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How much does a DUI cost in Washington?

A first DUI in Washington carries a statutory fine of $350–$5,000. This guide stacks every cost layer an official Washington source prices — the fine, court costs, the license reinstatement fee, the DUI program, ignition interlock, and the SR-22 insurance filing — and says plainly which layers no official source prices at all.

Washington DUI costs at a glance	Figure
Statutory fine — first DUI	For a first DUI with no prior offense in seven years, Washington law (RCW 46.61.5055) sets the fine by alcohol level: $350 to $5,000 if the breath or blood test was under 0.15, and $500 to $5,000 if it was 0.15 or higher or the driver refused testing. The minimum fine ($350 or $500) cannot be suspended or waived unless the defendant is indigent.
Statutory fine — second DUI	The statute separates a second offense: $500–$5,000. Second offenses also carry longer suspensions and program requirements — see the sections below.
Court costs & fees	Washington does not publish a single statewide court-cost figure for DUI cases. Statutory assessments are added by the court, and a person sentenced to electronic home monitoring must pay its cost.
License suspension — first offense	A DUI arrest and conviction both lead to the license being suspended or revoked, and the Department of Licensing takes a separate administrative action after an arrest. During the suspension, the only way to drive legally is with an Ignition Interlock Driver License.
License reinstatement fee	Getting a license reissued after an alcohol-related suspension or revocation costs $170, according to the Department of Licensing fee schedule (the non-alcohol reissue fee is $75).
Ignition interlock	Required for all first offenders — The court must require every person convicted of DUI to comply with the Department of Licensing's ignition interlock rules. An Ignition Interlock Driver License, which requires an installed device, costs a $100 application fee, and the driver pays all installation, lease, and removal costs; the Department reimburses $80 per month per service for approved low-income drivers.
DUI education / treatment program	A DUI sentence includes an alcohol and drug assessment and any treatment the assessment indicates. No official fee for the assessment or treatment is published.
SR-22 insurance filing	To drive on an Ignition Interlock Driver License, the Department of Licensing requires proof of financial responsibility, usually an SR-22 certificate of insurance filed by the driver's insurer. The state charges no separate SR-22 fee; the cost sits in the insurance policy, which is priced as high-risk coverage after a DUI.

The fine

For a first DUI with no prior offense in seven years, Washington law (RCW 46.61.5055) sets the fine by alcohol level: $350 to $5,000 if the breath or blood test was under 0.15, and $500 to $5,000 if it was 0.15 or higher or the driver refused testing. The minimum fine ($350 or $500) cannot be suspended or waived unless the defendant is indigent.

Court costs & fees

Washington does not publish a single statewide court-cost figure for DUI cases. Statutory assessments are added by the court, and a person sentenced to electronic home monitoring must pay its cost.

License suspension & reinstatement

A DUI arrest and conviction both lead to the license being suspended or revoked, and the Department of Licensing takes a separate administrative action after an arrest. During the suspension, the only way to drive legally is with an Ignition Interlock Driver License.

Getting a license reissued after an alcohol-related suspension or revocation costs $170, according to the Department of Licensing fee schedule (the non-alcohol reissue fee is $75).

The national picture — which states charge the most to reinstate — is in our license reinstatement guide.

Ignition interlock

The court must require every person convicted of DUI to comply with the Department of Licensing's ignition interlock rules. An Ignition Interlock Driver License, which requires an installed device, costs a $100 application fee, and the driver pays all installation, lease, and removal costs; the Department reimburses $80 per month per service for approved low-income drivers.

How interlock pricing works (installation, monthly lease, calibration, removal) is in our ignition interlock cost guide.

DUI education & treatment program

A DUI sentence includes an alcohol and drug assessment and any treatment the assessment indicates. No official fee for the assessment or treatment is published.

SR-22 & insurance

To drive on an Ignition Interlock Driver License, the Department of Licensing requires proof of financial responsibility, usually an SR-22 certificate of insurance filed by the driver's insurer. The state charges no separate SR-22 fee; the cost sits in the insurance policy, which is priced as high-risk coverage after a DUI.

What an SR-22 is, which states charge a filing fee, and how long it must be carried: SR-22 cost guide.

Towing, impound & other charges

Requesting a Department of Licensing hearing on a DUI suspension costs a $375 fee. Applying for an Ignition Interlock Driver License costs $100, on top of the interlock device costs the driver must pay.

Worked total: the verified charges stacked

Item	Cost
Statutory fine	$350–$5,000
License reinstatement fee	$170
Total of the verified state-set charges above	$520–$5,170

That total is deliberately incomplete: it leaves out everything no official Washington source prices statewide — court costs where they are set county by county, interlock lease payments to a private vendor, towing and storage, and the insurance increase that follows an SR-22. Add your own figures for those in the cost calculator.

Sources: Washington State Legislature — RCW 46.61.5055 (DUI penalties) · Washington Dept. of Licensing — driver licensing fees · Washington Dept. of Licensing — Ignition Interlock Driver License. Researched October 2026 — confirm current figures with the court and the driver-licensing agency.

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