Zoom School Continues For DUI Driver Programs In San Francisco

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This article discusses:

• The availability of ‘remote’ or ‘Zoom’ DUI programs within the San Francisco area,
• What remote DUI programs look like, how they work, and their advantages,
• How to apply to remote DUI school, how long the courses take, and how much they will cost.

What Is The Current Status Of The Ability To Do DUI School Remotely In The San Francisco Bay Area?

Good news for drivers charged or convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in San Francisco! In early February, the state of California made a decision that remote DUI programs (using Zoom) will continue for the foreseeable future.

This is great news because DUI schools had received a memo that said by the end of June 2023, all classes would be returning to “in-person” learning. Now, it seems they will be staying remote indefinitely.

It’s important to note, however, that some programs will go back to in-person attendance. For example, in San Francisco, there’s one DUI school program in the Mission District that does in-person classes only. Fortunately, many other classes will continue to be offered remotely.

Why Are Remote DUI School Programs Such A Boon To San Francisco Drivers?

Remote programs are great because, typically speaking, after you do a single in-person intake session, all classes will be on your computer. Additionally, it’s important to note that even though the class is online, you still have to “be there” and stay alert for the class, as people are watching you on the other side of the camera to make sure that you are participating.

In any case, this is infinitely more practical for almost everyone involved as you don’t have to drive, take a bus, or bike to the school, and you don’t have to worry about parking or coming home late at night. And, of course, this option is exponentially more accessible for any number of individuals.

A Tale Of Two Schools: The DUI Program Transition From In-Person To Remote Learning Was Rough

The situation is a significant improvement for San Francisco drivers, especially considering the rocky transition from in-person to remote learning. When the pandemic started and eventually schools were able to go remote, a lot of schools just shut down or refused to go remote and left their clients hanging.

One of the worst examples of this was in Marin County where the school would not contact anyone, and would not answer any calls or emails – even from lawyers. It was a monstrous neglect of responsibility as, during the pandemic, their clients simply didn’t know what to do. Luckily, most people were able to transfer to other schools that were going remote.

Somehow, that school is up and running again, but until they can demonstrate to DUI lawyers that they can be counted on, be responsible, and be respectful to the public, they are probably not to be trusted or recommended.

While most clients won’t have to worry about such instances in the future, it’s important to work with your attorney to get registered for these classes as soon as you know you need them. Unsurprisingly, it is taking longer and longer to get enrolled in these schools because they’ve gotten very popular. For the most desirable programs, it can take a month or more to get enrolled.

In many cases, it’s a good idea to at least set up an intake appointment after you are arrested for DUI. This way – whether you end up needing to do the school or not – at least you have an appointment.

If you are arrested for DUI, a consultation with an attorney is a great place to start. An experienced DUI lawyer will not only help you get appointments at the best and most convenient DUI schools, but also help you understand the DUI program, its advantages, and its constraints

What Is Remote DUI School In The San Francisco Bay Area?

Remote DUI school is the process of completing DUI courses via Zoom. You can enroll in these courses through any DUI school in any county in California, though you should make sure that the court you are in is okay with it being out of the county. If you are considering a DUI school that is outside of your court’s jurisdiction, you should consult with your attorney to make sure that it will count towards your DUI school requirements.

What Is Remote DUI School Like In the San Francisco Bay Area?

Whether remote or in person, DUI programs are remarkably similar. An instructor will teach and talk about DUIs and alcoholism with a lot of details and nuances included. There is also plenty of repetitive information, but it is something that is typically required to get your license and driving privileges back if you’ve been convicted of a DUI.

Remote school tends to be a lot easier to complete than in-person programs. You don’t have to drive to the class or find a way to get there, and it allows you to do it from home or wherever you are and thus makes things a lot easier. However, their popularity does mean enrollment can take some time, so consult your DUI lawyer to find the perfect program, and start the booking process quickly.

How Do I Enroll In A Remote DUI School In San Francisco?

In California, you’ll start the enrollment process by contacting the school directly. In the San Francisco Bay Area, there are plenty of DUI schools that offer remote programs. To choose the best one, you should contact your DUI attorney for referrals, phone numbers, and details about how to enroll online.

A helpful note: Typically the school will ask what length of the course you need, so you should talk to your attorney beforehand about that to get an idea of what you need.

Our firm recommends a remote DUI course offered in San Francisco called the Driver Performance Institutes (DPI). You can reach them by phone at (415) 905-5555. The owners, Jeffrey and Teresa Nielsen, are wonderful people who really care about their clients and they will enroll you as soon as they can.

How Long Does It Take To Complete A Remote DUI School Program In The San Francisco Bay Area?

For a first-offense DUI in California, you will typically be required to complete a three-month program– or about 30 to 32 hours of remote classes over about 10 or more sessions. If your blood alcohol level was over 0.20 or the court ordered a nine-month school program, then it is an additional 30 hours.

For a second offense, the requirement increases to 18 months of DUI school. Under this program, you’ll complete coursework once a week for one year followed by once a month for the last six months.

Are Remote DUI Schools In The San Francisco Bay Area Accredited?

In California, all DUI schools, whether remote or in person, need to be accredited by the state of California and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The accreditation process sets out specific guidelines in each county, and there are even guidelines that detail how much each program should cost. Unfortunately, this means you cannot shop around to find the cheapest, as in a county they will all have the same price.

What’s more, you should probably make sure to choose a school that is physically located in the Bay Area – but as long as they are officially accredited you can choose whichever you like. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this process, you can always reach out to a DUI attorney for help.

Can I Attend A Remote DUI School In San Francisco If I Live Outside Of The City?

If you live outside of San Francisco or the Bay Area, you can complete a DUI school within the correct county via a remote program – you only need to contact the correct school and get signed up.

It is worth noting, however, that some of these online schools will still want you to attend your intake meeting in person. They want to be able to look you in the eye and talk to you about the requirements, assess you, and be able to tell if they think you need any additional help. Some people who are ordered to complete these courses are in major crisis – and the schools that do want to see you in person, in general, are those that genuinely care.

There are still remote DUI schools that allow you to complete the whole intake and class remotely. However, because these remote classes are so popular, you should expect about a month’s backlog before you can get that intake scheduled – whether in person or remotely.

How Much Does A Remote DUI School In San Francisco Bay Area Cost?

Each county individually sets the price for DUI schools – in San Francisco itself, the cost is typically about $700 for a three-month program. For a nine-month program, the cost is usually at least $200 to $400 more, depending on the county. For an 18-month multiple-offender program, the cost is going to be over $1,500 – or much more, depending on the county.

Finding the right school, whether in San Francisco or elsewhere, is about a lot more than the price, however. It’s important to choose a school based on how they treat their clients, how reliable they are, and how easy it is to get in. Fortunately, these are all important areas that your DUI attorney, who has worked with hundreds of DUI schools, will be able to help you with.

For more information on Doing DUI School Remotely In The SF Bay Area, CA, a free initial consultation is your best first step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (415) 523-7878 today.