Iowa · OWI · Checked October 2026

OWI Laws in Iowa

What Happens if You Get an OWI in Iowa?

Iowa calls it OWI, and the legal limit for adult drivers is 0.08 blood alcohol content.

License hearing deadline: 10 days to challenge your license suspension
First offense jail: 48 hours to 1 year in county jail
First offense fine: $1,250 (the court may waive up to $625 if no one was hurt and no property was damaged and you hold a temporary restricted license)
First offense license: License revoked for 180 days to 1 year
Felony: A third or subsequent OWI offense is a class D felony

Researched and checked by the DUI Help Editorial Team ·October 3, 2026

Iowa OWI Laws: Key Facts

Legal limit (adults): 0.08 BACIowa Code § 321J.2(1)(b); § 321J.2(3)(b)(2)(a); § 321J.2A; § 321.208
Commercial drivers (CDL): 0.04 BAC
Drivers under 21: 0.02 BAC (drivers under 21 with 0.02 or more lose their license under the zero tolerance law, even without a criminal charge)
Enhanced penalties from: 0.15 BAC
Lookback period: 12 years
Insurance filing: SR-22, 2 years from the first day of your revocation (not needed for a zero tolerance revocation)

Iowa OWI Penalties by Offense

OWI penalties in Iowa for a first, second and third offense
Penalty	First offense	Second offense	Third offense
Charge	serious misdemeanor	aggravated misdemeanor	class D felony
Jail	48 hours to 1 year in county jail	7 days to 2 years in county jail or a community-based correctional facility	prison term of up to 5 years with a mandatory minimum of 30 days; if the prison sentence is suspended, 30 days to 1 year in county jail
Fine	$1,250 (the court may waive up to $625 if no one was hurt and no property was damaged and you hold a temporary restricted license)	$1,875 to $6,250	$3,125 to $9,375
License suspension	license revoked for 180 days to 1 year	license revoked for 1 year; 2 years if you refused testing	license revoked for 6 years
Ignition interlock	ignition interlock required on all vehicles you drive if you want a temporary restricted license	required for a temporary restricted license, and for 1 year after reinstatement following a second revocation	required for a temporary restricted license, and for 1 year after reinstatement

First offense: Iowa Code § 321J.2(2)(a), (3) · Second offense: Iowa Code § 321J.2(2)(b), (4), (7)(c); § 321J.17(3) · Third offense: Iowa Code § 321J.2(2)(c), (5); § 321J.4(4); § 321J.17(3)

When Penalties Are Higher

BAC over 0.15: no deferred judgment if you have a prior OWI conviction or revocationIowa Code § 321J.2(3)(b)(2)(a)
OWI that caused serious injury to another person: additional 1-year license revocation on top of any otherIowa Code § 321J.4(5)
OWI that caused a death: 6-year license revocation with no temporary restricted license for at least 2 yearsIowa Code § 321J.4(6)

More on Iowa OWI penalties · Estimate penalties for your situation

If You Refuse a Breath or Blood Test

license revoked for 1 year, or 2 years with a previous revocation; refusal also bars a deferred judgmentIowa Code § 321J.9(1); § 321J.2(3)(b)(2)(d)

Official source: if you refuse a breath or blood test in Iowa

Getting a Temporary Restricted License (TRL)

The DOT may issue a TRL to someone revoked under the OWI chapter that allows driving in any manner a class C license allows, once an approved ignition interlock is installed on every vehicle you drive. Not available to drivers under 18 revoked under zero tolerance, during the first 2 years of a death-related revocation, or for commercial vehicles or school buses. For offenses on or after January 1, 2025, a doctor-verified medical condition can waive the interlock requirement.

Official source: getting a temporary restricted license (trl) in Iowa

Ignition Interlock

First offense: required for a temporary restricted license after a first offense Repeat offenses: required for a temporary restricted license and for 1 year from reinstatement after a second or subsequent revocation (reduced by time held on a TRL) Approved devices only; tampering or circumventing a required device is a serious misdemeanor.

Official source: ignition interlock in Iowa

Can an OWI Come Off Your Record?

not available for an OWI conviction; a dismissed or acquitted OWI case can be expunged Waiting period: 180 days after acquittal or dismissal (for dismissed or acquitted cases) Iowa's misdemeanor expungement law expressly excludes convictions under § 321J.2. Dismissals tied to a deferred judgment are handled separately under § 907.9.

Official source: can an owi come off your record? in Iowa

Drivers Under 21

zero tolerance: a driver under 21 with BAC of 0.02 or more loses their license, whether or not they are charged with a crime 60-day revocation (90 days with a previous revocation)

Official source: drivers under 21 in Iowa

Driving After Using Drugs

yes: OWI covers driving under the influence of a drug or a combination, and driving with any amount of a controlled substance in the blood or urine; a valid prescription taken as directed is an affirmative defense

Official source: driving after using drugs in Iowa

More on OWI Law in Iowa

For the state's own guidance, see Iowa DOT: Operating While Intoxicated (OWI).

This page summarizes Iowa law from official sources, checked October 2026. It isn't legal advice; laws change, and a lawyer licensed in Iowa can advise on your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Penalty for a First OWI in Iowa?

Jail: 48 hours to 1 year in county jail. Fine: $1,250 (the court may waive up to $625 if no one was hurt and no property was damaged and you hold a temporary restricted license). License suspension: license revoked for 180 days to 1 year.

How Long Do You Have to Request a License Hearing in Iowa?

10 days. How it is counted: the date you receive (are served) the notice of revocation. Mark the contest box on the official notice and return it with a written statement of your reasons, in person at any Iowa DMV or by email, mail or fax to Iowa DOT Driver Services Appeals. If you miss it, the suspension usually takes effect automatically.

When Is an OWI a Felony in Iowa?

a third or subsequent OWI offense is a class D felony

Do You Need an SR-22 After an OWI in Iowa?

Yes. How long: 2 years from the first day of your revocation (not needed for a zero tolerance revocation). An SR-22 is a form your insurer files with the state to prove you carry the required coverage.