About the Impaired Driver Program (IDP)

  • The Drinking Driver Program (DDP) is now called the Impaired Driver Program (IDP).  As this new name is being implemented, you may see the two names interchangeably.

 

The Impaired Driver Program (IDP) (previously known as Drinking Driving Program or 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.

See approved impaired driver programs by county.


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 Addiction Services and Supports (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 and 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 Impaired Driver Program you must pay the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) a nonrefundable fee of $75.  Additional fees may apply. Cash, checks, credit cards, debit cards or money orders (made payable to the “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles”) are acceptable.

After enrollment, you also must pay a fee directly to the program that will conduct your IDP classes. The maximum IDP enrollment fee is $233, payable to the program you attend. 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 NY State OASAS approved treatment provider for formal assessment and, if necessary, treatment. If formal assessment or treatment is needed, you will have to pay additional fees to the agency that provides those services.


Eligibility

Participation in the Impaired Driver Program is available on a voluntary basis if you have been convicted of an alcohol or drug related driving violation, unless you have participated in the program within the last 5 years, or have been convicted of another alcohol or drug violation within 5 years of the current alcohol or drug violation. However, these limitations do not restrict the ability of the court to mandate participation, even if you have already attended an Impaired Driver Program within the previous 5 years. In such situations, participation will be required, yet you will not be eligible for a conditional license or privilege.