Iowa OWI DUI Laws
Overview of the penalties upon conviction of OWI in Iowa
Iowa OWI Laws, BAC limits, fines, jail times, IID requirements, suspension/revocation periods and SR22 insurance requirements for first time and repeat offenders with multiple DUI's.
If you've been charged with OWI in Iowa, the law allows only 10 days for a Iowa OWI Lawyer to make a request with the Iowa D.O.T (Department of Transportation) for a hearing to help save your drivers license.
What are the penalties for OWI in Iowa?
The penalties for operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Iowa will depend upon the exact circumstances of each particular case and the number of previous convictions (if any) a person has.
IA OWI Penalties
Iowa is a state with a 12 year 'washout period' also known as a 'look back period'
1st OWI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a first OWI offense in Iowa:
- Fines: up to $1,250 fine (possible community service in lieu of fine)
- Jail: 48 hours to 1 year in jail (may be deferred / suspended)
- Drivers License Revocation: 180 days drivers license revocation
- Restricted License:
- BAC 0.08 - < 0.10: eligible immediately with no ignition interlock requirement
- BAC 0.10 - < 0.15: eligible immediately with ignition interlock requirement
- BAC 0.15 or above: eligible after 30 days with ignition interlock requirement
- must undergo substance abuse evaluation and complete treatment as necessary
- possible 6 month probation after completion of any program
- IA SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
2nd OWI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a second OWI offense in Iowa:
- Fines: $1,875 to $6,250 (possible community service in lieu of fine)
- Jail: 7 days (mandatory) to 2 years in jail
- Drivers License Revocation: 2 years drivers license revocation
- Restricted License: eligible after 1 year revocation, must install ignition interlock device
- must undergo substance abuse evaluation and complete treatment as necessary
- possible 6 month probation after completion of any program
- vehicle may be impounded or immobilized
- IA SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
3rd (& subsequent) OWI Offense / Conviction - Felony
The penalty upon conviction of a third OWI offense in Iowa:
- Fines: $3,125 to $9,375
- Jail: 30 days (mandatory) to 5 years imprisonment
- Drivers License Revocation: 6 years drivers license revocation
- Restricted License: may be eligible after 1 year revocation, must install ignition interlock device
- possible community service program
- must undergo substance abuse evaluation and complete treatment as necessary
- possible 6 month probation after completion of any program
- vehicle may be impounded or immobilized
- IA SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Implied Consent (Chemical Testing) Laws
It is an offense to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Iowa and implied consent laws are enforced.
Chemical Test Refusal Penalties - Iowa
First Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Suspension: 1 year drivers license revocation
- Restricted Drivers License: may be eligible after 90 days revocation, must install ignition interlock device
- IA SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Second (& subsequent) Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Revocation: 2 years drivers license revocation
- Restricted Drivers License: may be eligible after 1 year revocation, must install ignition interlock device
- IA SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
What is the legal alcohol limit in Iowa
The maximum legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limits in Iowa for driving are as follows:
ADULT DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Iowa it is an offense for adult drivers to drive any regular motor vehicle with 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.
DRIVERS UNDER 21 - BAC LIMIT = 0.01%
In the State of Iowa it is an offense for drivers under the age of 21 (minors) to drive any motor vehicle with 0.01% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.
COMMERCIAL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.04%
In the State of Iowa it is an offense for drivers who drive commercial vehicles to drive any commercial motor vehicle with 0.04% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.
It is an offense to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Iowa and implied consent laws are enforced.
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