Understanding the Basics: What is the Difference Between a DWI and DUI?
DWI stands for “Driving While Impaired” and DUI stands for “Driving Under the Influence.” While these have slightly different wording, for legal purposes in Minnesota, there actually is not a difference between these two acronyms. The words are used interchangeably and stem from the wording the DWI statute used historically (driving under the influence vs. driving while impaired) but both mean the same thing. However, what is important is that there can be two different counts when a driver is charged with DUI / DWI (though these charges “merge” together if a person is convicted of one).