Iowa OWI DUI Laws

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The maximum prescribed legal BAC limit in Iowa is 0.08% per se
(effective from Jul 1st 2003)

(If you’ve been charged with Iowa OWI / DUI, the law allows 10 days for your Iowa DWI Lawyer to make a request for an Iowa Department of Transportation administrative hearing to save your driving license)

Iowa OWI / DUI Laws and BAC limits

ALL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Iowa it is crime for ANY driver to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.08% and above.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.04%
It is a crime for commercial vehicle operators to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.04% or above.

MINOR (under the age of 21) - BAC LIMIT = 0.01%
It is a crime for persons under 21 years of age to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.01% or above.

It is a crime to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Iowa and implied consent laws are enforced.

Iowa BAC Calculator

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT CALCULATOR Calculate your BAC using our calculator, know your legal drunk driving limits and stay safe!!

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Penalties for OWI DUI Drunk Driving in Iowa

Iowa is a state with a twelve-year ‘washout period,’ also known as a 'look back period', this means that a prior conviction is not admissible after twelve years. If it is twelve years and one day since a driver was convicted of OWI / DWI, that driver will be considered a first-time offender. If a driver commits a OWI / DWI within twelve years of the first OWI / DWI, they are considered guilty of a second offense and are subjected to harsher punishments.

First OWI DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a first OWI DWI - drunk driving conviction in Iowa:

• up to $1,250 fine
• possible community service in lieu of fine
• 2 days to 1 year in county jail (may be deferred / suspended)
• 6 months drivers license suspension (temporary restricted license may be available)
• must undergo substance abuse evaluation
• possible attendance at treatment programs
• SR22 insurance requirement

Second OWI DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a second OWI DWI - drunk driving conviction in Iowa:

• $1,875 to $6,250 fine
• 7 days (mandatory) to 2 years in jail
• possible community service in lieu of fine
• 2 to 6 years drivers license suspension (ignition interlock restricted drivers license may be available after 1 year)
• must undergo substance abuse evaluation
• possible attendance at treatment programs
• vehicle may be impounded or immobilized
• SR22 insurance requirement

Third (and Subsequent) OWI DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - felony

The penalty for a third and subsequent OWI DWI - drunk driving conviction in Iowa:

• $3,125 to $9,375 fine
• 30 days (mandatory) to 5 years imprisonment
• possible community service
• 6 years drivers license suspension (ignition interlock restricted license may be available after 1 year)
• must undergo substance abuse evaluation
• possible attendance at treatment programs
• vehicle may be impounded or immobilized
• SR22 insurance requirement

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Implied consent LAWS

It is a crime to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Iowa and implied consent laws are enforced.

Penalties for refusing to submit to a chemical test in Iowa

In Iowa, if the accused refuses to take a chemical test of their blood, breath or urine, their drivers license will be suspended/revoked.

FIRST CHEMICAL TEST REFUSAL

• 1 months drivers license suspension
• Must wait 90 days for temporary license and must install an ignition interlock device
• SR22 insurance requirement

SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT REFUSALS

• 2 year drivers license suspension
• Must wait 1 year for temporary license and must install an ignition interlock device
• SR22 insurance requirement

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Iowa Auto insurance (High RIsk DWI DUI SR22 Insurance)

Iowa auto insurance quotes ZIP Code

Iowa SR-22 auto insurance is usually required for a period of 2 years after a OWI / DWI - drunk driving - alcohol related driving conviction and can be very expensive if you go with the wrong provider.  Some insurance companies will not even do an SR22 insurance filing. Get a FREE DUI auto insurance quote and compare rates to find the best deal, simply enter your ZIP code above and you can be comparing prices for Iowa auto insurance in a matter of minutes.

A person under the age of 21 whose license was revoked because he/she tested .02 or more but less than .08 is not required to file an SR-22.

Minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in the state of Iowa

The minimum mandatory liability insurance coverage required in the state of Iowa for private passenger vehicles is (20/40/15). This equates to the following liability coverage:

• $20,000 bodily injury liability (BIL) per person
• $40,000 for two or more people in one accident
• $15,000 property damage liability (PDL) coverage

What is (BIL) Bodily Injury Liability insurance?

(BIL) Bodily Injury Liability insurance coverage will pay for serious and permanent injury or death to other people when a crash is caused by the insured. An auto insurance company will pay for injuries up to the limits specified in an insurance policy and will provide legal representation for the insured in the event someone tries to sue them.

What is (PDL) Property Damage Liability insurance?

(PDL) Property Damage Liability insurance coverage pays for damages an insured driver or members of an insured drivers family cause (and are liable for) to other people's property in a crash involving a motor vehicle.

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FREE DUI / DWI Case evaluation & by local Iowa Lawyer

OR

Protect your rights! Talk to a local DUI lawyer Iowa DUI cases tend to move quickly through the system, and there may be important deadlines that affect your right to assert certain defenses or call witnesses. It’s important that you understand the process your Iowa drunk driving case will follow and the important requirements and deadlines before you take any action—but you can’t afford to delay. Talk to a local Iowa Drunk Driving Attorney as soon as possible to gather important information such as: • What penalties do you face if convicted of DUI in Iowa? • What are the indirect penalties, such as increased insurance rates and diminished job opportunities in Iowa? • Does Iowa have a mandatory ignition interlock device law? • Was your breathalyzer or blood alcohol content (BAC) test properly administered in accordance with Iowa laws and procedures ? • When and how can you get your driver’s license reinstated in Iowa? It’s easy to make mistakes under pressure, so make sure that you have the information you need to make good, educated decisions during this process. Contact a local Iowa criminal defense attorney specialising in Iowa drunk driving laws today.

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Disclaimer: While every effort is made to keep all information up to date, the Iowa drunk driving laws change frequently and the information provided should not be construed as legal advice. Drinkdriving.org shall not be held responsible for any actions a person may take as a result of information gathered from this web site. Consultation with a local Iowa DUI lawyer is recommended in all cases.

Useful Iowa OWI DWI Links:

OWI / DWI - Drunk Driving Laws in Iowa

Iowa Drivers Manual

Iowa SR22 Insurance Requirement

Iowa Department of Transportation

Iowa State Courts

Iowa Department of Insurance

Iowa OWI / DWI Lawyers

Iowa OWI / DWI discussion forum

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