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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 11.5Ch. 2Art. 3§ 23556 Dui Probation Penalties

§ 23556 Dui Probation Penalties

Vehicle Code·California
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§ 23556 Dui Probation Penalties

This law says that if someone is caught driving drunk and gets probation, they must go to jail for at least 5 days, pay a fine, lose their driver's license, and complete a special program about alcohol and drugs.

Key Takeaways

  • •If you drive drunk and get probation, you must go to jail for at least 5 days.
  • •You will have to pay a fine between $390 and $1,000.
  • •You will lose your driver's license and have to go to special classes about alcohol and drugs.
  • •The classes last 3 months if your blood alcohol was low, or 9 months if it was high or you refused a test.

Example

If someone drinks too much beer and gets caught driving, they will have to go to jail for a few days, pay money, and go to classes about why drinking and driving is bad.

The law makes sure that people who drive drunk learn their lesson by going to jail, paying a fine, and taking classes to help them understand the dangers of drinking and driving.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 23556 Dui Probation Penalties

(a) (1) If the court grants probation to any person punished under Section 23554, in addition to the provisions of Section 23600 and any other terms and conditions imposed by the court, the court shall impose as a condition of probation that the person be confined in the county jail for at least five days but not more than one year and pay a fine of at least three hundred ninety dollars ($390) but not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). (2) The person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle shall be suspended by the department under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 13352. The court shall require the person to surrender the driver’s license to the court in accordance with Section 13550. (b) (1) In a county where the county alcohol program administrator has certified, and the board of supervisors has approved, a program or programs, the court shall also impose as a condition of probation that the driver shall participate in, and successfully complete, an alcohol and other drug education and counseling program, established pursuant to Section 11837.3 of the Health and Safety Code, as designated by the court. (2) In any county where the board of supervisors has approved and the State Department of Health Care Services has licensed an alcohol and other drug education and counseling program, the court shall also impose as a condition of probation that the driver enroll in, participate in, and successfully complete, a driving-under-the-influence program licensed pursuant to Section 11836 of the Health and Safety Code, in the driver’s county of residence or employment, as designated by the court. For the purposes of this paragraph, enrollment in, participation in, and completion of, an approved program shall be subsequent to the date of the current violation. Credit may not be given to any program activities completed prior to the date of the current violation. (3) The court shall refer a first offender whose blood-alcohol concentration was less than 0.20 percent, by weight, to participate for three months or longer, as ordered by the court, in a licensed program that consists of at least 30 hours of program activities, including those education, group counseling, and individual interview sessions described in Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 11836) of Part 2 of Division 10.5 of the Health and Safety Code. (4) The court shall refer a first offender whose blood-alcohol concentration was 0.20 percent or more, by weight, or who refused to take a chemical test, to participate for nine months or longer, as ordered by the court, in a licensed program that consists of at least 60 hours of program activities, including those education, group counseling, and individual interview sessions described in Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 11836) of Part 2 of Division 10.5 of the Health and Safety Code. (c) (1) The court shall revoke the person’s probation pursuant to Section 23602, except for good cause shown, for the failure to enroll in, participate in, or complete a program specified in subdivision (b). (2) The court, in establishing reporting requirements, shall consult with the county alcohol program administrator. The county alcohol program administrator shall coordinate the reporting requirements with the department and with the State Department of Health Care Services. That reporting shall ensure that all persons who, after being ordered to attend and complete a program, may be identified for either (A) failure to enroll in, or failure to successfully complete, the program, or (B) successful completion of the program as ordered. (d) The court shall advise the person at the time of sentencing that the driving privilege shall not be restored until the person has provided proof satisfactory to the department of successful completion of a driving-under-the-influence program of the length required under this code that is licensed pursuant to Section 11836 of the Health and Safety Code. (e) This section shall become operative on September 20, 2005. (Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 22, Sec. 88. (AB 75) Effective June 27, 2013. Operative July 1, 2013, by Sec. 110 of Ch. 22.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

probationjail confinementfinedriver’s license suspensionalcohol and other drug education and counseling programblood-alcohol concentration (BAC)probation revocation

Related Statutes

  • § 23562 Dui Probation Jail Fines
  • § 23568 Probation Conditions Dui
  • § 13351 Driver License Revocation Crimes
  • § 13380 Peace Officer Dui Report
  • § 23554 Dui First Offense Penalties

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 23556.
View Official Source