North Carolina DWI Cost Calculator (No DWAI Charge) 2026
North Carolina has no lesser DWAI charge to compare against, so this is the full cost of a single DWI charge: fines, attorney fees, SR-22 insurance, ignition interlock where required, and lost wages.
Your North Carolina DWI estimate will appear here
Answer the questions and press the button. You will get a low, typical and high figure, with each cost listed on its own line.
- Uses this state's own fines, suspension and interlock rules
- Market costs such as attorney fees are labelled as estimates
- Free, and nothing to sign up for
North Carolina DWI FAQ
How much does a DWI cost in North Carolina?
Attorney fees for a first-offense DWI in North Carolina typically run $1,500 to $5,000 on our estimates, and the fine is $200 to $1,000 before court costs. Adding insurance, interlock, education, reinstatement and lost time from work, our calculator puts a typical first offense at about $23,105 (range $10,968 to $38,097) with its default answers; the median of our 50 state estimates is $17,615.
How long is your license suspended for a first DWI in North Carolina?
A first-offense DWI conviction in North Carolina carries a license suspension of 1 year (365 days). A hardship or restricted license may be available during this period.
Is an ignition interlock device required in North Carolina for a first DWI?
In some cases. North Carolina requires an interlock for a first offense only at a BAC of 0.15% or higher. When it applies, it lasts 12 months.
How long is SR-22 insurance required after a DWI in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires SR-22 high-risk insurance filing for 3 years following a DWI conviction.
Can a DWI be expunged in North Carolina?
North Carolina does not allow DWI convictions to be expunged. Some states have other ways to limit who can see a record, such as sealing, which this site does not cover yet.
North Carolina DWI figures this calculator uses
- Lesser impaired-driving charge (DWAI)
- None in this state
- Fine, first DWI
- $200 to $1,000
Statutory figures were checked against North Carolina law (primary source) and last verified May 2026. Typical ranges are market estimates, not law; see our methodology.
Worked example
With the calculator's default answers (bac level at arrest: 0.09%; approximate annual income: $25,000 - $50,000):
| Cost | Typical |
|---|---|
| DWI Conviction - Estimated Total Cost | $22,955 |
| Estimated total (range $16,068 to $34,433) | $22,955 |
Change the answers in the calculator above to see your own estimate.
On our estimates, a typical first-offense DWI in North Carolina comes to about $23,105, the 9th highest of the 50 states. The median of our 50 state estimates is $17,615. These come from the total-cost calculator with its default answers, not from a national survey.
North Carolina DWI Overview
All North Carolina DWI Calculators & Laws →Related Calculators
North Carolina Total Cost →North Carolina Attorney Cost →North Carolina SR-22 Insurance →Related Guide
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