DUI Acronyms

If you’ve been arrested for drunk driving, you may have been surprised at the crime you were charged with. Commonly referred to as DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), driving drunk is known by a variety of names around the United States.

Here’s a look at what some of these terms are, what they stand for, and where they’re used.

  • DAI: Driving After Imbibing Alcohol
  • DUBAL: Driving with an Unlawful Blood Alcohol Level
  • DUI: Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
  • DUII: Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants
  • DUIL: Driving Under the Influence of Liquor
  • DWAI: Driving While Ability Impaired
  • DWI: Driving While Intoxicated or Driving While Impaired
  • DWUI: Driving While Under the Influence
  • OMVI: Operating a Motor Vehicle while under the Influence of alcohol
  • OUI: Operating Under the Influence
  • OUIL: Operating Under the Influence of Liquor
  • OVI: Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated
  • OWI: Operating While Intoxicated, Operating While Impaired
  • UBAC: Driving with an Unlawful Bodily Alcohol Content
  • UBAL: Driving with an Unlawful Blood Alcohol Level
The Law Office of William T. Bly
OUI - Operating Under the Influence.
This is Maine's legal definition for drunk driving. OUI includes automobiles, snowmobiles, watercraft and ATVs. OUI encompasses drug impaired driving as well as drunk driving.
DWI - Driving While Intoxicated.
This term is used in some jurisdictions to describe drunk driving, including New Hampshire.
DUI - Driving Under the Influence.
This is the most commonly used term in most jurisdictions throughout the U.S. to describe drunk driving.
OWI - Operating While Intoxicated.
This term is used by only a few jurisdictions to describe drunk driving.

For simplicity sake, DUI & OUI will be used interchangeably on this website.

This website is provided solely for informational purposes and is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship between you and The Law Office of William T. Bly. Any form of communication with us does not create or establish an attorney-client relationship. Out of state visitors should consult competent local counsel in their local jurisdictions as local laws and rules may vary from state to state.