How much does a DUI cost in total?
The total cost of a first-offense DUI typically ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 over three years. Court fines ($500 to $2,500), attorney fees ($1,500 to $5,000), DUI school ($300 to $1,500), license reinstatement ($100 to $500), ignition interlock device if required ($800 to $1,400 per year), and auto insurance increases of $1,500 to $3,500 extra per year for three or more years all contribute to the total. The insurance increase is often the largest single component.
Which state has the most expensive DUI?
Oregon and Arizona consistently have the highest total DUI costs. Oregon has the highest statutory maximum fine at $6,250, mandatory 12-month IID, and mandatory DUI school. Arizona has mandatory minimum jail time (24 hours for standard BAC, 30 days for extreme BAC of 0.15+), mandatory IID for 12 months, and one of the strictest enforcement regimes in the country. Total costs in both states frequently exceed $20,000 for a first offense.
Will a DUI raise my car insurance rates?
Yes, significantly and for several years. A DUI conviction typically increases auto insurance premiums by 50 to 100 percent or more. The elevated rate usually lasts three to five years. In some cases your current insurer may cancel your policy and you will need to obtain high-risk SR-22 insurance, which carries even higher premiums. On an average premium of $1,800 per year, a 75 percent increase adds $1,350 per year, or $4,050 over three years.
Do I need a lawyer for a DUI?
While not legally required, a DUI attorney can review whether the traffic stop was lawful, challenge field sobriety test procedures, and scrutinize breathalyzer calibration records. For a first offense where a dismissal or plea to a lesser charge like wet reckless is possible, attorney fees of $2,000 to $3,000 typically pay for themselves through reduced fines and significantly lower long-term insurance costs. Self-representation is generally not recommended for DUI charges.
How long does a DUI stay on your record?
In most states a DUI stays on your driving record for 10 years. States like Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, and Texas use lifetime lookback periods for repeat offense classification, meaning a second DUI is always classified as a second offense regardless of how long ago the first occurred. The conviction affects insurance rates for 3 to 5 years, professional licenses depending on your field, and future DUI sentencing.
What is an ignition interlock device and when is it required?
An ignition interlock device (IID) is a breathalyzer installed in your vehicle dashboard. The car will not start unless you provide a clean breath sample below the set threshold. As of 2026, 34 states require IIDs for all first-offense DUI convictions regardless of BAC. Others require them only for high BAC offenses or repeat offenders. Installation typically costs $70 to $150 and monthly monitoring fees average $60 to $80. Required duration ranges from 6 to 18 months for a first offense.
What is the difference between DUI and DWI?
DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and DWI (Driving While Intoxicated or Impaired) are the most common terms but states also use OWI (Operating While Intoxicated), OUI (Operating Under the Influence), and DUII (Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants). The offense and legal threshold are essentially the same: operating a vehicle with a BAC at or above the state limit. The legal BAC limit is 0.08 percent in all states except Utah, which lowered its limit to 0.05 percent in November 2018.
Can a DUI be expunged from my record?
Expungement eligibility varies significantly by state. Many states allow first-offense DUI expungement from criminal records after completing all probation requirements and waiting a specified period, typically 3 to 7 years. California allows expungement after probation completion. However, even when expunged from criminal records, the conviction typically remains on your DMV driving record for the state's lookback period, which means it still affects insurance rates and repeat-offense classification.
What happens if I refuse a breathalyzer test?
Refusing a breathalyzer triggers automatic license suspension under implied consent laws in all 50 states and DC. The refusal suspension is often longer than the suspension for a DUI conviction itself, typically 1 to 3 years. Refusal can be used as evidence of consciousness of guilt in court. In most states, refusal also triggers mandatory IID installation as a condition of any restricted driving privileges during the suspension period.
What is a wet reckless plea and how does it reduce costs?
A wet reckless, formally reckless driving with alcohol involvement, is a reduced charge that some prosecutors offer first-time DUI offenders without aggravating factors such as an accident, injury, or very high BAC. It typically carries lower fines, shorter probation, no mandatory IID, and a much smaller insurance rate increase compared to a DUI conviction. The three-year total cost difference between a DUI and a wet reckless can be $5,000 to $10,000. However, in states with lifetime lookback periods a wet reckless still counts as a prior offense if you receive a subsequent DUI.