A DUI costs far more than just the fine. Calculate your true total — fines, attorney, DUI school, ignition interlock, and the insurance hit — by state.
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This guide identifies questions to ask promptly. It does not assess guilt, defenses, or likely outcomes.
Administrative license procedures can be separate from the criminal case, and deadlines vary by state. Review the notice you received and confirm the applicable deadline with the issuing agency or a licensed local attorney.
Gather the citation, test information, release papers, dates, and insurance documents. Ask about possible outcomes, fee structure, court appearances, and collateral consequences specific to the jurisdiction.
Budget scenarios should distinguish court costs, representation, required programs, license consequences, transportation, insurance effects, and time away from work. Not every cost applies in every case.
A first-offense DUI typically costs $10,000–$25,000 total over three to five years — and the court fine is usually the smallest line item. According to LendingTree's May 2026 analysis of Quadrant Information Services data, auto insurance premiums rise an average of 74.5% after a DUI conviction, from $2,130 to $3,716/year — adding roughly $4,755 over three years in insurance costs alone. Attorney fees ($1,500–$5,000 for a straightforward first offense), DUI school, ignition interlock, and lost wages round out the total. Use this calculator to estimate costs for your state.
Most people arrested for DUI see the court fine and think that's the damage. It isn't. A DUI triggers a cascade of mandatory costs that accumulate for years. Here is every line item:
| Cost Category | First Offense | Second Offense | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court fines & fees | $500–$2,000 | $1,500–$5,000 | Base fine + penalty assessments (CA multiplies by 5×) |
| DUI attorney fees | $1,500–$5,000 | $3,000–$12,000 | Higher for trial; worth it for first offense |
| DUI school / alcohol program | $400–$1,500 | $800–$2,500 | Mandatory in all states; 12–30 hour programs |
| Ignition interlock device (IID) | $800–$2,000 | $1,500–$4,000 | Install + 6–18 months monitoring at $70–$100/mo |
| License reinstatement fee | $150–$500 | $250–$750 | Paid to DMV after suspension period |
| Towing & impound | $200–$1,000 | $200–$1,000 | Immediate arrest cost; often overlooked |
| SR-22 insurance surcharge (3 yrs) | $3,000–$12,000 | $5,000–$20,000 | 70–130% premium increase for 3–7 years |
| Total | $10,000–$25,000 | $25,000–$50,000+ | Varies widely by state and case outcome |
The number most people don't see coming is the auto insurance surcharge. When your insurer learns of a DUI conviction through the DMV, they reclassify you as a high-risk driver and typically raise your premium by 70–130%. On a modest $1,800/year policy, that's an extra $1,260–$2,340 per year — sustained for 3 to 7 years depending on your state. In California, which looks back 10 years for insurance rating purposes, the total insurance surcharge for a single first-offense DUI can exceed $12,000. This is on top of the SR-22 filing requirement, which itself costs $15–$50/year but signals your insurer that you're a court-mandated driver.
A DUI conviction can affect employment in ways that don't show up in any calculator. Professional licenses — nursing, teaching, real estate, law, commercial driving (CDL) — may be suspended or revoked. Background checks for new jobs will show the conviction unless you successfully expunge it. For CDL holders, a first-offense DUI conviction triggers a one-year disqualification from commercial driving under federal law, and a second offense triggers lifetime disqualification. The lost wages and career impact can easily exceed the direct legal costs for many people.
DUI penalties vary dramatically by state. Here are the most-searched states with typical first-offense total cost ranges:
Base fine ~$390 but penalty assessments push it past $1,800. Mandatory 3-month DUI school. SR-22 for 3 years. 10-year insurance lookback.
Total: $15,000–$30,000
Fines $500–$1,000 plus surcharge. DWAI vs DWI distinction. SR-22 not required but insurance hit is severe. 6-month suspension standard.
Total: $12,000–$22,000
Criminal fines, court costs, a state-imposed DWI fine, license consequences, and other requirements may apply. Texas repealed its Driver Responsibility Program in 2019. Verify current consequences for the specific charge and county.
Total: $9,000–$20,000
Fines $500–$1,000 for first offense. 12-hour DUI school mandatory. IID required for all convictions starting 2020. SR-22 for 3 years.
Total: $10,000–$18,000
Some of the toughest DUI laws in the US. Mandatory 24-hour jail even for first offense. IID for 12 months minimum. SR-22 for 3 years.
Total: $10,000–$20,000
Gross misdemeanor for first offense. Minimum $940 fine. Ignition interlock required for 1 year. DUI school mandatory. SR-22 for 3 years.
Total: $10,000–$20,000
DWAI threshold at .05 BAC — lowest in US. DUI fines $600–$1,000. IID required. 9-month license suspension first offense. SR-22 for 2 years.
Total: $10,000–$18,000
Statutory Summary Suspension on arrest. Fines up to $2,500. BAIID (IID) required during suspension. 10-year lookback for "aggravated DUI."
Total: $10,000–$22,000
Licensing-hearing deadlines can be much shorter than the criminal case timeline. Read every notice received at arrest and contact the state licensing agency or a licensed local attorney promptly. No attorney can promise a reduction or a particular financial outcome.
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Because an impaired-driving case can involve both criminal and licensing proceedings, legal advice may be useful—especially when an accident, injury, prior offense, commercial license, immigration issue, or professional license is involved. Cost alone cannot predict whether representation will change an outcome.
Ask any lawyer about the fee structure, what proceedings are included, likely additional expenses, and the realistic range of outcomes. Be cautious of guarantees. If private representation is unaffordable, ask the court about appointed-counsel eligibility for the criminal case.
When a DUI attorney is especially critical:
Act promptly: a licensing-hearing deadline can be only days after an arrest. Read the arrest paperwork and verify the exact deadline with the state agency; do not rely on a general national estimate.
Read the notices received at arrest immediately. Administrative licensing deadlines vary by state and can be very short, even while the criminal case is pending. Contact the state motor-vehicle agency or a licensed local attorney to confirm the exact deadline and available hearing or restricted-license process.
Written by the FreeLegalIQ Editorial Team · Last updated: August 2026
DUI cost data sourced from state DMV and court fee schedules, MADD cost-of-DUI research, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) impaired driving data.