Iowa OWI Cost Calculator (No DWAI Charge) 2026
Iowa has no lesser DWAI charge to compare against, so this is the full cost of a single OWI charge: fines, attorney fees, SR-22 insurance, ignition interlock where required, and lost wages.
Your Iowa OWI estimate will appear here
Answer the questions and press the button. You will get a low, typical and high figure, with each cost listed on its own line.
- Uses this state's own fines, suspension and interlock rules
- Market costs such as attorney fees are labelled as estimates
- Free, and nothing to sign up for
Iowa OWI FAQ
How much does an OWI cost in Iowa?
Attorney fees for a first-offense OWI in Iowa typically run $1,500 to $5,000 on our estimates, and the fine is $1,250 to $1,250 before court costs. Adding insurance, interlock, education, reinstatement and lost time from work, our calculator puts a typical first offense at about $15,619 (range $9,222 to $23,875) with its default answers; the median of our 50 state estimates is $17,615.
How long is your license suspended for a first OWI in Iowa?
A first-offense OWI conviction in Iowa carries a license suspension of 180 days. A hardship or restricted license may be available during this period.
Is an ignition interlock device required in Iowa for a first OWI?
Not for a first offense. In Iowa a first-offense interlock is optional: it is needed only for a temporary restricted license, unless the court orders one.
How long is SR-22 insurance required after an OWI in Iowa?
Iowa requires SR-22 high-risk insurance filing for 2 years following an OWI conviction.
Can an OWI be expunged in Iowa?
Iowa does not allow OWI convictions to be expunged. Some states have other ways to limit who can see a record, such as sealing, which this site does not cover yet.
Iowa OWI figures this calculator uses
- Lesser impaired-driving charge (DWAI)
- None in this state
- Fine, first OWI
- $1,250
Statutory figures were checked against Iowa law (primary source) and last verified May 2026. Typical ranges are market estimates, not law; see our methodology.
Worked example
With the calculator's default answers (bac level at arrest: 0.09%; approximate annual income: $25,000 - $50,000):
| Cost | Typical |
|---|---|
| OWI Conviction - Estimated Total Cost | $15,469 |
| Estimated total (range $10,828 to $23,204) | $15,469 |
Change the answers in the calculator above to see your own estimate.
On our estimates, a typical first-offense OWI in Iowa comes to about $15,619, the 33rd highest of the 50 states. The median of our 50 state estimates is $17,615. These come from the total-cost calculator with its default answers, not from a national survey.
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Iowa OWI Total Cost Calculator →Iowa OWI Overview
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