What a DWI Costs in Louisiana
Fees and fines set by the state. Attorney fees, insurance increases, and lost work come on top and vary by case.
First-offense fine
$300 to $1,000
$750 to $1,000 if your BAC was 0.20 or more.
Second-offense fine
$750 to $1,000
Third-offense fine
$2,000
OMV reinstatement fee after a DWI suspension
$100 (first), $200 (second), $300 (third or later)
A 2026 bill (HB 136) proposed doubling these fees; whether it passed was not confirmed.
Official sources
- La. R.S. 14:98 — Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
- La. R.S. 14:98.1 — First offense penalties
- La. R.S. 14:98.2 — Second offense penalties
- La. R.S. 14:98.3 — Third offense penalties
- La. R.S. 14:98.4 — Fourth or subsequent offense penalties
- La. R.S. 14:32.1 — Vehicular homicide
- La. R.S. 14:39.2 — First degree vehicular negligent injuring
- La. R.S. 32:667 — Seizure of license; administrative hearing
- La. R.S. 32:414 — Suspension, revocation, and reinstatement
- La. R.S. Title 32 — Commercial driver disqualification
- Louisiana Legislature — Résumé digest, Act 409 (HB 484, 2023)
- Louisiana Legislature — Digest, HB 484 (2023)
- Louisiana Legislature — SB 220 (2017), present-law summary of child endangerment and 10-year rule
- Louisiana Legislature — Act 117 (HB 82, 2026)
- Louisiana Legislature — Act 78 (HB 241, 2020), expungement
- Louisiana OMV — Suspensions
- Louisiana Legislature — Digest, HB 82 (2026)
- Louisiana Legislature — Act 409 (HB 484, 2023), enrolled
- Louisiana Legislature — HB 484 (2023) bill history
- Louisiana Legislature — HB 552 (2026) bill history
- Louisiana Legislature — HB 552 (2026), enrolled
- Louisiana Legislative Fiscal Office — Fiscal note, HB 136 (2026)
- Municipal and Traffic Court of New Orleans
- City of New Orleans — Municipal & Traffic Court FAQ: I have a ticket for DWI
- Baton Rouge City Court — Criminal/Traffic
- Shreveport City Court — Criminal/Traffic Division
- Lafayette Consolidated Government — Legal FAQ
- Louisiana OMV — Disqualifications
- Louisiana Division of Administrative Law — Public Safety hearings
- Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 894
Educational information, not legal advice. Louisiana law changes and every case is different. Confirm deadlines with Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) and talk to a licensed Louisiana attorney about your situation.
Some details on this page are still being verified against official sources. Check the linked sources before relying on a specific number or deadline.
Last reviewed October 1, 2026.