If you have been charged with a first-time DUI in Pennsylvania, the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program may be the single most important option available to you. ARD can help you avoid a conviction, skip jail, and ultimately clear your record — but it is not automatic and not everyone qualifies.
What Is ARD?
ARD is a pre-trial diversion program administered by Pennsylvania’s Courts of Common Pleas. Instead of going through a full criminal trial and risking a conviction, eligible defendants complete a supervised program. If they succeed, the charges are dismissed entirely.
What Does ARD Require?
- Completion of Alcohol Highway Safety School
- Community service hours (varies by county)
- Supervised probation (typically 6–24 months)
- Payment of fines, costs, and program fees
- Any ordered drug or alcohol treatment
- A shorter license suspension if BAC was .10% or higher
Who Qualifies for ARD in Pennsylvania?
You generally do NOT qualify for ARD if: you have a prior DUI or ARD acceptance within 10 years; your DUI caused an accident resulting in injury or death; a minor under 14 was a passenger in your vehicle; you were driving a commercial vehicle; or the district attorney declines to offer it based on case facts.
Does ARD Affect My License?
- BAC below .10%: No suspension under ARD
- BAC .10% to below .16%: 30-day suspension
- BAC .16% and above: 60-day suspension
What Happens After ARD Is Complete?
After successful completion, you can petition for expungement. PennDOT will automatically expunge ARD records after 10 years if your driving privileges were not revoked as a habitual offender and you were not a commercial driver. An expunged ARD record means no public criminal record — which matters enormously for employment, housing, and professional licensing.
PA Commission on Sentencing – DUI Resources
Related Articles
- Can I Get My DUI Expunged in Pennsylvania?
- Will I Lose My License After a First DUI in PA?
- I Got a DUI in PA — What Happens Now?
What Should You Do Next?
Pennsylvania law is complex and deadlines can be short. This article is general legal information — not legal advice specific to your situation.
- Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network – Find Free Help Near You
- PA Courts Self-Help Center
- Lawyer Referral – PA Bar Association
If you cannot afford an attorney, contact your local legal aid office. Time-sensitive legal matters require fast action.