DUI classes by state · Michigan
Court-Ordered DUI Classes in Michigan
In Michigan, the court-ordered DUI/DWI education requirement is the Substance use assessment + Alcohol Highway Safety class, overseen by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), which lists assessment and class providers holding a LARA substance use disorder license. Here's how it works, whether an online class is accepted, and how to find a provider your court will accept.
Quick answer: in person or online in Michigan?
In-person required. Michigan’s health department (MDHHS) says Michigan does not accept online courses, so plan on an Alcohol Highway Safety class from a LARA-licensed provider on the MDHHS county list. Your sentencing court or probation department sets the final requirement — confirm the exact class and provider with your court before you enroll. Your court and the Secretary of State (SOS) decide what counts — confirm the format and the specific provider before you enroll or pay.
Program structure in Michigan
| Program / level | Length | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Court-ordered screening and assessment | One assessment before sentencing | Every Section 625 (OWI/OWVI) conviction; the results guide what education or treatment the court orders (MCL 257.625b(5)) |
| Alcohol Highway Safety class (first level) | About 8 hours, per MDHHS — confirm with your court | Education the court orders after the assessment |
| Rehabilitative program (treatment or self-help) | At least 1 year | Mandatory for a High BAC (.17+) conviction or anyone with 1 or more prior convictions (MCL 257.625b(5)) |
Michigan-specific rules to know
- Before sentencing for an OWI, OWVI or other Section 625 offense, the court must order a substance use screening and assessment by a state-designated person or agency (MCL 257.625b(5)). If no other funding source is available, you pay for the assessment and any services ordered.
- For a High BAC conviction (.17 or more, MCL 257.625(1)(c)) or any prior conviction, the court must order at least one year of a rehabilitative program, such as alcohol treatment or a self-help program (MCL 257.625b(5)).
- MDHHS lists an agency as an assessment or class provider only if it holds a LARA substance use disorder prevention or treatment license and follows the requirements of local courts and the Secretary of State. MDHHS also notes that "Traffic Safety Classes" are not equivalent.
- When repeat alcohol convictions lead to a license revocation, getting it back takes a hearing before the Secretary of State’s Office of Hearings and Administrative Oversight (OHAO), which will not be scheduled without a substance abuse evaluation dated within 3 months (Mich Admin Code R 257.301, R 257.302).
- Michigan runs SCAO-certified DWI/sobriety courts for people with two or more drunk-driving convictions (MCL 600.1084); participants may qualify for a restricted license through the specialty court interlock program.
Find an approved DUI class provider in Michigan
Start with the official state list — it's the one your court is most likely to accept — then confirm the specific provider with your court or probation officer:
Prefer to look on a map? Search Google Maps for DUI classes in Michigan — then check any provider against the official list above and your court order before enrolling.
Source & accuracy: compiled from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), which lists assessment and class providers holding a LARA substance use disorder license and official Michigan licensing sources. Court requirements change and vary by case — always confirm the program, format, hours, and an accepted provider with your court and the Secretary of State (SOS) before enrolling. Sources: michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/drugcontrol/treatment/txcontent/substance-use-assessments-and-classes, michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/drugcontrol/treatment/txcontent/providers-of-assessments-and-classes, courts.michigan.gov/4a2561/siteassets/publications/benchbooks/tbb/tbbresponsivehtml5.zip/TBB/Ch_9_Section_625_Offenses/Special_Procedures_for_Section_625_Offenses.htm, courts.michigan.gov/4a2561/siteassets/publications/benchbooks/tbb/tbbresponsivehtml5.zip/TBB/Ch_9_Section_625_Offenses/Operating_While_Intoxicated_(OWI)Section_625(1)-u103a.htm, courts.michigan.gov/498d80/siteassets/publications/benchbooks/tbb/tbbresponsivehtml5.zip/TBB/Ch_9_Section_625_Offenses/DWI__47_Sobriety_Court_and_the_Specialty_Court_Interlock_Program.htm, dtmb.state.mi.us/ORRDocs/AdminCode/112_10107_AdminCode.pdf, michigan.gov/sos/license-id/license-restoration.