Iowa Driving Law



Iowa driving law stipulates that a driver license can be taken away for violation of various Iowa traffic laws. This page contains information on how to protect your driving privileges in the state of Iowa.

Protecting Your Driving Privileges

Driving on Iowa's streets and roads is a privilege that can be taken away if you abuse it by violation Iowa traffic laws. You can protect your driving record by operating your motor vehicle in accordance with Iowa driving law and the rules of the road.

Your driver license and your driving record are tracked by the Office of Driver Services in Des Moines. All traffic violations and traffic accidents are shown on your driving record.

Making sure that only safe, responsible persons are driving on Iowa's roads is a function of the Office of Driver Services. Your driving privileges may be limited or taken away if you have too many accidents or traffic violations.

Cancellation of Your License

Any existing license that should not have been issued in the first place will be canceled.

If you are convicted of a moving traffic violation, your moped permit (if previously issued) will be canceled. You may be able to get your permit back by passing a knowledge test 30 or more days after the cancellation.

Suspension of Your License

In accordance with Iowa driving law, your license can be suspended for several reasons. Some of these reasons are:

  • habitual recklessness or negligence - having a combination of three or more moving violations and accidents, or contributing to three or more accidents in a 12-month period;
  • habitual violator - three or more convictions for moving traffic violations within any 12-month period, or contributing to three or more accidents in a 12- month period;
  • failure to pass an examination, or a mental or physical condition making you unable to drive safely;
  • violation of license restriction;
  • being a juvenile who a court has ruled delinquent for violating drug or alcohol laws;
  • failure to pay a fine, penalty, surcharge or court costs resulting from a traffic ticket;
  • conviction for excessive speeding, traffic violation(s) contributing to a fatality, or an arresting officer or court stating an unusually serious violation occurred;
  • failure to attend an approved school if you are under age 18; or
  • falsifying information on an application.

You may request a hearing in any of the above cases to talk about your suspension. A suspension without the opportunity for a hearing may apply for failing to pay child support or to satisfy debts owed to the state.

Minor’s Restricted License and Minor’s School License

The Department of Transportation can suspend your minor’s restricted license or minor’s school license for conviction of just one violation of Iowa driving law. Two or more convictions for violations of Iowa traffic laws will result in your license being revoked for at least one year.

Important: Under Iowa driving law a suspension or revocation of a minor’s restricted license or a minor’s school license also suspends or revokes your instruction permit and/or other driving privileges you hold.

Mandatory Revocation of Your License

In accordance with Iowa driving law, it is mandatory for your license to be taken away for any of the following violations of Iowa traffic laws:

  • manslaughter resulting from driving a motor vehicle;
  • using a motor vehicle when committing a felony;
  • failure to stop and give aid at the scene of a personal injury or fatal accident in which you were involved;
  • lying about the registration or operation of a motor vehicle;
  • eluding or trying to elude a marked law enforcement vehicle driven by a uniformed peace officer after being signaled with lights or a siren to stop, and while doing that, going over the speed limit by 25 mph or more;
  • driving a motor vehicle under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or other drug or a combination of such substances;
  • refusing to take a chemical test when requested by a peace officer;
  • having an alcohol concentration of .08 or more (.02 or more if under age 21) in a chemical test;
  • a second conviction for reckless driving;
  • drag racing;
  • conviction of an Iowa resident in a court in Iowa, or in another state or federal court, of certain drug-related offenses; or
  • conviction, or juvenile court action, for drug/drug-related violations.


Vehicle Operating Privileges Barred (Habitual Offender)

Under Iowa driving law, if you are convicted of three or more certain violations of Iowa traffic laws in a six-year period you may be ruled a habitual offender. Your vehicle operating privileges may be barred in accordance with the following traffic point system:

Conviction - Points

  • Perjury or making a false statement under oath to the Department of Public Safety - 2
  • Driving while under suspension, revocation, or denial - 2
  • Driving while under an alcohol or drug-related revocation - 3
  • Driving while barred - 4
  • Driving while under the influence of alcohol or a drug or having an alcohol concentration of .08 or more - 4
  • An offense punishable as a felony under motor vehicle laws or any felony in which a motor vehicle was used - 5
  • Failure to stop and leave information or render aid at an accident site - 5
  • Eluding or attempting to elude law enforcement - 5
  • Serious injury caused by the operation of a motor vehicle - 5
  • Manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle - 6

The length of time that your vehicle operating privileges may be barred is dependent on the number of traffic points you have accumulated, as shown below:

Points - Length of Bar

  • 6-7 - 2 Years
  • 8-9 - 3 Years
  • 10-12 - 4 Years
  • 13-15 - 5 Years
  • 16 or more - 6 Years

You may also be considered a habitual offender if you are convicted of six or more moving violations within a two-year period. If speeding is included in the six moving violations, the speeds must be at least 15 mph over the legal speed limit.

In accordance with Iowa driving law, this may result in you being barred from operating a vehicle for one year. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT DRIVING AFTER BEING BARRED AS A HABITUAL OFFENDER, YOU CAN BE IMPRISONED FOR AS LONG AS TWO YEARS.

Moving Traffic Violations

In accordance with Iowa driving law, a moving violation involves any Iowa traffic law violation except those involving:

  • equipment (except brakes)
  • city parking regulations
  • expired licenses or permits
  • failure to appear
  • weights and measures
  • disturbing the peace with a motor vehicle
  • failure to display flag on moped
  • seat belt violations
  • child restraint violations

Reinstatement of Your Driving Privileges

In order to get your driving privilege back after a suspension or revocation for a violation of Iowa driving law you must go through a reinstatement process which may include passing required tests and paying appropriate fees.

Under Iowa driving law, if your driving privilege is taken away, you may have to show future proof of financial responsibility.

If your license is suspended or revoked due to a conviction(s) of Iowa driving law or for reasons relating to financial responsibility, you will have to pay a $200 civil penalty prior to reinstatement. However, for persons age 19 or under, the civil penalty will be $50.

Out-of-State Traffic Law Convictions

Traffic violations that occur in other states also apply to your Iowa record. Under Iowa driving law, if you are convicted in another state and the offense is grounds for suspension or revocation in Iowa, your Iowa license may be suspended or revoked.

For more information on Iowa driving law, please visit the Iowa Motor Vehicle Division.

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