Last reviewed . Law current as of October 2026.
A first New Jersey DWI carries a fine of $250 to $400 (BAC 0.08% to under 0.10%) or $300 to $500 (0.10% or more, or drugs), plus a $125 court surcharge, a $100 Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund fee, Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) fees, interlock installation and lease costs, and an MVC surcharge of $1,000 a year for three years while that surcharge program lasts.
Court fines and fees
Court costs and other assessments set by law are added to these. Source: P.L.2023, c.191.
| Item | First offense | Second | Third or later |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | $250–$400 (0.08–0.10%) or $300–$500 (0.10%+ or drugs) | $500–$1,000 | $1,000 |
| Court surcharge (39:4-50(i)) | $125 | $125 | $125 |
| AERF fee (39:4-50(b)) | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| IDRC program | 12–48 hours, with program fees | Required, with fees | Required, with fees |
Ignition interlock
The driver generally pays the vendor to install and lease the interlock. The law provides a reduced monthly fee for some lower-income drivers (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.17a), and failing the device's requirements can extend the installation period by up to 90 days. See ignition interlock.
MVC insurance surcharges
Under N.J.S.A. 17:29A-35, the MVC levies a DWI or refusal surcharge of $1,000 a year for three years for a first or second conviction, and $1,500 a year for a third conviction within three years. A 2019 law (P.L.2019, c.301) ends these surcharges once the bonds they back are repaid. Ask us whether they still apply when your case ends.
Costs that are harder to see
- Higher car insurance premiums
- Getting to work during any license forfeiture
- Time off for court dates and IDRC
- A refusal charge, which carries its own fines and its own MVC surcharge
See the full penalty tables on our DWI page. Our consultations are free; we do not quote legal fees on this website.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fine for a first DWI in New Jersey?
$250 to $400 for a BAC of 0.08% to under 0.10% (or alcohol impairment), and $300 to $500 for 0.10% or more or a drug DWI, plus a $125 surcharge and a $100 AERF fee.
Who pays for the ignition interlock?
Generally the driver. Some lower-income drivers qualify for a reduced monthly fee under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.17a.
Are there still MVC surcharges for a DWI?
N.J.S.A. 17:29A-35 sets $1,000 a year for three years, but P.L.2019, c.301 ends the program once the related bonds are repaid. Ask us about the status when your case ends.
Sources
This page provides general information about New Jersey law. It is not legal advice, and reading it or contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different and no outcome is guaranteed.