OWI vs DUI: What’s the Difference?

Dave Moore - December 31, 2024

Driving while impaired is a crime, and it is one that can affect more than just you. Driving while impaired leads to slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and dangerous driving that can seriously injure or even kill you or someone else. States have different names for the charges related to impaired driving, including the terms OWI and DUI. 

Our article helps you understand any differences between these two terms and gives you more insight into the consequences of driving while impaired.

What Does OWI Mean?

OWI stands for either Operating While Intoxicated or Operating While Impaired. Certain states use this term to describe the act of operating any kind of motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In some states, this is the only terminology used to describe this crime and any related charges, and it can be more common than the term DUI.

What Does DUI Mean?

DUI means Driving while Under the Influence or simply Driving Under the Influence. It is the term that many states use to define operating any kind of motor vehicle while impaired, and it refers to both drug impairment and alcohol impairment. DUI tends to be the more common term for this crime overall, and it is the more popular term to see in media and news stories.

Are There Other Terms for Operating a Vehicle While Impaired?

As you can see above, there isn’t really a difference between OWI and DUI. Both of these terms refer to the crime of operating a vehicle while under the influence of a substance like drugs or alcohol. The only difference is in the exact term and which states primarily use OWI vs DUI in order to reference this crime.

Additionally, there are other terms for operating a vehicle while impaired, such as:

• Operating under the influence (OUI)
• Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
• Operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI)
• Driving while ability impaired (DWAI)
• Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant (OVUII)
• Operating a motor vehicle while impaired (OMVI)

If you are curious about the terminology for this crime in your state, you can further research state laws and criminal consequences for impaired driving.

What Are the Consequences for Impaired Driving?

Impaired driving has a number of different consequences, and these consequences can be life-altering if the charges are serious. Below, we list common consequences that can arise from impaired driving:

• You are arrested and face criminal charges
• If you injure someone, you could face civil lawsuits and charges related to someone else’s death
• You may end up in jail
• You can lose your driver’s license and driving privileges
• You can face hefty fines
• You may lose your job or your ability to obtain employment in certain professions
• You can face issues with your family and friends
• You may become permanently injured yourself and deal with life-changing injuries

If you have been arrested for impaired driving, it’s important to contact a criminal defense lawyer in your area who specializes in impaired driving defense right away. This allows you to understand your options and the charges you face.

Will I Go to Jail for Impaired Driving?

After you are arrested for impaired driving, a number of different things could happen. Below, we give a few common outcomes of impaired driving charges:

• You are detained by police and taken to jail
• You stay in jail until bail is paid and you are given a court date
• If bail is not an option, you stay in jail until you can see a judge
• Criminal proceedings begin, and you will need to obtain a lawyer or have a lawyer appointed to you
• Depending on state laws and the severity of the impaired driving charges, you may face jail time, large fines, and community service hours

It’s important to note that state laws differ, as do the severity of impaired driving charges. The consequences you face for an OWI or DUI depend on the exact circumstances of your arrest.

Will an OWI or DUI Charge Show Up On My Record?

Once you have an OWI or DUI charge and you have been criminally convicted in your state, this charge will show up on your record, including public criminal records and your background check report. Having this kind of charge on your record can cause issues with finding employment and other types of application processes, and you will need to speak to your lawyer about how these charges may affect you.

What Do I Do If I Have Received an OWI or DUI?

Receiving a DUI or an OWI can be life-changing, and you will likely have this charge on your record for a very long time. In some specific cases, you may be able to get your DUI or OWI charges expunged or sealed; you will need the guidance of a legal professional familiar with criminal record laws in your state to determine if you are eligible for this process.

Generally speaking, you may need to alter your career goals once you have an impaired driving charge on your record, as some professions do not hire individuals with this kind of charge. You might also need to explain the circumstances surrounding your charges to employers and professional education programs. 

However, this is very situation-dependent, and you should always check hiring and application policies to understand more about how to navigate life with an impaired driving charge.

How Can I View a DUI Charge On Someone’s Record?

If you are curious about whether or not someone close to you has received a DUI or an OWI charge, you can look up their background check report online. This is possible because most DUI and OWI charges are a matter of public record, and background check report tools utilize public records to tell you all of the information you might need to know about someone. 

In order to look at someone’s record, you should type their name into a people lookup tool. Once you run the search, you can look at the person’s details, including their driving record and potential criminal charges. 

It’s important to note that if you are screening someone for a job, you cannot use online background check tools. In these cases, you will need to obtain the person’s consent and use an official background check service to ensure all state laws and regulations are followed.

Keeping Your Driving Record Clean

Charges for driving while impaired can be serious, and there aren’t too many differences between an OWI and a DUI charge – these are simply two different names for the same criminal action. Depending on your state, you may be charged with an OWI or a DUI if you are caught driving while impaired.

If you have concerns about this kind of charge showing up on your record, don’t hesitate to research your own background check report and contact a lawyer specializing in DUI or OWI charges to learn more about your options.