Your charge
DUI vs DWI, OVI and OWI: what your charge means tonight
Your citation says DUI, DWI, OVI, OWI or DWAI, and you are not sure what it means. In most states it is one charge, but your license hearing deadline is counted in days.
A professional answers 24/7, reviews your charge free, and connects you with a lawyer for your state.
What each means
- DUI: driving under the influence.
- DWI: driving while intoxicated.
- OVI: operating a vehicle impaired.
- OWI: operating while intoxicated.
- OUI: operating under the influence.
- DWAI: driving while ability impaired, a lower level in two states.
MADD lists which states use each name (MADD).
By state
| State | Name used |
|---|---|
| Alabama | DUI |
| Alaska | DUI |
| Arizona | DUI |
| Arkansas | DWI |
| California | DUI |
| Colorado | DUI |
| Connecticut | DUI |
| Delaware | DUI |
| Florida | DUI |
| Georgia | DUI |
| Hawaii | OVUII |
| Idaho | DUI |
| Illinois | DUI |
| Indiana | OWI |
| Iowa | OWI |
| Kansas | DUI |
| Kentucky | DUI |
| Louisiana | DWI |
| Maine | OUI |
| Maryland | DUI |
| Massachusetts | OUI |
| Michigan | OWI |
| Minnesota | DWI |
| Mississippi | DUI |
| Missouri | DWI |
| Montana | DUI |
| Nebraska | DUI |
| Nevada | DUI |
| New Hampshire | DWI |
| New Jersey | DUI |
| New Mexico | DWI |
| New York | DWI |
| North Carolina | DWI |
| North Dakota | DUI |
| Ohio | OVI |
| Oklahoma | DUI |
| Oregon | DUII |
| Pennsylvania | DUI |
| Rhode Island | DUI |
| South Carolina | DUI |
| South Dakota | DUI |
| Tennessee | DUI |
| Texas | DWI |
| Utah | DUI |
| Vermont | DUI |
| Virginia | DUI |
| Washington | DUI |
| West Virginia | DUI |
| Wisconsin | OWI |
| Wyoming | DWUI |
The levels
New York has three alcohol levels. DWAI/Alcohol is above .05 and below .07; DWI is .08 or more; Aggravated DWI is .18 or more (New York DMV). Colorado has two: DUI and the lower DWAI (Colorado Legislative Council).
Pennsylvania uses one name with three BAC tiers: General Impairment, High BAC and Highest BAC. See the Pennsylvania page.
Which one you were charged with
Look at the citation or the charging paper. It names the statute section, such as Ohio Revised Code 4511.19 or New York's DWI law. The after-arrest guide reads your paperwork with you.
Questions people ask
Is a DWI worse than a DUI?
In most states they are the same charge with a different name. In New York, DWI is the main charge and DWAI is the lesser one. In Colorado, DUI is the main charge and DWAI is lower.
What does OVI stand for?
Operating a vehicle impaired. It is the name Ohio uses for drunk or drugged driving.
What does OWI mean?
Operating while intoxicated. Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa use it. It can apply even when the car is not moving.
What is a DWAI?
Driving while ability impaired. In New York, DWAI by alcohol means a BAC above .05 but below .07. In Colorado, a first DWAI carries 2 to 180 days in jail and a $200 to $500 fine.
Read next: DUI penalties by state · Your first DUI · BAC calculator
What to do now
You were charged with DUI, DWI, OVI, OWI or DWAI, and the name alone may not tell you the level. Your license case moves before court, and missing the hearing request deadline can lead to a suspension. Call free now, and a DUI defense lawyer can file the license hearing request in time and ask for the police records.
Explain my charge (877) 317-9931
A professional answers 24/7, reviews your charge free, and connects you with a lawyer for your state.
Send your case details
Send your state, the charge name and the statute section printed on your citation, such as Ohio Revised Code 4511.19. With those details ready, the lawyer can start on your case the moment you speak.