Next Step Counseling

Ohio OVI programs · DIP

Ohio's 72-Hour Driver Intervention Program (DIP)

Ohio's Driver Intervention Program is not a class you take in the evenings. It is a jail alternative — three consecutive days on site, usually at a hotel, that a court may allow instead of the mandatory three-day jail term for a first OVI. Here is what the 72 hours actually contain, who qualifies, and where the official provider list is.

Adult comparing a court order, calendar, and local program options
Use the exact program level on your paperwork and confirm the provider before paying.

Quick answer: what the 72 hours means

Three consecutive days on site, with at least 21 hours of actual programming. "72-hour" is the elapsed stay, not the class time. State rules also allow a 48-hour residential version (16+ hours) and a non-residential version (13+ hours). Every program must be certified by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health, and whether you may attend one instead of jail is the sentencing court's decision.

The three DIP formats, side by side

FormatTime on siteMinimum programmingWho it is for
72-hour residential DIP Three consecutive days, on site At least 21 hours of alcohol and drug addiction programming
1 hour screening and individual contact · 15 hours client education · 5 hours small-group discussion		 Most commonly the format a court allows in place of the mandatory three-day jail term for a first OVI
48-hour residential DIP Two consecutive days, on site At least 16 hours of programming
1 hour screening and individual contact · 10 hours client education · 5 hours small-group discussion		 Offenders whose court orders the shorter residential format
Non-residential DIP No overnight stay; no more than 8 hours delivered in a day At least 13 hours of programming
1 hour screening · 8 hours client education · 4 hours small-group discussion		 Offenders whose court accepts a non-residential format

Those hour floors come from Ohio Administrative Code 5122-29-12, the rule that sets DIP standards. They are minimums — an individual certified program may run longer.

Adults participating in a licensed education and counseling program
Program schedules may combine education, group counseling, and individual interviews.

Why it is a jail alternative, not a class

A first OVI conviction under Ohio Revised Code 4511.19 carries a mandatory jail term. At the sentencing court's discretion, attendance at a certified Driver Intervention Program can substitute for that term. That framing matters for two reasons. First, you do not choose it — the court does. Second, it explains the residential structure: you are on site for the duration, including overnight, and the rule requires programs to provide morning, mid-day, and evening meals of at least thirty minutes each.

You will be screened while you are there

The DIP is not purely educational. Ohio's rule requires each participant to be given at least two screening instruments plus an individual screening interview. If the screening indicates it, you may be referred for a fuller alcohol and drug assessment, and any treatment that follows is a separate obligation with a separate cost. Plan for the possibility rather than being surprised by it.

Two things Ohio does not set: the price, and an online option. Fees are set by each certified program — for a residential format that typically bundles lodging and meals — so totals vary widely by provider. And because the program substitutes for jail and is delivered on site, Ohio's rules do not provide for a self-paced online DIP. If a website is selling you an "online Ohio DIP," treat that as a reason to call the court, not a shortcut.

Find a certified DIP provider

Every DIP must be certified by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health under ORC 5119.38. The department publishes a provider list organized by county, noting each program's format. Confirm with the court handling your case that it accepts the specific provider before you book anything:

Ohio DBH — certified DIP providers by county → Ohio BMV: suspensions & reinstatement →

Source & accuracy: program formats, minimum hours, the screening requirement and the meal rules are quoted from Ohio Administrative Code 5122-29-12; certification authority is ORC 5119.38 and the jail-substitution provision is ORC 4511.19. Program rules and provider lists change, and the department was renamed from OhioMHAS to the Department of Behavioral Health — always check the current official pages and confirm the program with the court handling your case before enrolling or paying. We are an independent directory: we do not run programs, we cannot enroll you, and none of these links are affiliate links. This is general information, not legal advice. Sources: dbh.ohio.gov — Driver Intervention Program, OAC 5122-29-12, ORC 5119.38, ORC 4511.19.

Get help confirming an accepted program All Ohio OVI class rules

Frequently asked questions

What is Ohio’s 72-hour Driver Intervention Program?

It is a three-consecutive-day residential program that a sentencing court may allow a first-time OVI offender to attend instead of the mandatory three days in jail under Ohio Revised Code 4511.19. Ohio Administrative Code 5122-29-12 requires the 72-hour format to deliver at least 21 hours of alcohol and drug addiction programming — one hour of screening and individual contact, fifteen hours of client education, and five hours of small-group discussion.

Is the Ohio DIP really 72 hours of class?

No — and this is the most common misunderstanding. "72-hour" describes the elapsed time you are in the program, three consecutive days on site, not the instructional hours. The state rule sets the floor at 21 hours of actual programming inside those three days. The rest of the time is meals, breaks, and overnight stay.

Can I do the Ohio Driver Intervention Program online?

No. The DIP exists as a substitute for jail time and the state describes it as an in-person, usually residential process of education and screening, frequently run out of hotels. Ohio’s program rules do not provide for a self-paced online DIP. Confirm with the court handling your case which program it will accept before you enroll or pay.

Who has to go — and who decides?

The sentencing court decides. Attending a Driver Intervention Program instead of serving the mandatory jail term for a first OVI conviction is at the court’s discretion, not the driver’s choice. If a DIP is not offered or you are not eligible, the jail term applies. Ask your attorney or the court, not a program’s sales line.

How much does an Ohio DIP cost?

Ohio does not publish a statewide price. Each certified program sets its own fee, which for residential formats generally covers lodging and meals as well as the programming, so totals vary by provider and location. Some providers offer financial assistance to participants receiving public assistance. Get the total, and what it includes, in writing before you book.

Who certifies Driver Intervention Programs in Ohio?

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health — formerly the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) — certifies every DIP under Ohio Revised Code 5119.38, with program standards in Ohio Administrative Code 5122-29-12. The department publishes a certified-provider list organized by county. Confirm your court accepts the specific provider before enrolling.

Written by Michelle Brown, Editor · Last reviewed · Checked against public court, DMV, and government sources. See our editorial standards.