Is an OWI a felony in Iowa?
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The third offense — a class D felony with a thirty-day floor. Iowa turns OWI into a felony at the third offense, and the shape of the sentence changes with it: commitment to the custody of the director of the department of corrections for an indeterminate term not exceeding five years, with thirty days that cannot be suspended away. If the court does suspend the commitment, the statute still requires between thirty days and a year in the county jail, with treatment in the community as an option alongside it. The fine runs from $3,125 to $9,375, and the licence is revoked for six years — the longest consequence in the list, and the one that outlasts the sentence.
Written any number of ways — a 3rd OWI, an OWI 3rd, a felony OWI, or simply an OWI in IA — and the paperwork will use none of them. Iowa charges it under a section number, and that is what decides the range below.
Grade. Class D felony
Confinement. Indeterminate, up to five years, with a mandatory minimum of thirty days
Fine. $3,125 to $9,375
Iowa Code § 321J.2 · Iowa Code § 321J.2(2)(c), (5)(a)–(c) · checked 2026-09-06
The device is a separate track
Iowa revokes your driving privileges after an OWI whether or not the court convicts you. The way back is a temporary restricted license, and on a first offense you need a device on every vehicle you drive to get one. A medical waiver exists for offenses from 1 January 2025, verified by a doctor.
In Iowa the interlock term runs Length of restriction and is administered by Iowa DOT, Motor Vehicle Division — which is why a plea that settles the criminal case does not settle the device. What counts as a violation on it, and what an agency adds to the term, is its own arithmetic: violations and lockouts. Getting it off at the end is a procedure of its own too — removal and waivers.
Source: Iowa DOT, Motor Vehicle Division
Iowa OWI questions
Is an OWI a felony in Iowa?
The third offense — a class D felony with a thirty-day floor. Iowa turns OWI into a felony at the third offense, and the shape of the sentence changes with it: commitment to the custody of the director of the department of corrections for an indeterminate term not exceeding five years, with thirty days that cannot be suspended away. If the court does suspend the commitment, the statute still requires between thirty days and a year in the county jail, with treatment in the community as an option alongside it. The fine runs from $3,125 to $9,375, and the licence is revoked for six years — the longest consequence in the list, and the one that outlasts the sentence.
What does a 3rd OWI in Iowa carry?
Class D felony: indeterminate, up to five years, with a mandatory minimum of thirty days, and a fine of $3,125 to $9,375. The range is set by Iowa Code § 321J.2(2)(c), (5)(a)–(c), and the figures on this page come from the statute rather than from a summary of it.
Does an interlock come with it in Iowa?
Iowa revokes your driving privileges after an OWI whether or not the court convicts you. The way back is a temporary restricted license, and on a first offense you need a device on every vehicle you drive to get one. A medical waiver exists for offenses from 1 January 2025, verified by a doctor. The device requirement and the criminal penalty are separate tracks: one is handled by the court, the other by Iowa DOT, Motor Vehicle Division.
Other steps in Iowa: first offense penalties and second offense penalties.
All Iowa OWI rules →Penalties across the states →Iowa DUI lawyers →Getting the license back →
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