California DUI programs · AB 541
California AB 541 First-Offender DUI Program
AB 541 is the one most people picture when they hear "DUI school": California's standard first-offender program, commonly about 3 months and at least 30 hours. It's a DHCS-licensed, in-person program — not the fast online class you found in four seconds. Here's who it applies to, how it's structured, and how to find a provider your court will accept.
Quick answer: how long, and can it be online?
About 3 months and 30+ hours, in person. AB 541 is the standard first-DUI program with a DHCS-licensed provider. A self-paced internet class does not satisfy California — confirm the format and the specific provider with your court before you enroll or pay.
Licensed AB 541 providers in San Bernardino County
These are the DUI programs currently on the state's official DHCS licensed provider directory for San Bernardino County — the list covering 7/31/2026 – 8/30/2026 — that we could independently verify are still operating. We are an independent directory: we compare programs and link out, we don't run classes and we can't enroll you. Call the provider and confirm with the court handling your case before you pay anything.
One catch to know: the DHCS directory flags providers as "first offender" but does not break out which first-offender level each one runs. AB 541 is the standard 3-month / 30-hour version, so ask specifically for the AB 541 level rather than just "the first offender class" — the same provider may also run the longer 6-month and 9-month programs.
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Jackson-Bibby Awareness Group, Inc.
AB 541 level publishedWet reckless3–4 month (AB 541)6 month9 month (AB 1353)18 month EspañolThe only San Bernardino County provider we found that publicly names the AB 541 level and lists its price. In-person and virtual (Zoom) groups; operating since 1981.
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Valley Improvement Programs, Inc. (VIP)
Confirm AB 541 level by phoneFirst offender programsMultiple offender programsState-licensed DUI treatment provider and CADTP member; offers licensed telehealth plus in-person sessions. Their site says "first offender" without naming AB 541 — confirm by phone.
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TURN Behavioral Health — San Bernardino DUI Program
Confirm AB 541 level by phoneWet recklessFirst offender programsMultiple offender programsThe DHCS directory still lists this site under its former name, “Pegasus DUI San Bernardino” (Mental Health Systems). The old mhsinc.org address no longer resolves; TURN Behavioral Health runs it today.
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Prodigy Healthcare
Confirm AB 541 level by phoneFirst offender programs18 monthListed by DHCS in San Bernardino County and carried in the CADTP member directory. Note the company is Arizona-based, so make sure you are booking its California (Title 9) San Bernardino location.
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Dalton Associates
Confirm AB 541 level by phoneFirst offender programsMultiple offender programs EspañolThe DHCS directory still shows the retired daltonassociatesonline.com address; the live site is daltonassociates.org. Bilingual counselors, in-person and virtual formats.
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Alcohol Education & Recovery Services (AERS)
Confirm AB 541 level by phoneFirst offender programsMultiple offender programsOut-of-state assessmentsFamily-run since 1992 with several California sites; the site currently states they are open and taking enrollments. Chino is the San Bernardino County location.
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Rehabilitation Alcohol Program, Inc. (RAP)
Confirm AB 541 level by phoneFirst offender programs18 month EspañolCurrently on the DHCS licensed list, but we could not find an official website — DHCS lists only an email contact. Everything beyond the state listing is unverified, so call before you count on it.
Source & accuracy: provider names, addresses, phone numbers and license status come from the official California DHCS Licensed Driving Under the Influence Provider Directory (San Bernardino County entries, coverage 7/31/2026 – 8/30/2026), then re-checked against each provider's own website in August 2026. Always check the current official list — DHCS updates it monthly and licences can lapse, offices move, and program levels change. Fees are set per program and per county, so treat any figure here as a starting point and get your price confirmed in writing. We receive no payment from any provider on this page and none of these links are affiliate links.
Who AB 541 is for
Courts commonly order AB 541 for a typical first DUI — one where the BAC was under 0.20% and there was no chemical-test refusal. If your first DUI involved a higher BAC (0.20% or more) or a refusal, the court usually orders a longer program instead (see AB 1353). You don't choose your level; it's set by your conviction, BAC, and record and written into your sentencing terms. This is general information, not legal advice — your court order controls.
Program length and structure
| Program | Common length | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| First offender (AB 541) | About 3 months / at least 30 hours | Standard first DUI, BAC under 0.20%, no chemical-test refusal |
The roughly 30 hours generally combine alcohol and drug education, group counseling, and individual interviews, scheduled by your DHCS-licensed provider. Exact hour breakdowns vary by provider, so confirm the specifics with your program.
Why the online class you found probably won't count: DHCS does not license any internet DUI programs, and states plainly that DUI classes offered via the internet do not meet California's requirements. To satisfy a California court or the DMV you generally must attend a DHCS-licensed program run from a physical California location. A licensed program may deliver some sessions by live video, but that is not the same as a self-paced out-of-state course — be wary of any nationwide site selling an "online California DUI class."
San Bernardino County & the Inland Empire
If your case is in San Bernardino County — Barstow, Victorville, Redlands, San Bernardino, or elsewhere in the Inland Empire — remember that DUI programs are administered county by county. A provider accepted in Los Angeles or Riverside County isn't automatically accepted for a San Bernardino County case. Open the DHCS directory below, filter to San Bernardino County, and match a licensed first-offender (AB 541) provider to the county handling your case before you enroll.
Find a DHCS-licensed AB 541 program
Start from the official DHCS directory of licensed DUI programs, filter to the county handling your case, and confirm the provider offers the first-offender (AB 541) level:
Source & accuracy: compiled from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and DMV. Program hours and requirements vary by county and by case — always confirm the exact program, format, hours, and an accepted provider with your court and the DMV before enrolling. Sources: dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Pages/DUI_Programs.aspx, dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Pages/DUIProgramLicensing.aspx, dmv.ca.gov.
Other California DUI program levels
Not sure AB 541 is what your order names? Compare the other California DUI programs — the level is set by your conviction, BAC, and record, not by choice:
- Wet reckless program (SB 1176) — About 12 hours — the shortest level, tied to a "wet reckless" conviction.
- AB 1353 (and AB 762) programs — The 9-month / 60-hour high-BAC program, plus the 6-month AB 762 version.
- SB 38 multiple-offender program — About 18 months — for a second or later DUI within 10 years.