I want to talk a little about the Impaired Driver Program (IDP). Generally speaking, once you are convicted of an alcohol related violation in New York State, your license will be suspended or revoked by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. But, if you complete the New York State’s Impaired Driver Program (IDP), you may be able to apply for a conditional license.

To begin the process, you should enroll in the Impaired Driver Program at the motor vehicle office office listed on the “Order of Suspension or Revocation” given to you by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This is also where you will apply for a conditional license.

New York’s intention in the development of the Impaired Driver Program (IDP) is the pointing out of high-risk behavior in order to reduce the risk of re-offense for individuals who have been previously convicted of an alcohol related offense.

That being said, if you have participated in the IDP program within the last five years or have been convicted of another alcohol-related driving violation within the last 5 years, you are ineligible to participate again.

Additionally, the IDP program has some fees associated with it. Your enrollment application for the Impaired Driver Program must be accompanied by a $75 enrollment application fee. Thereafter, you will also be responsible to pay the program that conducts your IDP classes, generally this is $234, payable at the first class.

The Impaired Driver program consists of seven, 2 to 3-hour weekly classroom sessions. The program includes approximately 16 hours total of instruction. When all the Impaired Driver Program requirements have been met, the program will provide you with a “Notice of Completion”.

The IDP is generally seen by participants as a means of obtaining a post-conviction conditional license. So, when you enroll in the Impaired Driver Program, formerly called the Drunk Driving Program in New York, you’ll be given the opportunity to get a post-conviction conditional license.

Additional information can be found on the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles website under Impaired Driver Program. Should you need any help from a legal perspective, please feel free to contact my office, and we’ll do everything we can to help you with your DWI charge and to answer questions you might have about the Impaired Driver Program.

This is not legal advice and is for general informational purposes only. Please consult a lawyer if you are charged with a DWI.  Please remember, you can call Tom Anelli 24/7 at 1-800-DWI-1100 or www.dwitom.com.

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