With the increasingly severe penalties and enforcement of  DUI in California come even newer and harsher punishments to be imposed on drunk driving offenders. Fines and jail sentences as well as license suspensions and revocations have been raised for the basic offense of driving drunk. Being convicted of a second, third, fourth or more frequent offense has resulted in longer jail times and the raising of the charges to felony levels.

You will be required to complete a court ordered DUI Class in California after conviction.  These classes can vary in length from 3 months for 1st offenders up to 18 months for repeat offenses. The requirements for attending and passing these court-ordered classes vary depending on the county of the conviction.

For the most part, alcohol classes are expensive but normally allow an installment type payment if you can't pay the whole thing up front. 

The classes are given by court-approved agencies and the court does not give credit for classes given by agencies that are not approved. Generally, the class content will include identifying one's own drinking/drug-use patterns and the development of a plan to help reduce the probability of future DUI behavior.

In most cases proof of enrollment in a court approved program is required to get your temporary drivers license.  You must show a certificate of enrollment as proof to the DMV.  

Afer completion of the class is when you normally get full driving privileges back.