This Will Sober You Up: The Backbreaking Cost of a DUI

Crime, DUI, Money

It’s party season, and that means many of us will be consuming more alcohol than usual, and not necessarily in our own homes. Between office parties, gatherings at the homes of friends and families, and New Year’s Eve, there’s a fairly good chance you’ll find yourself needing to get home after you’ve had a few drinks.

Humans tend to overestimate their own abilities, particularly when driving. It’s called “illusory superiority” and is a well-documented phenomenon, which only gets worse when alcohol is in play. “Oh, it’s just a short drive. I’m totally fine,” we tell ourselves, even when we’re too impaired to drive safely.

When we do this, not only are we putting our lives and those around us in grave danger, but we also run the risk of ruining ourselves financially. If you are caught driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit (which has been lowered in many states, by the way), the cost will be staggering.

First offense

If you think only those with several arrests under their belts can have their lives ruined by a DUI conviction, think again. The true cost of a first-offense DUI varies depending on the exact circumstances and location, but estimates start at a very conservative $2,500 and go up to $10,000 or higher—and that’s when there’s no accident involved. Expenses for a DUI, even for a first offense, can include: fines, bail, court costs, attorney fees, cost of alternate transportation, cost of incarceration, car towing and impound, monitoring fees, blood testing fees, temporary loss of income, license reinstatement fees, increased insurance premiums, and more.

Lifelong costs

It’s not uncommon to lose your job if you’ve been convicted of a DUI. Many companies can’t insure workers with a DUI on their records and have no choice but to let them go. Other companies won’t be able or willing to hire you for the same reason. You become a lifelong risk.

In addition, insurance rates don’t go up for just a year or two like they often do for a speeding ticket or fender-bender—they go up for as long as 10 years, at a potential cost of tens of thousands of dollars for that alone. Some insurance companies will drop you altogether, even just for a DUI arrest, not conviction. You may not be able to get life insurance with a DUI conviction, and your health insurance premiums are likely to go up as well.

Travel is also impacted. Most car rental companies will never rent to you again once you have a DUI. Not only that, but several countries will be forever closed to you, including Canada.

When there’s an accident

An accident can easily shoot the cost of your DUI into the stratosphere, even if no one is hurt or killed. Property damage—even tire tracks in someone’s lawn—can cost thousands, and is usually not covered by auto insurance. If you hurt or kill someone, not only are you likely to go to prison, but you also may be on the paying end of a wrongful death suit. Even if your insurance company pays—and awards can be in the millions—you will have to live with the emotional and psychological fallout for the rest of your life.

It gets worse every year

Everyone hates a drunk driver, so lawmakers beef up DUI penalties almost yearly—this means the financial and life costs are only going to rise. Some examples:

  • DUI school—in the past 10 years, many states have made this 12 to 30 hour course on alcohol and substance abuse mandatory for all DUI convictions. DUI school runs between $100 and $400 a pop.
  • Victim Impact Panels—you may be required to face a panel of DUI victims and their families.
  • Ignition interlock—this device is essentially a breathalyzer for the ignition in your car. It costs between $730 and $2,800, depending on how long you’re required to use it.
  • Community service—you could be required to do up to 100 hours community service, on your own time.
  • Rehab—if you end up being ordered to rehab, the cost is going to come out of your pocket, to the tune of up to $20,000. That figure doesn’t count lost wages for the 30 to 90 days you’ll be there.

We’ve all heard the admonishment “don’t drink and drive.” Perhaps weighing the cost of a taxi or car service against the true cost of DUI is more persuasive.