What Is the Drink Drive Rehabilitation Course?
The drink drive rehabilitation course is an approved programme designed to educate offenders about the effects of alcohol on driving. It is offered by the court at the point of sentencing as part of the disqualification order under section 34A of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
The course aims to reduce reoffending by helping participants understand how alcohol impairs driving ability and decision-making. It is delivered by approved course providers across England and Wales and must be completed before the reduced disqualification period expires.
The court is not obligated to offer the course. It is offered at the magistrates' discretion and is typically available to first-time offenders convicted of drink driving or failing to provide a specimen.
Who Is Eligible for the Course?
Eligibility is determined by the sentencing court. The course is generally available where the driving ban imposed is at least 12 months. It is most commonly offered to first-time offenders, though there is no strict legal bar on repeat offenders being offered the course.
The court will not offer the course if the ban is too short for the course to be completed in time, or if the offender has completed a drink drive rehabilitation course within the previous 3 years. The offender must also accept the offer at the sentencing hearing; it cannot be requested later.
How Much Does the Course Cost?
The cost of the drink drive rehabilitation course typically ranges from 150 to 250 pounds, depending on the course provider and location. This fee is paid directly by the offender to the course provider and is entirely separate from any fine or costs imposed by the court.
The fee must be paid in full before the course begins. Some providers offer instalment plans, but the course must still be completed before the reduced disqualification date. Failure to pay and complete the course on time means the full original ban period applies.
What Happens on the Course?
Course Content
The course covers the effects of alcohol on the body and driving performance, the legal limits and how they relate to actual consumption, and the personal and social consequences of drink driving. Group discussions and self-assessment exercises form a core part of the programme.
Participants are asked to examine their own drinking patterns and identify strategies to avoid reoffending. The course is educational rather than punitive and is not a treatment programme for alcohol dependency.
Duration
The course is typically delivered over 3 sessions spread across a minimum of 2 weeks. Each session lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours. The total contact time is around 16 hours.
Sessions are usually held at local venues and may be available during evenings or weekends. The offender must attend all sessions and complete the course before the reduced disqualification date.
Assessment
There is no formal examination or pass/fail test. Attendance and participation are the primary requirements for successful completion. The course provider issues a certificate of completion once all sessions have been attended.
The completion certificate must be sent to the court or the DVLA to confirm that the ban reduction should take effect. Without the certificate, the full original ban period remains in force.
How Much Can the Course Reduce Your Ban?
Completing the drink drive rehabilitation course reduces the disqualification period by up to 25 percent. The exact reduction is specified by the court at the point of sentencing. For a 12-month ban, the reduction means you could have your licence returned after 9 months.
For longer bans, the saving is proportionally greater. A 24-month ban could be reduced to 18 months, and a 36-month ban to 27 months. The reduced period only takes effect once the course provider confirms successful completion to the relevant authority.