How Much Does a DUI Actually Cost?
The fine is just the beginning. Here's the real number.
Last updated: March 4, 2026
Quick Answer
The average total cost of a first DUI ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 or more. Court fines are just the beginning — attorney fees, insurance increases, ignition interlock costs, DUI classes, and lost wages make up the bulk of what you'll actually pay. Here's a line-by-line breakdown so you know exactly what to expect.
Every Cost, Line by Line
These are the costs for a standard first-offense DUI with no accident or injuries. Your total depends on your state, your BAC, and the outcome of your case.
Court Fines & Fees
Varies widely by state. See your state’s first-offense fine range below.
$500 – $10,000
Attorney Fees
First offense, non-trial. Trial cases can exceed $15,000.
$1,500 – $10,000
Insurance Increase (3–5 yrs)
93% average increase. The single biggest long-term cost.
$3,000 – $15,000
SR-22 Filing Fee
Required for 2–3 years in most states. Filed each policy period.
$15 – $50/filing
Ignition Interlock Device
$70–$150 install + $60–$100/month for 6–24 months.
$500 – $2,500+
DUI Education Classes
12–32+ hours. Cost depends on program length and state.
$200 – $2,000
Alcohol Evaluation/Screening
Required before sentencing in most jurisdictions.
$100 – $250
Towing & Impound
$150–$300 tow + $30–$75/day storage. Get your car fast.
$200 – $1,000
License Reinstatement Fee
Paid to your state DMV/MVD after suspension period ends.
$50 – $500
Lost Wages
Court dates, attorney meetings, classes, IID installs, probation check-ins.
$500 – $3,000+
Uber/Lyft While Suspended
Depends on suspension length and commute distance.
$200 – $2,000+
Estimated Total
$5,000 – $25,000+
Costs vary significantly by state, county, and case outcome. High-BAC and accident cases will be on the higher end.
First-Offense DUI Costs Set by State Law
Your total depends on your case, but the court fine and the insurance filing are set by your state. Open your state for its full cost breakdown.
| State | First-offense fine | Insurance filing |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $600 to $2,100 | State-specific filing |
| Alaska | At least $1,500 | SR-22 |
| Arizona | At least $250 base fine (extreme $250+, super extreme $500+), plus mandatory assessments | SR-22 |
| Arkansas | Set by Ark. Code §5-65-112 (amount not yet confirmed — see the statute) | State-specific filing |
| California | $390 to $1,000, plus penalty assessments | SR-22 |
| Colorado | DUI: $600 to $1,000. DWAI: $200 to $500 | SR-22 |
| Connecticut | $500 to $1,000 | No filing required |
| Delaware | $500 to $1,500 | State-specific filing |
| Florida | $500 to $1,000 ($1,000 to $2,000 if BAC 0.15+ or a passenger under 18 in the vehicle) | FR-44 |
| Georgia | $300–$1,000 | No filing required |
| Hawaii | $250 to $1,000 | SR-22 |
| Idaho | Up to $1,000 (0.20 or more: up to $2,000) | SR-22 |
| Illinois | Up to $2,500 (at least $500 at 0.16 or more) | SR-22 |
| Indiana | Up to $500 (Class C); up to $5,000 (Class A) | SR-22 |
| Iowa | $1,250 (up to $625 can be waived if you show the court a temporary restricted license) | SR-22 |
| Kansas | $750 to $1,000 | SR-22 |
| Kentucky | $200 to $500 | No filing required |
| Louisiana | $300 to $1,000 ($750 to $1,000 at 0.20 or more) | SR-22 |
| Maine | At least $500 ($600 if you refused the test) | SR-22 |
| Maryland | DUI: up to $1,200. DWI: up to $500 | No filing required |
| Massachusetts | $500 to $5,000 | No filing required |
| Michigan | $100 to $500 ($200 to $700 for High BAC) | No filing required |
| Minnesota | Up to $1,000 (up to $3,000 if gross misdemeanor) | No filing required |
| Mississippi | $250 to $1,000 | SR-22 |
| Missouri | Up to $1,000 | SR-22 |
| Montana | $600 to $1,000. Aggravated DUI: $1,000 | State-specific filing |
| Nebraska | $500 | SR-22 |
| Nevada | $400 to $1,000 | SR-22 |
| New Hampshire | At least $500, up to $1,200 (aggravated DWI: at least $750; with serious bodily injury: at least $1,000) | SR-22 |
| New Jersey | $250 to $400 (0.08 to under 0.10); $300 to $500 (0.10 or more) | State-specific filing |
| New Mexico | Up to $500 | State-specific filing |
| New York | $500–$1,000 (Aggravated DWI: $1,000–$2,500; DWAI-alcohol: $300–$500) | No filing required |
| North Carolina | Up to $200 (Level Five), $500 (Level Four), or $1,000 (Level Three) | State-specific filing |
| North Dakota | At least $500. Aggravated: at least $750 | SR-22 |
| Ohio | $565–$1,075 | State-specific filing |
| Oklahoma | Up to $1,000 | State-specific filing |
| Oregon | $1,000 minimum ($2,000 at 0.15 or more); up to $6,250 | SR-22 |
| Pennsylvania | General: $300. High: $500–$5,000. Highest or refusal: $1,000–$5,000 | No filing required |
| Rhode Island | $100 to $300 (0.08–0.099); $100 to $400 (0.10–0.149); $500 (0.15 or more, or drugs) | No filing required |
| South Carolina | $400 (under 0.10), $500 (0.10 to under 0.16), or $1,000 (0.16 or more), before assessments; about $992 with assessments at the base tier | SR-22 |
| South Dakota | Up to the Class 1 misdemeanor maximum ($2,000) | SR-22 |
| Tennessee | $350 to $1,500 | SR-22 |
| Texas | Up to $2,000 | SR-22 |
| Utah | $700 minimum before surcharges; often over $1,300 with fees | SR-22 |
| Vermont | Up to $750 | SR-22 |
| Virginia | $250 minimum, up to $2,500 | FR-44 |
| Washington | $350 to $5,000 ($500 minimum if BAC 0.15+ or refusal), plus mandatory court assessments | SR-22 |
| West Virginia | $100 to $500 (aggravated: $200 to $1,000) | SR-22 |
| Wisconsin | $150 to $300 forfeiture, plus costs and surcharges | SR-22 |
| Wyoming | Up to $750 | SR-22 |
From each state’s guide, which links the official sources. Educational information, not legal advice.
Costs Nobody Warns You About
The fines and attorney fees are obvious. These are the costs that blindside people:
Insurance — The 3-to-5-Year Tax
This is the single biggest long-term cost and nobody talks about it enough. Your auto insurance will increase by an average of 93% after a DUI conviction. If you're paying $150/month now, expect $290/month — for 3 to 5 years. Over that period, the extra premiums alone can cost $5,000 to $15,000. Some insurers will drop you entirely, forcing you into the expensive high-risk market.
IID Calibration & Maintenance Fees
The interlock device itself is expensive enough, but there are ongoing costs people miss: monthly calibration appointments ($25–$50 each), data download fees, violation reset fees if you fail a test (even from mouthwash), and removal fees. A 12-month IID requirement can easily total $1,500–$2,500.
Probation Supervision Fees
Many people don't realize that probation isn't free. Monthly probation supervision fees range from $25–$100/month. Over a 12–24 month probation period, that's $300–$2,400 you didn't budget for. Plus fees for random drug/alcohol testing.
Time Off Work
Court appearances, attorney meetings, DUI classes (12–32+ hours), IID installation and calibrations, probation check-ins, alcohol evaluations, community service. Each of these requires time off work. For hourly workers, the lost wages add up fast. For salaried employees, the repeated absences can raise questions.
Transportation During Suspension
If your license is suspended and you don't have a restricted license, you're paying for rides. Uber, Lyft, taxis, or relying on friends and family. A 90-day suspension with a 20-mile commute can cost $1,000–$2,000+ in rideshare fees alone.
Impact on Future Borrowing
A criminal conviction can affect your credit indirectly — unpaid fines sent to collections, difficulty maintaining employment, and some lenders checking criminal history for auto loans. You may also face higher rates on car loans if the lender checks your driving record.
How to Reduce Your DUI Costs
You can't make a DUI cheap. But you can avoid overpaying. Here's what you can and can't control:
Consider a Public Defender
If you qualify financially, a public defender is free. They handle DUI cases regularly and know the local courts. The trade-off is they have heavy caseloads and less time per case. For a straightforward first offense with no aggravating factors, a public defender can be a reasonable option. For complex cases, a private DUI attorney may get better outcomes.
Request Payment Plans
Most courts allow payment plans for fines and fees. Don't let a fine go to collections — that adds fees and can trigger a warrant. Ask the court clerk about installment options at sentencing. Some courts also accept community service in lieu of certain fees if you demonstrate financial hardship.
Shop SR-22 Insurance Aggressively
Insurance rates after a DUI vary enormously between companies. Don't just accept your current insurer's new rate. Get quotes from at least 5–6 companies, including those that specialize in high-risk drivers. The difference can be hundreds of dollars per month. This is the single biggest area where comparison shopping saves real money.
What's Negotiable (and What Isn't)
- ✓Negotiable: Attorney fees (shop around), insurance rates (compare), plea outcome (your attorney negotiates this)
- ✗Not negotiable: Court fines (set by statute), IID requirements (set by law), license reinstatement fees, SR-22 requirement
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Do Next
Your State's Guide
How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost?
Detailed breakdown of attorney fees and when it's worth the investment