01 / 07
Why Ohio Uses OVI Instead of DUI
Ohio labels impaired driving as OVI, instead of the more commonly used term "DUI" or "DWI," to emphasize that all types of substance abuse are prohibited while operating a motor vehicle.
Ohio BMV materials spell out Operating a Vehicle under the Influence rather than Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
The purpose of the assessment is to evaluate the OVI offender's level of risk of alcohol abuse and provide recommendations for rehabilitation programs. The court then decides which program the person must attend.
When you are convicted of an OVI offense in Ohio, as part of the sentencing, the court will often order a person to complete a court-ordered evaluation for possible alcohol abuse or drug addiction. The purpose of the court-ordered evaluation is to determine if you need more assistance than just the standard driver intervention program.
02 / 07
Court-Ordered Assessment and Education
The Driver Intervention Program is a court-ordered, educational program for individuals who have been found guilty of an OVI offense in the state of Ohio. The program aims to educate participants about the dangers of impaired driving and provide them with resources and strategies to avoid future incidents.
One of the main goals of the Driver Intervention Program is to reduce the number of repeat offenders by providing them with the tools and resources they need to make positive changes in their lives.
Counseling approaches include motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The goal of motivational interviewing is to increase a person's intrinsic motivation for changing his/her drinking habits.
Health care providers diagnose alcohol use disorder when an individual drink causes distress or harm. A person with AUD has difficulty controlling his or her drinking, which may cause problems at work, school, and in their relationships. The severity of AUD is based on the number of symptoms a person experiences. Mild AUD is characterized by two to three symptoms; moderate AUD by four to five symptoms; and severe AUD by six or more symptoms.
An offender ordered into alcohol treatment pays the cost of attendance. The OVI assessment is an evaluation that examines a driver's risk factors, and provides recommendations on treatment needed.
Courts may order alcohol evaluation after the first OVI or DUI conviction. This will involve a full assessment, not just a few questions on a form. The evaluation will include an examination of your past alcohol use as well as any possible co-occurring problems like depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.
03 / 07
What a Driver Intervention Program Is
A drivers' intervention program under Ohio law means an alcohol or other drug abuse education and intervention program that is certified by the director of behavioral health.
A drivers' intervention program under Ohio law refers to a course of instruction that provides training and education in the dangers of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, but does not include treatment services provided to participants of the program. A driver intervention program is often used as an alternative to jail time for first offenders.
A drivers' intervention program under Ohio law is not an alcohol treatment program. It is not designed to treat or cure you of addiction.
When you are convicted in Ohio of an OVI, the judge has many different options for your sentence. One option that may be available to you if you are a first time offender or if you have a clean driving record (meaning no prior OVI convictions) is called a driver intervention program.
A driver intervention program is not jail and does not require you to serve any time in jail. A driver intervention program is a series of classes and meetings that you attend that teach you about the dangers of drinking and driving, your personal responsibility for being involved in an OVI incident, and how to go forward after this incident so that it never happens again.
It is a group counseling program conducted by persons who are trained in alcohol and drug counseling services and licensed by the state of Ohio. The judge has a choice in the type of sentence he can give.
04 / 07
When DIP Can Replace Jail Days
For certain OVI sentences the court may require the offender attend a Driver Intervention Program (DIP). A driver intervention program is an alternative to jail time for some offenders who are sentenced for OVI offenses in Ohio. As long as it is certified under section 5119.38 of the Revised Code, the DIP may replace up to three days of jail time for someone who is ordered to serve a three-day mandatory jail term.
For some first-level OVI jail terms, a court has the option to impose a three-day driver intervention program in lieu of a minimum three-day jail term.
A court may use the drivers' intervention program (DIP) in lieu of the three days in jail as an option available under section 4511.19(G)(1). The DIP is designed to provide a period of intensive monitoring and education about alcohol and drug use, and it usually lasts three days.
05 / 07
Referral From DIP Into Addiction Treatment
When screening during a drivers' intervention program identifies persons who need more intensive alcohol and drug abuse services than the drivers' intervention program can provide, the program shall refer them to community addiction services providers for such additional care.
Methods of identifying and testing participants help isolate individuals who have alcohol problems that need to be treated with a more intensive program than the Driver Intervention Program (DIP). A referral to a community addiction services provider may then be offered.
Some DIPs have established relationships with specific providers for the purposes of facilitating a smooth and efficient transition into treatment services for those in need of more intensive care than that provided by the DIP. A participant may be referred to a provider outside of his/her local DIP, or he/she may elect to pursue private treatment on their own.
Ohio offers a variety of programs that allow you to take your first step in the treatment process.
06 / 07
Finding a Certified DIP Provider
The certificate is valid for three years after it was issued.
Certification under section 5119.38 marks a qualified drivers' intervention program as one that meets the minimum standards set forth in this division.
In order to qualify for certification by the director, a driver's intervention program must meet state minimum standards established by the director by rule.
The program shall offer or refer participants with alcohol or drug problems to appropriate treatment programs.
The program is staffed by personnel trained in substance abuse education and treatment and who are experienced in working with offenders. It utilizes methods to address the attitudes, knowledge, and behavior that contributed to an offender's OVI offense.
07 / 07
BMV Suspension and Reinstatement After OVI
After an OVI conviction, the Ohio BMV will issue a driver's license suspension. The length of the suspension depends on factors such as:
- Whether you refused or submitted to sobriety tests
You can get your driver's license reinstated after your suspension ends by completing all the requirements.
Habitual use suspensions stand until treatment is successfully completed.
After your conviction, the court may order you to complete a Driver Intervention Program (DIP) or Alcohol/Drug Assessment. The judge can order you to complete treatment or rehab based on the results of the assessment.