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Home Resources DWI / Impaired Driving Services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Standards Questions

  1. Do the Standards for Clinical Services Provided to Individuals Arrested for an Impaired Driving Offense replace the Part 822 Regulations for OASAS Certified Programs?

    No.  OASAS certified outpatient programs must comply with the Part 822 Regulations while conducting screening, assessment and treatment services for impaired driving clients. OASAS certified programs that are also approved to provide screening and assessment services for impaired driving offenders should review Section 3 of the Standards, which identifies additional requirements they must comply with when providing clinical services to impaired driving offenders.
  2. Am I required to review a copy of the Abstract of Driving Record for all impaired driving offender clients? Where can I obtain a copy?

    Yes. Providers are required to review a copy of the client’s Abstract of Driving Record. Information about how your clients can obtain a copy of their driver abstract can be found at the NYS DMV website.External Link Use of the Impaired Driver System (IDS) will include instant access to the client’s most current Abstract of Driving Record, therefore alleviating the need for clients to pay for their own copy and provide it for your review.
  3. How would I be able to obtain my client’s arrest report?

    The process for obtaining documents related to the motorist’s arrest can often vary according to jurisdiction as there is no standardized paperwork that is used by each law enforcement agency type in NYS. The arrest report, ticket and/or copy of charges are documents that are usually handed directly to the motorist by the officer or judge upon arrest or arraignment, therefore providers should be able to get these documents from their client.
  4. May I use a screening instrument that is not listed among the five (5) recommended instruments?

    Yes. However, OASAS reserves the right to review any screening instrument not included in our recommended list. OASAS will not add any screening instrument to the recommended list unless it is evidence-based for use with impaired driving offenders, offered in the public domain and free of charge to providers.
  5. Are collateral interviews required?

    Yes. Collateral interviews are required for all screening and assessments of impaired driving clients.  If your client is unable to provide you with any collateral contacts, you must document your efforts to obtain collateral contacts in the client’s records.
  6. As a part of my private practice, I use SKYPE™ to conduct assessments.  Am I able to provide this service to impaired driving offender clients?

    No. As per section 5G(1) of the Standards, all assessments must be conducted face-to-face and in person.
  7. I have a client who is unable to travel to my program or private practice, but I am willing to travel to his home to conduct the assessment there.  Is this permitted?

    For liability, safety, and confidentiality reasons, OASAS strongly discourages providers from conducting assessments in private residences, public places or any other non-office settings.

    Section 10(A) of the Standards defines an acceptable physical work environment as “areas which afford privacy and serve to promote and maintain the delivery of counseling and other therapeutic services in an interruption-free and professional setting. All rooms used shall, either with or without the use of sound generating devices, prevent voice transmission outside of the room. “
  8. I’m a private practitioner on the list and would like to hire an associate. Would my associate be able to conduct screenings and assessments of impaired driving clients under my supervision?

     No.  Each individual licensed by the State Education Department who provides clinical services to impaired driving clients within a private practice setting must be independently approved by OASAS.

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Toxicology Questions NEW October 2011

  1. Why is toxicology testing included in the clinical standards?

    Many individuals faced with a DWI may be in denial about the existence or magnitude of their alcohol or other substance use problem and, consequently, may not answer accurately to a written screening questionnaire or other questions related to their substance use in the course of an assessment. Therefore, professionals conducting screenings and/or assessments are required to support the administration of the standardized screening/assessment process with the Urine Drug Screen with EtG. The toxicology screen is intended to be part of a multi-method process and NOT the sole deciding factor in rendering a diagnosis or treatment recommendation.

  2. How do I connect with a lab?

    Contact the lab: Choose a lab from the list of labs approved by the NYS Department of Health to perform alcohol and drug screening tests and call them. Ask to speak with someone who can help you to set up a new business account. This may be a salesperson and you should be very clear as to your needs. A lab technician is not likely to have the requisite information for setting up this process.

    Ask questions: Be sure the lab provides the services you need; not all labs provide EtG testing even though they are approved to do so by DOH. You must be certain that the lab you choose provides the EtG test. Ask about the proximity of collection sites, mail-in or other collection options and whether there are any specific Consent for Release of Information requirements. It may be helpful to contact more than one lab to learn about different options, pricing, etc., that may best suit your clients’ needs.

    Establish a relationship: Once you have set up an account and chosen a testing panel you are ready to refer your clients.

  3. What do I test for?

    You can use a standard testing panel, as long as it includes alcohol with EtG. Most standard panels will cover the most commonly abused substances.

  4. Who pays for the service?

    Some labs will require cash payment from the client at the time of collection. Others may bill the provider directly and the provider, in turn, will collect payment from the client. Be sure to clarify these options when setting up your account and be clear in informing the client as to your policy.

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Training Questions

  1. What is the schedule for the “Clinical Screening and Assessment of the Impaired Driving Offender” training?

    Classroom-based training is offered quarterly by OASAS' Learning and Development Unit. Requests for a list of scheduled trainings should be made via email to ImpairedDriver@oasas.ny.gov.
  2. Is there a cost associated with attending the “Clinical Screening and Assessment of the Impaired Driving Offender” training?

    No. The training is free of charge for OASAS approved providers. However, there will be no reimbursement for mileage, rooms or meals.
  3. What if I can’t attend the training?

    All providers who wish to be included on the OASAS Approved Provider List must successfully complete the full-day training requirement before being added to the list. Requests for a list of scheduled trainings should be made via email to ImpairedDriver@oasas.ny.gov.
  4. Our agency is licensed or certified by OASAS, the Office of Mental Health (OMH), the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or the Indian Health Services (IHS). Do we need to attend the training?

    Yes. Programs certified or licensed by the above identified agencies are required to send one representative to the training: a program director, clinical supervisor or senior counselor. The program staff representative will be required to train all staff approved to provide DWI clinical services at their respective programs as described in the training protocol.

    Training materials will be provided to OASAS, OMH, VA and IHS staff who complete the classroom-based training. Requests should be made via email to ImpairedDriver@oasas.ny.gov.

    Dated training participant sign-in logs must be maintained in official program files and will be required as documentation that training was provided to appropriate clinical staff.
  5. If I am licensed by the NYS Education Department and also have a CASAC, do I still have to attend the training?

    Yes.  All OASAS approved providers of clinical screening and assessment services for impaired driving offenders, regardless of degree, license, certification or years of experience, are required to attend the training. 
  6. My colleagues and I are part of a group practice and are individually listed on the OASAS approved Provider list. Can we send one representative to the training who will then train the approved providers in our practice?

    No. Group practices are comprised of professionals licensed by the State Education Department in a specific professional discipline and are individually approved by OASAS.  Each approved practitioner in a group practice must attend the required training.
  7. How do OASAS (or OMH, VA or IHS)certified programs obtain the training manuals/ materials?

    Training materials will be provided to OASAS, OMH, VA and IHS staff who complete the classroom-based training. Requests should be made via email: ImpairedDriver@oasas.ny.gov.
  8. Will this training give me an additional certification?

    No. This training qualifies you as an OASAS approved provider of clinical screening and assessment services for impaired driving offenders. Additionally, your attendance at this training qualifies for CASAC/CPP initial and renewal credits, and CPS renewal credits.

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Impaired Driver System (IDS) Questions UPDATED March 2012

  1. How will I learn to use the Impaired Driver System (IDS)?

    Once registered, users will have access to the IDS User Manual, quick reference sheets, feeder forms and links to an IDS Video Tutorial, all of which are posted on OASAS' Client Data System applications page. In addition, OASAS Impaired Driver Services staff will provide webinars to assist IDS users in learning the new system. Webinars     will be delivered to targeted groups of new users as they are registered for IDS and begin using the system. Webinar invitations will be emailed to users according to our regional rollout schedule.
  2. Will OASAS offer technical support for IDS users?

    Yes. The OASAS Help Desk will assist IDS users with technical support. If you encounter any technical issues while working in IDS, please contact the OASAS Help Desk by phone 518-485-2379 or by email HelpDesk2@oasas.ny.gov.
  3. Is there any other information I should begin collecting from the motorist to prepare for IDS Implementation?

    In order to search or create a case in IDS, Clinical Providers and DDPs should make sure they have the following information about the motorist: their DMV Client ID# (the 9 digit number located on their driver’s license and also found on their ticket or arrest report), birth date, last name at birth (If it’s different from their current last name), and the last 4 digits of their social security number, if they have one.
  4. I use a computer with a dial-up connection to the internet.  Will I still be able to use IDS?

    Yes.  However, OASAS strongly recommends a broadband or DSL connection for the most efficient use of IDS.