Operating a vehicle. For purposes of Iowa’s OWI law, “operate” is defined as the “immediate, actual physical control” of a vehicle that’s in motion and/or the engine is running. Under that definition, a person can be convicted of OWI without actually driving a vehicle.
Under the influence. Driving with a BAC of .08% or more or any amount of a controlled substance in your body is a “per se” OWI violation. However, a driver can also be convicted of OWI based on being actually “under the influence” (impaired). Factors that may lead a judge or jury to conclude a driver was under the influence include:
| 1st Offense | 2nd Offense | 3rd Offense | |
| Jail | 48 hours to 1 year |
7 days to 2 years | 30 days to 5 years |
| Fines | $625 to $1,250 |
$1,875 to $6,250 | $3,125 to $9,375 |
| License Revocation | 180 days (if submitted to chemical testing and no previous OWI convictions or revocations) to 1 year (if refuse chemical testing and no previous OWI convictions or revocations) |
1 year (if submitted to chemical testing and previous OWI convictions or revocations) to 2 years (if refuse chemical testing and previous OWI convictions or revocations) | 6 years |
| Ignition Interlock Device | If seeking a temporary restrictive license (TRL), IID must be installed for the period of time the TRL is issued |
1 year (reduced by any period of time that a TRL was held) | 1 year (reduced by any period of time that a TRL was held) |
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