Drinking Driver Program: DDP.
Learn about New York’s Drinking Driver Program (DDP), including mandatory education, course requirements, substance abuse assessments, conditional license eligibility, and steps for license restoration after a DUI. Spodek Law Group’s attorneys assist with DDP completion, DMV issues, and overcoming legal obstacles. Call for expert DDP legal help.
Understanding the DDP
The Drinking Driver Program (DDP) is mandated in New York State in order to reduce the incidence of disability, injury, and fatalities that often result from drug and alcohol related vehicle accidents. The DDP is also used to reduce the risk that an individual will engage in drunk driving in the future.
Individuals that participate in the DDP are given a comprehensive education regarding risk taking behaviors such as consuming alcohol or drugs before driving. The program also educates participants about how to change these high-risk behaviors. The program includes presentations and discussions that work to increase the motivation of participants to change their behavior and protect the lives of others. The program uses workbooks that are given to participants. Participants of the DDP will engage in both individual and group activities during the program. A preliminary screening is completed with each participant do identify their specific risk-factors including if they are currently at risk for substance abuse. Participants that are at risk for substance abuse are referred for clinical assessment and possible treatment if needed.
DDP Course Requirements
Participants of DDP are mandated to attend seven classroom sessions over the course of seven weeks. Each DDP session lasts approximately two to three hours, with the entire DDP course summing 16 hours total. When a participant completes the entirety of the DDP classroom sessions, their involvement in the DDP will end, unless they are referred for comprehensive clinical assessment and treatment.
Substance Abuse Assessment and Referral
DDP participants may receive a referral from the NY state court system for a substance abuse assessment. Referral for assessment may occur due to the following:
- receiving two or more drug or alcohol related driving convictions in 10 years
- the assessment results of a self inventory
- an arrest for a drug or alcohol related driving violation while part of the DDP
- written request from the DDP participant asking for help for a substance abuse problem
- attending DDP courses while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Reading is good. Calling is better.
Answered within 24 hours, guaranteed. Some stories are better told out loud -
212 300 5196