Iowa · OWI · Checked October 2026
Iowa OWI Penalties: First, Second and Third Offense
Iowa OWI Penalties: What Are the Rules?
Iowa sets OWI penalties by offense, and they rise with each conviction.
- 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
- Lookback period
- 12 years
Iowa OWI Penalties by 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 |
Other First Offense Penalties in Iowa
- substance use disorder evaluation and treatment
- course for drinking drivers
- a deferred judgment may be possible, but not if BAC exceeded 0.15, you refused testing, someone else was injured, or you had a prior OWI or deferred judgment
Other Second Offense Penalties in Iowa
- substance use disorder evaluation and treatment
- course for drinking drivers
- minimum jail term served on consecutive days unless the court finds undue hardship or no jail space
Other Third Offense Penalties in Iowa
- substance use disorder evaluation and treatment
- course for drinking drivers
- may be sentenced as a habitual offender
When Penalties Are Higher in Iowa
- BAC over 0.15: no deferred judgment if you have a prior OWI conviction or revocation
- OWI that caused serious injury to another person: additional 1-year license revocation on top of any other
- OWI that caused a death: 6-year license revocation with no temporary restricted license for at least 2 years
When an OWI Is a Felony in Iowa
a third or subsequent OWI offense is a class D felonyIowa Code § 321J.2(2)(c)
How Far Back Prior Offenses Count in Iowa
12 years. prior OWI convictions and revocations count until they are deleted from your driving record, which happens 12 years after the conviction or revocation date (non-CDL records); deferred judgments and out-of-state convictions countIowa Code § 321J.2(8); § 321.12(4)
More on OWI Law in Iowa
See the full overview of OWI laws in Iowa and read about first-offense DUI penalties across the states.
This page summarizes Iowa law from official sources, checked October 2026. It isn't legal advice; 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.
What Is the Penalty for a Second OWI in Iowa?
Jail: 7 days to 2 years in county jail or a community-based correctional facility. Fine: $1,875 to $6,250. License suspension: license revoked for 1 year; 2 years if you refused testing.
When Is an OWI a Felony in Iowa?
a third or subsequent OWI offense is a class D felony