DUI Cost Calculator
Calculate the total financial impact of a DUI/DWI including fines, legal fees, insurance increases, and long-term costs.
Cost Breakdown
Total Cost
$14,420
Detailed Cost Breakdown
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About This Calculator
A DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) conviction represents one of the most financially devastating legal events a person can experience. In 2026, the total cost of a first-time DUI offense ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 when accounting for all direct and indirect expenses, while repeat offenses can exceed $50,000 or more. Our comprehensive DUI cost calculator helps you understand the true financial impact of a DUI charge, including court fines, attorney fees, insurance premium increases, license reinstatement costs, alcohol education programs, ignition interlock device requirements, and lost wages from court appearances and potential jail time. Understanding these costs is crucial for both prevention awareness and financial planning if you're facing DUI charges. The hidden costs of a DUI often surprise people—increased insurance rates alone can add $15,000 to $30,000 over a three to seven year period depending on your state and driving history. This calculator provides state-specific estimates based on 2026 penalty structures, helping you anticipate and prepare for the financial consequences of a DUI conviction. Whether you're researching DUI costs for educational purposes, facing charges, or helping a loved one understand their situation, this tool offers transparent, data-driven cost projections.
How to Use the DUI Cost Calculator
- 1Select Your State: Choose your state from the dropdown menu. DUI penalties, fines, and insurance impacts vary significantly by jurisdiction.
- 2Choose Offense Type: Select whether this is a first, second, third, or felony DUI offense. Repeat offenses carry exponentially higher penalties.
- 3Indicate BAC Level: Select your blood alcohol content range. High BAC (0.15%+) triggers enhanced penalties in most states.
- 4Configure Case Details: Indicate whether your case goes to trial, if bail was required, and whether an ignition interlock device is mandated.
- 5Enable Advanced Mode: Toggle advanced mode to enter specific lost work days and daily wage for more accurate lost income calculations.
- 6Review Cost Breakdown: Analyze the detailed breakdown showing immediate costs versus long-term costs like insurance increases.
- 7Understand Insurance Impact: SR-22 insurance requirements can increase premiums by $100-$300+ per month for 3-10 years.
- 8Consider Hidden Costs: Review expenses not directly calculated, such as career impacts and transportation alternatives.
Formula
Total DUI Cost = Court Fines + Legal Fees + Bail Bond + DMV Fees + Alcohol Program + Ignition Interlock + (Monthly Insurance Increase × 12 × Years) + Lost Wages + Towing/ImpoundThe total cost of a DUI is calculated by summing all immediate costs (court fines, attorney fees, bail bond if required, DMV reinstatement fees, alcohol education program costs, towing and impound fees, and lost wages) plus long-term costs (ignition interlock device expenses and cumulative insurance premium increases over the mandatory SR-22 period). State-specific fine schedules are adjusted by BAC level multipliers, and insurance increases are calculated based on state averages and offense severity over the required SR-22 filing period.
Average DUI Costs by State (2026)
DUI penalties and associated costs vary dramatically across states. Some states impose mandatory minimum fines while others give judges more discretion. Insurance rate increases also vary based on state regulations and market conditions.
DUI Attorney Fee Ranges
Legal representation is often the single largest immediate expense in a DUI case. While public defenders are available for those who qualify, private DUI attorneys typically achieve better outcomes including reduced charges, dismissed cases, or minimized penalties.
Insurance Premium Increases After DUI
A DUI conviction triggers mandatory SR-22 insurance filing in most states, resulting in significantly higher premiums. Insurance companies view DUI convictions as major risk factors, and rate increases can last 3-10 years depending on your state.
Ignition Interlock Device Costs
Many states now require ignition interlock devices (IID) for DUI offenders, even first-time offenders. These breathalyzer devices prevent your car from starting if alcohol is detected and must be installed in every vehicle you drive.
Mandatory DUI Education Programs
All states require completion of alcohol education or treatment programs after a DUI conviction. Program length and cost increase with offense severity and may include individual counseling, group sessions, and victim impact panels.
Lost Wages and Employment Impact
DUI convictions result in significant lost income from court appearances, jail time, license suspension, and mandatory program attendance. Career impacts can be even more devastating, especially for commercial drivers and professionals.
First Offense vs Repeat Offense Costs
The financial consequences of DUI convictions escalate dramatically with each subsequent offense. Repeat offenders face not only higher fines but also longer license suspensions, mandatory jail time, and extended insurance rate increases.
Felony DUI Scenarios and Costs
A DUI becomes a felony in specific circumstances: injury or death to another person, fourth or subsequent offense, DUI with a child in the vehicle, or extremely high BAC. Felony DUI costs can be life-altering.
DUI Court Process and Timeline
Understanding the DUI court process helps you anticipate when costs will occur and plan accordingly. The timeline varies by jurisdiction but typically spans several months for misdemeanor DUI and can extend to years for felony cases.
Commercial Driver DUI Costs
Commercial drivers face additional consequences from a DUI conviction. Federal regulations impose stricter standards, and the career impact can be devastating since driving is their livelihood.
Pro Tips
- 💡Document Everything from the Arrest: Keep detailed records of your arrest, including officer names, time, location, and everything said. Note any procedural issues like improper field sobriety test administration or breathalyzer calibration concerns—these details can be crucial for your defense.
- 💡Request the Police Report Immediately: Obtain the official police report as soon as possible. Review it for inaccuracies, missing information, or inconsistencies that could benefit your case. Your attorney will use this as a foundation for building your defense strategy.
- 💡Do Not Discuss Your Case Publicly: Avoid discussing your DUI on social media or with anyone other than your attorney. Statements you make can be used against you, and social media posts have been used as evidence in DUI prosecutions.
- 💡Start Alcohol Education Early: Enrolling in an alcohol education program before your court date demonstrates responsibility and can positively influence sentencing. Courts often view proactive treatment favorably when determining penalties.
- 💡Compare SR-22 Insurance Quotes: SR-22 insurance rates vary significantly between providers—some specialize in high-risk coverage and offer better rates. Get at least 5-7 quotes before committing. Switching providers during your SR-22 period is allowed and can save thousands.
- 💡Understand Your States Lookback Period: Each state has a lookback period (5-10 years, or lifetime in some states) for counting prior offenses. Understanding this helps you know whether a new charge will be treated as a first, second, or subsequent offense.
- 💡Consider Restricted License Options: Many states offer restricted or hardship licenses allowing work-related driving during suspension. Requirements typically include ignition interlock device installation and proof of employment. This can prevent significant lost wages.
- 💡Explore Diversion Programs: First-time offenders in some jurisdictions may qualify for diversion programs that can result in dismissed charges upon completion. These programs typically require alcohol education, community service, and a probationary period.
- 💡Request Payment Plans for Fines: Most courts offer payment plans for fines and fees. Failing to pay can result in license suspension, additional penalties, or warrants. Communicate with the court if you cannot afford lump-sum payments.
- 💡Factor in All Transportation Costs: During license suspension, budget for alternative transportation: ride-sharing, public transit, taxis, or having friends and family drive you. These costs can add $200-$500+ monthly and should be included in your DUI budget.
- 💡Verify Ignition Interlock Requirements: Even if not initially required, voluntary ignition interlock installation may allow earlier license reinstatement in some states. This can be more cost-effective than extended suspension when factoring in lost work and transportation costs.
- 💡Research Expungement Eligibility: After completing all requirements and waiting periods, research whether your state allows DUI expungement or record sealing. While not available everywhere, expungement can reduce long-term insurance and employment impacts.
- 💡Keep All Documentation Organized: Maintain a complete file with all DUI-related documents: arrest records, court papers, receipts, program completion certificates, and insurance documents. This organization helps with expungement applications and proves compliance to courts.
- 💡Monitor Your Credit Report: DUI-related debts sent to collections can damage your credit score. Monitor your credit report and address any collections promptly. Some courts report unpaid fines to credit bureaus, creating long-term financial impacts beyond the DUI itself.
- 💡Plan for Long-Term Budget Impact: Create a long-term budget that accounts for elevated insurance rates over 3-7 years, potential career impacts, and the possibility of future legal fees if you need to address probation violations or license issues. Financial planning helps prevent additional problems.
- 💡Understand Probation Requirements Completely: Violating probation can result in additional fines, jail time, and extended monitoring. Understand all requirements thoroughly—attend all appointments, complete programs on time, avoid alcohol as required, and maintain continuous insurance coverage.
- 💡Consider Substance Abuse Evaluation Benefits: Voluntarily completing a substance abuse evaluation before sentencing can demonstrate responsibility to the court and may result in more lenient penalties. This proactive approach shows commitment to addressing underlying issues and can influence plea negotiations positively.
Frequently Asked Questions
A first-time DUI in 2026 typically costs between $10,000 and $25,000 when accounting for all expenses. This includes court fines ($1,000-$2,500), attorney fees ($2,500-$5,000), increased insurance over 3-5 years ($6,000-$12,000), alcohol education programs ($300-$800), DMV fees ($150-$300), ignition interlock device ($500-$800 if required), and lost wages from court appearances and potential jail time ($1,000-$3,000). The exact amount depends heavily on your state, BAC level, case specifics, and whether you hire a private attorney.
