DWI Assessment & Evaluation

If you have been convicted of a DWI (Driving While Impaired), you must get a substance use assessment. You must also complete either an education program or treatment program. If you fail to submit to a breath test or if you are registered over 0.14%, you will be referred to treatment. To get your driver's license re-instated, you must complete a DWI Substance Use Assessment.

  • All assessments must be conducted in person by an authorized DWI provider.

  • You are required to bring your court papers to the assessment.

  • The assessor must have a copy of your "Complete Driving History" from the DMV.

DWI Treatment Sessions

These placement requirements set by the NC DHHS DWI Services and must be followed by licensed DWI providers in the State of NC. Assessments are only valid for 6 months. North Carolina law dictates that there are five placement levels for DWI substance use treatment and education. There are a minimum number of contact hours, time in group or class, and minimum lengths of time a person must be involved for DWI and <21 driving after consuming convictions.

Level I-DWI Education (Alcohol & Drug Education Traffic School)

  • First DUI/DWI conviction (total lifetime)

  • Arrest BAC of 0.14 or less

  • Did not refuse breath test

  • Has no Substance Use Disorder diagnosis as determined by ASAM (American Society of Addictions Medicine) upon completion of comprehensive alcohol and drug use evaluation

  • Must be a minimum of 16 contact hours completed in no less than 5 sessions

Level II-DWI Short-term Treatment

  • Previous DUI/DWI conviction (total lifetime)

  • Arrest BAC of 0.15 or greater

  • Breath test refusal

  • Meets criteria for DSM-V Substance Use Disorder, Mild Diagnosis

Level III-DWI Long-term Treatment

  • Meets criteria for DSM-V Substance Use Disorder, Moderate Diagnosis

  • Meets Level I ASAM program placement criteria

  • Minimum of 40 but less than 89 contact hours, minimum of 60 days duration

Level IV-Intensive Outpatient Treatment (with this treatment recommendation, Outcomes will offer client a provider choice listing from NC DWI state office)

  • Meets criteria for DSM-V Substance Use Disorder, Moderate to Severe Diagnosis

  • Meets Level II ASAM program placement criteria

  • Minimum of 90 contact hours, minimum of 90 days duration

According to Health Insurance, the State of NC, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and NC DWI Services, the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) requires groups to be scheduled at least 3 sessions, 3 hours each for a total of 9 hours per week in treatment. This program may be preceded by a brief inpatient stay for detoxification or stabilization of a medical or psychiatric condition

Level V-Inpatient/Residential Treatment (with this treatment recommendation, Outcomes will offer client a provider choice listing from NC DWI state office)

  • DSM-V diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder, Severe

Upon discharge from inpatient treatment, a person is required by the State of NC to enroll in an approved continuing care or outpatient program to meet the 90-day time frame. There should not be any significant period of time between inpatient or residential treatment and beginning the 90 days follow up. There should also be no resumption of alcohol or drug use, even in small amounts prior to the 90 day follow up. If there is more than a couple of weeks between residential treatment and beginning the follow-up or there has been any substance use, the DWI client will likely have to begin a new treatment program