Minnesota DWI Cost Breakdown: Every Fee from Arrest to Reinstatement

The Number Nobody Tells You Up Front

Ask any attorney what a DWI costs in Minnesota and you'll get a range — usually $5,000 to $10,000 or more. What they rarely do is itemize every specific charge so you can see where the money actually goes. Some costs are unavoidable. Others depend on which administrative path you choose.

Here is the full breakdown for a standard first-offense DWI (BAC 0.08–0.15, no aggravating factors).

Immediate Costs (Days 1–3)

Towing: The arresting agency calls a contracted tow company. Tow fees vary by company and county, but expect $150–$300 for the tow itself. The bigger hit is daily storage — impound lots charge $25–$50 per day, and those fees start immediately. Retrieving your vehicle within 24 hours can save hundreds.

Bail/bond: Most first-offense misdemeanor DWI arrests in Minnesota result in release on personal recognizance or conditional release — no cash bail required. If bail is set (more common with aggravating factors), expect $500–$1,000.

Court and Legal Costs

Criminal court fines: The maximum statutory fine for a Fourth-Degree misdemeanor DWI is $1,000. In practice, first-offense fines typically range from $300–$500 plus statutory surcharges that can double the stated amount.

Implied consent filing fee: If you choose to challenge the administrative license revocation through a Petition for Judicial Review, the civil court filing fee is approximately $322. This is a separate civil action from the criminal case and requires its own filing.

Attorney fees: Private DWI defense attorneys in Minnesota typically charge $2,500–$5,000 for a standard first-offense case. Contested cases that go to trial or involve complex motions run higher. Public defenders are available for criminal defense if you qualify financially, but they cannot represent you in the civil implied consent proceeding.

Chemical health assessment: The mandatory clinical evaluation costs $75–$250 depending on the provider. A $25 statutory surcharge applies on top of the provider's fee, though the surcharge may be waived for indigent defendants. The base assessment fee cannot be waived.

Administrative Reinstatement Costs

DVS reinstatement fee: $680 — composed of a $250 base fee and a $430 statutory surcharge. This is payable to DVS and is required for every alcohol-related license reinstatement. The partial-pay program allows a $395 initial payment with the remaining $345 due within two years.

Class D license application fee: $18.50–$26.75 depending on card type, payable at the DVS exam station when you apply for your reinstated license.

Ignition Interlock Costs (If Applicable)

If you enroll in the interlock program instead of waiting for a limited license:

• Installation: $90–$150 (one-time)
• Monthly lease and calibration: $70–$140
• Removal fee: Varies by vendor, typically $50–$100

For a 90-day program (standard first offense), total interlock costs are roughly $300–$570 in installation and lease fees (plus any vendor removal charge). For a one-year program (BAC 0.16+ or refusal), expect $930–$1,830 in device costs alone. Drivers whose household income falls below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can apply for the DVS reduced-fee program, which cuts monthly interlock costs by 50%.

Plate Impoundment Costs (If Applicable)

If your BAC was 0.16 or higher, or a child under 16 was in the vehicle:

• Special registration plates ("whiskey plates"): The cost of purchasing new plates from a deputy registrar
• Interlock bypass fee: $100 per vehicle to remove whiskey plates early through interlock enrollment

Long-Term Insurance Increases

This is the cost that extends well beyond the court case. A DWI conviction raises auto insurance premiums substantially — typically 50–100% or more — and that increase persists for three to five years. Over that period, the insurance premium difference alone can exceed $3,000–$5,000.

Minnesota does not use SR-22 filings. Instead, DVS requires an Insurance Certificate (Form PS35016) submitted by your carrier.

Putting It All Together

For a standard first-offense DWI with no aggravating factors, here's what the total typically looks like:

The Minnesota First-Offense DUI Guide includes a fillable cost worksheet that tracks each of these expenses against your specific situation — BAC level, chosen reinstatement path, and county-specific fees.

See more Minnesota guides →