What To Do After You Are Arrested For DWI in North Carolina – DWI Assessment

This is the second post in this 5-part series on How To Get Your Drivers License Back After A DWI. This series outlines the step-by-step process that we follow in DWI cases, including out-of-state DWI convictions in North Carolina.

The North Carolina DWI Assessment & Recommended Treatment Procedures

In Part 1 we covered what happens at the DWI arrest and the documents needed when you appear in court to request limited driving privileges [Read part 1 here: I’ve Been Arrested For DWI]. This week, we’ll cover what you need to know about the DWI Assessment.

Anyone convicted of a DWI in North Carolina is required to complete a DWI assessment followed by recommended treatment. The DWI assessment is a series of questions that will determine which level of treatment you will need in order to have your license and driving privileges fully reinstated. The assessment must be conducted by an agency licensed as a North Carolina DWI services provider. After the assessment, the provider will make a recommendation for treatment or classes that you need to take. There are 5 levels of DWI or substance abuse treatment.

1. Alcohol Drug Education Traffic School
2. Short Term Outpatient Treatment
3. Longer Term Outpatient Treatment
4. Day Treatment
5. Inpatient/Residential

The assessment will be used to determine the necessary treatment. If you have had no previous DWI offense convictions in your lifetime, did not refuse the breathalyzer or drug test, your BAC was 0.14% or less at the time of your arrest, and your assessment does not reveal a substance abuse or dependence, you will likely be recommended for ADETS classes.

Preparing For The DWI Assessment

When you contact the DWI service provider to schedule your DWI assessment, they will ask you to bring the following documents. Keep in mind that the more you can do prior to the DWI assessment, the less time you will have to spend during the assessment. Here’s what you will need to bring to the DWI assessment:

• A copy of your DWI citation
• Documentation of blood alcohol content at time of offense
• NC driving record, and if you have lived in other states, you will need your driving record from those states as well.

(Note: NC driving records can be requested from the North Carolina Department of Transportation at ncdot.gov/dmv/records/)

Completing The Recommended DWI Classes or Treatment

During the DWI assessment, the DWI service provider will determine what level of treatment is best for you. The important thing to note is you will have 6 months from the date of your DWI assessment in order to begin treatment. If you do not begin the recommended treatment within this 6-month period, you will be required to take the DWI assessment again.

Working With Absolute Advocacy to Resolve Your North Carolina DWI

As licensed DWI providers in North Carolina, we have put steps in place to help you get both your DWI assessment and DWI classes completed in a timely manner. Here are ways we can help:
Assessments: Our process is completely paperless. We use utilize a confidential client portal to send all the required documents to you ahead of time, you can then complete the documents on your phone or other device. This saves you time during the intake process. Assessments are offered six days a week, Monday through Saturday, by appointment only.

DWI Classes: Our assessor and treatment provider is a certified clinical director and Licensed Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), so you will meet with a professional who is qualified to understand your situation. We offer DWI classes five days a week including weekend hours to make it convenient for you to get them completed. We also offer our DWI classes online.

All DWI assessments and recommendations are confidential and we maintain the utmost privacy.

Once both the DWI assessment and recommended DWI classes have been satisfied, you will receive a certificate of completion, stating that you have met the assessment and treatment requirements for reinstatement. Next week we will discuss the court process for drivers license reinstatement after a DWI.

Need To Schedule An Appointment For a DWI Assessment?

If you are here because you need a DWI assessment, feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment