Florida DUI programs · DUI school levels
Florida DUI School: Level I vs Level II
Florida keeps it simple on paper — two levels, 12 hours or 21 hours — and then adds a rule most states do not have: you may only attend a program serving the county where you live, work, or go to school. Here is which level applies to you, what each one involves, and the deadline that quietly cancels licences.
Quick answer: which level, how many hours
Level I is a minimum 12 hours for first-time offenders; Level II is a minimum 21 hours for repeat offenders. Both are classroom courses run by non-profit programs licensed by FLHSMV under Chapter 15A-10, F.A.C., and you may only attend one serving your county of residence, employment, or school. Your record and court order set the level — you do not pick.
Level I and Level II, side by side
| Level I | Level II | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum hours | 12 hours of classroom instruction | 21 hours of classroom time |
| Who it is for | First-time DUI offenders | Drivers with multiple / repeat DUI offenses |
| Format | Classroom, using informative and interactive educational techniques | Classroom, primarily interactive techniques in a group setting; average class size may not exceed 15 |
| Commonly paired with | The required evaluation for licensing purposes | Treatment through a Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)-licensed provider |
The class-size cap on Level II is a real structural difference, not a footnote: FLHSMV describes the level as focused on the repeat offender, delivered in a small group where the interaction is the point. It is a more involved experience than Level I, and it is the level most likely to lead into a separate treatment referral.
The county rule
This catches people out more than the hours do. FLHSMV states you may only attend a DUI program that serves the county of your current residence, the county of your current employment, or the county in which you attend school. So the cheapest or soonest-available program in the state is not necessarily one you are allowed to use, and a program outside your counties may decline to enroll you even if you offer to pay. Work out which counties you qualify under first, then look at schedules.
Licensed non-profits only
Florida DUI programs are non-profit organizations licensed and monitored by FLHSMV's Bureau of Motorist Compliance under Florida Statutes 322.292 and 322.293, with standards in Chapter 15A-10, Florida Administrative Code — the chapter that also gives the department authority to certify instructors and evaluate how well the programs work. If a for-profit national website is selling you a "Florida DUI course," that structure alone is a reason to check it against the FLHSMV licensed-programs list before paying.
The 90-day cancellation rule: FLHSMV states that failure to complete the course within 90 days after reinstatement will result in cancellation of the driver license until the course is completed. If your licence has been reinstated and DUI school is still outstanding, that clock is running. Confirm your own date with FLHSMV rather than working from a general rule.
Find your county's licensed DUI program
FLHSMV publishes the licensed programs county by county, with addresses, phone numbers and websites. Match it to the county where you live, work or attend school, then confirm with the clerk of court handling your case:
Source & accuracy: the Level I and Level II hours, the Level II class-size cap, the non-profit licensing structure and the Chapter 15A-10, F.A.C. citation are from FLHSMV's licensed DUI programs page; the county-attendance rule and the 90-day cancellation rule are from FLHSMV's DUI FAQs; the statutory basis is Florida Statutes 322.292–322.293. Rules, programs and licences change — check the current official pages and confirm the exact course, format and provider with the court and clerk handling your case before enrolling or paying. We are an independent directory: we do not run classes, we cannot enroll you, and none of these links are affiliate links. This is general information, not legal advice. Sources: flhsmv.gov — DUI and IID, flhsmv.gov — licensed DUI programs, flhsmv.gov — DUI FAQs, Fla. Stat. § 322.292.