New Jersey DWI: First Offense

Last reviewed: 2026-07-17

A first DWI in New Jersey is generally classified as a motor vehicle offense (not criminal).

Jail: none – 30 days
Fine: $250–$500 ($250–400 (low tier) / $300–500 (0.10+); PLUS heavy stacked assessments and the $1,000/yr × 3 years MVC insurance surcharge — total cost far exceeds the fine)
License suspension: until interlock installed (0.08–0.149: forfeiture effectively replaced by interlock since Dec 2019) – 4–6 months forfeiture (0.15+) then interlock; hardship: NO restricted/hardship licenses exist in NJ — interlock-or-nothing
Ignition interlock: Required — 3 months (0.08–0.099), 7–12 months (0.10–0.149), 9–15 months post-restoration (0.15+).
Alternative disposition: None — NJ bars DWI plea bargaining; 12–48 hours Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) mandatory.

Lookback period: 10 years. A prior more than 10 years old is stepped down (treated one level lower) for sentencing.

See first offense in another state