DUI Cost Calculator
Last reviewed · Licence reinstatement figure labelled as unread at the state agency
Estimate what a DUI conviction costs you over three years: the lawyer, the insurance increase, the ignition interlock, the DUI programme, towing and the licence fees. The court fine itself is set by your state statute and is not estimated here.
A first-offense DUI costs between $8,500 and $25,000 in total over 3 years. The national average is approximately $13,000 to $16,000. The single biggest cost is the insurance increase, which averages $3,000 to $9,000 over 3 years. Those totals leave out the court fine itself, which your state statute sets and which this page does not estimate.
How to read these figures: the insurance increase, the interlock, the lawyer, the DUI programme and the towing are commercial estimates built from market ranges, not published schedules and not authorities. Real prices depend on your insurer, your county and who you hire, and they move. The court fine and the length of the suspension are set by your state statute and are deliberately left out of the total, because we do not publish a legal penalty without the section of the code that sets it. The licence reinstatement figure is different again, and we would rather you knew which kind it is: your state publishes that fee, so it is a real number that can be looked up, but we have not read it at your state's licensing agency. Treat it as an order of magnitude and check the agency's own fee page before you budget on it.
Estimates are for educational purposes only. Actual costs may vary based on county, judge, attorney, and case-specific circumstances. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed DUI attorney in your state.
This is an estimate built from the rule, schedule or survey named on this page, not legal advice and not a quote. Figures change when a legislature or a court changes them. Check the statute or the court’s own fee schedule, or ask a lawyer in your state, before you rely on a number here.
The Real Cost of a DUI Goes Far Beyond the Fine
Most people think a DUI costs a few hundred dollars in fines. The reality is very different. A first-offense DUI conviction in the United States costs an average of $13,000 to $16,000 over three years when you add up every expense. In expensive states like California, Massachusetts, or New York, the total can exceed $20,000.
The criminal fine is actually one of the smallest costs. It is also the one part a legislature sets directly, so it belongs in the statute rather than in an estimate, and you will find it in your state code rather than on this page. The bigger expenses are the ones that follow: attorney fees, insurance increases that last 3 to 10 years, ignition interlock device installation and monthly monitoring, DUI education programs, and license reinstatement fees.
Insurance is typically the single largest cost component, accounting for 30% to 50% of the total. After a DUI, your auto insurance premiums increase an average of 40% to 100% nationally, though in North Carolina the increase can reach 171%. Over three years, that adds $3,000 to $9,000 to your total cost.
Sources for the market estimates: Clio Legal Trends Report and NHTSA. The fines, suspension lengths and state fees are published by each state and are not reproduced here. Updated 2026.
DUI Penalties by State: What You Need to Know
Every state treats DUI differently. Utah is the strictest with a BAC limit of 0.05%, lower than the 0.08% standard used by all other states. Arizona mandates 10 days of jail even for first offenses. Wisconsin treats a first offense as a civil violation with no jail time at all.
Ignition interlock device requirements also vary significantly. As of 2026, 29 states require IID for all first-time DUI offenders. Fourteen states require it only for high-BAC offenders (typically 0.15% or above). Seven states, including Indiana, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, do not mandate IID for first offenses at all.
License suspension periods range from 1 month in states like Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Rhode Island, and South Dakota to a full 12 months in Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia. Some states offer restricted or hardship licenses that allow driving to work during suspension, while others do not.
DUI laws change frequently. This calculator uses data verified as of early 2026. Always confirm current penalties with a licensed attorney in your state before making any legal decisions.
Why Hiring a DUI Attorney Can Save You Money
Attorney fees of $2,000 to $7,000 feel steep, but skilled DUI lawyers often save more than they cost. A common outcome is getting a DUI reduced to reckless driving, sometimes called a "wet reckless." This typically means lower fines, shorter or no license suspension, no ignition interlock requirement, and a smaller insurance increase. The insurance savings alone over 3 years can exceed the attorney's fee.
Most DUI attorneys offer free initial consultations. They charge flat fees for standard first-offense cases and hourly rates only for complex or trial-bound cases. In lower-cost states like Mississippi or West Virginia, representation starts around $1,800. In markets like New York, New Jersey, or Massachusetts, expect $3,000 to $7,000 for experienced DUI defense.
Attorney fee data from Clio Legal Trends Report 2025 and state bar associations. Updated 2026.
Paperwork that often comes up around a traffic case, ready to fill in online. Customizable templates from LawDepot.
Affiliate links: LegalCost.us earns a commission if you buy through LawDepot, at no extra cost to you. A template is not legal advice. For a contested case, speak with a licensed attorney in your state.
How much does a DUI cost in total?
The total cost of a first-offense DUI typically ranges from $8,500 to $25,000 depending on your state. That covers attorney fees of about $1,800 to $7,000, a DUI programme at $90 to $900, licence reinstatement of $15 to $730, an ignition interlock at $750 to $2,100, and the largest single item, an insurance increase of roughly $3,000 to $9,000 over three years. It does not include the court fine, which your state statute sets. Every figure in that list is a market estimate, not a published schedule. States like Massachusetts, California, and Pennsylvania are the most expensive.
How much does car insurance go up after a DUI?
Insurance rates increase an average of 40% to 100% after a DUI conviction, though the exact increase varies by state. North Carolina has the highest increase at 171%, while Utah and New Hampshire see increases of around 20% to 22%. Most states require SR-22 insurance filing for 3 years. Over 3 years, the total insurance cost increase averages $3,000 to $9,000.
Do I need an ignition interlock device for a first DUI?
In most states, yes. As of 2026, 29 states require ignition interlock devices for all first-time DUI offenders. Another 14 states require IID only for high-BAC offenders. Only 7 states do not mandate IID for first offenses: Indiana, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Total IID cost is typically $750 to $2,100.
How long does a DUI stay on your record?
A DUI stays on your driving record for 3 to 10 years in most states, though some keep it permanently. For insurance purposes, most companies look back 3 to 5 years. For criminal records, a DUI conviction is typically permanent unless you petition for expungement. The lookback period for repeat offender penalties varies from 5 years to lifetime depending on the state.
What is an SR-22 and how much does it cost?
An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurance company files with the state DMV. The filing fee is typically $15 to $35. The real cost is the insurance premium increase, as insurers treat you as high-risk. Most states require SR-22 for 3 years after a DUI. Some states like Virginia use an FR-44 form, which requires even higher liability limits.
Can I get a DUI reduced to a lesser charge?
In many states, a skilled attorney can negotiate a DUI down to reckless driving (a "wet reckless") or careless driving. This is more likely with first offenses, borderline BAC levels, and no accident. A reduced charge means lower fines, shorter license suspension, no ignition interlock, and a smaller insurance increase. This is why attorney representation can save money long-term.
What is the BAC limit for DUI in each state?
The legal BAC limit is 0.08% in 49 states and Washington D.C. Utah is the only state with a lower limit of 0.05%. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04% nationwide. For drivers under 21, most states have zero-tolerance laws with a limit of 0.00% to 0.02%. Many states have enhanced penalties for BAC of 0.15% or higher.
How much does a DUI lawyer cost?
DUI attorney fees for a first offense range from $1,800 to $7,000 depending on your state and case complexity. Most charge flat fees. In lower-cost states like Mississippi or West Virginia, fees start around $1,800. In expensive markets like New York or Massachusetts, fees range from $3,000 to $7,000. Trial cases cost $5,000 to $10,000 or more.
What happens if I refuse a breathalyzer test?
Refusing a breathalyzer triggers automatic penalties in every state under its implied consent law, normally a licence suspension whether or not you are convicted of anything, and often a separate fine. The lengths and the amounts are set by each state and we do not publish them here. In some states, the refusal itself can be used as evidence against you. Many states also impose a longer ignition interlock requirement for refusal.
What are the hidden costs of a DUI most people forget?
Hidden DUI costs include: towing and impound fees ($200 to $500), bail or bond ($500 to $2,500), transportation during license suspension ($2,000 to $5,000), lost wages from court appearances, probation supervision fees ($40 to $100/month), victim impact panels ($25 to $75), drug and alcohol assessment ($100 to $300), and increased life insurance premiums.