I'm a new resident in Iowa: what do I do with my license?
Moved to Iowa? This page puts in one place what to do and when, and which road rules to check. It is based on the website of the Iowa Department of Transportation and on its driver manual. This site is independent and is not the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV
Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-14. Requirements can change: always confirm with Iowa Department of Transportation before you go.
Compare with the state you moved from
Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Iowa. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.
Key rules in Iowa
Each rule comes from the Iowa driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.
Licensing and paperwork
Tests when you transfer a license
Vision screening required; with a valid out-of-state license you may not need the knowledge or driving test.
What the manual says
Vision screening and tests
When you apply for a license you must complete a vision screening. To get a Class C license you must pass it. You also take the knowledge test and a driving test if you have an invalid or expired (over one year) out-of-state license, or have not had a driver’s license before.
If you have a license from another state
To get an Iowa driver’s license you present acceptable proof of identity, residence and Social Security number, and your driving privilege cannot be canceled, suspended or revoked in any state. With a valid driver’s license from one of the 50 states (including D.C.), a U.S. territory or Canada, you may not need to take the knowledge test or the driving test. Presenting a license from your previous state of residence may help you avoid the tests if you are applying for the same type of license. You must surrender your other license or ID card when you get an Iowa one, and you must provide all the documents even if your out-of-state card already has the gold star.
When an adult takes a drive test
Drivers 18 or older take a drive test if they have never been licensed in any U.S. state or territory, if they were licensed in another state but the license has been expired or invalid for one year or longer, or if they were licensed in Iowa but the license has been expired or invalid for one year or longer. A drive test also applies for a medical condition that may affect safe driving (not the need for contacts or glasses), for specific Iowa license restrictions that require a driving test to be removed, for a court order, or after contributing to a certain type of crash indicating the need for re-examination. A drive test is not required for renewals or for anyone over age 18 surrendering a valid driver’s license from another state; however, the Iowa DOT may require a drive test at any time.
Liability insurance
A liability policy must cover you as operator; carry an insurance card as proof. Minimum not stated.
What the manual says
Your vehicle
If you operate a motor vehicle in Iowa, owned or not owned, a motor vehicle liability policy must be in place to cover you as the operator. Contact your county treasurer’s office to transfer your vehicle registration and plates to Iowa. Vehicle registrations, license plates and titling are processed at a county treasurer’s office.
- Drivers of vehicles in Iowa must carry current proof of registration and an insurance card.
- The insurance card is carried to verify proof of liability insurance.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 5
Change of address
Tell the DOT within 30 days whenever your mailing address changes.
What the manual says
Changing your address
After moving within Iowa, you can get a replacement license or non-operator ID with your new residential address at any DMV location. You cannot order it online at this time. You do not have to bring documents for a new address, but the DOT electronically verifies the address you provide. Iowa law requires you to tell the DOT whenever your mailing address changes, within 30 days. You can change your mailing address online, or by mail with the Change of Address Notice. A mailing-address change does not change the address printed on the card and does not result in a new card.
Source: [9]
How long the license lasts
Eight years if older than 17 years 11 months, through age 72; two years if younger; shorter after 72.
What the manual says
How long a license lasts
The DOT’s expiration chart for a driver’s license lists two years for a license issued to someone younger than 17 years and 11 months, and eight years for someone older than 17 years and 11 months through age 72. Expiration dates begin to taper down at age 72, and a license expires no later than the holder’s 80th birthday. Licenses issued to people under 18, over 72 or to temporary foreign nationals have shorter renewal periods set by Iowa law. A non-operator ID card is issued with an expiration date of eight years. The DOT’s renewal page has the full table.
How long a license lasts
The DOT’s expiration chart for a driver’s license lists two years for a license issued to someone younger than 17 years and 11 months, and eight years for someone older than 17 years and 11 months through age 72. Expiration dates begin to taper down at age 72, and a license expires no later than the holder’s 80th birthday. Licenses issued to people under 18, over 72 or to temporary foreign nationals have shorter renewal periods set by Iowa law. A non-operator ID card is issued with an expiration date of eight years. The DOT’s renewal page has the full table.
Source: [10]
Road rules
Teen driving hours
Intermediate license: no unsupervised driving 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.; a parent waiver form allows school or work driving.
What the manual says
Intermediate license rules
An intermediate license holder may drive without adult supervision between 5 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. You may drive at any time with adult supervision, from a parent, guardian, custodian, an immediate family member at least 21, a driver education instructor, or a person at least 25 with written permission, who must hold a valid license. Each conviction, crash or violated restriction delays the upgrade to the next phase of license by 12 months. You may not:
- drive without adult supervision between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. (a parent, guardian or custodian can complete the Waiver of Intermediate Driver’s License Hour Restriction form, form 431170, for school or work purposes, and the form must be carried in the vehicle when driving after hours);
- carry more passengers than the number of seat belts in the vehicle.
Intermediate license rules
An intermediate license holder may drive without adult supervision between 5 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. You may drive at any time with adult supervision, from a parent, guardian, custodian, an immediate family member at least 21, a driver education instructor, or a person at least 25 with written permission, who must hold a valid license. Each conviction, crash or violated restriction delays the upgrade to the next phase of license by 12 months. You may not:
- drive without adult supervision between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. (a parent, guardian or custodian can complete the Waiver of Intermediate Driver’s License Hour Restriction form, form 431170, for school or work purposes, and the form must be carried in the vehicle when driving after hours);
- carry more passengers than the number of seat belts in the vehicle.
Source: [11]
Passengers for teen drivers
Intermediate license, first six months unsupervised: at most one unrelated minor unless parent waived; never more passengers than seat belts.
What the manual says
Passenger restriction on the intermediate license
Iowa law restricts the number of passengers a teen driver can carry with an intermediate license unless the parent waives the restriction when the license is issued. If the restriction is accepted, you cannot drive with more than one unrelated minor (under 18) when driving without adult supervision during the first six months of the license. It does not apply to brothers and sisters, step brothers and sisters, and unrelated minor children who live in the same household. The driver’s license clerk asks whether the restriction is accepted or waived when the license is issued. The parent can waive it only at that time, and there is no legal penalty for waiving it. If it is issued with the restriction, you must obey it until the end of the six-month period. The restriction is added to the back of the license, and violating it can bring a citation, additional restrictions or a suspension, and the twelve-month violation-free period restarts.
Passenger restriction on the intermediate license
Iowa law restricts the number of passengers a teen driver can carry with an intermediate license unless the parent waives the restriction when the license is issued. If the restriction is accepted, you cannot drive with more than one unrelated minor (under 18) when driving without adult supervision during the first six months of the license. It does not apply to brothers and sisters, step brothers and sisters, and unrelated minor children who live in the same household. The driver’s license clerk asks whether the restriction is accepted or waived when the license is issued. The parent can waive it only at that time, and there is no legal penalty for waiving it. If it is issued with the restriction, you must obey it until the end of the six-month period. The restriction is added to the back of the license, and violating it can bring a citation, additional restrictions or a suspension, and the twelve-month violation-free period restarts.
Intermediate license rules
An intermediate license holder may drive without adult supervision between 5 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. You may drive at any time with adult supervision, from a parent, guardian, custodian, an immediate family member at least 21, a driver education instructor, or a person at least 25 with written permission, who must hold a valid license. Each conviction, crash or violated restriction delays the upgrade to the next phase of license by 12 months. You may not:
- drive without adult supervision between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. (a parent, guardian or custodian can complete the Waiver of Intermediate Driver’s License Hour Restriction form, form 431170, for school or work purposes, and the form must be carried in the vehicle when driving after hours);
- carry more passengers than the number of seat belts in the vehicle.
Alcohol limit under 21
Under the legal drinking age, BAC .02 or more is intoxicated; license revoked at least 60 days.
What the manual says
- The laws are stricter for drivers under the legal drinking age: an underage driver is considered intoxicated with a BAC of .02 or more.
- An underage driver’s driving privileges are revoked for a minimum of 60 days, and for a minimum of 180 days if the BAC is .08 or more.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
Refusing a chemical test
Refusing a breathalyzer test brings automatic one-year license revocation, and you can still be convicted of OWI.
What the manual says
- Refusing a breathalyzer test does not guarantee that you won’t be convicted of an OWI, and test refusal will still result in the revocation of your license.
- The consequences for refusing a breathalyzer test are more severe than failing a test, with an automatic one year revocation of your license.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 37
Seat belts
Adults 18+ buckle in front seats; backseat passengers under 18 too. Not wearing one is a primary offense.
What the manual says
- Adults 18 and older must wear a seat belt while riding in the front seats of a vehicle.
- Iowa’s seat belt law applies to passengers in the backseats who are under age 18.
- A primary offense means you can be stopped for the sole purpose of non-compliance with the seat belt law.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 35, 34
Child safety seats
Under 1 and under 20 lb: rear-facing seat. Under 6: restraint. Ages 6 to 17: restraint or belt.
What the manual says
- A child under one year old and weighing less than 20 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system.
- A child under six must be in a child restraint system (a safety seat or booster seat), not a seat belt.
- A child from six up to 18 must be secured in a child restraint system or by a seat belt, in the front and back seats.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 35
Phone use while driving
Messages on a hand-held phone: stop off the roadway first. Drivers 18+: calls only hands-free.
What the manual says
- Before writing or reading a message on a hand-held device, the vehicle must be brought to a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway.
- Under the hands-free law you can’t call or dial unless using hands-free or voice activation.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 36
School buses
Stop for a stopped school bus with stop arm out; on roads of 4+ lanes, opposite-direction traffic need not stop.
What the manual says
- On roads with three lanes or fewer, all vehicles must stop for a stopped school bus.
- When approaching from the rear on a road with four or more lanes, the rules are the same as for a two- or three-lane road.
- When meeting the bus in one of the opposite two (or more) lanes, you do not need to stop; this is the only time you may pass a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 20
Move Over law
Change lanes when approaching certain stopped vehicles with flashing lights; if you can't, slow down and be ready to stop.
What the manual says
- The law requires motorists to change lanes when approaching the listed stopped vehicles with flashing lights.
- If you cannot change lanes, you must slow down and be prepared to stop.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 22
Headlights
Both headlights from sunset to sunrise, or whenever visibility is 500 feet or less (fog, heavy rain, snow).
What the manual says
- Iowa law requires both headlights from sunset to sunrise or whenever visibility is 500 feet or less, such as in fog, heavy rain, or snow.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 49
Right turn on red
Allowed after a complete stop, yielding to all traffic, unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.
What the manual says
- You may make a right turn at a red light unless there is a “NO TURN ON RED” sign.
- Prior to safely turning, you must come to a complete stop and yield to all other traffic.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 43
Speed limits
Unposted limits: 20 mph business district, 25 residential or school district, 70 rural interstate.
What the manual says
- Where no limit is posted, the general limit is 20 mph in any business district.
- Where no limit is posted, the general limit is 25 mph in a residential district or school district.
- Where no limit is posted, the general limit on rural interstate highways is 70 mph.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 42
Left lane and keeping right
On roads with two or more lanes in one direction, the left lane is generally used for passing.
What the manual says
- On a road with two or more lanes in the same direction, the left lane is generally used for passing.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 16
Official steps for moving to Iowa
Visiting Iowa
A person visiting Iowa or studying there may drive with a current license from their home state or country, without an Iowa license. A student with a permanent residence and a valid driver’s license in another state or country may drive in Iowa without an Iowa license, but must carry that license and may need it translated into English.
When you are an Iowa resident
The manual says that, for driver’s licensing, you are an Iowa resident if you have done at least one of these:
- registered to vote in Iowa;
- enrolled your child in an Iowa public school;
- accepted a permanent job in Iowa;
- lived in Iowa continuously for 30 days;
- filed for a homestead or military tax exemption on Iowa property;
- receive public assistance from Iowa.
Source: [1]
If you have a license from another state
To get an Iowa driver’s license you present acceptable proof of identity, residence and Social Security number, and your driving privilege cannot be canceled, suspended or revoked in any state. With a valid driver’s license from one of the 50 states (including D.C.), a U.S. territory or Canada, you may not need to take the knowledge test or the driving test. Presenting a license from your previous state of residence may help you avoid the tests if you are applying for the same type of license. You must surrender your other license or ID card when you get an Iowa one, and you must provide all the documents even if your out-of-state card already has the gold star.
If your other license is expired or invalid
If your out-of-state license has been expired or invalid for more than one year, you take the knowledge test and a driving test.
If you have a license from another country
Iowa has driver’s license reciprocity agreements with France, Germany, South Korea and the Republic of China (Taiwan). Holders of a valid unexpired license from those countries may not need the knowledge or driving test. For these countries, contact or make an appointment at a DMV location for more information. For immigrant and refugee applicants, see “Documents to bring”.
Source: [5]
If you are a minor moving to Iowa
A minor moving to Iowa can get an Iowa intermediate license from age 16 and an Iowa full license from age 17. For the intermediate license, the minor must have held an instruction permit or comparable intermediate license in the previous state for 12 consecutive months immediately before applying. For the full license, the minor must have held a full privilege license or comparable intermediate license in the previous state for 12 consecutive months immediately before applying. Written approval of a parent or guardian is required. The DOT’s Minor Moving to Iowa page lists the other requirements, so check it before you go.
Source: [13]
Your vehicle
If you operate a motor vehicle in Iowa, owned or not owned, a motor vehicle liability policy must be in place to cover you as the operator. Contact your county treasurer’s office to transfer your vehicle registration and plates to Iowa. Vehicle registrations, license plates and titling are processed at a county treasurer’s office.
Ready for the knowledge test?
Practice free with questions from the Iowa driver's manual.
Sources
- Iowa Driver’s License Manual, English (M1170, 07/23/2026) (iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation
- Driver’s License Types, Restrictions, & Endorsements (iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation
- Get a REAL ID (iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation
- Real ID FAQs (iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation
- New to Iowa (How to Get an Iowa Driver’s License or ID) (iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation
- What documents do I need? - DOT checklist tool, step 6 of 7 (current license or ID) (ia.iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation
- Prepare for Your Driving Test (iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation
- Find a DMV Location (iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation
- Change or Update Driver’s License or ID (iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation
- Renew Driver’s License (iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation
- Intermediate License (iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation
- Passenger Restriction for an Intermediate License (iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation
- Minor Moving to Iowa from Another State (iowadot.gov) — Iowa Department of Transportation