Addiction Education Program
12-Hour Alcohol Education (AEP) Program Requirements
The 12-Hour Alcohol Education Program (AEP) is an instructional program intended to provide rehabilitation for individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI). You may have been assigned to the AEP for one of the following reasons:
- You were referred by a District Court judge;
- You were referred by an Administrative Law Judge in the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH);
- You applied for a new driver’s license after your original license was revoked due to an alcohol-related incident.
If you are required to attend an AEP, the MVA will send you a referral letter. The letter will provide instructions for arranging a preliminary alcohol assessment and attending an alcohol education program.
The results of the alcohol assessment will determine if you are considered an alcohol abuser or alcohol dependent. If you are identified as either an alcohol abuser or alcohol dependent you will be required to successfully complete the longer, 26-week Alcohol Treatment Program, which incorporates the 12-hour AEP curriculum.
What do I have to do if I must attend a 12-Hour Alcohol Education Program (AEP)?
If you are not identified as either an alcohol abuser or alcohol dependent, you will be required to successfully complete only one 12-Hour AEP. These are the things you must do:
- You must contact an AEP provider to sign-up for one of the sessions offered.
- The program must begin within 90 days from the due date printed in the top right hand corner on your referral letter;
- You must take the referral letter to your AEP session;
- If you misplace your letter and need a duplicate referral letter to take to class, please visit an MVA branch office or contact the Driver Improvement Programs Unit in the Driver Wellness and Safety Division. If a branch office is contacted, the branch representative will contact the Driver Improvement Programs Unit which will print the duplicate letter. The letter will be available at the counter or will be faxed or mailed to you within 24 hours.
Upon successful completion of the AEP session, you will receive a letter verifying your completion from the program provider.
FAQ
How long recovery takes for a drug or alcohol addiction depends on a number of factors. It begins with the person, what sort of dependence he or she has, and how severe the addiction is. Some substances may require only out-patient services, where you can can stay at home. Others require an inpatient stay at a residential recovery clinic. ACTC addiction treatments, like those in most other states, offer everything from short-term, 30 day solutions up to 120 day and even longer-term choices.
When reviewing the price of rehabilitation in Maryland, look at the expense as an investment in your family’s future. Most rehab clinics are able to take partial payment through any company or private insurance plan you have. If you wish to talk about your eligibility and the cost of treatment in ACTC, talk to one of our friendly and professional Counselors to get clear and honest answers to your questions.
If you do not attend an AEP by the due date specified on your referral letter, the MVA will suspend your driving privilege. You will be notified of the suspension by letter, in which you also will be instructed to surrender your driver’s license to any full service MVA. When you complete the AEP, you may then apply for a new license.
Drivers who are required to attend the 26-week Alcohol Treatment Program (which includes 12 hours of alcohol education) will be given a reasonable time period in which to complete the program.
