RIDR Level 3 in Hillsborough County, FL

If your first DUI arrest involved the use of chemical or controlled substances (instead of alcohol), you might be eligible for the RIDR Level 3 program offered in Hillsborough County, FL. RIDR stands for the “Reducing Impaired Driving Recidivism (RIDR) Program.”

Level 1 is reserved for DUI alcohol cases involving a BAC reading below .15.

Level 2 is reserved for DUI alcohol cases involving a refusal or BAC over .15.

Level 3 is reserved for DUI drug cases involving impairment caused by chemical or controlled substances (as opposed to or i combination with alcohol).

Although you might be eligible, the State Attorney’s Office reserves the right to evaluate each case on an individual, fact-specific basis. A defendant’s eligibility is determined at the sole discretion of the Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit.

Technically, RIDR III is a plea offer from the State. The Court still has discretion to reject the plea deal which the Court might not announce until the are standing in front of the judge and in the process of entering the plea. Some judges are more likely to reject a plea deal than others, and the reasons also vary from courtroom to courtroom.

Because some cases involve the consumption of both drugs and alcohol, you should discuss with your attorney the pros and cons of seeking admittance into the RIDR Level 1 or Level 3 program. Ultimately, the State Attorney’s Office will make the final decision about what level is appropriate.

This article explains the requirements for RIDR Level 3. If you complete the pre-plea sanctions and are accepted, you will be offered a negotiate plea that allows you to avoid a DUI conviction. Instead of the DUI conviction, your DUI charge will be reduced to reckless driving. The court will then withhold adjudication and place you on 12 months probation to complete the remaining special conditions.

If you also have a pending Refusal to Submit to Testing charge, the recommended offer will be that adjudication be withheld and you will pay all mandatory court costs.

RIDR Level 3 Pre-Plea Conditions

According to the RIDR Program Information Sheet, to enter the Level 3 RIDR program, your attorney must show the State Attorney’s Office proof that you successfully completing all of the the pre-plea requirements before your disposition date including:

1. Completed DUI School and all recommended follow up treatment.
   • You must enroll in DUI school in the county in which you live or work. If you reside in another state, your attorney may get special permission for you to complete DUI school in your home state.
   • If you reside in Florida, you are requires to complete a Florida-licensed DUI school.
   • The Florida-licensed DUI school in Hillsborough County is DUI Counterattack. If you live or work in Hillsborough County, FL, you can register for DUI school at http://www.duicounterattack.org. Their locations include:
     • Tampa location- 4711 N. Hubert Ave. – (813)875-6201
     • Brandon location-1063 E. Brandon Blvd. – 813)875-6201
   • For licensed DUI schools in other counties, go to https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/educationcourses/dui-and-iid/licensed-dui-programs-florida.
2. Completed at least one Victim Impact Panel (VIP).
   • You must complete one session of the Victim Impact Panel.
   • You can register for a Victim Impact Panel at https://www.maddvip.org/ or contact MADD at (813) 273-6233 ext. 7296.
   • The Victim Impact Panel begins at 6pm and is located at the Jail Assembly Room on the north end of the building at 520 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa, FL 33619.
   • Upcoming dates can be found at www.maddvip.org.
3.  You must not possess or consume alcohol, illegal drugs, or non-prescribed drugs.
4.  You must use a PharmCheck Drugs of Abuse Patch and consent to have reports provided to the SAO regarding the results of this patch.
   • To obtain PharmCheck Drugs of Abuse patches in Hillsborough County, contact:
     • Roche Monitoring Services at (813) 490-1427 – http://www.rochemonitoringservices.com; or
     • Tampa Bay Monitoring at (727) 535-6506 – www.tampabaymonitoring.com.
   • You must use a PharmCheck Drugs of Abuse Patch and consent to have all available reports provided to the SAO regarding the results of this patch, showing no violations.
   • Any violation may disqualify you from RIDR. All costs associated with obtaining monitoring reports are your responsibility.
5. You must consent to reports being provided to the SAO and HCSO Probation Services.
6. Successfully completion of ten (10) community service hours.
   • Community service hours are volunteer hours that you complete through a community organization of your choice. Organizations may include a charity, a house of worship, or a school.
   • Proof of community service hours must be turned in on the agency’s letterhead, signed by the person supervising the hours, and include the date and number of hours of service.
   • You may not receive pay or compensation for the hours.
   • You cannot pay for or “buyout” your community service hours.
   • You cannot donate money in exchange for hours.
   • You will receive credit for hours completed after the date of offense for your charge.
7. You must remain crime-free and commit no new law violations.

After the State Attorney’s Office (SAO) had reviewed proof of the completion of your pre-plea sanctions and screened your case, the SAO will determine whether you are eligible to participate in Level 3 of the RIDR program.

If you wish to participate in the RIDR program, your attorney will set your case for a disposition hearing approximately sixty (60) days from arraignment.

Under Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.191, you have the right to be brought to trial within ninety (90) days. To obtain a disposition date that will allow you to participate in the RIDR program, you will need to waive your right to speedy trial.

The proof of successful completion of each sanction must be submitted at least seven (7) days prior to your disposition court date. The documentation can be provided via email to RIDR@hillsboroughSAO.gov or by mail to:

You must pay any costs associated with the completion of these sanctions.

What is the Negotiated Plea Deal for RIDR Level III

If you successfully complete ALL of the pre-plea sanctions before your disposition court hearing and are accepted, the SAO will agree to the following resolution of your criminal case:

1. The State of Florida will reduce your charge of DUI and allow you to enter a plea of no contest or guilty to the reduced charge of reckless driving.
2. The State of Florida will recommend that adjudication be withheld, and you be placed on probation for a period of twelve (12) months with the following conditions of probation:
   1. Standard court costs.
   2. Successful completion of fifty (50) community service hours at a location approved by probation. You will be given credit at the time of sentencing for hours already completed.
   3. Ten (10) day vehicle immobilization.
   4. No possession or consumption of alcohol, illegal drugs, or non-prescribed drugs.
   5. Wear a PharmCheck Drugs of Abuse Patch for a period of three (3) months and consent to have reports provided to HCSO Probation.
   6. Successful completion of DUI School and any recommended treatment (with credit for completion prior to the date of sentence).
   7. All standard conditions of probation.

If you also have a pending Refusal to Submit to Testing charge, the recommended offer for that charge will be that adjudication be withheld and you will pay all mandatory court costs.

Read more about the eligibility requirements for Reducing Impaired Driving Recidivism (RIDR).

This article was last updated on Thursday, July 9, 2026.