DUI Calculator — Free DUI Cost Estimator 2026

What Does a DUI Really Cost?

Most people arrested for a DUI focus on the base fine — which averages $500 to $2,000 for a first offense. But that number is misleading. The true total cost of a DUI includes every expense that follows the arrest, and they add up fast.

Here is what a realistic first-offense DUI costs in the United States in 2026:

• Court fines and fees: $500 – $2,000
• Attorney fees: $1,500 – $8,000 depending on experience
• SR-22 insurance surcharge: $1,500 – $4,500 over 3 years
• Ignition Interlock Device (IID): $600 – $1,500 per year
• DUI school / alcohol education program: $150 – $500
• License reinstatement fee: $100 – $500
• Towing and impound: $200 – $1,000
• Lost wages from court appearances: varies

For a second or third offense, total costs can exceed $25,000 when felony charges, longer SR-22 requirements, and extended IID mandates are factored in.

How to Use This DUI Cost Calculator

Our DUI cost estimator gives you a personalized breakdown in seconds. Here is how each input affects your result:

1. Select your state — DUI fines, mandatory minimums, and SR-22 requirements vary significantly by state. California, Florida, Arizona, and Texas each have different penalty structures built into our calculator.
2. Choose your offense number — First offense DUI carries the lightest penalties. Second and third offenses trigger mandatory minimums, longer license suspensions, and in many states, felony charges.
3. Set your BAC level — Standard BAC (under 0.15%) results in base penalties. High BAC (0.15–0.20%) and extreme BAC (over 0.20%) trigger aggravated DUI charges with higher fines and longer sentences in most states.
4. Breathalyzer refusal — Refusing a breathalyzer or blood test triggers implied consent violations in every US state. This adds civil penalties and typically extends your SR-22 requirement from 3 years to 5 years.
5. Accident or property damage involved — If your DUI involved an accident, property damage, or injury, restitution costs and potential felony charges are added to your estimate.
6. Attorney type — Choosing no attorney and pleading guilty is the cheapest short-term option but often the most expensive long-term. A public defender costs nothing but has limited availability. A private attorney ($3,500–$8,000) may reduce charges or negotiate a lesser sentence.
7. Your current insurance premium — We use your current annual auto insurance premium to calculate your SR-22 surcharge accurately, since the rate hike is a percentage increase on your existing premium.
8. Ignition Interlock Device — Many states mandate IID installation for all DUI convictions. Enter whether it applies to you and for how long to get an accurate device cost.

DUI Cost Breakdown — What’s Included

Understanding each line item in your DUI cost helps you prepare and potentially reduce certain expenses.

Court Fines and Assessments The base fine is set by your state and offense number. On top of the base fine, courts add penalty assessments, surcharges, and administrative fees that can multiply the original fine by 2x to 5x. In California, a $390 base fine becomes over $1,800 after all assessments.

Attorney Fees A DUI attorney cost ranges from $1,500 for a basic first-offense case to $8,000 or more for an experienced attorney handling a high-BAC or accident case. While this is the largest upfront cost, a good attorney can sometimes reduce a DUI to a wet reckless charge — which carries significantly lower insurance and licensing consequences.

SR-22 Insurance SR-22 is not a separate insurance policy — it is a certificate your insurer files with the state proving you carry minimum liability coverage. After a DUI, your insurer classifies you as high-risk and raises your premium. Our calculator uses your current premium to estimate this surcharge over the required SR-22 period: 3 years for a first offense, 5 years for a second offense or breathalyzer refusal.

Ignition Interlock Device (IID) An IID is a breathalyzer installed in your vehicle that requires a clean breath sample before the car will start. Monthly costs include installation ($70–$150), monthly lease ($60–$80), and calibration fees. For a 12-month requirement, expect to pay $900 – $1,500 total.

DUI School and Programs Most states require completion of a DUI education program or alcohol treatment as a condition of license reinstatement. Program lengths range from 12 hours for a first offense to 30+ months for repeat offenders.

First vs Second vs Third DUI Offense

The difference in cost and consequences between a first and second DUI is dramatic. Here is what changes with each offense:

First Offense DUI In most states, a first-offense DUI is a misdemeanor. Penalties include fines, license suspension of 90 days to 1 year, possible jail time of 48 hours to 6 months, mandatory DUI school, and SR-22 for 3 years. Total cost typically ranges from $5,000 to $12,000.

Second Offense DUI A second DUI within 5–10 years (the lookback period varies by state) triggers mandatory minimum jail time of 10 days to 1 year, longer license suspension, mandatory IID installation, and SR-22 for 5 years. Total cost typically ranges from $10,000 to $20,000.

Third Offense DUI A third DUI is a felony in most states. Penalties include 120 days to 3 years in prison, permanent or long-term license revocation, and a felony record that affects employment, housing, and professional licenses. Total cost can exceed $25,000 excluding the long-term career and income impact.

BAC Levels and How They Affect Your Cost

Your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) at the time of arrest is one of the most important factors in your DUI cost calculation.

Standard BAC — Under 0.15% The legal limit in all US states is 0.08% BAC. A reading between 0.08% and 0.14% results in a standard DUI charge with base penalties for your state and offense number.

High BAC — 0.15% to 0.20% Most states have an aggravated DUI threshold at 0.15% or 0.16%. At this level, fines increase by 25–50%, mandatory jail time is longer, and IID installation is almost universally required even for first offenses. States like Arizona and Florida apply significantly higher penalties at this threshold.

Extreme BAC — Over 0.20% A BAC over 0.20% is classified as extreme DUI in states like Arizona (which has the strictest DUI laws in the country). Penalties at this level approach those of a second offense even for first-time offenders. Mandatory minimum jail sentences, higher fines, and extended IID requirements apply.

Breathalyzer Refusal and Implied Consent Every US state has an implied consent law — by driving on public roads, you have legally consented to chemical testing. Refusing a breathalyzer or blood test results in an automatic license suspension of 1 year (independent of your DUI outcome), civil penalties, and in most states extends your SR-22 requirement to 5 years. In some states, refusal can be used as evidence of guilt in court.

DUI Laws by State — 2026

DUI penalties vary significantly by state. Here is a quick reference for the most searched states:

California DUI Laws California treats a first DUI as a misdemeanor with a base fine of $390, but total court costs reach $1,800+ after assessments. License suspension is 6 months, IID is required in all four pilot counties (Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Tulare) and expanding statewide. SR-22 required for 3 years. New California DUI laws in 2026 have increased mandatory DUI school hours for high-BAC offenders.

Florida DUI Laws Florida DUI fines range from $500–$1,000 for a first offense and $1,000–$2,000 for a second. Florida requires IID for first-offense convictions with BAC over 0.15% or if a minor was in the vehicle. License revocation is 180 days to 1 year for a first offense.

Arizona DUI Laws Arizona has the strictest DUI laws in the US. A standard first-offense DUI carries a minimum 10 days in jail (9 can be suspended), $1,250 in fines, and mandatory IID. Extreme DUI (BAC 0.15–0.19%) carries a minimum 30 days jail and $2,500 fines. Super Extreme DUI (BAC 0.20%+) carries 45 days minimum jail and $3,250 fines.

Texas DUI / DWI Laws Texas uses the term DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) rather than DUI. A first-offense DWI carries fines up to $2,000, 3–180 days in jail, and license suspension of 90 days to 1 year. Texas has no mandatory IID for first offenses unless BAC was 0.15% or higher.

Pennsylvania DUI Laws Pennsylvania categorizes DUI by BAC tier: General Impairment (0.08–0.099%), High BAC (0.10–0.159%), and Highest BAC (0.16%+). Penalties increase significantly at each tier. First-offense Highest BAC carries mandatory 72 hours jail, $1,000–$5,000 fine, and 12-month license suspension.

DUI vs DWI — What’s the Difference?

The terms DUI and DWI are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct legal meanings depending on the state.

DUI — Driving Under the Influence DUI refers to operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. It is the standard term used in most states including California, Florida, Arizona, and Georgia.

DWI — Driving While Intoxicated (or Impaired) DWI is used in states including Texas, New York, New Jersey, and North Carolina. In Texas, DWI specifically means the driver had lost the normal use of their mental or physical faculties, or had a BAC of 0.08% or higher.

OWI — Operating While Intoxicated OWI is the term used in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. It is legally equivalent to DUI but covers a broader range of vehicles including boats and off-road vehicles.

OVI — Operating a Vehicle while Impaired OVI is the specific term used in Ohio and covers any vehicle, including bicycles and golf carts in some jurisdictions.

In states that use both terms (like New York and New Jersey), DWI is typically the more serious charge (BAC 0.08%+) while DUI may refer to impairment by drugs or a lower BAC level. For cost purposes, the penalties are equivalent once the charge is filed — our calculator covers all of these under the DUI umbrella.

Is a DUI a Felony?

Whether a DUI is a felony or misdemeanor depends on the circumstances of the arrest and your prior record.

When a DUI is a Misdemeanor A first-offense DUI with no aggravating factors is a misdemeanor in all 50 states. This means no injury, no accident, BAC under the aggravated threshold, and no prior DUI convictions within the lookback period (typically 5–10 years depending on state).

When a DUI Becomes a Felony A DUI is charged as a felony when any of the following apply:

• It is your third or fourth DUI offense (in most states)
• The DUI caused injury or death to another person
• A minor was a passenger in the vehicle
• Your BAC was extremely high (over 0.20% in some states)
• You were driving on a suspended or revoked license at the time

Consequences of a Felony DUI A felony DUI conviction means a permanent criminal record, loss of voting rights in some states, inability to possess firearms, and significant barriers to employment and professional licensing. The financial cost of a felony DUI — including attorney fees, fines, and long-term income impact — can exceed $50,000 over a lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a DUI cost on average? A first-offense DUI in the United States costs between $5,000 and $12,000 when all expenses are included — fines, attorney fees, SR-22 insurance, IID, and DUI school. A second offense typically costs $10,000 to $20,000, and a felony DUI can exceed $25,000 in direct costs alone.

How long does a DUI stay on your record? In most states, a DUI stays on your criminal record permanently unless expunged. For insurance purposes, a DUI typically affects your rates for 3–5 years. For the purpose of determining first vs second offense, most states use a lookback period of 5–10 years.

What happens when you get a DUI for the first time? A first DUI typically results in arrest and booking, license suspension, a court date, fines, mandatory DUI school, probation, and in many states an IID requirement. You will not necessarily serve jail time for a first offense if you have no prior record and no aggravating factors.

Is it worth hiring a DUI attorney? In most cases, yes. A DUI attorney cost of $3,500–$8,000 can result in reduced charges, dismissed evidence, or a plea to a lesser offense like wet reckless — which carries significantly lower insurance consequences and no IID requirement. The long-term savings on SR-22 insurance alone can exceed the attorney fee.

What is SR-22 insurance and how long do I need it? SR-22 is a certificate filed by your insurance company proving you carry the state minimum liability coverage. It is required after a DUI for 3 years (first offense) or 5 years (second offense or breathalyzer refusal). During this period, any lapse in coverage immediately notifies the DMV and can result in license suspension.

What is an ignition interlock device and how much does it cost? An IID is a breathalyzer connected to your ignition that requires a clean breath sample before your car will start. Installation costs $70–$150, monthly rental is $60–$80, and calibration visits are required every 30–60 days. Total annual cost is typically $900–$1,500.

Can a DUI be reduced or dismissed? Yes, in some cases. An experienced DUI attorney may challenge the legality of the traffic stop, the accuracy of the breathalyzer calibration, or the chain of custody of a blood sample. A successful challenge can result in dismissal. In other cases, the charge may be reduced to wet reckless (reckless driving involving alcohol), which carries lower penalties and does not trigger SR-22 in all states.

Does a DUI affect your car insurance permanently? No, but the impact is significant for 3–5 years. After a DUI, most insurers classify you as a high-risk driver and increase your premium by 50–200%. Some insurers will drop your coverage entirely, requiring you to find a high-risk insurer. After your SR-22 period ends and the DUI ages off your driving record (typically 5–7 years), your rates will gradually normalize.

Data Source

DUI cost data in this calculator is compiled from state court fee schedules, DMV administrative fee tables, and NHTSA’s Drunk Driving Cost and Consequences report (2024), which documents the $10,000+ minimum cost of a first-offense DUI conviction nationally. SR-22 insurance surcharge rates are sourced from Insurify’s 2026 state-by-state SR-22 insurance rate database (70.5% average premium increase nationally).

Ignition Interlock Device costs reflect 2026 MADD IID Vendor Registry pricing data ($70–$150 installation, $60–$90/month monitoring). Attorney fee ranges are based on state bar association survey data and the American Bar Association’s 2024 legal fee benchmarks by jurisdiction. All figures are estimates — actual costs depend on case facts, jurisdiction, BAC level, prior record, and whether charges are reduced or dismissed. Not legal advice.

Related Calculators

If you found this DUI cost calculator useful, these related tools may also help:

• BAC Calculator — Estimate your Blood Alcohol Content based on drinks, weight, and time. Understand where your BAC falls before getting behind the wheel.
• Personal Injury Calculator — If your DUI involved an accident, estimate potential civil liability and settlement costs.
• Workers Comp Calculator — A DUI conviction can affect your employment. Understand your rights if a DUI-related job loss is involved.