Plain-English guides, interactive tools, and real stories — so you know what you're facing and what to do next.
These tools give you quick, personalized answers without having to wade through legal documents.
Answer 4 questions and get a personalized action checklist — with urgency alerts based on how long ago you were arrested.
Get my action plan →Estimate your blood alcohol level based on what you drank, your weight, and how long ago. Color-coded result with plain-English explanation.
Calculate BAC →Get an itemized estimate of what a DUI will actually cost — fines, attorney fees, school, insurance spike, IID, and more.
Estimate my costs →Two completely separate things start at the same time — most people don't know about the DMV side until it's too late.
You're taken to the station, processed, and held until you're sober. Your physical license is confiscated and replaced with a pink temporary one. That pink paper has the 10-day deadline buried in it.
The DMV's administrative case runs independently of court. You have exactly 10 days from the arrest date to call the DMV Driver Safety Office and request an APS hearing. Miss it and your license is automatically suspended — before any court verdict.
Your first court appearance, usually a few weeks out. You enter a plea. Most people plead not guilty to leave room for negotiation.
This is where a DUI attorney can challenge the stop, the BAC results, or try to negotiate a reduction — like to a "wet reckless" (California VC 23103.5), which carries lighter penalties.
Most cases resolve here without trial. Penalties depend on your BAC, whether anyone was hurt, and your prior record. First offense typically means probation, fines, DUI school — possibly no jail time.
These are typical outcomes for a standard first-offense DUI in California — no injuries, cooperated with testing, BAC under 0.15%.
Base fine is $390–$1,000 but after California's penalty multipliers, you're looking at $1,800–$3,500+ just in court costs.
3 months if BAC under 0.15%. 9 months if BAC was 0.15% or higher. You pay out of pocket — $500 to $1,800.
4-month DMV suspension for first offense. Restricted license (to work and DUI school) may be available with SR-22 and IID.
A breathalyzer installed in your car. Required in many cases even for first offenses. ~$70–$100/month to rent.
3–5 years of informal probation. Conditions include no driving with any alcohol, no new offenses, no refusing future tests.
Often the biggest long-term cost. SR-22 required. Rates can double or triple — for 5 to 10 years.
From fictional-but-relatable stories to detailed how-it-works breakdowns.
Three beers, a birthday party, a rolling stop. How a normal night turned into a $3,000 lesson.
StoryDiane's lawyer forgot to mention the 10-day DMV deadline. By day 11, it was too late.
GuideThe base fine is $390. The real total is $10,000+. Here's where every dollar goes.
GuideIt sounds like a good idea. It almost never is. Here's exactly what refusal costs you.
StoryJerome's first DUI was 8 years ago. He thought that was behind him. It wasn't.
GuideA reduced charge that sounds great — until you read the fine print about what it still counts as.
The 10-day clock starts the moment you're arrested — not when you get a court date. Find out exactly what to do right now.
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