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MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration

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The 12-Hour Alcohol Education Program (AEP) is an instructional program intended to provide rehabilitation for individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI). 

Who needs to attend

You may be required to attend AEP if you:

  • Are referred by a District Court judge
  • Are referred by an Administrative Law Judge in the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)
  • Applied for a new driver’s license after your original license was revoked due to an alcohol-related incident

If you are required to attend an AEP, the MVA will send you a referral letter. The letter will provide instructions for arranging a preliminary alcohol assessment and attending an alcohol education program.

The results of the alcohol assessment will determine if you will be required to successfully complete a 12-hour AEP or the longer, 26 session Alcohol Treatment Program, which incorporates the 12-hour AEP curriculum.​

What you need to do

If your assessment determines you are not an alcohol abuser or alcohol dependent, you will need to complete one 12-hour AEP. Here's what to do:

  1. Contact an AEP provider to sign up for a sessions.
  2. Start the program within 90 days of the due date printed in the top right hand corner on your referral letter.
  3. Attend and complete the AEP session. Bring your referral letter to the class.
  4. Receive a letter verifying your completion from the program provider.

If you lose your referral letter

If you misplace your letter, visit an MVA branch office or go online with myMVA to request a duplicate letter.

If you don't attend

If you do not attend an AEP by the due date on your referral letter, the MVA will suspend your driving privilege. 

You will be notified of the suspension by letter, and will be required to surrender your driver’s license to any full service MVA. You may apply for a new license after you complete the AEP.

If you're required to complete the Alcohol Treatment Program

Drivers who are required to attend the 26-session Alcohol Treatment Program (which includes 12 hours of alcohol education) will be given a reasonable time period in which to complete the program.

Questions? We can help.

Contact us if you have questions or need more information.

Contact MVA