MIP Class Online
An alcohol awareness program, which some may also call an "MIP class," is required for those placed on deferred disposition or convicted of Minor in Possession (MIP) in Texas. Recent modifications to the Alcoholic Beverage Code have clarified that the use of Texas Education Agency (TEA) / TDLR approved Drug and Alcohol Driving Awareness Programs (DADAP) are also acceptable for an MIP.
Although the law authorizes it, if you are interested in taking DADAP online for your MIP, we recommend that you contact the Texas court handling your case to verify your eligibility prior to registration.
Once you have confirmed with the court, click on the REGISTER NOW button to begin your course. It's that just easy!
DADAP can be taken on the web for many different reasons. Here are just a few:
- Court Ordered – Alcohol / drug related offenses
- Insurance Discount – Save money
- Driver Ed Recertification – For Texas driver ed instructors
- Fleet Training – General safety awareness program
Since it is state approved by the TEA and the TDLR, the online DADAP course is an acceptable option for courts to use when referring individuals to an alcohol awareness course for certain drug and alcohol related offenses such as Possession of Alcohol by a Minor (MIP) charges. If you have confirmed that DADAP is an acceptable option for your alcohol awareness program requirement, you can sign up for DADAP online on this website.
Texas law authorizes DADAP as an alternative to a traditional MIP class
The use of DADAP as a State approved alternative to an in-person MIP class or alcohol awareness class is authorized by two main sections of law. First, Section 106.115 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code states the following:
On the placement of a minor on deferred disposition for an offense under Section 49.02, Penal Code, or under Section 106.02, 106.025, 106.04, 106.041, 106.05, or 106.07, the court shall require the defendant to attend an alcohol awareness program approved by the Department of State Health Services under this section or a drug and alcohol driving awareness program approved by the Texas Education Agency.
On conviction of a minor of an offense under one or more of those sections, the court, in addition to assessing a fine as provided by those sections, shall require a defendant who has not been previously convicted of an offense under one of those sections to attend an [the] alcohol awareness program or a drug and alcohol driving awareness program described by this subsection.
This means that an approved DADAP course is an acceptable alternative to the classroom only Alcohol Awareness Program approved by the Department of State Health Services (a.k.a. Health Department or TCADA) for minor in possession violations or other offenses listed in that section of the law.
Also, Section 469.007 of the Texas Health & Safety Code reads in part, "In addition to using a drug court program established under Section 469.002, the commissioners court of a county or a court may use other drug awareness or drug and alcohol driving awareness programs to treat persons convicted of drug or alcohol related offenses." This language also gives a Texas judge or court the authority to accept the completion of a DADAP course for various alcohol and drug offenses. Since the TEA and TDLR have approved of an online format for DADAP, the course's 24 / 7 availability is of great benefit to courts since there are no issues with full classes or requiring long travel to find a class.
Judges and court officials may learn more about the legal authority for use of DADAP by clicking here.
What is DADAP?
DADAP is an acronym that means Drug and Alcohol Driving Awareness Program. This 6-hour drug and alcohol awareness course was developed to teach students about the dangers of using alcohol or drugs, their effect on the body, and the driving task.
The DADAP curriculum addresses the vast majority of topics included in the state approved Alcohol Awareness Program approved by TCADA / Health Department, as well as additional information regarding driver safety, since automobile crashes are the number one killer of teens. Unique to the DADAP course is the concept of Attitude States, which relates the attitudinal disposition of the person as various psychological forces compete to control his or behavior. DADAP teaches that each driver has three Attitude States in control of his or her personality at any given time – the Parent Attitude State, the Adult Attitude State, or the Child Attitude State. By remaining in the Adult Attitude State as often as possible, a person is best equipped to avoid risky behavior and to make intelligent decisions, such as the important decision to NOT drink or use drugs, including while driving.
What does "Minor in Possession" mean?
A possession of alcohol by a minor or Minor in Possession (MIP) offense indicates that an individual under the age of 21 has possessed or had contact with an alcoholic beverage. Section 106.01 of the Texas Alcohol Beverage Code relates the following concerning the minor in possession offense:
106.01(a) A minor commits an offense if the minor purchases an alcoholic beverage. A minor does not commit an offense if the minor purchases an alcoholic beverage under the immediate supervision of a commissioned peace officer engaged in enforcing the provisions of this code.
106.01(b) An offense under this section is punishable as provided by Section 106.071.
106.025(a) A minor commits an offense if, with specific intent to commit an offense under Section 106.02 of this code, the minor does an act amounting to more than mere preparation that tends but fails to effect the commission of the offense intended.
106.025(b) An offense under this section is punishable as provided by Section 106.071.
Thus, a minor can be charged with a Minor in Possession offense if he or she has control over an alcohol beverage in any way. Exceptions to this would include if the minor's contact with alcohol is part of his or job (and the employer is allowed to sell alcohol), if the contact with alcohol was made while in the presence of his or her parent or legal guardian with their permission, or if contact was made while assisting a commissioned peace officer in the enforcement of the law. In many cases, a minor convicted under one or more of the sections related above will be required to complete a State approved Alcohol Awareness Program (a.k.a. MIP class). And for the reasons explained above, online DADAP is now an acceptable option to meet that requirement.
An MIP citation is similar to a traffic citation in some respects. Both types of citation denote the violation and assign a court date with which the offender must comply. An MIP offense requires that the defendant enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. The maximum penalties for an MIP conviction can include a $500 fine, suspended license, community service, and attendance of an alcohol awareness / MIP class. More than two convictions of a minor in possession charge can result in possible jail time and a fine of $2,000.
Note: DADAP is not a defensive driving course and cannot be used to dismiss a Texas traffic ticket. If you need a ticket dismissal course (driving safety course), click here.
Click the REGISTER NOW button to get started on your Texas DADAP course today.
Click the orange button to learn how the DADAP course can benefit individuals charged with certain alcohol and drug related offenses.
