What a DWI Costs in New York
Fees and fines set by the state. Attorney fees, insurance increases, and lost work come on top and vary by case.
DMV Driver Responsibility Assessment (alcohol or drug conviction, or a refusal finding)
$250 a year for 3 years ($750 total)
Charged by the DMV on top of court fines. Not paying leads to a license suspension.
DMV civil penalty for a chemical test refusal
$500 ($550 in a commercial vehicle); $750 within 5 years of a prior alcohol, drug, or refusal revocation
Must be paid before you can get relicensed.
First-offense fine
$500–$1,000 for DWI; $1,000–$2,500 for Aggravated DWI; $300–$500 for DWAI-alcohol
Official sources
- Governor Hochul — Support for local STOP-DWI programs (October 2023)
- NY DMV — Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA)
- NY Courts — New York City Criminal Court
- NY Courts — Buffalo City Court
- NY Courts — Rochester City Court
- NY Courts — Yonkers City Court
- NY Courts — Syracuse City Court
- NY Courts — Upstate city courts
- NY DMV — Penalties for Alcohol or Drug-Related Violations
- NY DMV — You and the Drinking Driving Laws (C-39)
- NY DMV — Guide to Suspension and Revocation (C-12)
- NY DMV — Driver’s Manual, Chapter 9: Alcohol and Other Drugs
- NY DMV — Leandra’s Law and Ignition Interlock Devices
- NY DMV — Safety and Business Hearings
- NY DCJS — FAQ About DWI and Leandra’s Law
- NY DCJS — Leandra’s Law (Ch. 496, 2009)
- N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law §1192
- N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law §1194
- N.Y. Vehicle and Traffic Law §1227
- N.Y. Penal Law §125.12
- N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law §160.59
- NY Courts — Clean Slate Act and Criminal Record Sealing
- NY DMV — Impaired Driver Program (IDP)
- NY DMV — Conditional and Restricted Use Licenses
- NY Courts — Order of Suspension Pending Prosecution, Hardship Privilege (MV-1193)
- NY Courts (App. Div., 1st Dept. CLE) — Handling the DWI Case: Practical Aspects
- NY Courts, 7th Judicial District — Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
Educational information, not legal advice. New York law changes and every case is different. Confirm deadlines with New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Safety and Business Hearings Bureau and talk to a licensed New York 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.