DWI Assessment Information

A North Carolina DWI Assessment is required of everyone who is convicted of Driving While Impaired in the state of North Carolina. You can not receive a Limited Driving Privilege without a DWI Assessment. DWI assessments and groups can only be conducted by facilities licensed by the state of North Carolina. Each of these licensed facilities must have a North Carolina DWI Provider Code. Getting an assessment and treatment by a substance abuse professional does not necessarily mean that professional has a North Carolina Provider DWI license. 

     First Step Services, LLC is fully licensed by the state and will assist you with your assessment in a professional, confidential and timely manner.  First Step will often complete an assessment the day you call to request an appointment.

Why Get Your DWI Assessment Done as Soon as Possible?

• A DWI assessment is required prior to receiving a Limited Driving Privilege. 
• Shorten the period of time you can't drive during your "Civil Revocation."
• Complete the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles DWI Assessment and Treatment requirements.
• A DWI Assessment is a Mitigating Factor during your trial and can reduce the level of punishment, possibly helping avoid active jail time. 
• Know up front where you stand with your DWI Substance Abuse requirements.
• The judge might ask you if you have entered or completed a DWI program at the trial. Starting now can help you a lot.

Don't be fooled by mailed or other notices that say you must go to any particular agency for a DWI assessment.  You can choose ANY licensed DWI agency you like.

First Step is conveniently located just inside the Beltline on 

Six Forks Road and on Highway 50 (Benson Road) in Garner. 

For driving directions, see below.

Parking is plentiful, safe and free.

        A DWI Assessment is an alcohol abuse and drug abuse assessment consisting of a clinical interview and a structured DWI assessment questionnaire to determine if a person has a problem with alcohol or drugs. There are a few different assessment types that are used by different DWI programs. 

        Possible outcomes of the DWI assessment are alcohol or drug dependence, alcohol or drug abuse, or no alcohol or drug "handicap." The DWI assessment and related paperwork take approximately one hour to and hour and a half. Allow at lease one hour for the DWI assessment when you schedule your appointment with First Step. You can leave with all the paperwork you need for your attorney, court or the Division of Motor Vehicles.

First Step provides a comfortable, private environment for you to complete your assessment. 

PROGRAM PLACEMENT CRITERIA

(From the NC DHHS DWI Services and Wake County Court Services Homepages) 

The DWI Assessment results will assign you to one of the following levels of group or class.

There are five placement levels for DWI substance abuse treatment in North Carolina. There are a minimum number of contact hours and minimum lengths of time a person must be involved. These are now codified into a new section 122C-142.1 of the General Statutes: "Substance abuse services for those convicted of driving while impaired, or driving after drinking by person under 21."

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

• First DUI/DWI conviction (Total lifetime)
• Arrest BAC of .14 or less
• Did not refuse breath test
• Has no substance abuse diagnosis
• Must be a minimum of ten contact hours

Level II-DWI Short-term Treatment:

• More than 1 DUI/DWI
• Refused breath test 
• BAC of .15 or greater
• DSM-IV diagnosis of Substance Abuse
• Meets Level I ASAM (American Society of Addictions Medicine) program placement criteria.
• A minimum of 20 contact hours lasting a minimum of 30 days

Level III-DWI Intermediate Level Treatment:

• Meets criteria for DSM-IV Substance Dependence Diagnosis
• Meets Level I ASAM program placement criteria
• Minimum of 40 contact hours, minimum of 60 days duration

Level IV-Intensive Outpatient Treatment:

• DSM-IV diagnosis of Substance Dependence, moderate to severe
• Meets Level II ASAM program placement criteria
• A minimum of 90 contact hours with a minimum duration of 90 days
• According to ASAM, to be considered intensive outpatient, this requires at least 3 sessions and 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:

• DSM-IV diagnosis of Substance Dependence, severe
• Meets Level III or IV program placement criteria
• Upon discharge from inpatient treatment, a person has to enroll in an approved continuing care or outpatient program to meet the 90-day time frame.

N. C. law allows up to 15 days credit for inpatient treatment in place of mandatory active sentence. However, an inpatient treatment facility can admit a person to inpatient treatment, ONLY, if that person meets the ASAM criteria for this level of treatment. This is true, even if the person wants to pay for this in full out of his own pocket. Failure to follow the ASAM criteria can result in a facility's losing its Medicare or Medicaid accreditation and puts in jeopardy payments by private insurers. Admission to inpatient treatment is based solely on medical or psychiatric necessity, not on a legal requirement or personal preference! (From the DHHS DWI Services)

Requirements --You must bring the following to the assessment:

1. A copy of your driving record from the DMV. The North Carolina Certified Driving Record costs $7.00. It must be signed or stamped by the DMV. If you can't get one, First Step will go to the DMV for you.

2. Verification of your Breathalyzer reading. You will probably have this with your ticket. This can also be obtained from your attorney, the Clerk of Court or possibly from the North Carolina DMV. First Step will assist with picking this up for you if you are unable to go to the court house. 

3. Fee payment of $50 for the assessment in cash or money order.

4. Come to the assessment alcohol and drug free. If you are "high" or have alcohol on  your breath, you will be turned away and will be charged for the time the counselor reserved for your assessment. 

North Carolina DWI ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

        A DWI Substance Abuse Assessment is required by law for all those convicted of DWI in North Carolina. Getting a DWI assessment prior to court is a mitigating factor at the trial and could lessen the level of punishment you receive. Education or substance abuse treatment is required of everyone convicted of Driving Wile Impaired. Depending on the level recommended by the assessment, classes or treatment may last from 4 weeks to 90 days.

Enrolling in the recommended treatment before court can also be an advantage at the trial. Many attorneys are now recommending that you enroll at the time of your assessment. Consult your attorney for advice on this.

     First Step provides DWI and substance abuse assessments in the evening and on Saturday or sometimes on Sunday. The state requires that a provider charge $50 for the DWI assessment. First Step charges no administrative fees or other charges of any type except for out of state transfers. 

        To schedule your appointment, call (919) 833-8899 . You can pay by either money order, credit card or cash. . You can pay by either money order, credit card or cash.

        Before the results of your assessment can be finalized, you will need to bring in written proof of your Breathalyzer reading (BAC) if you were arrested for DWI. You can also obtain a copy from the clerk's office or have your attorney fax verification to us. You will also need a certified copy of your driving record . If you have a North Carolina driver's license this can be obtained in room 108 at the DMV located at 1100 New Bern Avenue in Raleigh. First Step staff will pick up your NC driving record and court records if you need that service.