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How much does a DUI cost in Delaware?

A first DUI in Delaware carries a statutory fine of $500–$1,500. This guide stacks every cost layer an official Delaware source prices — the fine, court costs, the license reinstatement fee, the DUI program, ignition interlock, and the SR-22 insurance filing — and says plainly which layers no official source prices at all.

Delaware DUI costs at a glance	Figure
Statutory fine — first DUI	Delaware law (21 Del. C. Sec. 4177) sets the first-offense DUI fine at $500 to $1,500. If a child under 17 was in the vehicle, an additional fine of $500 to $1,500 applies, and the court must also order an alcohol evaluation and an education or rehabilitation program, whose fee may not exceed the maximum fine.
Statutory fine — second DUI	The statute separates a second offense: $750–$2,500. Second offenses also carry longer suspensions and program requirements — see the sections below.
Court costs & fees	Delaware's DMV and code pages reviewed do not publish a single statewide court-cost figure for DUI; court costs are assessed by the sentencing court in addition to the fine.
License suspension — first offense	A first DUI conviction means a mandatory license revocation of 12 months. The revocation stretches to 18 months if the BAC was .15 to .199, and to 24 months if the BAC was .20 or higher or the driver refused a chemical test; an IID license under the state's interlock program can allow driving during the revocation.
License reinstatement fee	Because a DUI is a mandatory revocation in Delaware, reinstatement costs the $200 revoked-license reinstatement fee (a suspended license costs $50). Written, road, and eye examinations may be required, and the education or treatment program and any IID program requirements must be satisfied.
Ignition interlock	Required for all first offenders — Delaware courts must prohibit a person convicted of DUI from driving any vehicle that is not equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device, and the state's IID program runs during the revocation period. Device costs are paid to the interlock provider; the DMV pages reviewed do not publish install or monthly prices.
DUI education / treatment program	Delaware's DUI process starts with a free screening and referral through the DUI Screening and Referral service. The standard 16-hour DUI education program costs $400 plus a $50 material fee; where treatment is required instead, the 16-hour treatment program costs $1,000 and the 27-hour extended treatment program costs $1,700.
SR-22 insurance filing	Delaware's DMV reinstatement requirements reviewed do not include an SR-22 filing, so no SR-22 requirement or state fee is published here. Insurance premiums after a DUI are set by the insurer.

The fine

Delaware law (21 Del. C. Sec. 4177) sets the first-offense DUI fine at $500 to $1,500. If a child under 17 was in the vehicle, an additional fine of $500 to $1,500 applies, and the court must also order an alcohol evaluation and an education or rehabilitation program, whose fee may not exceed the maximum fine.

Court costs & fees

Delaware's DMV and code pages reviewed do not publish a single statewide court-cost figure for DUI; court costs are assessed by the sentencing court in addition to the fine.

License suspension & reinstatement

A first DUI conviction means a mandatory license revocation of 12 months. The revocation stretches to 18 months if the BAC was .15 to .199, and to 24 months if the BAC was .20 or higher or the driver refused a chemical test; an IID license under the state's interlock program can allow driving during the revocation.

Because a DUI is a mandatory revocation in Delaware, reinstatement costs the $200 revoked-license reinstatement fee (a suspended license costs $50). Written, road, and eye examinations may be required, and the education or treatment program and any IID program requirements must be satisfied.

The national picture — which states charge the most to reinstate — is in our license reinstatement guide.

Ignition interlock

Delaware courts must prohibit a person convicted of DUI from driving any vehicle that is not equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device, and the state's IID program runs during the revocation period. Device costs are paid to the interlock provider; the DMV pages reviewed do not publish install or monthly prices.

How interlock pricing works (installation, monthly lease, calibration, removal) is in our ignition interlock cost guide.

DUI education & treatment program

Delaware's DUI process starts with a free screening and referral through the DUI Screening and Referral service. The standard 16-hour DUI education program costs $400 plus a $50 material fee; where treatment is required instead, the 16-hour treatment program costs $1,000 and the 27-hour extended treatment program costs $1,700.

SR-22 & insurance

Delaware's DMV reinstatement requirements reviewed do not include an SR-22 filing, so no SR-22 requirement or state fee is published here. Insurance premiums after a DUI are set by the insurer.

What an SR-22 is, which states charge a filing fee, and how long it must be carried: SR-22 cost guide.

Towing, impound & other charges

Carrying a passenger under 17 during a first DUI adds a fine of $500 to $1,500 and at least 40 hours of community service benefiting children. The DMV also charges $50 for a missed program appointment or a program transfer and $35 for urine screens within the DUI program.

Worked total: the verified charges stacked

Item	Cost
Statutory fine	$500–$1,500
License reinstatement fee	$200
DUI program fee	$400
Total of the verified state-set charges above	$1,100–$2,100

That total is deliberately incomplete: it leaves out everything no official Delaware source prices statewide — court costs where they are set county by county, interlock lease payments to a private vendor, towing and storage, and the insurance increase that follows an SR-22. Add your own figures for those in the cost calculator.

Sources: Delaware Code Online - Title 21, Chapter 41, Subchapter IX (Secs. 4177, 4177A) · Delaware DMV - Driver Improvement: DUI (DSAMH/DRS) · Delaware DMV - Driver Improvement: License Revocations. Researched October 2026 — confirm current figures with the court and the driver-licensing agency.

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