A DUI costs way more than you think. Driving under the influence (DUI) is a legal charge against you if you’re pulled over and test over the legal limit for blood alcohol content (BAC). Every state has the same legal limit of 0.08, except Utah at 0.05.
If you’re going out drinking, don’t drive. Walk, take public transportation, grab a cab, or use a designated driver. Driving after drinking isn’t worth it. Not only does it put you and other people at risk, it can cost you your freedom, plus thousands of dollars, or more. Here’s everything you need to know about how much a DUI costs in 2024.
DUI Cost Breakdown
A DUI could cost you $20,000 or more. While every DUI is different, there are many factors that contribute to the costs of a DUI. Here’s a brief discussion of each.
Bail Fees
When you’re arrested for a DUI, you’ll have to pay to get out of jail. In most states, you can use a bail bond service, but expect to pay 10% of your bond, anywhere from $100 to $5,000.
If you don’t show up for court, authorities will come after you for the full amount. Some bail bond services won’t help you if you’ve had more than one DUI. You’ll need to plead with family or friends to help you get the cash to post bail.
Attorney’s Fees
First-time offenders should expect attorney’s fees to be around $5,000, less if you take a plea, more if you go to trial. If you’ve had previous DUIs, expect this number to soar.
You can show up at court without a lawyer, pay your fine, and accept whatever penalties the judge throws at you. Or, you can hire a lawyer to negotiate with the state attorney to reduce your fines and penalties, saving your reputation and your money. A public defender is a good (free) option if you have little spare cash.
Court Fines and Costs
If convicted, expect to pay a fine of several hundred dollars for your first DUI. Courts also charge fees to handle your case. This amount can range from a couple hundred dollars to a few thousand if you’re a repeat offender. The court may charge you to open your case, for court appearances and for the judgment.
Probation and Monitoring Fees
If you receive probation, you’ll have to cover those fees, usually several hundred dollars at a minimum. On probation, you may need to take regular drug tests or have an ankle monitor. You’ll pay a few hundred dollars for each of those, too.
Don’t even think about skipping out on probation requirements. If you do, the court would issue a warrant for your arrest for violating the terms of your probation. Not only does this make matters worse for you, it adds to your costs because you will have to go back to court on a separate charge of probation violation.
DMV Fees
If your license is suspended or restricted, your state’s department of motor vehicles will charge you. They’ll also charge you to reinstate your license once you meet certain requirements. In sum, these fees could reach around $200 or more.
In states where you automatically lose your license, even after your first DUI, you’ll need to pay to have your license reinstated after the court gives you approval. You’ll also shoulder transportation costs—cabs, public transportation—plus the extra time it takes for you to get places without your car.
Towing and Storage Fees
Your car stays on the side of the road, waiting for a tow while you’re taken to jail. You’ll have to pay the towing fee, which can be several hundred dollars, depending on how far your car is towed.
The place your car is stored will also charge another fee of several hundred dollars. Even if you spent just one night in jail, be ready to spend a good amount of money to get your car back.
Ignition Interlock Devices
These devices require you to test your blood alcohol level before your car will start. Many courts will require you to install one in your vehicle after a DUI, at your expense. This can cost about $150.
The device also requires a monthly service. You’ll have to pay for that service, too, running close to $100 per month.
Traffic School
You may have to attend traffic school. Depending on the course you’re required to take, the fees will vary, but often fall between $200 to $1,000. If you are ordered to go to alcohol treatment, the cost will likely be covered by the state or by your health insurance.
If you’ve had previous DUIs, you may be required to take more courses, including a state-certified driver intervention program. This course can cost another couple hundred dollars. Some states will allow you to spend a few days in jail if you can’t afford the course.
Car Insurance Premium Increase
You’re about to despise car insurance even more. After a single DUI, car insurance premiums can increase 74%. That could add well over a thousand dollars to your annual car insurance costs.
If you have bundled insurance or have safe driver discounts, you’ll lose those. A DUI also makes it more difficult to find new insurance if you have to switch or if your carrier drops you.
Bottom Line
You’re better off spending 20 bucks on a cab than tens of thousands on a DUI. In some states, a DUI will stay on your record for a decade. Getting a DUI is embarrassing and extremely expensive, so don’t drive if you’ve been drinking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is a DUI so expensive?
Fees. From your attorney to court costs to insurance premiums going up, your DUI adds a plethora of fees to your life. For many people, this easily becomes a financial burden.
Yet, all the fees are necessary. You shouldn’t go without a lawyer, and there’s nothing you can do about the court costs or the insurance company raising your premiums. There are other fees you may have more control over, but those take up the biggest chunk.
Do I need a lawyer if I get a DUI?
Yes. Especially if you hope to get your DUI expunged—a legal process of wiping your slate clean that also adds to your costs—you need a lawyer’s guidance. In the best-case scenario, they may even be able to reduce your charge to a lesser offense.
A lawyer is worth the cost. Even though you’ll pay them for their time and knowledge, they’ll save you money on fees, insurance increases and lost income.
Will my DUI be a misdemeanor or a felony?
A standard DUI is a misdemeanor, meaning you won’t go to jail for more than a year. The court may place you on probation and put restrictions on your license.
But if you had kids in the car, a prior DUI, or you caused an accident resulting in injury or death, your DUI may become a felony. This could lead to longer jail time, longer and more restrictive probation and even job loss. You may also get sued if you caused an accident.
Can I still drive to work on a DUI?
If it’s your first DUI, probably. While the law is intended to teach people a lesson, the state doesn’t want to prohibit you from making a living and paying your fines and fees. Even if you have restrictions placed on your license, you’ll probably get to drive to and from work.
But don’t violate these terms. You’ll be under scrutiny and if you go out to dinner with friends on your way home from work and get stopped, be ready to head back to jail.
Will I lose my job after a DUI?
It depends. Your employer cannot fire you because you got a DUI, unless the DUI is related to your job. If you’re a truck driver or delivery driver, for example, you may lose your job after a DUI.
But your employer can terminate you for any reason, as long as they’re not discriminating against you because of a protected class status. Since your employment is likely “at-will” your employer could decide that they want to terminate you. Other employers may decide to not hire you because of your DUI.
Can I get the DUI conviction expunged?
In most cases, yes. But it’s better to not have a DUI to start with, as removing your DUI conviction from your record will be costly. It also requires you to wait at least a couple of years after your conviction to try to remove it—and be aware, you can only do this once. Note that law enforcement and court officials will always be able to view the conviction, even after expungement. If you get another DUI, it counts as a second DUI.
An expungement may make it easier to get a new job and your car insurance premiums will start to fall. It’ll cost you a few thousand dollars, but it’s well worth the cost.
How do I reduce DUI fees?
Absent avoiding a DUI altogether, hire a lawyer. They may be able to negotiate and reduce your charge to a lesser criminal offense, like reckless driving. That charge won’t put you in jail and will reduce the fees you need to pay.
Reducing your charge will also keep your car insurance premiums from going up too much. You may see an increase in your premiums for a reckless driving conviction, but it won’t be nearly as much as a DUI conviction.
