What does DWI stand for? DWI most often stands for driving while intoxicated, and in some states driving while impaired. It is the name of a criminal traffic offense: operating a vehicle when alcohol, drugs or both have affected your ability to drive safely, or when your blood alcohol level is at or above the legal limit.
You see the letters in news reports, court records, police logs and driver's license paperwork. Whether a state calls the offense DWI, DUI or something else depends on its own laws, so the label tells you more about the state than about the act itself.
Quick facts
Stands for
Driving while intoxicated (sometimes driving while impaired)Type
Initialism, said D W IUsed in
Court records, news, insurance and license formsCommon limit
0.08 percent blood alcohol for most adult driversClose relatives
DUI, OWI, DWAIPlural
DWIs
What does DWI stand for in different states?
The I in DWI changes with the state. Many states use intoxicated, while some use impaired. The idea is the same: a driver whose judgment, reaction time or control has been reduced by a substance.
| Short form | Full form | Note |
|---|---|---|
| DWI | Driving while intoxicated or impaired | Used in states such as Texas and New York |
| DUI | Driving under the influence | The most common label nationwide |
| OWI | Operating while intoxicated | Covers operating, not only driving |
| DWAI | Driving while ability impaired | A lesser charge in New York |
A few states use two labels for different levels of offense. In Texas, for example, DWI is the main adult charge, while DUI is used for drivers under 21 with any detectable alcohol.
What a DWI means in practice
A DWI is usually a criminal charge, not a simple ticket. Depending on the state and the facts, it can lead to fines, a license suspension, required classes, an ignition interlock device that tests your breath before the car starts, higher insurance costs and, in serious or repeat cases, jail time.
Blood alcohol limits behind the letters
Police often measure BAC, or blood alcohol concentration, with a breath or blood test. The general limits look like this:
- Most adult drivers: 0.08 percent in nearly every state. Utah uses a lower limit of 0.05.
- Commercial drivers: 0.04 percent while driving a commercial vehicle, an important rule for anyone with a CDL.
- Drivers under 21: zero tolerance or very low limits in every state.
Even under these numbers, officers may arrest someone if officers believe their driving is impaired, including by medicine or other drugs.
Where you will see DWI written
- News stories: "Driver charged with DWI after crash on the interstate."
- Court calendars: a docket may list "DWI, first offense."
- Job applications: some ask whether you have a DWI or DUI on your record.
- License and insurance paperwork: a DMV notice may mention a DWI suspension.
Police blotter: "Saturday, 1:40 a.m. Traffic stop on Main Street. Driver, 34, arrested for DWI." This means officers believed the driver was intoxicated or impaired and made an arrest. It does not mean a court has found the person guilty.
How to say and write DWI
Say the letters: "dee double you eye." On paper it is three capitals with no dots, and "a DWI charge" takes the article a. The plural is DWIs, with no apostrophe. As a verb, people say "he got a DWI" or "she was charged with DWI," not "she was DWIed."
Quick tips for reading the term
- Check the state. DWI, DUI and OWI may mean nearly the same thing or different levels of offense.
- An arrest or charge is not a conviction.
- Medicine and other drugs can count, not just alcohol.
- Look for other letters nearby, such as BAC and CDL, to understand the details.
For other letters that show up in news and daily life, browse our famous acronyms list.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a DWI and a DUI?
It depends on the state. In many states they are two names for the same offense. In others, such as Texas, they are separate charges with different rules.
Is a DWI a felony?
A first DWI is usually a misdemeanor, but repeat offenses or crashes that cause serious injury can be felonies. The rules vary by state, so check with a local attorney.
Can you get a DWI without alcohol?
Yes. Driving while impaired by drugs, including some legal medicines, can lead to a DWI charge in states that use the term.
What does DWI mean on a background check?
It shows a record of an impaired driving charge or conviction under a state that uses the DWI label. The entry should say whether the case ended in a conviction.
How do you pronounce DWI?
Say each letter: "D W I." Nobody pronounces it as one word.