Iowa Online Driver Education and Iowa Licensing Procedures

Congratulations on starting the process of applying for your Iowa learner’s permit or first Iowa driver license. Iowa has a “Graduated Driver License Program()”:http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/gdl.htm for Iowa teen drivers, and there are a few things we want to make you aware of to ensure that applying for your Iowa driving license goes as smoothly as possible. Here’s what you need to know:

Iowa Instructional Permit or Iowa Learner Permit

When you turn 14, you can apply for an Iowa learner’s permit. In order to apply for your Iowa learner’s permit, you’ll need to make an appointment at your local Iowa driver’s license station and then bring the following:

• Valid “Iowa identification documents()”:http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/identity.htm
• “Social Security number verification()”:http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/ssn.htm
• “Written consent()”:http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/ssn.htm from your parent or guardian

At the Iowa Driver’s License Station, you’ll present all of these application materials and then take two tests:

• driving knowledge test
• vision screening test

If you survived, then congratulations. You’ve just earned your Iowa learner’s license, which is valid for 2 years. If you are enrolled in an approved Iowa driver education program, you may practice with a certified driving instructor, a driver over 25 (with written permission from your parent or guardian), or with any members of your family over 21. After you’ve had your Iowa learner permit for 6 months, you’re ready to apply for your Iowa intermediate license.

Your First Iowa Driver’s License

In order to apply for your first Iowa driver’s license, you’ll need to make sure you follow a few “Iowa State requirements()”:http://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/ods/dlmanual/dlmanual.pdf:

• keep your Iowa learner’s license for at least 6 months
• at least 2 hours must be of night driving
• must drive accident-free and violation-free for 6 consecutive months
• 30 hours of classroom instruction (including 4 hours of substance abuse education)
• complete 20 hours of supervised driving
• 6 hours laboratory, 3 of which must be behind the wheel

So when you’re 16 and have met all of the Iowa instruction permit conditions, head on down to your local Iowa Driver’s License Station with:

• Your Iowa learner’s license
• The required “identification materials()”:http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/identity.htm
• A “parental consent form()”:http://www.iadotforms.dot.state.ia.us/iowadotforms/GetTemplate.aspx?did=88

Then, take the dreaded “road test()”:http://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/ods/dlmanual/dlmanual.pdf. If you passed, then congratulations. You’ve just earned your Iowa intermediate driver license! However, for the next year you’ll have to abide by a few restrictions.

Iowa Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties

There are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding Iowa intermediate driver’s license: If you manage to drive without incident for 12 months, you can then apply for your Indiana full license!

• you may not drive between 12:30AM and 5AM without supervision
• the exception is if you have a waiver for driving to/from a work or school-related extracurricular activity
• you must drive without accidents or violations for 12 consecutive months
• during this year, you must complete 10 hours of supervised driving
• 2 of these hours must be at night
• all passengers must wear seat belts

Iowa Auto Insurance Iowa Financial Responsibility Laws

Once you receive your Iowa driver’s license, you’re ready to drive—almost. Any vehicle registered in Iowa must be covered by liability insurance. If you are found to be driving without Iowa mandatory liability insurance, your Iowa intermediate driver license could be suspended and you could be fined.

Iowa Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws

As a new Iowa driver, it’s important for you to learn and take seriously the Iowa drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws.

Upon your first conviction of a Iowa DUI (0.08), you will face the following penalties:

• Jail sentence from a minimum 48 hours to 1 year
• Iowa license suspension of 180 days
• $625-1,250 fine

And of course, further Iowa DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Iowa license suspension or even Iowa license revocation.

Currently, Iowa does not have a law prohibiting cell phones or text messaging.

Iowa Online Driver Education

For information about approved Iowa online driver education courses, see the “Iowa Driver’s Manual()”:http://www.dot.state.ia.us/mvd/ods/dlmanual/dlmanual.pdf.