DMV Fees

Interviewer: In the Department of Motor Vehicles, there are all sorts of fees there, too, right?

Michael Kramer: There are additional fees in the Department of Motor Vehicles. Usually if it’s a first offense, it’s $250 a year for three years, so it’s a total of approximately $750 for an alcohol related offense.

Interviewer: How much have we talked about so far?

Michael Kramer: Well, $750 plus the minimum fine for the DWAI ($560-) brings it to ($1310-).

Towing Costs

Interviewer: The first thing that may happen is that someone may end up having to pay a towing fee, right?

Michael Kramer: Correct. That’s unless there’s someone present who can drive the car.

Interviewer: In New York, what are the costs for towing typically?

Michael Kramer: They vary. It depends on how badly the towing company wants to rip you off. If you’re on a highway, there’s one towing service. If you’re on a side street, there’s another. It’s depends on how far you have to be towed, so it varies. There’s no way to be specific.

Insurance Costs

Interviewer: Because of this DWI, another factor would probably be insurance coverage. Tell me about that?

Michael Kramer: Well, insurance companies usually look for any excuse they can to up rates but not every insurance company will up your rate if it’s a first offense. Some insurance companies will and other insurance companies won’t. It depends on how long you’ve been with the insurance company, how many claims you’ve filed in the past, and a number of other factors as to whether the insurance company will take action, but there’s always that possibility.