What an OWI Costs in Wisconsin
Fees and fines set by the state. Attorney fees, insurance increases, and lost work come on top and vary by case.
First OWI forfeiture
$150 to $300
Plus court costs and surcharges, which are added on top.
Second OWI fine
$350 to $1,100
Higher at elevated alcohol concentrations.
Third OWI fine
$600 to $2,000
Higher at elevated alcohol concentrations.
Official sources
- WisDOT — Administrative review hearing
- WisDOT — First OWI offense
- WisDOT — Impaired driving (OWI) in Wisconsin
- WisDOT — Drunk driving law
- WisDOT — OWI and related penalties chart
- WisDOT — Underage alcohol offenses and penalties
- WisDOT — Commercial driver license alcohol and drug penalties
- WisDOT — First offense OWI summary
- WisDOT — Proof of insurance (SR-22)
- WisDOT — Lifetime revocation
- Wis. Admin. Code Trans 113.04
- Wis. Stat. §343.305
- Wis. Stat. §346.65
- Wis. Stat. §346.935
- Wis. Stat. §940.25
- Wis. Stat. §973.015
- Legislative Fiscal Bureau — Intoxicated Driver Laws (Jan. 2023)
- Legislative Reference Bureau — Wisconsin’s OWI Laws
- Wisconsin Court System — Municipal courts: function
- Wis. Stat. §345.43(1)
- Legislative Reference Bureau — LRB Reports, August 2018
- WisDOT — Occupational license
- WisDOT — Occupational License Information (BDS361)
- WisDOT — Application for Occupational Operator License (MV3027)
- WisDOT — Frequently asked questions about IIDs (Dec. 2025)
- WisDOT — OWI assessment and driver safety plan
- Wisconsin DHS — Intoxicated Driver Program
- Wis. Stat. §343.30(6)
- 2025 Wisconsin Act 210
- Wisconsin Legislative Council — Amendment memo, 2025 Senate Bill 248
Educational information, not legal advice. Wisconsin law changes and every case is different. Confirm deadlines with Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Division of Motor Vehicles and talk to a licensed Wisconsin 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.