Underage Drinking, Refusal and Open Containers

Key points

1. The laws for driving under the influence are stricter for drivers under the legal drinking age.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “The laws for driving under the influence are stricter if you’re under the legal drinking age.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 37

2. At a BAC of .02 or more, underage drivers lose privileges for at least 60 days, or at least 180 days at .08 or more.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “with a BAC of .02 or more. An underage driver will have their driving privileges revoked for a minimum of 60 days and for a minimum of 180 days if the BAC is .08 or more.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 37

3. Offenders under 18 cannot get a temporary restricted license during an OWI revocation.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “Offenders under age 18 are not eligible for a temporary restricted license while their license is revoked for OWI.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 37

4. A court may also order a substance use class or an ignition interlock for a refusal.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “If you are found guilty of refusing a test, the court may also order a mandatory substance use disorder class and evaluation or an ignition interlock device to be installed in your vehicle at your expense.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 37

5. Transporting any open, unsealed alcohol container in a vehicle is illegal.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “It is illegal to transport any open, unsealed container of alcohol by any person or passenger in a motor vehicle.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 37

6. Open containers may be carried in the trunk.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “Open containers of alcoholic beverages may be transported in the trunk of a vehicle.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 37

7. An open container violation is a simple misdemeanor for each driver and passenger.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “punishable as a simple misdemeanor with up to a $200 fine for each driver and passenger in the vehicle.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 37

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Iowa practice test

1. 1. For an underage Iowa driver with a BAC from .02 through .079, what minimum revocation applies?

   1. 60 days
   2. 30 days
   3. 90 days
   4. 180 days
   Show answer

   60 days. An underage driver with a BAC at .02 or above but below .08 faces a minimum 60-day revocation under the manual. The 180-day figure applies when the underage BAC reaches .08 or more, so it should not be substituted for the lower range. Thirty and 90 days are not the stated minimums. Read the range carefully, including its upper boundary: .079 remains below .08. A good memory cue is lower underage range, 60 days; higher range beginning at .08, 180 days.

2. 2. When an underage Iowa driver's BAC is .08 or more, what is the minimum license revocation period?

   1. 30 days
   2. 60 days
   3. 120 days
   4. 180 days
   Show answer

   180 days. The underage revocation minimum rises to 180 days when the BAC is .08 or more. That is distinct from the minimum 60 days applied to the .02 through .079 range. The 30, 60, and 120-day options either use the lower range or invent a period not provided by the manual. Pay attention to the phrase .08 or more, because the boundary moves the driver into the longer consequence. The practical cue is to remember the paired figures as 60 for the lower underage range and 180 at .08 or above.

3. 3. What happens to an Iowa driver's license when the driver refuses a breathalyzer test?

   1. A warning for a first refusal
   2. Nothing, refusal is a right
   3. A 30 day suspension
   4. An automatic one year revocation, a consequence more severe than failing the test
   Show answer

   An automatic one year revocation, a consequence more severe than failing the test. Refusing a breathalyzer test does not avoid an OWI, and the refusal itself still results in revocation because Iowa's implied consent law treats driving as agreement to be tested. The manual says the consequences for refusing are more severe than failing the test, with an automatic one year revocation of your license and a minimum $1,250 fine. The court may also order a substance use class and evaluation or an ignition interlock device. A 30 day suspension and a warning are not the penalties listed.

Source: the Iowa Driver's Manual, Chapter 3: Alcohol and Drugs. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.