Driver License Classificiations
- 1/14Minimum age to get a learner’s permit in Iowa is
Teens in Iowa can begin supervised driving at age 14 with an instruction permit. This is one of the youngest learner permit ages in the U.S.A.
Number of months a permit must be held before intermediate license
Iowa requires that a learner’s permit be held for 12 months with a clean record before a driver is eligible for an intermediate license.
You can apply for an intermediate license in Iowa at age
Once the 12-month permit period is complete and requirements are met, teens may apply for an intermediate license at 16 years old.
Nighttime restriction for intermediate drivers applies from
Intermediate drivers may not drive during these hours without a parent, guardian, or for school/work purposes.
Full unrestricted license is available at age
At age 17, a driver may qualify for a full license if they have held an intermediate license for 12 months without any moving violations.
This special license allows eligible minors to drive to and from school or school events during set hours. It doesn’t permit general or recreational driving.
Lowa adult driver licenses are valid for up to
Most adult licenses in Iowa are issued for an 8-year period unless health or age restrictions apply.
Deadline for updating your Iowa driver’s license address after a move is
Iowa law requires drivers to update their license with their new residential address within 30 days of moving. This ensures the Department of Transportation can send important notices, renewal reminders, and legal documents to the correct location.
License class used for personal cars and pickups is
A Class C license is issued for standard passenger vehicles and is the most common non-commercial license in Iowa.
Penalty for driving without a valid license is typically a
Driving without a valid Iowa license can lead to a misdemeanor charge, fines, and possibly jail time, especially for repeat offenses.
Minimum supervised driving hours required before license upgrade is
Iowa requires teens to complete at least 20 hours of supervised driving, including 2 hours of night driving, before moving from a permit to a license.
Real ID-compliant licenses in Iowa are marked with a
A gold star in the upper right corner indicates Real ID compliance, required for federal identification purposes such as airport security.
Driving test waivers for teens may apply if they have completed
Teens who complete an approved driver’s ed course and meet practice requirements may qualify for a waiver of the driving test.
Class M license in Iowa is required to operate a
To operate a motorcycle legally in Iowa, drivers must have a Class M license or a motorcycle endorsement on their existing license.