Iowa OWI Felony vs. Misdemeanor Calculator 2026

State-specific OWI cost estimates for Iowa, including fines, attorney fees, SR-22 insurance, ignition interlock, and more.

Data verified May 2026

Iowa OWI Cost Calculator

Enter your case details for a state-specific cost estimate.

BAC Level0.10%
0.08%0.30%

An injury or a death can make a case a felony whatever your record. This calculator prices those cases as a felony; for a lesser injury, some states allow a misdemeanor charge. A refused test or drugs changes the grading in some states; this calculator applies it only where we have read the state's law.

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

Felony at offense number
3
Lookback period for prior offenses
12 years
Fine, third OWI
$3,125 to $9,375
High-BAC penalty tier
0.15% and above

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 (offense number: First offense; bac level at arrest: 0.10%; aggravating factors present: None):

CostTypical
Misdemeanor Defense Attorney Fees$3,250
Misdemeanor Fines and Court Costs$1,850
Estimated total (range $3,170 to $6,970)$5,100

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.

Start Here

Iowa OWI Total Cost Calculator →

Iowa OWI Overview

All Iowa OWI Calculators & Laws →

Related Calculators

Iowa Total Cost →Iowa Attorney Cost →Iowa Second OWI →

Related Guide

DUI and Your Job: Employment Impact Guide →