Georgia’s Risk Reduction Program (RRP), usually called DUI school, happens in two steps. First you complete a Needs Assessment ($100). Then you attend a 20-hour, in-person DUI class ($260) built on the Prime For Life curriculum. In the class you take an honest look at your high-risk behaviors and learn healthier, lower-risk ways to make decisions. You have to attend every session and show up on time. After you finish, the completed program counts toward getting your driver’s license reinstated after a DUI or drug-related charge in Georgia.
If a judge or the Department of Driver Services (DDS) has just told you to complete DUI school, you probably have a lot of questions. What actually goes on in that room for 20 hours? Is it a test? A lecture? Will you have to talk about your arrest?
This guide walks you through the program from start to finish, based on how the DUI School Risk Reduction Program works at AACS Atlanta. It’s for anyone in Atlanta, Marietta, Decatur, or anywhere else in Georgia who wants to know what to expect before they sign up.
What Is the Risk Reduction Program in Georgia?
The Risk Reduction Program is a 20-hour DUI school class that helps people assess their high-risk behaviors and find healthier, low-risk ways to move forward. The court or the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) usually orders it after a DUI or drug-related offense.
You may hear it called by a few different names, and they all mean the same thing:
- DUI school
- RRP class
- 20-hour DUI class
- DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program
- DDS-certified DUI school
The key point: you must complete this program before your driver’s license can be reinstated after a DUI or drug-related charge in Georgia.
Who Has to Attend the Risk Reduction Program?
You’ll usually need to complete the RRP if:
- A Georgia court ordered it as part of a DUI or drug-related case, or
- The Department of Driver Services (DDS) requires it before it will reinstate your license.
If you aren’t sure the program applies to you, check your court paperwork or DDS notice, or call AACS Atlanta at 800-683-7745 and ask.
What Happens During the Risk Reduction Program: Step by Step
Here’s how the process goes, in the order you’ll go through it.
Step 1: You Complete the Needs Assessment (Before Class Starts)
You can’t just walk into the 20-hour class. You first have to register for and complete a Needs Assessment.
The assessment is the starting point of the whole program. It comes before any classroom time, and you need it done before you can enroll in the 20-hour course.
- Needs Assessment fee: $100.00
Think of it as your entry ticket. Once it’s done, you can move on to scheduling the class itself.
Step 2: You Enroll and Pay for the 20-Hour Class
After your Needs Assessment, you sign up for the 20-hour Risk Reduction course. Two things matter here:
- Full payment is due at least 24 hours before the first day of class. If you haven’t paid by then, you can’t start.
- You’ll sign an enrollment contract. Before you sign it, look closely at your schedule for work shifts, family obligations, or anything else that could clash with a session. (More on why this matters in the attendance section below.)
You also have to attend the 20-hour program within the specified timeframe after your assessment, so don’t let it sit for too long.
Step 3: You Attend the 20-Hour DUI School in Person
This is the main part of the program. The class is in person, and it’s usually held on weekends and evenings so people who work or go to school can still attend.
So what happens in class?
You work through the Prime For Life curriculum. The Risk Reduction Program uses Prime For Life, a curriculum developed by the Prevention Research Institute (PRI). The program is built around two ideas:
- Honest self-assessment of high-risk behaviors. You’re asked to take a real, honest look at the choices and habits that put you at risk. The point isn’t to shame you. It’s to help you see your own patterns clearly.
- Building awareness for better decisions. Once you can recognize those high-risk behaviors, the class helps you build the awareness you need to make better decisions from here on.
You explore healthier, low-risk ways to move forward. Beyond looking back, the program is about what comes next. It’s meant to help you find practical, lower-risk ways to handle situations that led to trouble before.
You’re there for every minute. DDS-certified DUI schools count attendance strictly. Completing the program means attending all 20 hours, not just most of them.
Step 4: You Finish the Program and Move Toward License Reinstatement
Once you’ve completed both the Needs Assessment and the full 20-hour class, you’ve met the Risk Reduction Program requirement. In Georgia, completing this program is required before your driver’s license can be reinstated after a DUI or drug-related charge.
For many people, this is the step that finally lets them get back on the road. As one AACS Atlanta client put it:
Just wanted to let you both know that I left AACS a five-star review and I appreciate your good work. I have my driver’s license back and I am excited about what the future holds.
Ádomás, Verified Client (Google Review)
Risk Reduction Program Attendance Rules You Need to Know
This is where a lot of people get caught off guard. All DDS-certified DUI schools in Georgia enforce strict attendance requirements, and AACS Atlanta follows the same rules.
During the program, you’re expected to:
- Arrive on time for every session
- Complete every session from start to finish
Here’s what happens if you don’t:
| Situation | What Can Happen |
|---|---|
| You arrive late | You may be denied entry and have to restart the course at full cost |
| You miss a session | You may have to restart the course at full cost |
| You leave a session early | You may have to restart the course at full cost |
That’s why it’s so important to check your calendar before you sign the enrollment contract. Showing up 15 minutes late could mean paying for the whole course again.
How Much Does the Risk Reduction Program Cost in Georgia?
The total cost of the Risk Reduction Program-RRP at AACS Atlanta is $360.00. Here’s the breakdown:
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Needs Assessment | $100.00 | Must be completed before enrolling in the class |
| 20-Hour Class Fee | $235.00 | Set by Georgia state law |
| Book Fee | $25.00 | Course materials |
| Total Program Cost | $360.00 |
The 20-hour course portion (class fee plus book fee) comes to $260.00, and it’s due in full at least 24 hours before class starts.
Accepted payment methods: cash, Mastercard, Visa, debit cards, and PayPal.
Risk Reduction Program Classes for Atlanta, Marietta, and Decatur
AACS Atlanta has served people across Georgia for more than 25 years. Its counselors bring decades of combined clinical experience in DUI education and substance abuse treatment across Atlanta, Marietta, and Decatur.
A few reasons people across metro Atlanta choose AACS Atlanta for DUI school:
- DDS-certified and approved Risk Reduction Program provider
- LegitScript addiction-treatment certification
- Active ADACBGA membership
- Weekend and evening classes that work around your job
- Court-approved services, with same-day appointments available
Whether you’re coming from downtown Atlanta, Marietta in Cobb County, or Decatur in DeKalb County, the program works the same way: a Needs Assessment, then the 20-hour in-person class.
Office hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Closed on all major holidays
Tips to Get Through the Risk Reduction Program Without Problems
Based on how the program works, these simple steps can save you time and money:
- Book your Needs Assessment early. You can’t enroll in the 20-hour class without it.
- Confirm your school is DDS-approved. DDS keeps a complete list of certified DUI, Alcohol, and Drug Use Risk Reduction Programs on its website. AACS Atlanta is on it.
- Pay at least 24 hours before class. Late payment means you can’t start on your scheduled date.
- Check your schedule before you sign. Look for any conflicts with every session date before signing the enrollment contract.
- Plan to arrive early. Late arrivals may be turned away and have to start over at full cost.
- Stay for the full session, every time. Leaving early counts against you the same way missing a session does.
- Be honest with yourself. The Prime For Life curriculum is built around honest self-assessment. You’ll get the most out of it if you approach it openly.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Risk Reduction Program
What happens during the Risk Reduction Program in Georgia?
You complete a Needs Assessment and then attend a 20-hour, in-person DUI class that uses the Prime For Life curriculum. The class focuses on honest self-assessment of high-risk behaviors and on building the awareness you need to make better, lower-risk decisions going forward.
How long is the Risk Reduction Program?
The class is 20 hours long. You also have to complete a Needs Assessment before you can enroll in it.
Do I need a Needs Assessment before DUI school in Georgia?
Yes. You must register for and complete a Needs Assessment before you can enroll in the 20-hour Risk Reduction course. The assessment fee is $100.00.
How much does DUI school cost in Georgia?
At AACS Atlanta, the total Risk Reduction Program cost is $360.00. That covers the $100.00 Needs Assessment, the $235.00 class fee (set by Georgia state law), and the $25.00 book fee.
When is payment due for the Risk Reduction Program?
Full payment for the 20-hour course must be made at least 24 hours before the first day of class.
What curriculum does the Georgia Risk Reduction Program use?
The program uses Prime For Life, a curriculum developed by the Prevention Research Institute (PRI).
Is the Risk Reduction Program online or in person?
The 20-hour Risk Reduction Program must be attended in person.
When are Risk Reduction Program classes held?
Classes are usually offered on weekends and evenings. Call AACS Atlanta at 800-683-7745 to confirm current dates and times.
What happens if I’m late or miss a DUI school session?
Students who arrive late may be denied entry and required to restart the course at full cost. Students who miss a session or leave early may also have to restart at full cost.
Do I need to complete the Risk Reduction Program to get my license back?
Yes. Completing the Risk Reduction Program is required before your driver’s license can be reinstated following a DUI or drug-related charge in Georgia.
How do I know if a DUI school is DDS-approved?
The DDS website has a complete list of all DDS-certified DUI, Alcohol, and Drug Use Risk Reduction Programs. AACS Atlanta is a certified and approved provider.
Who orders the Risk Reduction Program?
It’s usually ordered by a Georgia court or by the Department of Driver Services (DDS).
Ready to Start Your Risk Reduction Program?
The RRP isn’t something to put off. The sooner you finish your Needs Assessment and the 20-hour class, the sooner you can move toward getting your license back.
AACS Atlanta offers DDS-certified DUI school for people in Atlanta, Marietta, Decatur, and across Georgia, with weekend and evening classes that fit around your life.
Call 800-683-7745 or 404-793-6838 or book your Risk Reduction Program class online. The team typically responds within 30 minutes.
About the Author
AACS Atlanta, a DDS-certified Risk Reduction Program provider serving Atlanta, Marietta and Decatur for more than 25 years. AACS Atlanta holds LegitScript addiction-treatment certification and an active ADACBGA membership, and its counselors bring decades of combined clinical experience in DUI education and substance abuse treatment.
This article was clinically reviewed by [Counselor Name, Credentials].
