How Much Does a DUI Cost in Florida?

When someone asks what a DUI costs, they usually mean the fine. For a first offense in Florida, that fine starts at $500. It is also the smallest number on the bill.

The real cost of a DUI is spread across three different systems, the criminal court, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and your insurance company, and each one sends its own invoices on its own schedule. Some of those charges are set by statute; others depend on your county, your vendor, your insurer and the facts of the case. Here is how each piece works.

Day One: The Cost of the Arrest Itself

Bond. If a judge sets a monetary bond and you use a bail bond agent, the agent charges a nonrefundable premium based on the bond amount. The bond amount itself depends on the court and the circumstances of the arrest.

Towing and storage. Your vehicle is towed from the scene, and towing plus daily storage fees are yours to pay before you can retrieve it. The total depends on the towing company's rates and how many days the vehicle stays in storage.

The Court's Bill

The fine. A first DUI carries a fine of $500 to $1,000. If your breath- or blood-alcohol level was .15 or higher, or a minor was in the vehicle, the range becomes $1,000 to $2,000.

Court costs and surcharges. Florida layers mandatory court costs and statutory assessments on top of the fine. The amounts vary by county and by the disposition, so ask for the clerk's itemized assessment.

Probation supervision. A first DUI can carry up to a year of probation. Supervision usually comes with a monthly cost-of-supervision fee, and the amount and length depend on the county and the sentence.

Community service. The statute requires 50 hours. The court may substitute a fine of $10 for each hour only if it finds the work would create an undue hardship because of where you live or your employment obligations. In most cases the cost is your time.

Vehicle impoundment. Separate from the tow, the court orders a 10-day impoundment for a first offense (30 days for a second, 90 days for a third), which runs after any jail time. The storage cost is yours.

The DHSMV's Bill

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles handles your license, and it has its own fee schedule.

The formal review hearing. You generally have 10 days after the notice of suspension is issued to request a hearing to contest the administrative suspension or a review of eligibility for a restricted license. FLHSMV charges filing fees for these requests; confirm the current amount with the department.

DUI school. Completing a state-licensed DUI program is required before your license can be reinstated. Program fees vary by provider. If the evaluation refers you to treatment, that treatment is billed separately, and its cost depends on the level of care recommended.

Reinstatement fees. Getting your license back after a DUI revocation means paying the $75 reinstatement service fee following a revocation, an additional $130 fee for a DUI-related or refusal-related suspension or revocation, any local service fees, and the cost of the license itself.

Ignition interlock. An interlock is mandatory when the reading was .15 or higher or a minor was in the vehicle, and courts can order it in other first-offense cases. Installation and monthly monitoring are paid to the approved vendor, so the total depends on the vendor and how long the device is required. Repeat offenses carry longer interlock periods.

The Bill That Lasts Longest: FR-44 Insurance

After a DUI conviction, Florida requires you to carry an FR-44 certificate for three years from the date your license is reinstated. An FR-44 policy must provide bodily injury coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $50,000 in property damage coverage. Those limits are far above what most drivers carry, and the DUI itself moves you into a high-risk rating.

The combined effect is often a substantial premium increase, but the amount depends on your insurer, driving history, age, vehicle and location. For many drivers it is the largest long-term cost, and it continues long after the court case is closed. Ask your insurer for an FR-44 quote before assuming a number.

The Costs Nobody Itemizes

Some expenses do not appear on any invoice:

• Rides, transit, and rideshares during a license suspension of 180 days to a year
• Time away from work for court dates, DUI school, probation appointments, and interlock service visits
• Jobs and promotions that require a clean driving record or a background check
• Commercial driver license disqualification, which is a career issue for professional drivers
• Professional licensing reviews in fields such as nursing, teaching, and real estate
• Immigration consequences for non-citizens, which can be serious and deserve their own advice

A Sample Tally for a First Offense

Statutory amounts are from the 2026 Florida Statutes. Items marked “Varies” depend on the county, provider, insurer and facts of the case, so request a current quote. A second offense, a crash, or a felony charge generally increases the exposure.

Where the Number Can Change

Almost every item on that list depends on a conviction for DUI specifically. That is why the handling of the case in its first weeks matters so much financially:

Requesting the formal review hearing within 10 days can preserve driving privileges and, in some cases, result in the administrative suspension being set aside.

Pretrial diversion in Orange and Osceola County, for eligible first-time cases, ends with the DUI charge dismissed. No conviction means no DUI revocation, no FR-44, and no permanent record.

A reduction to reckless driving avoids the DUI license revocation and the FR-44 requirement, because both are triggered by a DUI conviction, not by the arrest.

Challenging the evidence in cases with a questionable stop or testing problems can end the case entirely.

None of these outcomes is guaranteed, and each depends on the facts. Because many DUI-specific costs, such as the license revocation and the FR-44 requirement, follow a DUI conviction rather than the arrest, it is worth understanding how each possible outcome would affect those costs before deciding how to approach the case.

The fine is only one part of the cost

There is no single reliable price for a DUI case in Florida. The total depends on the charge, outcome, prior record, required programs, insurance situation, and services needed to defend the case. A useful estimate separates costs required by law from costs that vary by provider or individual circumstances.

For a standard first DUI conviction, section 316.193 sets a fine of $500 to $1,000. A first conviction involving an alcohol level of 0.15 or higher, or a passenger under 18, carries a $1,000 to $2,000 fine under the enhanced provision. These figures are statutory fines, not an all-inclusive total.

Build an itemized estimate

Ask about court costs, probation supervision, DUI education and evaluation, any required treatment, towing or immobilization, license-related fees, transportation, and an ignition interlock device if applicable. Missed work can also create a personal financial burden. Some expenses arise at different stages, so identify when each amount would become due.

Florida DUI insurance requirements can also change the calculation. Section 324.023 generally requires substantially higher liability limits after a qualifying DUI disposition: $100,000 per person and $300,000 per crash for bodily injury, plus $50,000 for property damage. These are coverage limits, not premium prices. Obtain an individual insurer quote and confirm the applicable FR-44 filing requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need FR-44 insurance if my DUI is reduced to reckless driving?

No. The FR-44 requirement is triggered by a DUI conviction. A reckless driving conviction does not carry it, though your insurer may still raise your rates.

How long do I have to keep FR-44 insurance in Florida?

Three years from the date your driving privilege is reinstated.

I don't own a car. Do I still need FR-44?

Yes, if you want your license reinstated. Non-owner FR-44 policies exist for drivers who do not have a vehicle.

Can I get a hardship license during the suspension?

Often, yes. For a first offense, you can waive the formal review hearing within the 10-day window and apply for a hardship license immediately, or apply after a waiting period if you contest the suspension. Enrollment in DUI school is required.

Does a first DUI in Florida require an ignition interlock?

It is mandatory if the reading was .15 or higher or a minor was in the vehicle. Otherwise the court has discretion to order it for up to six months.

How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Florida?

Fees depend on the work involved and the representation agreement. Ask what the quote covers, whether administrative license proceedings are included, and how trial, experts, or other expenses are handled. Do not assume a published general estimate is a quote for your case.

Does paying the fine resolve everything?

No. A sentence or license matter may include separate requirements. Review the complete court order and FLHSMV notices, including deadlines and program obligations.

This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Fees, program costs, and insurance rates change, and your case will have its own numbers. If you have been arrested for DUI in Orange, Osceola, or Hillsborough County, contact Casagrande Law for a confidential consultation. Hablamos español.