The True Cost of DUI in California: Fines, Insurance, and Long-Term Impact 

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a costly criminal charge, resulting in fines or jail time, depending on the seriousness of the incident. Beyond those penalties, driver’s license reinstatement fees and increased car insurance premiums with SR-22 insurance requirements add to the hefty cost of DUI in California. 

If you’ve been charged with driving while intoxicated, learning more about the financial impact of a DUI conviction can help you create a savings strategy to limit its effect on your bank account.  

Introduction to Navigating the Costs of a DUI in California 

The first step to controlling the financial fallout of driving while intoxicated is to understand what consequences to expect. The penalties for a California DUI are harsh and in general, you can expect to pay:  

• Criminal fines and processing fees 

• Hefty attorney fees, especially if this is a repeat offense, a felony, or an additional charge in a complex criminal incident 

• Towing and impound fees 

• DMV fees 

• Assigned classes 

• Ignition interlock device (IID), if assigned by the judge 

• Long-term car insurance premium hikes 

Every case is different, but you can expect to pay approximately $20,000 in DUI penalties, even for a first-time misdemeanor offense. The costs increase for subsequent offenses, as repeated DUI in California can become a felony charge. 

Once you understand the DUI penalties and costs, you can start to set money aside for immediate fines and expenses, work out payment plans where possible, and shop for car insurance that meets SR-22 requirements and classes that fit your budget. 

Initial Hit—What Are the Immediate Expenses After Being Charged? 

There are some immediate costs to consider after you get a DUI charge in California: bail, expenses for DUI attorneys, and towing and impound fees. These fees require your immediate attention so you can be released from custody and retrieve your vehicle. 

Bail and Towing: The First Financial Punches

Your bail amount will vary depending on your criminal history and how high your BAC was. If this is a first-time DUI, which is typically a misdemeanor, then your bail will be approximately $5,000. A bail bondsman can cover your bail for a fee that’s approximately 10% of your total cost. You may have to pay additional processing costs before you can be released. 

Next, you’ll want to retrieve your vehicle if it was towed—the longer it sits in the tow yard, the more expensive it will be. Depending on the company, the towing charge might be $200, while the daily storage rate can be up to $50 (or even higher, depending on the area).  

If your license is suspended via an Order of Suspension and Temporary License, you can drive for 30 days before the lengthy suspension goes into effect. At this point, the conservative cost of DUI in California is approximately $1,000, not including any potential DUI attorney fees. 

What Do You Do About License Suspension and Vehicle Insurance? 

While the criminal proceedings continue (which can include plea bargaining or your DUI defense lawyer fighting the charge in court), there are additional civil costs you’ll need to pay to start driving again. If your license was suspended, you’ll need to reinstate it.  

If you have court costs and need to hire DUI attorneys, you must also start working out a payment schedule. 

What Are the DMV Costs and License Reinstatement Fees?  

California drivers can have their license suspended by court order, whether they’re directly convicted of a DUI charge or refuse a breathalyzer test. Depending on the circumstances, you will need to pay the following to reinstate your license:  

• $55 reissue fee, which is the most common fee following a court-ordered suspension for driving under the influence 

• $100 reissue fee for a zero-intolerance suspension if you are younger than 21, or 

• $125 reissue fee if you refuse to take a breathalyzer test and your license is suspended under California’s Admin Per Se law 

The direct fee for reissuing a suspended license is relatively small. However, the driver’s license reinstatement process includes multiple additional obligations that cost money.  

The Spike to Your Insurance Premiums: Calculating Long-Term Costs 

All of the above costs of driving while intoxicated in California are one-time fees after you’ve been arrested for DUI. However, DUI costs include long-term, recurring expenses.  

Once you have a DUI case on your record, your car insurance premiums can skyrocket. Insurance companies may increase your monthly premiums by 50% or more because you’re classified as a high-risk driver.  

The lingering impact of a DUI conviction on your premiums can last for years, even if you never have another DUI. It takes time for your driving record to become clean and for providers to consider you low-risk again. Along with the DUI itself, factors that can raise your premiums include:  

• If you filed an insurance claim because of property damage or bodily injury 

• If another party filed a claim against you because of damage or injury that you’re liable for 

• Under California law, insurance providers need to file SR-22 documentation with the DMV to verify that convicted drivers hold the required liability coverage 

All of these complications will be reflected in your insurance premium. One common strategy drivers use is shopping around for new insurance providers that offer affordable SR-22 insurance. 

What About Court Mandated Penalties and Program Expenses? 

During your hearing or after a trial, your DUI defense lawyer can help you navigate sentencing, which could include fines or participating in a DUI program. The fine may be as high as $1,000 for a first-time offense, though fees and penalty assessments can easily double or triple the total DUI cost.  

Court-mandated fees have strict deadlines, and you can incur additional penalties or even jail time for failure to pay. On top of court costs, additional legal consequences after being arrested for DUI and convicted include:  

• A requirement to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID), which can have a total cost of up to $100 a month 

• DUI school, which can cost under $500 for a 12-hour Wet Reckless Program for mild first-time offenses to up to $3,000 for a 30-month program for repeat offenders 

Some schools have payment programs, while others may require fees to be paid on a fixed schedule with little leniency. 

What Are the Long-Term Consequences on Your Wallet? 

Even a mild DUI misdemeanor with a blood alcohol level below .08 carries a hefty price tag that can take years to pay off. You face thousands of dollars in upfront costs, which are even harder to pay if a suspended driver’s license makes it a challenge to get to work. 

Your insurance provider can also drastically increase your car insurance premiums due to SR-22 documentation requirements, which mandate that insurance companies send proof to the DMV that you have at least the minimum required coverages, and your new high-risk status.  

A DUI Case Can Cost You Thousands—Protect Yourself with the Right Coverage! 

If you’re trying to manage the unexpected cost of DUI in California, start strategizing about the long-term expenses. At Cost-U-Less Insurance, we help you get the right coverage so you can drive safely and fulfill your obligations to the state. Our SR-22 insurance services are designed to help California drivers stay covered and get back on the road again.  

Contact us today at (800) 390-4071 to speak to an agent or visit a nearby office for in-person assistance. You can also get your free quote online to start the process.