How long does a person lose their license when arrested for OWI?  Being charged with OWI is a very serious crime in Iowa.  If convicted, you will lose many rights, privileges, liberties and a considerable sum of money.  This means jail time, several thousand dollars, the inability to drive for a considerable period of time which will potentially cost you your job, and additional freedoms while on probation such as the ability to enter a restaurant for at least one year, or to have to get permission from your probation officer to leave your county of residence on each occasion.  You will also lose your hunting privileges, among other things.  Often times, losing your driver’s license is the most serious of these consequences.  The length of any drivers’ license suspension and eligibility for a work permit should be examined by an attorney.  Factors such as whether a breath test was performed, the level of blood alcohol concentration, whether there was an accident, the existence of any prior convictions, and the sentence given by a judge will all influence the length of suspension.  The sentencing judge also has some discretion on the amount of the fine and the jail sentence imposed.