DWI Definition and Implications for 2024
The DWI meaning applies to drivers caught behind the wheel with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .08% (.05% in Utah). You will lose your driver's license and face various criminal charges depending on the laws in your state. Your auto insurance rates will go up with a DWI charge on your record.
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Dani Best
Licensed Insurance Producer
Dani Best has been a licensed insurance producer for nearly 10 years. Dani began her insurance career in a sales role with State Farm in 2014. During her time in sales, she graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Capella University and is currently earning her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since 2014, Dani has held and maintains licenses in Life, Disability, Property, and Casualt...
Licensed Insurance Producer
UPDATED: Sep 15, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Sep 15, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- DWI is an acronym that stands for “Driving While Intoxicated”
- The DWI meaning has two different definitions: administrative and criminal
- There is no difference in auto insurance when it comes to DWI vs. DUI — your rates will go up with either offense
DWI is an acronym that stands for “Driving While Intoxicated.” The DWI meaning is applied only to intoxication by alcohol, unlike a DUI, which applies to drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
What is a DWI charge? You will be charged with a DWI if you’re caught behind the wheel with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher. If you have a DWI on your driving record, you can expect your auto insurance rates to go up.
Insurance companies consider DWI charges high-risk and will often double your rates. You’ll likely be required to carry SR-22 auto insurance, and you may lose coverage with your current insurer if it doesn’t provide that type of policy.
Keep reading to learn more about the DWI meaning vs. DUI and where to find affordable high-risk auto insurance. We explain what happens when you get a DWI and the major differences between DWI vs. DUI in auto insurance and the law.
Ready to compare high-risk auto insurance companies for free? Enter your ZIP code above to start comparing auto insurance quotes today.
What does a DWI mean?
A DWI is a drunk driving offense that means “driving while intoxicated.” Facing DWI charges means your BAC was .08%, and you were legally drunk while driving.
What does DWI mean in law? In law, DWI has two meanings: administrative and criminal. DWI still means “driving while intoxicated,” but how this definition is handled is very different.
First, the administrative DWI meaning applies to your driver’s license. In this case, DWI means you will lose your license. For example, failing or refusing to take a breathalyzer or chemical sobriety test for DWI will automatically result in a loss of license.
Second, the criminal definition of DWI applies to the legal consequences of the charge. In this case, DWI could mean going to jail or paying a fine. Criminal definitions of DWI can vary by state, but you could be facing felony charges if you have more than one DWI.
What is the difference between DWI vs. DUI?
The difference between DWI and DUI rests mainly with the criminal definition. Drivers will lose their licenses with either a DUI or DWI charge but face different criminal repercussions depending on what substances are in their systems at the time of arrest.
In this case, the DWI meaning applies only to alcohol intoxication, while DUI refers to drug or alcohol intoxication or a combination of the two.
Depending on your state, you may face both DWI and criminal drug charges if charged with a DUI. However, some states use DUI and DWI interchangeably. So, if you’re facing charges for driving while intoxicated, get in touch with a lawyer who can help you better understand the auto insurance laws in your state and the legal options available to you.
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What does a DWI mean to auto insurance?
Once you’re charged with a DWI, you cannot reinstate your license or legally drive again until you file an SR-22 insurance form with your local DMV. The SR-22 proves that you carry the minimum levels of car insurance to drive after license revocation.
Filing SR-22 moves you into the high-risk category for auto insurance. High-risk drivers pay more than double the standard rates for car insurance, and DUI insurance rates are some of the most expensive.
This table shows how DWI auto insurance rates compare to other driving-related offenses:
Auto Insurance Average Rate Increase by Driving Violation
Driving Violation Monthly Rates Average Rate Increase Percentages
Clean Record $155 N/A
DUI/DWI
First Offense (3-5 Years)$168 8%
Cell Phone/Texting $176 13%
Speeding (Less Than 20 Mph Over) $176 13%
Speeding (More Than 20 Over) $176 13%
At-Fault Accident $197 27%
Reckless Driving $197 27%
Hit And Run $197 27%
DUI/DWI
(12-24 Months)$197 27%
DUI/DWI
Second Offense (3-5 Years)N/A N/A
Along with expensive rates, DWIs can stay on your record for five years or more. This means that auto insurance companies that look back farther than three years will continue to charge you for high-risk insurance.
Is cheap auto insurance with a DWI possible? Yes, but reinstating your license after a DWI is a long and expensive process. It will be a few years before you start to see your auto insurance rates drop. So, get quotes from at least three different high-risk insurers to make sure you don’t overpay for coverage.
What happens when you get a DWI?
If the police stop you for suspected drunk driving, the officer will ask you to take a breathalyzer or blood sobriety test.
It is your right to refuse a field sobriety test. However, you will automatically lose your license and be arrested. The police will then test your BAC at the police station to prove whether you were intoxicated, and you will be charged with a DWI offense.
What is a DWI offense?
Typically, first-time DWI offenses are considered misdemeanors. However, multiple DWI offenses or a DWI charge combined with reckless driving or vehicular manslaughter may be considered a felony.
The criminal charges you face for a DWI will vary by state and your criminal record. Take a look at the table below to see DWI laws and punishments by state:
Drunk Driving Laws and Penalties by State
State Jail Minimum Fines Minimum License Suspension Ignition Interlock Device Required
Alabama 48 hours $600-$2,100 90 days Yes
Alaska 3 days $1,500-$3,000 90 days Yes
Arizona 24 hours $250-$2,500 90 days Yes
Arkansas 24 hours to 1 year $150-$1,000 6 months Yes
California 4 days to 6 months $390-$1,000 6 months Yes, in some counties
Colorado 5 days to up to 1 year (DUI), or up to 180 days (DWAI) $600-$1,000 9 months Yes
Connecticut 2 days up to 6 months $500-$1,000 45 days Yes
Delaware Max. 6 months $500-$1,500 12 months Yes
District of Columbia Max 90 days $300-$1,000 6 months Yes
Florida 6 to 9 months $500-$2,000 6 months Yes
Georgia 24 hours to 1 year $300-$1,000 1 year Yes
Hawaii 48 hours $150-$1,000 1 year Yes
Idaho Up to 6 months $1,000-$2,000 90 days Yes
Illinois Up to 1 year $500-$2,500 1 year Yes
Indiana 60 days to 1 year $500-$5,000 90 days Yes
Iowa 48 hours $625-$1,250 180 days Yes, if BAC .15 or higher
Kansas 48 hours $750-$1,000 30 days Yes
Kentucky None $200-$500 30-120 days Yes
Louisiana 2 days to 6 months $300-$1,000 90 days Yes
Maine 48 hours to up to 30 days $500-$2,000 150 days Yes
Maryland Up to 1 year (DUI); up to 2 months (DWI) $1,000-$4,000 6 months Yes
Massachusetts Up to 30 months $500-$5,000 1 year Yes
Michigan Up to 93 days $100-$500 6 months Yes
Minnesota 48 hours up to 90 days $1,000-$3,000 90 days Yes
Mississippi Up to 48 hours $250-$1,000 90 days Yes
Missouri 48 hours up to 6 months $500-$5,000 30 days-1 year Yes
Montana 24 hours to 6 months $600-$1,000 6 months Yes
Nebraska 7 to 60 days $500-$1,000 6-18 months Yes
Nevada 2 days to 6 months $400-$1,000 90 days Yes
New Hampshire 7 days $500-$1,200 9 months Yes
New Jersey 12 hours up to 30 days $250-$500 3 months Yes
New Mexico Up to 90 days $300-$500 6 months Yes
New York None $500-$1,000 6 months Yes
North Carolina 24 hours $200-$10,000 1 year Yes
North Dakota 24 hours (for level 5 offender) (however, if 3 aggravated factors are present -- Level 1A -- minimum of 12 months) $500-$2,000 91 days Yes
Ohio 3 days to 6 months $375-$1,075 6 months Yes
Oklahoma 5 days to 1 year $100-$1,000 180 days Yes
Oregon 48 hours or 80 hours community services $1,000-$6,250 1 year Yes
Pennsylvania None $300-$5,000 1 year Yes, if refusal to take chemical test
Rhode Island Up to 1 year $100-$500 1-2 years Yes
South Carolina 48 hours to 90 days $400-$6,300 6 months Yes
South Dakota 2 days up to 1 year $1,000-$2,000 30 days Yes
Tennessee 48 hours up to 11 months $350-$1,500 1 year Yes
Texas 3 to 180 days $2,000-$10,000 90 days-2 years Yes
Utah 48 hours $700-$1,500 120 days Yes
Vermont Up to 2 years $750-$1,500 90 days Yes
Virginia 5 days $250-$2,500 1 year Yes, if BAC .15 or higher
Washington 24 hours to 1 year $550-$5,200 90 days Yes
West Virginia 1 day Up to 6 months $100-$500 15-45 days Yes
Wisconsin None $150-$300 6-9 months Yes
Wyoming Up to 6 months $750-$3,000 90 days Yes, if BAC .15 or higher
No matter where you live, DWI offenses almost always result in license revocation. However, jail time and fines vary widely.
What is a medical DWI charge?
Along with the DMV and the judicial system, the state medical board can also mete out punishments and restrictions on medical professionals facing DWI charges.
For example, state boards often require mandatory drug and alcohol treatment for doctors and nurses before returning to practice. If charges involve multiple DWIs, or if the DWI directly relates to their practice of medicine, they could lose their medical licenses.
However, these restrictions apply when a medical professional faces any criminal charge, not just DWI.
DWI Meaning: What You Need To Know
While the DWI definition varies slightly from state to state, the slang DWI meaning is simply “drunk driving.” In most states, DWI is an acronym that stands for “Driving While Intoxicated” and refers specifically to alcohol intoxication. If applicable, the law will differentiate DUI by defining it as drug and/or alcohol intoxication.
The DWI meaning and DUI definition are synonymous in terms of auto insurance — your auto insurance rates will go up either way. Insurance companies will consider you a high-risk driver and charge you accordingly.
However, how DWIs impact your rates is different for every auto insurance company. Before you buy auto insurance coverage, shop with insurers who cater to high-risk drivers to find the most affordable rates. Enter your ZIP code now to compare free quotes from affordable high-risk auto insurance companies near you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does DWI stand for?
DWI stands for Driving While Intoxicated. It refers to the act of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to a degree that impairs the driver’s ability to safely drive.
Is DWI the same as DUI?
While the specific terms and definitions may vary by jurisdiction, generally, DWI and DUI (Driving Under the Influence) are used interchangeably to describe impaired driving. However, some jurisdictions differentiate between the two based on the type of substance involved, with DWI typically associated with alcohol and DUI encompassing any impairing substance.
How is DWI determined?
Law enforcement officers use various methods to determine if a driver is intoxicated, such as observing the driver’s behavior, conducting field sobriety tests, and administering breath, blood, or urine tests to measure the alcohol or drug concentration in the driver’s system.
What are the legal consequences of a DWI conviction?
The legal consequences of a DWI conviction can vary depending on jurisdiction and prior offenses. Common penalties include fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education programs, probation, community service, and even imprisonment. Additionally, insurance rates may increase significantly, and certain professional licenses or job prospects could be affected.
Are there any other consequences besides the legal ones?
Yes, there can be other consequences of a DWI conviction. These may include increased insurance premiums, difficulty finding employment, negative impact on personal and professional relationships, loss of reputation, and the potential for a permanent criminal record.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Dani Best
Licensed Insurance Producer
Dani Best has been a licensed insurance producer for nearly 10 years. Dani began her insurance career in a sales role with State Farm in 2014. During her time in sales, she graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Capella University and is currently earning her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since 2014, Dani has held and maintains licenses in Life, Disability, Property, and Casualt...
Licensed Insurance Producer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.