How Much Does a DWI Cost in Minnesota?

Court Fines and Surcharges

The criminal fine depends on the degree of the offense — up to $1,000 for a fourth-degree (misdemeanor), up to $3,000 for a gross-misdemeanor third- or second-degree, and up to $14,000 for a first-degree felony. On top of the fine, Minnesota adds a criminal surcharge and other penalty assessments set by statute, which increase the total beyond the fine itself. (See our DWI penalties page for the degree structure.)

Towing and Storage

In most DWI arrests, the vehicle is towed and impounded rather than released, and the driver is responsible for the towing and storage costs. Storage fees accrue daily, so these can climb quickly if the vehicle isn't retrieved promptly.

Plate Impoundment ("Whiskey Plates")

For a DWI involving an aggravating factor (such as a high alcohol concentration, a prior within the lookback period, or a child in the vehicle), Minnesota can impound the vehicle's license plates (Minn. Stat. § 169A.60). To drive the vehicle again, the registered owner generally must obtain specially-coded plates (often called "whiskey plates," beginning with the letter "W"), and there are fees to obtain them. Plate impoundment can apply both to the vehicle involved and to other vehicles registered to the offender.

Vehicle Forfeiture

In more serious cases (such as certain repeat or first-degree offenses), the state may seek to forfeit the vehicle entirely (Minn. Stat. § 169A.63) — meaning the owner loses the vehicle. Beyond the loss of the vehicle itself, there can be associated costs, and forfeiture can be contested, which may involve legal expense.

The Chemical-Use Assessment

A DWI conviction generally requires a chemical-use (substance-use) assessment. You pay the cost of the assessment directly to the provider (the amount is set by the provider), plus a statutory assessment charge imposed by the court. This assessment also drives any treatment that's ordered (see below).

License Reinstatement Fee

After a DWI revocation, getting your license back requires paying a reinstatement fee of $680. Note that recent changes adjusted when this is paid in relation to the ignition interlock program — so the timing may differ depending on your situation and whether you participate in interlock.

Ignition Interlock Costs

If you want to drive during the revocation (or are required to participate), the ignition interlock program involves installation and ongoing monthly monitoring fees paid to the device provider. Minnesota significantly revised the interlock program in 2025 — including expanding who must participate and lengthening the lookback period for counting prior offenses — so more drivers now face an interlock requirement, and the associated costs, than before.

The Collateral Costs (Often the Largest)

The expenses that hit hardest are frequently the ones that aren't a court "fee" at all:

• Attorney's fees: These vary widely depending on the complexity of the case and whether it goes to trial — commonly ranging from several hundred to many thousands of dollars.
• Treatment costs: Depending on what the assessment recommends, treatment can range from relatively modest outpatient counseling to far more expensive inpatient programs. Insurance coverage varies.
• Increased insurance: A DWI typically causes a significant, multi-year increase in auto-insurance premiums — often one of the largest long-term costs.
• Lost income: During the "hard" revocation period (when no limited license is available) and for court, jail, treatment, and community work service, many people lose work time — and some lose jobs entirely, especially commercial drivers and others who must drive for work.

What this means for you: When people ask "how much does a DWI cost," the honest answer is: far more than the fine, and it adds up across many categories — often several thousand to well over ten thousand dollars when everything is counted, and more for repeat offenses or a felony. That total is a big reason it's worth seriously evaluating whether the charge can be challenged or reduced.

Key Terms

• Surcharge: A statutory amount added on top of the criminal fine.
• Plate impoundment: Loss of plates ("whiskey plates") for an aggravated-factor DWI.
• Vehicle forfeiture: Loss of the vehicle itself in more serious cases.
• Reinstatement fee: The $680 fee to restore a revoked license.
• Ignition interlock: A breath-testing device with installation and monthly costs that can allow driving during revocation.