How Much Does a DUI Cost in Oregon? Complete Fee Breakdown

The short answer: a first-offense DUII in Oregon costs $4,000 to $8,000+ through the diversion path, and $8,000 to $15,000+ if convicted. Those ranges surprise most people because the individual fees look manageable in isolation — it's the sheer number of them hitting at once that causes the financial shock. Here's every cost you'll face, itemized.

Immediate Costs (Days 1–3)

These hit before you've even talked to a lawyer:

• Tow hookup fee: $196 base in Portland (under PPI rate schedule), varies by municipality elsewhere
• Daily impound storage: $25–$32 per day, starting after a 4-hour grace period
• Law enforcement release fee: $100–$150 depending on the county (Eugene $125, Marion County $120, Deschutes $100, Lincoln County $150)
• Data fee + city service fee (Portland): $23 + $53

A weekend arrest with a Monday morning release easily runs $350–$500 just to get your car back.

Court and Program Fees

If you enter DUII diversion (the path that avoids a conviction):

• Diversion filing fee: $490 — this is a unitary assessment under ORS 813.240. Most circuit courts offer structured payment plans.
• ADSS screening and evaluation: $150 — paid directly to the screening agency, due within 5–10 days of referral
• Treatment program: $500–$750 for DUII Education (12 hours over 4 weeks, for low-risk assessments) or $2,000+ for DUII Rehabilitation (12+ weeks of outpatient treatment including counseling and urinalysis)
• Victim Impact Panel: $25–$50, one-time attendance fee. Some counties are cash only at the door.

If convicted instead of diversion, the cost structure shifts:

• Statutory fine: Minimum $1,000, increasing to $2,000 if your BAC was 0.15% or higher. Maximum $6,250.
• Conviction fee + court assessments: $255 plus local assessments ($300–$800 depending on the circuit)
• Treatment: Same ADSS screening and treatment fees apply, typically at the rehabilitation tier ($2,000+)

Ignition Interlock Device (IID)

This is one of the largest recurring costs:

• Installation: $150+ (higher for hybrid, electric, or push-start vehicles)
• Monthly lease and calibration: $70–$95 per month
• Duration: 6–12 months on diversion, 24 months post-conviction
• Total IID cost: Approximately $900 for diversion participants, $1,800+ post-conviction

The SNAP waiver most people miss: If you're enrolled in Oregon's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the OHA Indigent Ignition Interlock Device Program waives all IID costs — installation, lease, calibration, and removal. You need a current SNAP verification letter from DHS dated within the same month the service is performed. Ask your IID vendor directly; they are required to accept it.

Administrative/DMV Fees

• Hardship permit application: $75 (non-refundable, under ORS 807.240)
• License reinstatement fee: $85
• Total DMV fees: $160

Insurance Increases

This is often the largest single cost component and the one people plan for least:

• SR-22 filing: Required for three consecutive years after reinstatement
• Premium increase: Expect your auto insurance to run 2× to 5× your previous rate during that period
• Estimated added cost over 3 years: varies with your baseline rate and driving history

Attorney Fees

• Private defense attorney (diversion): $2,000–$5,000 flat fee
• Private defense attorney (trial): $3,000–$10,000+ depending on litigation complexity
• Public defender: Potentially free if you qualify, but the court may order partial or full repayment upon program entry

You can request a DMV hearing and file for diversion without an attorney, but complex cases — refusals, collisions, CDL holders, immigration concerns — warrant specialized representation.

The Full Picture

These ranges exclude lost wages from missed work, Uber/Lyft costs during the suspension period, and the long-term career impact of a criminal record.

For a detailed walkthrough of how to sequence these payments and avoid unnecessary costs — including the SNAP waiver, fee deferral applications, and timeline-based budgeting — the Oregon First-Offense DUI Guide covers the full financial picture across both tracks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the diversion filing fee waived?

The $490 filing fee itself cannot be waived, but circuit courts routinely approve structured payment plans for eligible defendants. The OJD Fee Deferral and Waiver Application can also reduce other court-assessed costs if you demonstrate financial hardship.

Is the hardship permit fee refundable if I'm denied?

No. The $75 hardship application fee is non-refundable under ORS 807.240. If you apply before your mandatory waiting period has elapsed (30 days for a test failure, 90 days for a refusal), the fee is lost.

Which costs can I avoid by entering diversion?

Diversion eliminates the statutory criminal fine (minimum $1,000), cuts the IID duration roughly in half compared to a conviction, and avoids the conviction surcharges. The diversion filing fee ($490) replaces the conviction fee and local assessments. Over the full case, diversion typically saves $4,000–$7,000 compared to the conviction path.

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