If you’ve been ordered to complete a DUI program in San Bernardino County or Riverside County, you’re already dealing with a lot – court requirements, DMV paperwork, legal fees, and program costs. The last thing you need is to spend a significant chunk of money on gas every time you drive to a class.
For many clients in the Inland Empire and High Desert, that’s exactly what’s happening. California continues to have some of the highest gas prices in the nation, and for residents in cities like Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Adelanto, Barstow, or the more remote areas of Riverside County, driving to a DUI program location multiple times per week adds up fast.
That’s why Jackson Bibby Awareness Group offers virtual DUI classes through our licensed Redlands and Victorville programs – because completing your court-ordered requirements shouldn’t cost you more than it has to.
How Much Are Gas Prices Actually Costing DUI Program Clients?
Let’s put some numbers to it. California gas prices regularly run $1.00 to $1.50 per gallon higher than the national average. For someone driving a typical vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon, here’s what the math looks like for a round trip to a DUI class:
From Victorville area to Redlands (if Victorville location isn’t available):
- Round trip: approximately 60-70 miles
- At 25 MPG and $5.00/gallon gas: roughly $12-14 per trip
- Over an 18-month program with weekly sessions: potentially $600-700 in gas alone
From Hesperia or Apple Valley to Victorville:
- Round trip: approximately 20-30 miles
- At 25 MPG and $5.00/gallon gas: roughly $4-6 per trip
- Over an 18-month program: potentially $200-300 in gas
From outlying Riverside County areas to Redlands:
- Round trip: approximately 40-60 miles depending on location
- At 25 MPG and $5.00/gallon gas: roughly $8-12 per trip
- Over a program period: potentially $400-600 in gas
And that’s just gas. Add wear and tear on your vehicle, parking, and the time cost of driving, and the real price of in-person attendance gets even higher.
What Are Virtual DUI Classes and Do They Count?
Virtual DUI classes through Jackson Bibby Awareness Group are conducted via Zoom with a licensed counselor leading the session – exactly like an in-person group, but accessed from your home, your office, or anywhere private with a reliable internet connection.
These are not self-paced internet courses. They are live, structured group sessions that follow the same California-approved curriculum as our in-person classes. They are conducted by the same certified counselors who run our in-person programs, and they meet the same court and DMV requirements.
What virtual DUI classes look like at Jackson Bibby:
- Live Zoom sessions with a licensed counselor
- Structured group format with required participation
- Same curriculum as in-person classes
- Sessions available mornings, afternoons, and evenings
- Accessible from any private location with internet
- Attendance tracked and reported to court and DMV the same way as in-person
Who Is Eligible for Virtual DUI Classes?
Virtual participation is available for qualifying clients enrolled in our Redlands and Victorville programs. Eligibility depends on your required program type and current scheduling availability.
Not every program type may have virtual options available at all times, which is why we recommend calling before assuming virtual is available for your specific situation.
Virtual classes tend to work especially well for:
- High Desert residents (Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, Adelanto) who face long drives to any DUI program
- Clients in outlying areas of Riverside County
- People with demanding work schedules or irregular hours
- Clients without reliable transportation
- Those who want to avoid the added cost of gas, parking, and travel time
The Real Value of Going Virtual in a High-Cost State
California is consistently ranked among the most expensive states for drivers. Beyond gas prices, insurance costs, vehicle registration, and tolls all add up. For someone already managing the financial impact of a DUI – which can include legal fees, fines, SR-22 insurance, IID installation, and program costs – saving money on transportation is meaningful.
Virtual DUI classes eliminate:
- Gas costs for every session
- Vehicle wear and tear
- Parking costs at program locations
- Time lost to commuting
- Childcare costs that might be needed for travel time
For a client on an 18-month SB38 program attending weekly, those savings can be substantial over the life of the program.
What You Still Need to Know About Virtual Classes
Being honest about virtual DUI classes matters to us, so here are a few things to keep in mind:
You still need a private space. Virtual sessions require a location where you can participate without interruption or other people being present. Your car, a coffee shop, or a shared workspace typically won’t work.
You need a reliable internet connection. Sessions are conducted live via Zoom. A stable connection is required for proper participation and attendance tracking.
Not every program type may qualify. Call us first to confirm whether your required program has virtual group options currently available.
Attendance rules still apply. Missing a virtual session has the same consequences as missing an in-person one. The attendance tracking and court/DMV reporting requirements are identical.
Starting Virtual DUI Classes with Jackson Bibby
If you’re a San Bernardino County or Riverside County resident looking to complete your DUI program requirements without the added burden of high California gas prices, contact Jackson Bibby Awareness Group to ask about virtual class availability.
We offer virtual DUI program options through our licensed Redlands and Victorville locations, with classes available in English and Spanish.
We serve individuals convicted in, living in, or working in San Bernardino County and Riverside County. Virtual options are available for qualifying clients – call us to confirm availability for your required program.
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