•   home
•   driver's education
•   risk reduction & safety
•   counseling
•   location
•   links
•   instructors
•   calendar
•   on-line drivers education
•   contact us

Risk Reduction/DUI Program:

Every Georgian convicted of DUI, drug possession, underage possession of drugs, or underage possession of alcohol while driving a vehicle is required to complete a Risk Reduction Program approved by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse to be eligible for possible reinstatement of his or her driver's license. This approved Risk Reduction Program consists of two components:

1. Assessment: The assessment is a questionnaire that will take about 30 to 40 minutes to complete and can be completed in our office Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

2. Educational Component: This 20-hour Education course contains a great deal of new information about alcohol and drugs and is presented in an enlightening way. Each student will receive a study guide that summarizes the material covered in class, and it will also contain our course activities. This course can be beneficial to anyone concerned about the risk of alcohol or drugs. The program has several goals which include the following:

The first step is to help everyone understand his or her own level of risk for alcohol and drug-related problems. We teach a specific Five Step Risk Reduction Process developed at the Prevention Research Institute to help individuals estimate their own levels of biological risk and to teach them specific, research-based guidelines that, if followed, will make future problems with alcohol or drugs unlikely.

The second goal is to help people complete a self-assessment process looking at their own drinking and drug choices. This will help them determine if they have already developed alcoholism or drug addiction, or, if not, how close they might be to doing so, and what resources are available to them to further sort this out. Both the information from the course itself and the results of the assessment questionnaire completed prior to class will help each person determine what they need to do to avoid future problems with alcohol or drugs.

The third goal is to help each client continue the correct process to reinstate their driver's license. After the completion of the RRP, some clients can go right to the DMV to reinstate their licenses. Others, because of multiple offenses or varying requirements, may have to wait a specific amount of time, seek a clinical evaluation, complete a treatment program, or have the Interlock device installed. A Driving Advantage will help each of our clients get the services they need to reinstate their driver's licenses.

Interlock Devices and Services:

The Guardian Interlock Program is designed to provide services to individuals who have had two (2) or more DUI convictions within a five (5) year period. These individuals are required by law to get a breathalyzer installed on their vehicle and drive with a special permit for a six (6) month period. Guardian Interlock of West Georgia provides installation, monitoring, de-installation, and service at several locations including A Driving Advantage.

Driver Improvement/Defensive Driving Program:

Defensive Driving AKA Driver Improvement Program is a 6-hour course taught to help students review the rules of the road, defensive driving techniques, and the importance of being a safe, legal, and respectful driver. The course is typically taken for several reasons:

Drivers who have received traffic citations and or traffic points can take the course to possibly reduce up to 7 points on their motor vehicle report (MVR).

Drivers who are in jeopardy of having their license suspended due to an accumulation of points can complete the course and may keep their privilege to drive.

Drivers who have already had their license suspended may take the course to be eligible for possible reinstatement.

Drivers over 25 years of age who have had a clean driving record with no tickets or claims for the last three years can take the course and receive up to a 10% insurance discount.