Getting arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Texas can be expensive. Between attorney’s fees, court costs, fines, probation expenses, and increased insurance premiums, even a first-time DWI can cost thousands of dollars.
And these expenses aren’t necessarily limited to people who are convicted. Even if your DWI charge is eventually dismissed, you may still have to pay attorney’s fees, bond costs, and expenses associated with an administrative driver’s license suspension.
So how much does a DWI actually cost in Texas? Let’s break down the expenses, using a typical first-time DWI case in Travis County as an example.
DWI Attorney’s Fees
Estimated cost: $5,000
For many defendants, attorney’s fees will be one of the largest expenses associated with a DWI charge.
The cost of hiring a DWI attorney varies depending on the lawyer’s experience, the complexity of the case, and whether the case goes to trial. A straightforward first-time misdemeanor DWI will generally cost less than a felony DWI involving prior convictions or serious injuries.
For purposes of this article, we’ll use $5,000 as an example of the cost of hiring a DWI defense attorney in Travis County.
It’s important to understand exactly what your attorney’s fee covers. Some attorneys charge a flat fee for representation through the resolution of the case, while others charge an additional fee if the case goes to trial. Representation in an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing or an occupational driver’s license proceeding may also cost extra.
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Bond and Jail Release Expenses
Estimated cost: $40–$1,500 or more
After a DWI arrest, the defendant may have to post a bond to secure release from jail.
If the defendant uses a commercial bail bondsman, the bondsman typically charges a nonrefundable fee. The amount depends on the bond and the bondsman’s terms.
However, not everyone arrested for DWI has to pay a commercial bond fee. Some defendants are released on personal bonds, which may involve substantially lower costs.
The defendant may also incur towing and vehicle impoundment expenses if the police arranged for the vehicle to be removed following the arrest.
Occupational Driver’s License
Estimated cost: $500 in attorney’s fees, plus applicable filing and licensing costs
A DWI arrest can trigger an administrative driver’s license suspension even before the criminal case is resolved.
For example, a driver who fails or refuses a breath or blood test may face suspension through the Administrative License Revocation (ALR) process.
A person whose license is suspended may be eligible for an occupational driver’s license (ODL), which allows limited driving for essential purposes such as work, school, and household responsibilities.
Obtaining an ODL generally requires a court petition and supporting documentation. Attorney’s fees, filing fees, and licensing expenses can add to the overall cost of the DWI.
For our example, we’ll budget $500 in attorney’s fees for obtaining an occupational driver’s license.
Not every DWI defendant needs an ODL. Some successfully contest the administrative suspension, while others may have no need to drive during the suspension period.
DWI Education Classes
Estimated cost: $150
Many people who receive probation or deferred adjudication for DWI are required to complete educational programs.
These may include a state-approved DWI education course, a victim impact panel such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), or other programs required as a condition of supervision.
The exact requirements depend on the offense and the terms of the defendant’s probation or deferred adjudication.
For this example, we’ll estimate $150 for required classes.
Some defendants may also be required to undergo alcohol or substance abuse evaluations, counseling, or treatment. Those services can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the circumstances.
Ignition Interlock Device
Estimated cost: $100 per month, plus installation and removal fees
An ignition interlock device (IID) is a breath-testing device connected to a vehicle’s ignition system. Before starting the vehicle, the driver must provide a breath sample demonstrating that alcohol is not present above the device’s permitted threshold.
In Travis County, ignition interlock devices are commonly required as a condition of bond or community supervision in DWI cases.
The cost typically includes installation, monthly monitoring or leasing charges, and eventual removal.
For purposes of our calculation, we’ll use $100 per month.
Duration | Estimated monthly charges |
3 months | $300 |
6 months | $600 |
12 months | $1,200 |
18 months | $1,800 |
Installation and removal charges are additional.
One important consideration is that an IID may be required while the criminal case is pending. Consequently, someone whose case is ultimately dismissed may still have spent hundreds of dollars on the device.
Court Costs and Criminal Fines
Estimated court costs: $200–$500
If a defendant is convicted of DWI, the court will generally assess applicable court costs. These are separate from the criminal fine imposed as punishment.
For a first-time Class B misdemeanor DWI, the ordinary statutory fine can be up to $2,000. A Class A misdemeanor DWI involving a qualifying blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or greater carries an ordinary fine of up to $4,000.
The actual fine depends on the offense, the negotiated disposition, and the court’s sentence.
Texas’s Additional DWI Fine
Texas also imposes a substantial additional fine for certain DWI convictions under Transportation Code §709.001.
Type of DWI conviction | Additional fine |
First DWI within 36 months | $3,000 |
Second or subsequent DWI within 36 months | $4,500 |
DWI with a qualifying BAC of 0.15 or greater | $6,000 |
These fines are separate from the ordinary criminal fine and court costs.
However, they do not apply to every DWI case. For example, the additional fine generally does not apply when a defendant receives deferred adjudication rather than a final conviction. The statute also provides for waiver upon a qualifying finding of indigency.
As a result, the difference between a conviction and deferred adjudication can have a significant financial impact.
Probation Fees
Estimated cost: $40–$60 per month
Defendants placed on community supervision, commonly called probation, may be required to pay monthly supervision fees.
Using $60 per month as an example, a 12-month probation term would cost approximately $720.
In addition to supervision fees, the defendant may be responsible for drug or alcohol testing, counseling, treatment, and other conditions imposed by the court.
These expenses vary considerably from one case to another.
Driver’s License Reinstatement and SR-22 Insurance
Cost: Varies
If a driver’s license is suspended because of a DWI arrest or conviction, the driver may have to pay a reinstatement fee to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Depending on the basis for the suspension, reinstatement fees commonly include $100 or $125 charges.
Some drivers must also maintain an SR-22 certificate, which provides proof of financial responsibility.
An SR-22 is not itself an insurance policy. Rather, it is a certificate filed by an insurance company to demonstrate that the driver maintains the required coverage.
The cost of obtaining and maintaining coverage can vary substantially depending on the driver’s history and insurance provider.
Increased Auto Insurance Premiums
Potential cost: Thousands of dollars over several years
One of the largest long-term financial consequences of a DWI conviction may be increased automobile insurance premiums.
Insurance companies generally view drivers with DWI convictions as higher-risk customers. As a result, a conviction can lead to substantially higher premiums, nonrenewal of an existing policy, or difficulty finding affordable coverage.
The impact depends on the insurance company, the driver’s history, and other underwriting factors.
For example, if a DWI conviction increases a driver’s insurance premium by $1,000 per year for three years, the additional cost would be $3,000.
Unlike a court fine or an attorney’s fee, this expense may continue long after the criminal case has been resolved.
What Is the Total Cost of a First-Time DWI in Travis County?
Let’s put these expenses together using an illustrative first-time DWI case involving six months of ignition interlock and 12 months of probation.
Expense | Estimated cost |
Attorney’s fees | $5,000 |
Bond expenses | $500 |
Occupational driver’s license attorney’s fee | $500 |
Required classes | $250 |
IID monthly charges (6 months) | $600 |
IID installation and removal | $200 |
Court costs | $350 |
Probation fees (12 months) | $720 |
License and miscellaneous expenses | $150 |
Increased insurance premiums | $1,000 |
Estimated total | $9,270 |
This example does not include an ordinary criminal fine or the additional $3,000–$6,000 fine that may apply upon conviction. It also assumes relatively modest insurance consequences.
Not every defendant will incur every expense listed above. Someone whose case is dismissed may avoid fines, probation fees, and conviction-related insurance consequences. Conversely, a defendant who receives a DWI conviction may face substantially greater costs.
For planning purposes, a first-time DWI can easily cost $8,000–$12,000 or more, depending on how the case is resolved.
The Indirect Costs of a DWI
The expenses discussed above are primarily the direct financial costs of a DWI case. But there may be other consequences that are more difficult to calculate.
For example, a defendant may have to miss work to attend court hearings, probation appointments, counseling sessions, or required classes.
A DWI conviction can also create employment difficulties, particularly for individuals who drive commercially, operate company vehicles, or hold jobs that require a clean driving record.
Some defendants may face professional licensing issues or lose employment opportunities because of a DWI conviction.
These indirect costs can sometimes exceed the attorney’s fees, fines, and court costs associated with the case.
Why the Outcome of Your DWI Case Matters
The total cost of a DWI depends heavily on how the case is resolved.
A defendant who receives a dismissal or favorable reduction may avoid many of the expenses associated with a DWI conviction.
Even when dismissal is not possible, negotiating a favorable resolution can make a significant financial difference. For example, a defendant who receives deferred adjudication rather than a final conviction may avoid the additional state DWI fine.
This is one reason why evaluating the evidence and negotiating the best available resolution is so important.
At ATX Legal, we represent clients charged with DWI in Travis County and throughout Central Texas. We examine the circumstances of the traffic stop, the officer’s investigation, and any breath or blood testing to identify potential defenses and evaluate the available options.
If you’ve been arrested for DWI in Travis County, contact ATX Legal at 512-677-5003 to discuss your case.