New Jersey Intoxicated Driver Resource Center

If a driver has been convicted of an alcohol or drug related traffic or boating offense in New Jersey, then he must satisfy the requirements of the Intoxicated Driving Program (IDP) and the Intoxicated Driver Center (IDRC).

The Intoxicated Driving Program is a unit of the Division of Addiction Services of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. The IDRC’s are units of, or contractors to, the 21 counties. IDP schedules you for the 12- or 48- Hour IDRC program and notifies Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) when you have completed or failed to comply.

If a driver is sentenced as a first offender, he will be detained, educated, and evaluated for at least six hours each day on two consecutive days — a total of 12 hours – in the county IDRC facility. If the driver is sentenced as a second offender and he is not sentenced to jail or inpatient treatment, he will be detained, educated and evaluated during a period of 48 consecutive hours in a regional facility.

If a driver is sentenced as a third offender, then the municipal court may sentence the driver to jail or to an inpatient alcoholism treatment program or both. Nonetheless, the IDP will schedule the driver to appear at the 12 hour IDRC for a follow-up evaluation. The driver may also be required to participate in additional treatment or self help. In all cases you must satisfy the program, fee and treatment requirements of IDP/IDRC before any type of driver’s license is restored.

The Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will also send the driver a notice confirming your license suspension, and they will also bill the driver $200 for the MVC restoration fee ($100) and the IDP administrative fee ($100). The IDP fee is required for each alcohol-related conviction. The combined fee of $200 is payable immediately to the DMV upon confirmation of the suspension at a 12-hour IDRC or $200 at a 48 hour IDRC. If the driver is referred to a treatment program then they are also responsible for these costs.

If a driver does not live in New Jersey, then he/she still will have to comply with the program requirements. The driving privilege restoration and IDP fees $200.00 still must be paid to Motor Vehicle Commission. If you live within driving distance of an IDRC in New Jersey, then you will be scheduled to appear there. If not, you will be given an opportunity to satisfy the requirements in your home state.

If you fail to appear at the IDRC or if you do not satisfactorily complete a prescribed treatment or self-help program, or pay the fees on time, your license suspension will be extended, and you may also be jailed two days for non-compliance. The IDP/IDRC program completion will still be required.

What happens at the IRDC?

The driver will have to pay the IDRC a program fee and also complete a questionnaire. The driver will attend a series of educational sessions and discussions about DWI and the effects of drinking and driving. Most often, the drivers will have to watch numerous videotapes of bad accidents involving DWI. The driver will also meet with a counselor for their own personal evaluative interview.

The education program, which is part of the 12 and 48 hour IDRC, contains information on social and problem drinking, stages of alcoholism, the family and other relationships, alcohol and drugs and their effects on driving ability, and the New Jersey Intoxicated Driving Law.

After the education program, the driver may be referred to a treatment program or self-help group for alcohol or drug problems. If the driver is referred to treatment, it will be for a minimum of 16 weeks. The IDRC may require monitored treatment or self-help group attendance for a maximum of one year. You must complete treatment as part of your sentence.

A person’s driving privilege will only be restored when they have served all court- and MVC-imposed suspensions and if they are in compliance with all of the Intoxicated Driving Program and Intoxicated Driver Resource Center requirements.

INTOXICATED DRIVER RESOURCE CENTER – FAQ’S

1. How does the program apply to me?

If you have been convicted of an alcohol drug-related traffic or boating offense in New Jersey, then you must satisfy the requirements of the Intoxicated Driving Program (IDP) and the Intoxicated Driving Center (IDRC). These programs have two purposes; (1) to make our highways and waterways safer by educating drivers and boat operators about alcohol, drugs and their relation to motor vehicle and boating safety; and (2) to identify and treat those who need treatment for an alcohol or drug problem.

2. What program must I attend, and where is it?

If you are sentenced as a first offender, you will be detained, educated and evaluated for at least six hours each day on two consecutive days – a total of 12 hours – in your county IDRC. If you are sentenced as a second offender and not sentenced to jail or inpatient treatment, you will be detained, educated and evaluated during a period of 48 consecutive hours in a regional facility.

If you are sentenced as a third offender, then the court may sentence you to jail or to an inpatient alcoholism treatment program or both. IDP will schedule you to appear at the 12-hour IDRC to follow up. You may be required to participate in additional treatment or self help. In all cases you must satisfy the program, fee and treatment requirements of IDP/IDRC before your license is restored.

3. How much does it cost?

Motor Vehicle Services (MVS) will send you a notice confirming your license suspension and will bill you $150 for the MVS restoration fee ($50) and the IDP administrative fee ($100). The IDP fee is required for each alcohol-related conviction. This combined fee of $150 is payable immediately to the Division of Motor Vehicle Services upon confirmation of your suspension. In addition, you must pay $150 upon attendance at a 12-hour IDRC of $200 at a 48 hour IDRC. If you are referred to a treatment program you are also responsible for those costs.

4. If I don’t live in New Jersey must I still comply?

Yes. The driving privilege restoration and IDP fees $150 still must be paid to Motor Vehicle Service. If you live within driving distance of an IDRC in New Jersey, you will be scheduled to appear there. If not you will be an opportunity to satisfy the requirements in you home state.

5. What if I don’t participate?

If you fail to appear at the IDRC or do not satisfactorily complete a prescribed treatment or self-help program, or pay the fees on time, your license suspension will be extended or reimposed, and you may also be jailed two days for non-compliance. IDP/IDRC program completion will still be required.

6. What happens at the IDRC?

You will pay the IDRC program fee and complete a questionnaire. You will attend a series of educational sessions and discussions. You will meet with a counselor for a personal evaluation interview.

7. What does the education program do?

The education program, which is part of the 12- and 48- hour IDRC, contains information on social and problem drinking, stages of alcoholism, the family and other relationships, alcohol and drugs and their effects on driving ability, and the New Jersey Intoxicated Driving Law.

8. What happens after I have been detained and evaluated?

You may be referred to a treatment program or self-help group for alcohol or drug problems. If you are referred to treatment, it will be for a minimum of 16 weeks. The IDRC may require monitored treatment or self-help group attendants for a maximum of one year. You must complete treatment as part of your sentence.

9. What about my driver’s license?

Your driving privilege will be restored when you have served all court- and MVS-imposed suspensions and if you are in compliance with all Intoxicated Driving Program and Intoxicated Driver Resource Center requirements.

10. What is the IDP/IDRC?

The Intoxicated Driving Program is a unit of the Division of Addiction Services of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. The IDRC’s are units of, or contractors to, the 21 counties. The IDP schedules you for the 12-or 48-hour IDRC program and notifies Motor Vehicle Services (MVS) when you have completed or failed to comply. IDP staff work with the IDRC’s to insure that you are treated fairly under the law.

For more information

Write to:
Intoxicated Driving Program
P.O. Box 365, Trenton
New Jersey 08625-0365.
Or view the MVC website.