Getting charged with a DUI—called OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) in Iowa—can be overwhelming. It's not just about going to court. There are a lot of hidden and unexpected costs that follow. That’s why we built the Iowa DUI Cost Calculator—to help you understand what you may be facing financially and prepare for what’s ahead.
The calculator adds up some of the most common out-of-pocket expenses people face after an OWI in Iowa. It’s not an official court estimate—it’s a tool to help you plan and get a clearer picture.
Let’s break down each part so you know what to enter.
Attorney Fees
This is the amount you expect to pay a DUI lawyer to handle your case. In Iowa, this can vary depending on your location, whether your case goes to trial, and how complex the situation is. Some people pay $1,500, while others pay $5,000 or more.
Court Fines & Surcharges
Iowa law requires you to pay fines if you’re convicted of an OWI. For a first offense, the fine is usually around $1,250, plus surcharges. These costs can increase if there are aggravating factors like high blood alcohol content (BAC) or if someone was hurt.
License Reinstatement & Fees
Your driver’s license will likely be suspended. To get it back, you’ll need to pay reinstatement fees, apply for SR-22 insurance, and possibly take written and driving tests again. These fees add up quickly.
Ignition Interlock Device
In many cases, you’ll be required to install an ignition interlock device on your car. It tests your breath before you can drive. You have to pay for installation and a monthly fee to keep it running. This can cost more than $1,000 over time.
Substance Abuse Evaluation & Treatment
Iowa law requires an evaluation to determine if you have a substance use issue. You’ll also need to follow any recommended treatment or education programs. These might include weekend classes or months of counseling, depending on the results of your evaluation.
Insurance Premium Increase
Once you’re convicted of an OWI, your insurance company will likely raise your rates. The calculator lets you enter the total increase you expect over the next 3 years. For many people, this is one of the most expensive parts of a DUI.
Once you fill in your information, the calculator gives you one number: your estimated total cost for the DUI. This includes legal fees, court penalties, state requirements, and increased insurance costs. It’s not exact, but it gives you a clearer sense of what’s at stake.
A DUI charge can affect your job, your ability to drive, and your peace of mind. But the financial cost is often what hits people hardest. Many of the expenses aren’t clearly explained up front. Our calculator is meant to help you see the full picture, not just the court fine.
If this is your first OWI, Iowa law says you could face:
Repeat offenses bring even harsher penalties, including longer license suspensions, higher fines, and mandatory jail time.
If you’re facing an OWI in Iowa, don’t go through it alone. The cost of a mistake can add up fast—but the right legal help can make a big difference in your outcome.
Contact O’Flaherty Law today to schedule a consultation. We’ll walk you through your options, defend your rights, and help you move forward.
When we started our firm in the midst of the recession, we learned to survive in a lean environment and pass the savings on to our clients. As the economy has improved, we have not changed our philosophy. We are hungry to grow our client base, and so we have intentionally set our rates below what the market will bear. Our mission is to make each client walk away feeling that they got more value than they paid for. This is easier to do when we make our prices affordable.
The secret to our success as a firm is incredibly simple: we build a personal relationship with each of our clients and treat them with the respect that they deserve. We pride ourselves on our open lines of communication, frequent check-ins with our clients, and our accessibility. We are here to help you in any way we can, often leveraging our network of resources to assist you with non-legal issues that you may be having. We are your one-stop problem-solver and trusted adviser. All attorneys say that they provide excellent client service, but, unlike other attorneys, we practice what we preach. We make sure every client walks away happy . . . period.
We are your community law firm. Our business is built on long-term relationships with our clients. Our clients have the luxury of building trust over time with one team of attorneys, rather than having to find a new attorney for each different type of matter that arises over the course of their lives. No one attorney can be experienced at everything. That is why we have worked hard to assemble a team of attorneys with extensive experience in different areas of experience. Our attorneys work together closely to bring our collective experience to bear on any issue that may arise for our clients.
Since our business comes entirely from referrals and community involvement, our reputation for quality legal work is our greatest asset . . . and it is extremely important to us. Each of our attorneys is truly experienced in his or her practice areas, with the highest personal standards of excellence. We are proud of our reputation in the community, and we did not achieve it by accident. Our reputation for excellence comes from hard work, continuing education, and an above-and-beyond approach to our clients’ cases.