Texas DWI programs · DWI Intervention
Texas DWI Intervention Program (Minimum 30 Hours)
DWI Intervention is not a longer version of the 12-hour first-offender class — it is a different program, with a different purpose and a higher bar for the people teaching it. TDLR sets the floor at 30 hours, and courts order it for repeat DWI offenders and for people whose first program did not address the underlying problem.
Quick answer: hours, who, and format
A minimum of 30 hours, for repeat DWI offenders. "Minimum" is TDLR's own word — a licensed provider may run it longer. Online delivery is legal in Texas when the provider holds a TDLR online endorsement, but availability varies by provider and your court still has to accept it. Your order names the program; you do not choose between DWII and the 12-hour DWI Education course.
Which one does your order name?
This is the single most useful thing to settle before you spend money. The two Texas DWI programs are not interchangeable, and a certificate from the wrong one does not satisfy the order:
| DWI Education (DWIE) | DWI Intervention (DWII) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hours | 12 | Minimum 30 |
| Typically for | First-offense DWI, usually as a condition of community supervision | Offenders with multiple DWIs, or others whose first-offender program did not address their alcohol or drug problems |
| Focus | Education: alcohol and drug effects, Texas DWI law, driving patterns, decision-making | Intervention: lifestyle, chemical dependency, treatment options, relapse prevention, action planning |
| Instructor credential | Broader list, including certified teachers, nurses and probation officers with relevant experience | Narrower: clinical credentials only, plus two years of documented relevant experience |
If your paperwork says "DWI Education" or "DWIE," see our Texas DWI Education Program guide instead. If it is not clear which one you were ordered into, ask your probation officer or attorney to confirm the exact program name before you enroll — that call is free and re-taking a 30-hour course is not.
What the 30+ hours cover
TDLR describes DWI Intervention as a standardized program that intervenes in the offender's alcohol- or drug-abusing lifestyle, to encourage entry into treatment where it is needed and to prevent further substance-related problems. Listed topics include lifestyle issues, values and self-esteem, positive thinking versus irrational beliefs, responsibility, the physiological and psychological effects of drugs, alcoholism and chemical dependency, how drug abuse affects family members, co-dependency, Al-Anon, treatment options, 12-step self-help groups, peer pressure, relapse prevention, problem solving, and personal action planning.
The credential requirement tells you something about the room you will be in. TDLR requires DWI Intervention instructors to hold a clinical credential — licensed chemical dependency counselor, registered counselor intern, licensed social worker, licensed professional counselor or intern, licensed psychologist, or licensed physician or psychiatrist — plus at least two years of documented case-management or substance-abuse education experience. That is a narrower list than the other court-ordered programs.
On "online DWI Intervention": Texas law permits instructor-led online delivery of court-ordered drug and alcohol education by a TDLR-licensed provider holding an online endorsement (Government Code § 171.0055, effective September 1, 2021). Whether an online DWII is actually available near you depends on which providers carry that endorsement for this specific program — filter the TDLR course search by program and format rather than trusting a marketing page, and get your court's or probation officer's acceptance confirmed before you pay.
Check a provider is TDLR-licensed
Only a currently licensed provider can issue a certificate that counts. TDLR publishes a searchable list of approved course providers, filterable by program type:
Source & accuracy: the minimum 30-hour figure, the program description, the course topics and the instructor credential requirements are from TDLR's official "Court-Ordered Programs At a Glance" summary and its Court-Ordered Education pages; online delivery authority is Texas Government Code § 171.0055 (effective September 1, 2021). Note that some third-party sites cite 32 hours for this program — TDLR's own published figure is a minimum of 30, and individual providers may schedule more. Rules and provider licences change: check the current official pages and confirm the exact program, format and deadline with the court or probation department 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: tdlr.texas.gov/court-ordered, TDLR drug & alcohol programs, TDLR Court-Ordered Programs At a Glance (PDF).