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The true costs of drunk driving
Compare the costs of getting pulled over for a DUI before getting behind the wheel.
Each year, about 10,000 drivers die on American roads in crashes involving alcohol. These alcohol-impaired deaths represent some 28% of all road fatalities in the United States 2019.
Along with the emotional costs, road accidents cost the nation $49 billion in medical bills and work loss, according to the CDC. Extrapolating those figures, we found that drunk drivers are at the root of an expensive $13.7 billion in medical expenses and lost wages.
How much does a DUI cost?
The cost of alcohol-impaired driving varies by state and depends on the severity of the accident. In regards to why DUI’s are so expensive, criminal defense attorney Ryan Stump, National College for DUI Defense, and the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys. Mr. Stump sited bail, court fees, increased insurance fees, court fines and restoration of driving privileges. “Once you’re charged, you typically lose your driving privileges. For example, in North Carolina, when you are charged with a DWI, you lose your driving privileges for 30-days under a civil revocation. To reinstate them, you’ll have to pay a total of at least $100 to restore them. If you don’t get your driving privileges reinstated, then you’ll incur the ongoing cost of public transportation, taxis, rideshare services such as Lyft, or be forced to rely on friends and/or family for transportation” said Stump.
To understand how DUI cost figures are calculated, let’s dive into the range of penalties you face for drunk driving.
How much are fees and fines?
You face a range of penalties if you’re caught and convicted for drunk driving that largely come down to how strict your state’s DUI laws are. All 50 states have adopted laws limiting your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08%. Still, the penalties you face in South Dakota differ widely from those of California, skewing the national average.
🚚
Towing
$33
🕌
Bail and court
$133
💳
License fees
$93
💲
Insurance increase
$2,231
🔧
Interlock iginition device
$748
🍺
Alcohol education
$235
🚔
Lost wages
$288
💲
TOTAL
$4,100
How much does a DUI cost in each state?
The average cost of $4,100 across the US doesn’t tell the whole story. This includes states that impose much lower fees and fines than the others. Compare the minimum average costs of a DUI for each state.
| State | Cost of DUI |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $3,907 |
| Alaska | $5,793 |
| Arizona | $5,509 |
| Arkansas | $4,387 |
| California | $5,418 |
| Colorado | $4,568 |
| Connecticut | $4,675 |
| Delaware | $3,426 |
| Florida | $4,010 |
| Georgia | $5,543 |
| Hawaii | $4,158 |
| Idaho | $3,100 |
| Illinois | $3,482 |
| Indiana | $3,281 |
| Iowa | $4,083 |
| Kansas | $4,044 |
| Kentucky | $3,690 |
| Louisiana | $4,291 |
| Maine | $3,422 |
| Maryland | $3,600 |
| Massachusetts | $5,194 |
| Michigan | $3,869 |
| Minnesota | $3,086 |
| Mississippi | $2,309 |
| Missouri | $2,691 |
| Montana | $3,601 |
| Nebraska | $4,058 |
| Nevada | $3,498 |
| New Hampshire | $4,038 |
| New Jersey | $3,284 |
| New Mexico | $2,767 |
| New York | $3,351 |
| North Carolina | $4,431 |
| North Dakota | $2,930 |
| Ohio | $2,562 |
| Oklahoma | $5,289 |
| Oregon | $4,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,235 |
| Rhode Island | $4,605 |
| South Carolina | $3,518 |
| South Dakota | $1,391 |
| Tennessee | $3,704 |
| Texas | $3,965 |
| Utah | $5,628 |
| Vermont | $2,612 |
| Virginia | $3,067 |
| Washington | $4,355 |
| Washington, DC | $4,355 |
| West Virginia | $3,048 |
| Wisconsin | $3,537 |
| Wyoming | $3,200 |
Which state is toughest on drunk drivers?
In terms of fines, you may want to avoid drunk driving altogether in Alaska. While fines vary depending on the severity of the incident, you could be hit with a fine of $5,793 in the northernmost state.
And in states with already high car insurance rates like California, a $1,755 increase to your premiums for the next few years is especially daunting. Other factors that significantly raise the cost in certain states are court fees and lost wages from jail time. Compare the overall most expensive states for DUI offenders. Arizona DUI Sergeant Voss of the Tucson police department noted ” People need to have a plan when they go out. A designated driver needs to be a true designated driver who doesn’t drink any alcohol, not the one who drank the least.”
Worst states for a DUI
- Alaska
- Utah
- Georgia
- Arizona
- California
Cheapest states for a DUI
- South Dakota
- Mississippi
- Ohio
- Vermont
- Missouri
How much are DUI fines?
The average fee for a first DUI conviction is $315, and that number jumps to $545 for your second conviction. Those numbers include states that don’t charge a required fee.
Fees are highest in states like Alaska, Utah, Arizona, Oregon, and Iowa. Only 13 states have no required fine.
| State | 1st conviction | 2nd conviction |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $600 | $1,100 |
| Alaska | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Arizona | $1,250 | $3,000 |
| Arkansas | $150 | $400 |
| California | $390 | $390 |
| Colorado | $600 | $600 |
| Connecticut | $500 | $1,000 |
| Delaware | $500 | $750 |
| Florida | $500 | $1,000 |
| Georgia | $300 | $600 |
| Hawaii | $250 | $1,000 |
| Idaho | $0 | $0 |
| Illinois | $0 | $0 |
| Indiana | $0 | $0 |
| Iowa | $625 | $1,875 |
| Kansas | $0 | $0 |
| Kentucky | $200 | $350 |
| Louisiana | $300 | $750 |
| Maine | $500 | $700 |
| Maryland | $0 | $0 |
| Massachusetts | $500 | $600 |
| Michigan | $100 | $200 |
| Minnesota | $0 | $0 |
| Mississippi | $250 | $600 |
| Missouri | $0 | $0 |
| Montana | $600 | $1,200 |
| Nebraska | $500 | $500 |
| Nevada | $400 | $750 |
| New Hampshire | $500 | $750 |
| New Jersey | $250 | $500 |
| New Mexico | $0 | $500 |
| New York | $300 | $500 |
| North Carolina | $200 | $500 |
| North Dakota | $500 | $1,500 |
| Ohio | $375 | $525 |
| Oklahoma | $0 | $0 |
| Oregon | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $300 | $300 |
| Rhode Island | $100 | $400 |
| South Carolina | $400 | $2,100 |
| South Dakota | $0 | $0 |
| Tennessee | $350 | $600 |
| Texas | $0 | $0 |
| Utah | $1,310 | $1,560 |
| Vermont | $0 | $0 |
| Virginia | $250 | $500 |
| Washington | $350 | $500 |
| West Virginia | $100 | $1,000 |
| Wisconsin | $150 | $350 |
| Wyoming | $0 | $200 |
What’s an ignition interlock device?
An ignition interlock device (IID) is a breathalyzer that requires a driver to blow into a mouthpiece prior to starting the vehicle. If the IID detects that the driver’s BAC is above a predetermined threshold, the device immobilizes the vehicle.
An IID typically costs between $70 and $150 to install and roughly $60 to $80 monthly to maintain and calibrate. Removal costs are an additional $50 to $150 fee.
IID requirements by state
The average amount of time you’ll need an IID is 9 months. Where you live determines how long you’ll need to use your IID, with many states requiring at least a year.
Whether you’re ordered to install an IID in your vehicle at all depends on your BAC and whether you’re a first-time offender. 36 states require it on a first conviction, and all but 3 states require it after your second conviction at least.
| State | IID required |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 6 months |
| Alaska | 6 months |
| Arizona | 12 months |
| Arkansas | 12 months |
| California | 3 months |
| Colorado | 8 months |
| Connecticut | 12 months |
| Delaware | 14 months |
| Florida | 6 months |
| Georgia | 12 months |
| Hawaii | 12 months |
| Idaho | 12 months |
| Illinois | 12 months |
| Indiana | 12 months |
| Iowa | 12 months |
| Kansas | 6 months |
| Kentucky | 6 months |
| Louisiana | 12 months |
| Maine | 5 months |
| Maryland | 12 months |
| Massachusetts | 24 months |
| Michigan | 12 months |
| Minnesota | 12 months |
| Mississippi | 3 months |
| Missouri | 6 months |
| Montana | 6 months |
| Nebraska | 6 months |
| Nevada | 3 months |
| New Hampshire | 12 months |
| New Jersey | 6 months |
| New Mexico | 12 months |
| New York | 6 months |
| North Carolina | 12 months |
| North Dakota | 1.1 months |
| Ohio | 1.1 months |
| Oklahoma | 18 months |
| Oregon | 12 months |
| Pennsylvania | 12 months |
| Rhode Island | 24 months |
| South Carolina | 6 months |
| South Dakota | 0 months |
| Tennessee | 12 months |
| Texas | 12 months |
| Utah | 18 months |
| Vermont | 0 months |
| Virginia | 6 months |
| Washington | 12 months |
| Washington, DC | 0 months |
| West Virginia | 4.17 months |
| Wisconsin | 12 months |
| Wyoming | 6 months |
How much does jail time cost?
It’s a tricky number to estimate, especially given how differently incarceration and other penalties are handled among the states. A few states punch up the punishment by charging inmates up to $60 for each day they’re in jail.
On average, you’ll spend a minimum 2.1 days in jail after a DUI conviction, which includes states that don’t set a minimum jail time.
As for the cost of lost wages, let’s break down average costs. The median annual income in the US of $35,977 breaks down to $139 per workday. At that rate, the average DUI costs $288 in lost wages.
However, that’s merely the minimum penalty for a first DUI conviction. Most penalties increase after your first DUI, increasing the possibility of jail time with each offense. These averages also don’t include job loss, which could be a reality if your employer catches wind of your DUI. Some government and public office positions or jobs that rely on your driving ability won’t allow employees with DUIs at all.
| State | Lost wages | Minimum jail time |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Alaska | $415 | 3 days |
| Arizona | $1,384 | 10 days |
| Arkansas | $138 | 1 day |
| California | $553 | 4 days |
| Colorado | $692 | 5 days |
| Connecticut | $277 | 2 days |
| Delaware | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Florida | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Georgia | $2,170 | 10 days |
| Hawaii | $277 | 2 days |
| Idaho | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Illinois | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Indiana | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Iowa | $277 | 2 Days |
| Kansas | $277 | 2 Days |
| Kentucky | $277 | 2 days |
| Louisiana | $277 | 2 days |
| Maine | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Maryland | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Massachusetts | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Michigan | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Minnesota | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Mississippi | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Missouri | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Montana | $138 | 1 day |
| Nebraska | $969 | 7 days |
| Nevada | $277 | 2 days |
| New Hampshire | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| New Jersey | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| New Mexico | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| New York | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| North Carolina | $138 | 1 day |
| North Dakota | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Ohio | $415 | 3 days |
| Oklahoma | $1,384 | 10 days |
| Oregon | $277 | 2 days |
| Pennsylvania | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Rhode Island | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| South Carolina | $277 | 2 days |
| South Dakota | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Tennessee | $277 | 2 days |
| Texas | $415 | 3 days |
| Utah | $277 | 2 days |
| Vermont | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Virginia | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Washington | $138 | 1 day |
| Washington, DC | $138 | No minimum sentence |
| West Virginia | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Wisconsin | $0 | No minimum sentence |
| Wyoming | $0 | No minimum sentence |
How much does it cost to get your car back?
When you’re convicted of a DUI, you’ll likely pay for towing and storage if your car is impounded, which varies by state. Towing fees could be as low as $75, for example, but impound, storage and recovery fees can run into the thousands.
How much does it cost to get your license back?
After you’ve paid out your penalties and satisfied your sentence, there’s still the matter of reinstating your driver’s license. In most states, you’re looking at $20 to $40 for a new license, while Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington charge $70 or more.
You could face a higher license reinstatement fee for a DUI specifically. Rhode Island, for instance, charges $152 to reinstate a suspended license — but that number increases to $352 for a license suspended due to a DUI.
How much does car insurance go up after a DUI?
The costs don’t stop with your license. Depending on your state, you could end up paying 112% more each year on your car insurance premiums than before your conviction.
| State | Average car insurance | Premium increase | Cost of insurance after DUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,404 | 54% | $2,162 |
| Alaska | $1,560 | 80% | $2,808 |
| Arizona | $1,296 | 37% | $1,776 |
| Arkansas | $1,404 | 68% | $2,359 |
| California | $1,704 | 103% | $3,459 |
| Colorado | $1,452 | 34% | $1,946 |
| Connecticut | $1,104 | 100% | $2,208 |
| Delaware | $1,104 | 31% | $1,446 |
| Florida | $1,800 | 40% | $2,520 |
| Georgia | $1,452 | 47% | $2,134 |
| Hawaii | $1,356 | 62% | $2,197 |
| Idaho | $1,416 | 43% | $2,025 |
| Illinois | $1,248 | 70% | $1,822 |
| Indiana | $1,116 | 56% | $1,741 |
| Iowa | $1,104 | 60% | $1,766 |
| Kansas | $1,248 | 46% | $1,822 |
| Kentucky | $1,404 | 48% | $2,078 |
| Louisiana | $1,296 | 62% | $2,100 |
| Maine | $1,296 | 56% | $2,022 |
| Maryland | $1,500 | 51% | $2,265 |
| Massachusetts | $1,296 | 67% | $2,164 |
| Michigan | $2,196 | 9% | $2,394 |
| Minnesota | $1,296 | 37% | $1,776 |
| Mississippi | $1,200 | 27% | $1,524 |
| Missouri | $1,296 | 39% | $1,801 |
| Montana | $1,200 | 39% | $1,668 |
| Nebraska | $1,104 | 58% | $1,744 |
| Nevada | $1,404 | 29% | $1,811 |
| New Hampshire | $1,200 | 79% | $2,148 |
| New Jersey | $1,404 | 47% | $2,064 |
| New Mexico | $1,200 | 46% | $1,752 |
| New York | $1,296 | 49% | $1,931 |
| North Carolina | $1,296 | 112% | $2,748 |
| North Dakota | $1,356 | 33% | $1,803 |
| Ohio | $996 | 31% | $1,305 |
| Oklahoma | $1,500 | 28% | $1,920 |
| Oregon | $1,296 | 26% | $1,633 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,296 | 25% | $1,620 |
| Rhode Island | $1,800 | 25% | $2,250 |
| South Carolina | $1,296 | 27% | $1,646 |
| South Dakota | $1,056 | 27% | $1,341 |
| Tennessee | $1,296 | 19% | $1,341 |
| Texas | $1,500 | 44% | $2,160 |
| Utah | $1,296 | 39% | $1,801 |
| Vermont | $1,296 | 67% | $2,164 |
| Virginia | $1,248 | 42% | $1,772 |
| Washington | $1,200 | 28% | $1,536 |
| Washington, DC | $1,200 | 28 % | $1,536 |
| West Virginia | $1,356 | 59% | $2,156 |
| Wisconsin | $1,296 | 51% | $1,957 |
| Wyoming | $1,500 | 52% | $2,280 |
Bottom line
Grabbing the wheel after getting a drink is a bad idea, endangering your life, your livelihood and the lives of fellow drivers. It’s also a costly one, with hundreds or thousands in fees, penalties and potentially jail time. Learning how to avoid and prevent situations like this early can help. Denise Continenza, a prevention affiliate at Penn State Prevention Research Center noted high quality prevention education as a way to curb drunk driving. Regarding high quality prevention Continenza said the following, “It teaches skills rather than scare tactics. It takes adolescent development into consideration. Teens don’t think that something bad could ever happen to them, and this is why programs that scare (bringing in people in recovery to tell their story) or ones that create high levels of emotions (prom night car crash simulations) do not work. They fade in the kids’ memories over time. Teaching them how to resist peer pressure, cope with stress in healthy ways and set goals for their future are effective in keeping kids away from substance use.”
After a night out on the town, hail a cab, request a rideshare or take advantage of public transportation to avoid the devastation of drunk driving. To protect yourself from drunk drivers on the road, compare car insurance policies to cover you and your car from the unexpected.
Methodology
To understand how DUI cost figures are calculated, let’s dive into the range of penalties you face for drunk driving.
To determine DUI cost by state, Finder compared the states across a total of 8 factors that contribute to the overall cost of a DUI.
- Fines
- Towing fee
- Bail and court costs
- License reinstatement fees
- Interlock ignition device fees (installation fee, monthly fee, removal fee)
- Alcohol education
- Lost wages (from jail time)
- Average Insurance Rate Increase After DUI
Sources:
- “Cost of Injury Reports” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- “Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST)” by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- “Auto Insurance Database Report” by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
- “DUI Laws by State” by Nolo
- “Highway Statistics 2019” by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- “Arrests by State, 2019” by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- “Suspended License Reinstatement by State” by FindLaw
For all media inquiries, please contact:
Richard Laycock, Insights editor and senior content marketing manager
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