DUI classes by state · Pennsylvania
Court-Ordered DUI Classes in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the court-ordered DUI/DWI education requirement is the Alcohol Highway Safety School (AHSS) + CRN evaluation, overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), which approves the Alcohol Highway Safety Schools that each county DUI program runs. 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 Pennsylvania?
Mostly in-person (limited online). PennDOT’s regulations (67 Pa. Code Chapter 94) describe AHSS as classroom instruction of at least 12.5 hours, with no more than 25 students per class, run by each county’s DUI program. There is no statewide rule approving an online AHSS, so get written approval from your county DUI program coordinator or probation officer before signing up for any virtual class. Your court and the PennDOT decide what counts — confirm the format and the specific provider before you enroll or pay.
Program structure in Pennsylvania
| Program / level | Length | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Court Reporting Network (CRN) evaluation | One standardized screening | Everyone convicted of DUI and everyone offered ARD, before sentencing or ARD (75 Pa.C.S. § 3816(a)) |
| Alcohol Highway Safety School (AHSS) | Minimum 12.5 hours of instruction (breaks do not count) | First and second DUI offenses (§ 3804) and every DUI ARD participant (§ 3807) |
| Full drug and alcohol assessment | Set by the assessor | A prior DUI within 10 years, a CRN result showing a need, or a BAC of 0.16% or higher (§ 3814) |
| Court-ordered treatment | Per the assessment recommendation | When the court orders it; completion is reported to PennDOT (§ 3816(b)) |
Pennsylvania-specific rules to know
- Everyone convicted of DUI, and everyone offered Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD), must be evaluated with Court Reporting Network (CRN) instruments before sentencing or ARD (75 Pa.C.S. § 3816(a)).
- A full drug and alcohol assessment is required if you have a prior DUI within 10 years, the CRN shows a need for treatment, or your BAC was 0.16% or higher (75 Pa.C.S. § 3814).
- Each county must establish and maintain its own Alcohol Highway Safety School (75 Pa.C.S. § 1549), and fees are set locally — Chester County lists $225 and Westmoreland County lists $300, for example.
- Under ARD, the license suspension depends on BAC: none below 0.10%, 30 days for 0.10%–0.159%, and 60 days for 0.16% or higher or an unknown BAC (75 Pa.C.S. § 3807(d)).
- If you do not complete court-ordered treatment, the suspension stays in effect until the court notifies PennDOT that you have finished (75 Pa.C.S. § 3816(b)(3)).
Find an approved DUI class provider in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania — then check any provider against the official list above and your court order before enrolling.
Source & accuracy: compiled from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), which approves the Alcohol Highway Safety Schools that each county DUI program runs and official Pennsylvania licensing sources. Court requirements change and vary by case — always confirm the program, format, hours, and an accepted provider with your court and the PennDOT before enrolling. Sources: legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/75/00.038.004.000..HTM, legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/75/00.038.007.000..HTM, legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/75/00.038.014.000..HTM, palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute&txtType=PDF&ttl=75&div=00.&chpt=38&sctn=16&subsctn=0, legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/75/00.015.049.000..HTM, pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/067/chapter94/chap94toc.html, pa.gov/agencies/dmv/resources/laws-and-regulations/dui-legislation, pa.gov/agencies/dmv/faqs/driver-licensing-faqs/ignition-interlock-faqs, pa.gov/services/dmv/request-a-driver-license-restoration-requirements-letter, pa.gov/services/ddap/locate-drug-and-alcohol-treatment-services, montgomerycountypa.gov/departments/supervision-services/adult-probation/learn-more-about-dui-program, chesco.org/3403/Overview, westmorelandcountypa.gov/2810/Alcohol-Highway-Safety-School.