis Vento

Idalis Vento

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