DUI Cost Calculator
Estimate the total financial cost of a DUI conviction — from fines and attorney fees to the three-year SR-22 insurance surcharge. Free, instant, no data stored.
Estimated Total Cost
Total Estimated Cost $6,280 – $15,840
Criminal Fine $750 – $1,500
Attorney Fees $1,500 – $5,000
SR-22 Surcharge (3 yrs) $2,400 – $4,500
Court Costs $600 – $1,500
Ignition Interlock (6–12 mo) $430 – $1,640
DUI School + Reinstatement $300 – $900
Towing & Impound $300 – $800
State penalty tier: medium. Ranges reflect medium-penalty-tier minimums.
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What goes into the DUI cost estimate
- Criminal fine — the court-ordered fine set by statute. Ranges vary by state penalty tier, offense number, and BAC. High-BAC and accident cases carry statutory multipliers in many states.
- Attorney fees — typical private DUI defense attorney retainer. Public defenders are free but may result in less favorable plea deals; private counsel averages $1,500–$5,000 for a first offense and $5,000–$15,000 for a third or felony charge.
- DUI school / alcohol education program — state-mandated classes, typically 8–36 hours. Some states also require a substance-use assessment and treatment program at additional cost.
- Ignition interlock device (IID) — required in most states for first offenses and all repeat offenses. Includes installation ($70–$200) plus monthly rental and calibration ($60–$120/month).
- SR-22 insurance surcharge — the annual rate increase your insurer charges after filing the required SR-22 certificate. Most states require the filing for three years; the annual surcharge depends on your prior premium and BAC level.
- Court costs and fees — filing fees, victim restitution funds, DUI assessment fees, and probation supervision costs. Separate from the criminal fine.
- Towing and impound — your vehicle is impounded at arrest. Typical costs run $300–$800 including tow and one to three days of storage before release.
- License reinstatement fee — after the suspension period, most states charge $100–$500 to reinstate driving privileges.
What this estimate does not cover
- Lost income — job termination, CDL disqualification, or reduced career earnings are not included and can dwarf the direct costs.
- Civil liability — if an accident caused injury or property damage, separate civil suits are not modeled here.
- Jail and prison costs — some states bill inmates for room and board. Work-release or electronic monitoring programs may add costs.
- Bail bond fees — typically 10% of bail, non-refundable, if a bond is required.
- Out-of-state variation — mandatory surcharges, victim impact panels, and treatment program costs vary significantly within states by county.
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does a first DUI cost total?
- A first DUI in the United States typically costs $10,000 to $25,000 when you add up criminal fines, attorney fees, DUI school, ignition interlock, SR-22 insurance surcharge for three years, court costs, and towing. High-BAC cases, accidents, or states with steep mandatory minimums can push that to $40,000 or more.
- Why does the SR-22 surcharge cost so much?
- SR-22 is not a separate policy — it is a certificate your insurer files with the state proving you carry minimum liability coverage. Because a DUI conviction marks you as a high-risk driver, your insurer raises your premium substantially for the three years most states require the filing. The total surcharge over that period is often the single largest cost of a DUI.
- How long does an ignition interlock device stay on the car?
- Most states require an interlock for 6 to 12 months on a first offense, 12 to 24 months on a second, and 24 to 36 months on a third. The device costs $70–$200 to install and $60–$120 per month to rent and calibrate. Monthly compliance visits are also required by most programs.
- Does a DUI affect employment?
- This calculator covers direct, measurable financial costs only. Indirect costs — lost income from job termination, commercial driver's license (CDL) disqualification, professional license suspension, or reduced earning potential — can exceed the direct costs significantly, especially for drivers and licensed professionals.
- What makes a DUI a felony?
- A DUI is typically charged as a felony when it involves a prior felony DUI conviction, a third or fourth offense in many states, injury or death to another person, or a very high BAC (0.16–0.20+, depending on state). Felony charges carry substantially higher fines and attorney fees and are reflected in the third-offense and extreme-BAC estimates in this calculator.