DUI Cost: Average Fees Explained

The cost of a DUI is more than a single fine. Court fines are only one part. Car insurance premiums rise, sometimes for years, and other expenses depend on the state, the court, and the facts of the case. Those can include legal fees, license consequences, and program requirements that differ from place to place.

This page focuses on the figures that published sources report: what insurers charge after a DUI and what one state's statute sets as a fine. It is general information, not legal advice. Figures carry a check date of Oct 12, 2026.

Two published sources give different numbers. NerdWallet puts the average annual increase for full coverage at $1,509/yr. MoneyGeek puts the average annual increase at $1,178/yr. NerdWallet's analysis found an average rate increase of 93%.

The figures differ, and the sources may use different data, insurers, coverage levels, and driver profiles. Treat each as an estimate and not a quote. Your own rate depends on your state, your insurer, your driving history, and the circumstances of the case.

The table below compares what drivers with a DUI pay with what drivers with a clean record pay, using each source's own figures. Compare within a source rather than across sources.

NerdWallet lists full coverage with one DUI at $3,139/yr, against $1,630/yr for a clean record. Its minimum coverage figure with one DUI is $1,134/yr. MoneyGeek lists full coverage after a DUI at $4,461/yr, against $3,283/yr for a clean record.

Full coverage and minimum coverage are different products, so a premium for one is not comparable with a premium for the other. The clean-record baselines also differ between the two sources, which is part of why the increases differ.

Fines are set by state law and vary from state to state. As one example, Florida statute 316.193 sets fines for a first conviction, and the Florida Senate publishes the statute. Other states set different amounts, so do not treat these as a national figure.

In Florida, a first conviction carries a fine of $500 – $1,000. A first conviction with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 or above, or with a minor in the vehicle, carries a fine of $1,000 – $2,000. A second conviction carries a fine of $1,000 – $2,000. This is the court fine only. Court costs, fees, and other penalties are separate and are not included here.

The sources on this page give figures for insurance and for one state's fines. Other costs also come up in DUI cases, and amounts vary widely by state and by case:

• Attorney fees, which depend on the lawyer and the complexity of the case.
• Court costs and administrative fees added to the fine.
• Costs tied to license consequences, such as reinstatement fees.
• Program costs, such as classes or monitoring that a court or state may require.
• Time away from work for court dates or other requirements.

Ask the court, your state's motor vehicle agency, and a licensed attorney in your state which of these apply and what they cost.

Insurance sources use different data sets, and DUI penalties depend on the law where the arrest happens. A figure from one state's statute does not apply in another, and an insurer's premium depends on the driver. The table below shows the two insurance estimates side by side.

Use these figures to get a sense of scale, then get actual quotes from insurers for your situation.

• State law. Fines and penalties differ by state.
• Prior record. A second conviction can carry a higher fine, as the Florida example shows.
• Circumstances of the case. In Florida, a higher blood alcohol content or a minor in the vehicle raises the fine range.
• Insurer and coverage. Premiums differ by company and by the level of coverage.
• Driving history. A clean record before the DUI is a different starting point from a record with other violations.

DUI law is state-specific, and the details of a case matter. For legal questions, consult a licensed attorney in your state. For insurance, ask insurers for quotes and ask whether your state requires specific filings after a DUI. For the Florida example above, the statute text is published by the Florida Senate.