What Is ADETS in North Carolina?

ADETS stands for Alcohol and Drug Education Traffic School. It is North Carolina's education program for people with a DWI conviction who have not been identified as having a substance use disorder but may be at risk for developing one. If you need a certificate of completion (the 508 form) to restore your license after a DWI, ADETS is one of the two paths your assessment can lead to. The other is substance use treatment.

This guide covers what ADETS is, who has to attend, what the class involves, and how it differs from treatment.

What ADETS Is (and Isn't)

ADETS is an educational program, not a punishment handed down by the judge and not a form of treatment. Its goal, according to NC DHHS, is the prevention of alcohol and drug problems and the health problems they lead to.

It is also not the same as the "traffic school" people take for a speeding ticket. ADETS is specific to impaired driving, follows a state-approved curriculum, and is tied to the process for getting your license back.

Who Has to Attend ADETS?

It starts with a substance use assessment. In North Carolina, ADETS is the required path unless one of four things applies: your chemical test showed an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher at a relevant time after driving, you refused the chemical test, you have a prior conviction for an impaired driving offense, or the assessment identifies a substance abuse disability. If any of those apply, completion of a treatment program is required instead of ADETS.

So ADETS is generally the outcome for people whose assessment shows no substance use disorder and who don't meet those other criteria. The assessment makes that call, and you can't choose it for yourself.

What Is the ADETS Curriculum?

Every ADETS program in North Carolina uses the same evidence-based curriculum, PRIME for Life. It is a motivational program that focuses on understanding risk, making informed choices about alcohol and other drugs, and reducing the chance of future problems. It is aimed at changing how participants think about their own risk, not at lecturing them.

How Long Is ADETS?

State rules set a minimum of 16 hours of instruction, with classes limited to 20 participants. The way those hours are scheduled, such as across weekdays, evenings, or a weekend, depends on the provider. Ask your provider about the schedule before you enroll.

ADETS instructors must also be Department-authorized, so classes taught outside the approved system won't count toward your certificate of completion.

How Much Does ADETS Cost?

NC DHHS reports a $100 fee for the DWI substance use assessment and a $160 fee for the ADETS program, paid to the facility providing the service. Providers can set their own policies on payment, and fees can change, so confirm the current amount when you schedule.

ADETS vs. Treatment

The two are often confused, but they serve different people. ADETS is education for people with no identified substance use disorder. Treatment is clinical care for people whose assessment, or whose BAC, test refusal, or prior conviction history, calls for it. Treatment can be short-term or longer-term outpatient care, with more intensive levels recommended when needed.

Neither path is "easier" or "harder" in a legal sense. They are matched to the person by the assessment. Your assessment result also doesn't change the punishment the court gives you. Sentencing, including the Aggravated Level 1 through Level 5 structure and any mitigating factors, is handled separately by the court, so questions about it are best answered by a North Carolina DWI attorney.

What Happens After You Finish?

When you complete ADETS, the program issues your certificate of completion (the 508 form), which is required to restore your license after a DWI conviction. Starting soon after your assessment helps you avoid delays in the process.

ADETS Across North Carolina

SafeDrive Charlotte is based in Charlotte and serves clients in all 100 North Carolina counties, helping them understand and complete the NC DWI process, from the initial assessment through ADETS or treatment, depending on the result. If you're not sure what you need, the first step is an assessment. Call SafeDrive Charlotte at 704-999-2946 to talk through your next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: This article is for general education and is not legal or medical advice. Requirements depend on your circumstances, assessment results, and current law. Contact SafeDrive Charlotte at 704-999-2946 to discuss your situation.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncdhhs.gov/providers/provider-information/mental-health-development-disabilities-substance-use-services-and-traumatic-brain-injuries/alcohol-drug-education-training-school

2. https://www.absoluteadvocacy.org/what-is-adets-north-carolina/