Free Reference · All 50 States

First-Offense DUI/DWI Penalties by State

Penalties for a standard first DUI or DWI conviction (basic BAC, no minors in the vehicle, no accident or injury, no prior offenses) vary significantly by state. Use the table below to compare fines, jail time, ignition interlock (IID) requirements, and community service for every state and Washington, D.C. Each entry is sourced to the official state statute or agency.

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Browse Penalties by State

Select your state to see first-offense fines, jail, IID, and community service requirements.

51 states

Alabama

Source

Fine

$600–$2,100

Jail Time

Up to 1 year (fully suspendable)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, 1 yr (suspension stayed if installed)

Community Service

Not mandated

No mandatory minimum jail; DUI court/substance-abuse referral is mandatory.

Alaska

Source

Fine

Min. $1,500 (up to $25,000)

Jail Time

Mandatory min. 72 consecutive hrs

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, min. 6 months

Community Service

Discretionary only

Jail is a true mandatory minimum, not suspendable.

Arizona

Source

Fine

Min. $250 (+ $1,000 in mandatory assessments)

Jail Time

Mandatory min. 10 consecutive days

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, whenever alcohol involved

Community Service

Discretionary, no set minimum

Mandatory jail even for a standard first offense — unusual among most states.

Arkansas

Source

Fine

$150–$1,000

Jail Time

24 hrs–1 year (7-day min. if passenger under 16)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Available via restricted license

Community Service

May substitute for jail with “good cause”

Fine figure not stated on an official AR source; secondary source used for that detail.

California residents: Attorney contact requests are not available in California through this website. To find a lawyer, use the State Bar of California's directory of certified lawyer referral services at calbar.ca.gov, or call the State Bar at 415-538-2000. Certified services are approved by the State Bar and must meet standards set by the California Supreme Court.

Colorado residents: Attorney contact requests are not available in Colorado through this website. To find a lawyer, use the Colorado Bar Association's Find a Lawyer directory at cobar.org/Find-A-Lawyer or your local county bar association.

Connecticut

Source

Fine

$500–$1,000

Jail Time

Up to 6 months (48 hrs mandatory) OR fully suspended + probation

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, 1 year

Community Service

100 hrs if on the suspended-sentence/probation track

Two distinct sentencing tracks: mandatory jail vs. suspended sentence + community service.

Delaware

Source

Fine

$500–$1,500

Jail Time

Up to 12 months (may be fully suspended)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, as condition of driving

Community Service

Not mandated

No mandatory jail floor.

Florida

Source

Fine

$500–$1,000 (rises to $1,000–$2,000 if BAC ≥0.15/minor in car)

Jail Time

Up to 6 months (up to 9 if BAC ≥0.15/minor in car)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Only required at BAC ≥0.15

Community Service

Not mandated on official source reviewed

Statute already splits first offense by BAC tier.

Georgia

Source

Fine

$300–$1,000

Jail Time

10 days–12 months (24-hr mandatory min. if BAC ≥0.08)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not addressed as a flat conviction mandate

Community Service

Min. 40 hrs (20 hrs if BAC below 0.08)

Also mandates DUI Risk Reduction Program + clinical evaluation.

Hawaii

Source

Fine

$250–$1,000

Jail Time

Court picks ONE: 48 hrs–5 days jail, OR 72 hrs community service, OR 14-hr rehab

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, during 1–1.5 yr revocation

Community Service

72 hrs (if chosen as jail alternative)

Penalty is “pick one of three,” not stacked.

Idaho

Source

Fine

Up to $1,000

Jail Time

Up to 6 months (no mandatory min. at BAC .08–.19)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, 1 year post-suspension

Community Service

Not specified

Harsher tier at BAC ≥0.20: mandatory min. 10 days jail, fine up to $2,000.

Illinois

Source

Fine

Up to $2,500

Jail Time

Up to 1 year (no mandatory minimum)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Required only to drive during statutory summary suspension (MDDP)

Community Service

100 hrs mandatory if BAC ≥0.16%

Official ilga.gov statute pages were unreachable; a DUI-defense law firm's statute summary was used.

Indiana

Source

Fine

Up to $500 (up to $5,000 if elevated)

Jail Time

Up to 60 days (up to 1 yr if elevated)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Discretionary; mandatory only after test refusal

Community Service

Not specified

Can be elevated to Class A misdemeanor if driving endangered a person.

Iowa

Source

Fine

$1,250 (may reduce to $625)

Jail Time

Mandatory min. 48 hrs, up to 1 year

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Required only with a temporary restricted license

Community Service

May substitute for fine at court discretion

48-hr minimum can be served around a work schedule.

Kansas

Source

Fine

$750–$1,000

Jail Time

Mandatory min. 48 consecutive hrs, up to 6 months

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not required unless BAC ≥0.15 or refusal

Community Service

100 hrs may substitute for jail

Standard-BAC first offenses are not automatically subject to interlock.

Kentucky

Source

Fine

$200–$500

Jail Time

Mandatory min. 48 hrs, up to 30 days

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Optional (shortens suspension from 6 to 4 months)

Community Service

May substitute for fine/jail via court petition

Louisiana

Source

Fine

$300–$1,000

Jail Time

10 days–6 months (mandatory 48-hr min., waivable with 32 hrs community service)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, min. 6 months during probation

Community Service

Min. 32 hrs (alternative to mandatory jail)

Community service is effectively built in as an alternative to the mandatory jail term.

Maine

Source

Fine

Min. $500 ($600 if refused test)

Jail Time

No mandatory jail for standard first offense; 48-hr min. only if BAC ≥0.15, 30+ mph over limit, eluding police, or passenger under 21

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Voluntary — cuts 150-day suspension to 30 days if installed

Community Service

Not required

Standard first offense (no aggravating factors) carries no mandatory jail time.

Maryland

Source

Fine

Up to $1,200 (or up to $500 for lesser “impaired” charge)

Jail Time

Up to 1 year (or up to 2 months for lesser charge)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Discretionary, up to 3-yr restriction if imposed

Community Service

Not specified

Two first-offense tiers depending on charge brought (“under the influence” vs. “while impaired”).

Massachusetts

Source

Fine

$500–$5,000

Jail Time

Up to 2.5 years — no mandatory minimum

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not required (only for hardship license if BAC ≥0.15)

Community Service

None required by statute

Court may impose 2-yr probation with residential treatment in lieu of jail.

Michigan

Source

Fine

Up to $500 (BAC .08–.169) / up to $700 (BAC ≥.17)

Jail Time

Up to 93 days / up to 180 days (BAC ≥.17) — no mandatory minimum

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not required at base tier; required for restricted license at BAC ≥.17

Community Service

Up to 360 hrs, both tiers

First offense splits into two BAC tiers (below/above .17).

Minnesota

Source

Fine

Up to $1,000

Jail Time

Up to 90 days — no mandatory minimum

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Optional (voluntary path to limited license)

Community Service

Not required

Standard first offense is a misdemeanor (“4th-degree DWI”).

Mississippi

Source

Fine

$250–$1,000

Jail Time

Up to 48 hours (court may substitute victim-impact panel)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Optional (interlock-restricted license)

Community Service

None required

Mississippi has no free official state code portal; statute mirror used.

Missouri

Source

Fine

Up to $500

Jail Time

Up to 6 months — no mandatory minimum unless BAC .15–.20 (48-hr min.) or >.20 (5-day min.)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Discretionary for 1st offense; mandatory for 2nd+

Community Service

Not required for 1st offense

Built-in BAC sub-tier for mandatory jail.

Montana

Source

Fine

$600–$1,000

Jail Time

Mandatory min. 24 consecutive hrs, up to 6 months

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Discretionary, not mandatory

Community Service

Not required

Unlike most states, MT imposes a mandatory (if short) jail floor.

Nebraska

Source

Fine

$500 flat

Jail Time

No mandatory minimum at standard tier; at BAC ≥.15, 2 days jail or 120 hrs community service

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Required during license revocation, both tiers

Community Service

120 hrs is a jail-alternative option at BAC ≥.15 tier only

Statute splits by BAC (6-mo vs. 1-yr revocation).

Nevada

Source

Fine

$400–$1,000

Jail Time

2 days–6 months, offered as jail OR community service

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Required (interlock vs. license revocation)

Community Service

Available as alternative to jail

DUI school/substance-abuse program and victim impact panel also required.

New Hampshire

Source

Fine

At least $500

Jail Time

No mandatory jail — fully suspendable

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not required for standard 1st offense

Community Service

None required; impaired-driver education required instead

Minimum 9-month license revocation despite no jail requirement.

New Jersey

Source

Fine

$250–$400 (BAC .08–.09) / $300–$500 (BAC ≥.10)

Jail Time

Up to 30 days, no mandatory minimum, both tiers

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not required at lower tier; required if BAC ≥.15

Community Service

12–48 hrs at an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (education, not general service)

Official chart already splits first offense into two BAC sub-tiers.

New Mexico

Source

Fine

Up to $500 (+ up to $300 discretionary)

Jail Time

Up to 90 days, suspendable

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, 1 year — even for first offenders

Community Service

24 hrs minimum

One of the few states requiring IID on a plain first offense, no BAC threshold.

New York

Source

Fine

$500–$1,000

Jail Time

Up to 1 year — no statutory mandatory minimum

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, min. 12 months, all vehicles

Community Service

Not specified

Jail is a maximum, not mandatory.

North Carolina

Source

Fine

Level 5: up to $200; Level 3 (typical): up to $1,000

Jail Time

Level 5: 24 hrs–60 days; Level 3: 72 hrs–6 months, largely suspendable

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not required for standard Levels 3–5 (BAC <.15, no priors)

Community Service

Min. 24 hrs if used to satisfy active-time requirement

NC sentences on a Level 1–5 grid based on aggravating/mitigating factors — no single number exists.

North Dakota

Source

Fine

At least $500 (BAC <.16); $750 if BAC ≥.16

Jail Time

No mandatory jail for standard first offense; 2 days mandatory if BAC ≥.16

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not required for first offense

Community Service

None mandated

Statute splits standard vs. “aggravated” (BAC ≥.16) first offense.

Ohio

Source

Fine

$565–$1,075

Jail Time

Mandatory min. 3 consecutive days (may convert to Driver Intervention Program), up to 6 months

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not mandatory; option for early unlimited driving privileges

Community Service

Not specified

3-day minimum is mandatory but convertible to an intervention program.

Oklahoma

Source

Fine

Up to $1,000

Jail Time

10 days–1 year (statutory min. often suspended/probated for first offenders)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not required for standard first offense (BAC <.15)

Community Service

Not specified

10-day statutory minimum is unusually strict on paper; courts often suspend it to probation.

Oregon

Source

Fine

Minimum $1,000

Jail Time

At least 48 hrs jail OR equivalent community service (one is mandatory)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, upon conviction, typically 1 year

Community Service

48 hrs minimum, as jail alternative

Most first offenders instead enter DUII Diversion with its own separate conditions.

Pennsylvania

Source

Fine

Tier 1 (.08–.099): $300; Tier 2 (.10–.159): $500–$5,000; Tier 3 (≥.16): $1,000–$5,000

Jail Time

Tier 1: none (probation only); Tier 2: 48 hrs–6 mo mandatory; Tier 3: 72 hrs–6 mo mandatory

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, all tiers, 1 year

Community Service

Not specified; mandatory alcohol highway safety school instead

Statute is explicitly BAC-tiered; Tier 1 has no jail exposure at all.

Rhode Island

Source

Fine

Tier 1 (.08–.099): $100–$300; Tier 2 (.10–.149/refusal): $100–$400; Tier 3 (≥.15): $500 flat

Jail Time

Up to 1 year, discretionary, all tiers

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Only mandatory at Tier 3 (BAC ≥.15)

Community Service

Tiers 1–2: 10–60 hrs; Tier 3: 20–60 hrs

Statute is itself BAC-tiered; all tiers add a $500 highway safety assessment.

South Carolina

Source

Fine

$400 standard; $500 (BAC .10–.15); $1,000 (BAC ≥.16)

Jail Time

48 hrs–30 days (longer at higher BAC tiers)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, as of May 2024 — “all-offender” IID state

Community Service

48 hrs–30 days may substitute for jail

Statute is BAC-tiered; May 2024 law made IID mandatory for all offenders (previously only BAC ≥.15).

South Dakota

Source

Fine

Up to $2,000

Jail Time

Up to 1 year — no mandatory minimum

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not required for standard first offense

Community Service

Not statutorily required

Classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Tennessee

Source

Fine

$350–$1,500 (the $350 minimum is mandatory)

Jail Time

Mandatory min. 48 consecutive hrs, up to 11 months 29 days

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Effectively mandatory for a restricted license during 1-yr revocation

Community Service

Discretionary (litter/recycling work)

Mandatory minimum jail rises to 7 days if BAC ≥0.15%.

Texas

Tex. Penal Code §§49.04, 12.22

Fine

Up to $2,000

Jail Time

Mandatory min. 72 hrs, up to 180 days

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not required for standard first offense (BAC <.15)

Community Service

24–100 hrs, standard condition of probation

Becomes Class A (higher fine/jail, mandatory IID) if BAC ≥0.15.

Utah

Source

Fine

Minimum $700 (+ ~$630 surcharge/fees)

Jail Time

Mandatory min. 48 consecutive hrs (may be served as compensatory service)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, mandatory, 18 months for offenders 21+

Community Service

Can satisfy the 48-hr requirement via compensatory service

Published by the state's Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice.

Vermont

Source

Fine

Up to $750

Jail Time

Up to 2 years — no mandatory minimum

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Not required for 1st offense (mandatory from 2nd offense on)

Community Service

Not required for 1st offense

Unusually lenient first-offense law — no mandatory jail or IID.

Virginia

Source

Fine

$250 mandatory minimum, up to $2,500

Jail Time

Up to 12 months — no mandatory minimum for standard case

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, mandatory for restricted license, min. 12 violation-free months

Community Service

Not statutorily mandated (VASAP education required instead)

Mandatory minimum jail jumps to 5 days at BAC ≥0.15, 10 days at BAC ≥0.20.

Washington

Source

Fine

$350 mandatory minimum, up to $5,000

Jail Time

Mandatory min. 24 consecutive hrs, up to 364 days

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, mandatory, min. 1 year

Community Service

Not specifically mandated

Alternatives to jail: 15 days electronic home monitoring, or 90-day 24/7 sobriety monitoring.

West Virginia

Source

Fine

$100–$500

Jail Time

Up to 6 months — no mandatory minimum

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Only if driving during the 6-month revocation (“Test and Lock” program)

Community Service

Not statutorily mandated

At BAC ≥0.15%, fine rises to $200–$1,000 with a 2-day mandatory minimum.

Wisconsin

Source

Fine

$150–$300 forfeiture (civil, not criminal)

Jail Time

None — first offense (no minor, no priors, BAC <0.15) carries no jail exposure

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Only if BAC ≥0.15 (1 year)

Community Service

Not required

Only state where a “clean” first OWI is a civil forfeiture, not a crime. License revoked 6–9 months.

Wyoming

Source

Fine

Up to $750

Jail Time

Up to 6 months — no mandatory minimum (may be suspended entirely)

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Only if BAC ≥0.15 (6 months)

Community Service

Not statutorily mandated

Mandatory (offender-paid) substance-abuse assessment required regardless of BAC.

Washington, D.C.

Source

Fine

Up to $1,000

Jail Time

Up to 180 days — no mandatory minimum for a standard case

Ignition Interlock (IID)

Yes, in practice — required for any restricted driving privileges

Community Service

Not statutorily mandated

Mandatory minimum jail jumps to 10 days at BAC ≥0.20%, 15 at >0.25%, 20 at >0.30%.

A note on "standard" first offense: Several states (Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina) write their first-offense penalty as multiple BAC-based tiers rather than one flat penalty: those tiers are summarized in each card's notes. Fine amounts generally reflect the base statutory fine and often do not include additional court costs, surcharges, or victim/treatment fund assessments, which can substantially raise the total amount owed.

Disclaimer: These figures are provided for general informational purposes only and are not legal advice. Penalties change frequently, can vary by county or jurisdiction, and depend heavily on individual circumstances (BAC level, prior record, aggravating factors, plea agreements, etc.). This page may not always reflect the most current version of the law. Anyone facing a DUI or DWI charge should consult a licensed attorney in their state to understand the penalties that actually apply to their case.

Understanding First-Offense DUI Penalties

A first-offense DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) is the charge brought against a driver with no prior impaired-driving convictions. In every U.S. state it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, and a first conviction can carry serious consequences even when no accident occurred. The penalties above cover a standard first offense: a basic BAC result, no minors in the vehicle, no injury or property damage, and no prior DUI history.

Across the 50 states and Washington, D.C., first-offense penalties fall into four main categories: fines, jail time (which may or may not be mandatory), license suspension or revocation, and additional requirements such as an ignition interlock device (IID), community service, DUI school, substance-abuse treatment, or victim impact panels. The real financial cost of a first DUI is almost always much higher than the base fine once court costs, surcharges, reinstatement fees, IID installation and monthly fees, and sharply increased auto insurance premiums are included.

Factors That Affect First-Offense DUI Penalties

BAC level: Many states impose harsher penalties at an elevated BAC, most commonly at the 0.15% or 0.16% threshold, including longer mandatory jail and mandatory IID.
Prior offenses: A "first offense" assumes no prior DUI/DWI convictions. Any prior conviction typically escalates the charge and the penalties substantially.
Minors in the vehicle: Having a child passenger can trigger child-endangerment enhancements, higher fines, and longer jail.
Accident, injury, or property damage: A crash raises a DUI to a more serious offense and can add felony charges.
Chemical test refusal: Refusing a breath or blood test triggers automatic license suspension and, in some states, mandatory IID.
High speed, reckless driving, or eluding police: These aggravating factors can add mandatory minimum jail time.
Commercial driver status: Commercial drivers face a lower legal BAC limit (0.04%) and stricter consequences.
Underage drivers: All states have zero-tolerance laws for drivers under 21, typically setting the limit at 0.00%–0.02%.

Facing a first DUI charge? Acting quickly protects both your record and your license. Most states give you only days to request an administrative hearing to save your driving privileges. Use our DUI License Suspension Hearing Deadline Calculator to find your exact deadline, or request a call to understand the penalties that apply in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the penalties for a first-offense DUI?+

A first-offense DUI or DWI typically carries a fine, possible jail time, license suspension, and sometimes an ignition interlock device (IID) or community service. Exact penalties vary widely by state: fines range from $150 to $2,500, jail can be zero days up to a year or more, and several states impose a mandatory minimum jail term even for a first offense.

Is jail mandatory for a first DUI conviction?+

It depends on the state. States like Arizona (10 days), Alaska (72 hours), and Texas (72 hours) require mandatory minimum jail even for a standard first offense, while states like Wisconsin, Vermont, and New Hampshire impose no mandatory jail for a clean first offense. Many states only require jail when aggravating factors apply, such as a high BAC (often 0.15% or above).

Do I need an ignition interlock device (IID) after a first DUI?+

Some states require an IID for every first offense (for example New Mexico and Arizona), while others only require it at a high BAC tier (commonly 0.15% or above) or when seeking a restricted license. A growing number of states are “all-offender” IID states, meaning the device is mandatory regardless of BAC.

How much does a first DUI cost in fines?+

Base statutory fines range from about $150 (Wisconsin) up to $2,500 (Illinois) or more, but the real out-of-pocket cost is usually much higher once court costs, surcharges, assessments, IID fees, license reinstatement fees, and increased insurance premiums are added. In California, a first offense often costs $1,800–$2,600 after assessments.

Does a high BAC increase first-offense DUI penalties?+

Yes. Most states impose harsher penalties when BAC is elevated, commonly at the 0.15% or 0.16% threshold. Higher BAC can trigger longer mandatory minimum jail, larger fines, mandatory IID, and longer license suspension. Some states (Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina) write their first-offense law as multiple BAC tiers.

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