What a DWI Costs in New Jersey
Fees and fines set by the state. Attorney fees, insurance increases, and lost work come on top and vary by case.
MVC insurance surcharge (1st or 2nd DWI or refusal)
$1,000 a year for 3 years
MVC insurance surcharge (3rd or later violation within 3 years of the first)
$1,500 a year for 3 years
MVC driver license restoration fee
$100
To restore, you also pay at least 5% of any outstanding surcharge balance.
Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund surcharge
$100
Intoxicated Driving Program fee
$100
First-offense DWI fine
$250–$400 (0.08 to under 0.10); $300–$500 (0.10 or more)
Official sources
- NJ Courts — Notice: New Law Regarding Ignition Interlock Device (L. 2023, c. 191)
- NJ Attorney General — Municipal court sessions by county
- City of Newark — Municipal Court
- City of Jersey City — Municipal Court
- City of Paterson — Municipal Court
- Township of Lakewood — Municipal Court
- P.L. 2019, c. 248 — DWI and refusal ignition interlock law
- P.L. 2025, c. 41 — Interlock credit against forfeiture
- NJ Courts — Notice on the December 2019 DWI law
- NJ Courts — Administrative Directive #04-24 (interlock law)
- NJ Supreme Court — 2014 opinion on the step-down provision
- NJ MVC — DWI penalties table
- NJ MVC — Insurance surcharges
- NJ MVC — License suspensions
- NJ MVC — CDL violations
- NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety — DUI brochure
- NJ Attorney General — Standard Statement for chemical breath testing
- NJ Attorney General — Sentences and penalties, selected motor vehicle offenses
- NJ Legislature — A855 (2008), DWI with minor passenger
- NJ DMHAS — DUI offender fact sheet (IDRC)
- NJ Supreme Court — Order withdrawing Guideline 4 (February 2024)
- NJ Courts — Notice on amendments to Guideline 4 (2005)
- NJ MVC — Frequently asked questions
- NJ DOT — Restricted-Use Licenses for Suspended NJ Drivers (FHWA-NJ-2015-006)
- NJ DMHAS — About the IDP/IDRC program (brochure)
- N.J.A.C. 10:162 — Intoxicated Driving Program
Educational information, not legal advice. New Jersey law changes and every case is different. Confirm deadlines with New Jersey Municipal Courts and talk to a licensed New Jersey 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.