1. Plates issued. The county treasurer upon receiving application, accompanied by proper fee, for registration of a vehicle shall issue to the owner one registration plate for a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, truck tractor, trailer, or semitrailer and two registration plates for every other motor vehicle. The registration plates, including special registration plates, shall be assigned to the owner of a vehicle. When the owner of a registered vehicle transfers or assigns ownership of the vehicle to another person, the owner shall remove the registration plates from the vehicle. The owner shall forward the plates to the county treasurer where the vehicle is registered or the owner may have the plates assigned to another vehicle within thirty days after transfer, upon payment of the fees required by law. The owner shall immediately affix registration plates retained by the owner to another vehicle owned or acquired by the owner, providing the owner complies with section 321.46. The department shall adopt rules providing for the assignment of registration plates to the transferee of a vehicle for which a credit is allowed under section 321.46, subsection 6.
2. Validation stickers. In lieu of issuing new registration plates each registration year for a vehicle renewing registration, the department may reassign the registration plates previously issued to the vehicle and may adopt and prescribe an annual validation sticker indicating payment of registration fees. The department shall issue one validation sticker for each set of registration plates. The sticker shall specify the month and year of expiration of the registration plates. The sticker shall be displayed only on the rear registration plate, except that the sticker shall be displayed on the front registration plate of a truck-tractor.
The state department of transportation shall adopt rules to provide for the placement of the motor vehicle registration validation sticker.
3. Radio operators plates. The owner of an automobile, light delivery truck, panel delivery truck, or pickup who holds an amateur radio license issued by the federal communications commission may, upon written application to the county treasurer accompanied by a fee of five dollars, order special registration plates bearing the call letters authorized the radio station covered by the person's amateur radio license. When received by the county treasurer, such special registration plates shall be issued to the applicant in exchange for the registration plates previously issued to the person. Not more than one set of special registration plates may be issued to an applicant. Said fee shall be in addition to and not in lieu of the fee for regular registration plates. Special registration plates must be surrendered upon expiration of the owner's amateur radio license and the owner shall thereupon be entitled to the owner's regular registration plates. The county treasurer shall validate special plates in the same manner as regular registration plates, upon payment of five dollars in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
4. Multiyear plates. In lieu of issuing annual registration plates for trailers, semitrailers, motor trucks, and truck tractors, the department may issue a multiyear registration plate for a three-year period or a permanent registration plate for trailers and semitrailers licensed under chapter 326, and a permanent registration plate for motor trucks and truck tractors licensed under chapter 326, upon payment of the appropriate registration fee. Payment of fees for trailers and semitrailers for a permanent registration plate shall, at the option of the registrant, be made at five-year intervals or on an annual basis. Fees from three-year and five-year payments shall not be reduced or prorated. Payment of fees for motor trucks and truck tractors shall be made on an annual basis.
5. Personalized registration plates.
a. Upon application and the payment of a fee of twenty- five dollars, the director may issue to the owner of a motor vehicle registered in this state or a trailer or travel trailer registered in this state, personalized registration plates marked with up to seven initials, letters, or combination of numerals and letters requested by the owner. However, personalized registration plates for motorcycles and motorized bicycles shall be marked with no more than six initials, letters, or combinations of numerals and letters. Upon receipt of the personalized registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the regular registration plates to the county treasurer. The fee for issuance of the personalized registration plates shall be in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
b. The county treasurer shall validate personalized registration plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under this section at an annual fee of five dollars in addition to the regular annual registration fee. A person renewing a personalized registration plate within one month following the time requirements under section 321.40 may renew the personalized plate without paying the additional registration fee under paragraph "a" but shall pay the five-dollar fee in addition to the regular registration fee and any penalties subject to regular registration plate holders for late renewal.
c. The fees collected by the director under this section shall be paid to the treasurer of state and credited by the treasurer of state as provided in section 321.145.
6. Sample vehicle registration plates. Vehicle registration plates displaying the general design of regular registration plates, with the word "sample" displayed on the plate, may be furnished to any person upon payment of a fee of three dollars, except that such plates may be furnished to governmental agencies without cost. Sample registration plates shall not be attached to a vehicle moved on the highways of this state.
7. Collegiate plates.
a. Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue to the owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, or travel trailer registered in this state, collegiate registration plates. Upon receipt of the collegiate registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the regular registration plates to the county treasurer.
b. Collegiate registration plates shall be designed for each of the three state universities. The collegiate registration plates shall be designated as follows:
(1) The letters "ISU" followed by a four-digit number all in cardinal on a gold background for Iowa state university of science and technology.
(2) The letters "UNI" followed by a four-digit number all in purple on a gold background for the university of northern Iowa.
(3) The letters "UI" followed by a four-digit number all in black on a gold background for the state university of Iowa.
(4) In lieu of the letter number designation provided under subparagraphs (1) through (3), the collegiate registration plates may be designated in the manner provided for personalized registration plates under subsection 5, paragraph "a", in the colors designated for the respective universities under subparagraphs (1) through (3).
c. The fees for a collegiate registration plate are as follows:
(1) A registration fee of twenty-five dollars.
(2) A special collegiate registration fee of twenty-five dollars.
These fees are in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and credited by the treasurer of state to the road use tax fund. Notwithstanding section 423.24 and prior to the revenues being credited to the road use tax fund under section 423.24, subsection 1, paragraph "d", the treasurer of state shall credit monthly from those revenues respectively, to Iowa state university of science and technology, the university of northern Iowa, and the state university of Iowa, the amount of the special collegiate registration fees collected in the previous month for collegiate registration plates designed for the university. The moneys credited are appropriated to the respective universities to be used for scholarships for students attending the universities.
d. The county treasurer shall validate collegiate registration plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under this section at an annual fee of five dollars in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
e. A collegiate registration plate shall not be issued if its combination of alphanumeric characters are identical to those contained on a current personalized registration plate issued under subsection 5. However, the owner of a motor vehicle who has a personalized registration plate issued for the motor vehicle may, after proper application and payment of fees, be issued a collegiate registration plate containing the same alphanumeric characters as those on the personalized plate. Upon receipt of the collegiate registration plates, the owner shall surrender the personalized registration plates to the county treasurer.
8. Congressional medal of honor plates. The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection 1, light delivery truck, panel delivery truck or pickup who has been awarded the congressional medal of honor may, upon written application to the department, order special registration plates which shall be red, white, and blue in color and shall bear an emblem of the congressional medal of honor and an identifying number. Each applicant applying for special registration plates under this subsection may purchase only one set of registration plates under this subsection. The application is subject to approval by the department and the special registration plates shall be issued to the applicant in exchange for the registration plates previously issued to the person. The special plates are subject to an annual registration fee of fifteen dollars. The department shall validate the special plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under this section. The department shall not issue special registration plates until service organizations in the state have furnished the department either the special dies or the cost of the special dies necessary for the manufacture of the special registration plate.
The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection may continue to use the special plates subject to registration of the special plates in the surviving spouse's name and upon payment of the fifteen dollar annual registration fee. If the surviving spouse remarries, the surviving spouse shall return the special plates to the department and the department shall issue regular registration plates to the surviving spouse.
9. Leased vehicles. Registration plates under this section may be issued to the lessee of a motor vehicle if the lessee provides evidence of a lease for a period of more than sixty days and if the lessee complies with the requirements, under this section, for issuance of the specific registration plates.
10. Fire fighter plates. The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration pursuant to section 321.109, subsection 1, light delivery truck, panel delivery truck, pickup, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, or travel trailer who is a current or former member of a paid or volunteer fire department, may upon written application to the department, order special registration plates, designed by the department in cooperation with representatives designated by the Iowa fire fighters' associations, which plates signify that the applicant is a current or former member of a paid or volunteer fire department. The application shall be approved by the department, in consultation with representatives designated by the Iowa fire fighters' associations, and the special registration plates shall be issued to the applicant in exchange for the registration plates previously issued to the person. The fee for the special plates shall be twenty- five dollars which shall be in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The department shall validate the special plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under this section at the regular annual registration fee.
11. Natural resources plates.
a. Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue natural resources plates to the owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection 1, light delivery truck, panel delivery truck, pickup, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, or travel trailer.
b. Natural resources plates shall be designed by the department in cooperation with the department of natural resources which design shall include on the plate the name of the county where the vehicle is registered.
c. The special natural resources fee for letter number designated natural resources plates is thirty-five dollars. The fee for personalized natural resources plates is forty-five dollars which shall be paid in addition to the special natural resources fee of thirty-five dollars. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and credited to the road use tax fund. Notwithstanding section 423.24, and prior to the crediting of revenues to the road use tax fund under section 423.24, subsection 1, paragraph "d", the treasurer of state shall credit monthly from those revenues to the Iowa resources enhancement and protection fund created pursuant to section 455A.18, the amount of the special natural resources fees collected in the previous month for the natural resources plates.
d. Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current registration receipt and plates to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall validate the special registration plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under this section. The annual special natural resources fee for letter number designated plates is ten dollars which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The annual fee for personalized natural resources plates is five dollars which shall be paid in addition to the annual special natural resources fee and the regular annual registration fee. The annual special natural resources fee shall be credited as provided under paragraph "c".
12. Special registration plates---general provisions.
a. The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration pursuant to section 321.109, subsection 1, light delivery truck, panel delivery truck, pickup, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, or travel trailer may, upon written application to the department, order special registration plates with a distinguishing processed emblem as authorized by this section or as approved by the department. The fee for the issuance of special registration plates is twenty-five dollars for each vehicle, unless otherwise provided by this section, which fee is in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The county treasurer shall validate special registration plates with a distinguishing processed emblem in the same manner as regular registration plates, upon payment of five dollars in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
b. Upon receipt of a special registration plate with a distinguishing processed emblem as authorized by this section or as approved by the department, the applicant shall surrender the regular registration plates to the county treasurer. An applicant no longer eligible for a special registration plate shall surrender the special vehicle registration plates to the county treasurer for issuance of regular registration plates.
c. An applicant may, upon payment of the additional fee for a personalized plate as provided in subsection 5, obtain a personalized special registration plate with a processed emblem. Personalized plates authorized by this section with the processed emblem shall be limited to no more than five initials, letters, or combinations of numerals and letters.
13. New special registration plates---department review.
a. Any person may submit a request to the department to recommend a new special registration plate with a processed emblem. The request shall provide a proposed design for the processed emblem, the purpose of the special registration plate with the processed emblem, any eligibility requirements for purchase or receipt of the special registration plate with the processed emblem, and evidence there is sufficient interest in the special registration plate with the processed emblem to pay implementation costs. The department shall consider the request and make a recommendation based upon criteria established by the department which shall include consideration of the information included in the request, the number of special registration plates with processed emblems currently authorized, and any other relevant factors.
b. If a request for a proposed special registration plate with a processed emblem meets the criteria established by the department, the department shall, in consultation with the persons seeking the special registration plate with the processed emblem, approve a recommended design for the processed emblem, and propose eligibility requirements for the special registration plate with the processed emblem.
c. If the department recommends approval of a proposed special registration plate, the department shall forward the recommendation to the committees on transportation of the general assembly by January 15 of each year. The proposed special registration plate shall not be issued unless the special registration plate is enacted into law.
14. Handicapped special plates. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who is a handicapped person, or who is the parent or guardian of a child who resides with the parent or guardian owner and who is a handicapped person, as defined in section 321L.1, may, upon written application to the department, order special registration plates with a handicapped processed emblem designed by the department bearing the international symbol of accessibility. The special registration plates with a handicapped processed emblem shall only be issued if the application is accompanied with a statement from a physician licensed under chapter 148, 149, 150, or 150A, or a chiropractor licensed under chapter 151, written on the physician's or chiropractor's stationery, stating the nature of the applicant's or the applicant's child's handicap and such additional information as required by rules adopted by the department, including proof of residency of a child who is a handicapped person. If the application is approved by the department the special registration plates with a handicapped processed emblem shall be issued to the applicant. There shall be no fee in addition to the regular annual registration fee for the special registration plates with a handicapped processed emblem. The authorization for special registration plates with a handicapped processed emblem shall not be renewed without the applicant furnishing evidence to the department that the owner of the motor vehicle or the owner's child is still a handicapped person as defined in section 321L.1. An owner who has a child who is a handicapped person shall provide satisfactory evidence to the department that the handicapped child continues to reside with the owner. The registration plates with a handicapped processed emblem shall be surrendered in exchange for regular registration plates as provided in subsection 12 when the owner of the motor vehicle or the owner's child no longer qualifies as a handicapped person as defined in section 321L.1 or when the owner's child who is a handicapped person no longer resides with the owner.
15. Ex-prisoner of war special plates. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was a prisoner of war during the Second World War at any time between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, the Korean Conflict at any time between June 25, 1950, and January 31, 1955, or the Vietnam Conflict at any time between August 5, 1964, and June 30, 1973, all dates inclusive, may, upon written application to the department, order special registration plates with an ex- prisoner of war processed emblem with the emblem designed by the department in cooperation with the adjutant general which emblem signifies that the owner was a prisoner of war as described in this subsection. The application is subject to approval by the department, in consultation with the adjutant general.
The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection may continue to use the special plates subject to registration of the special plates in the surviving spouse's name and upon payment of the annual registration fee. If the surviving spouse remarries, the surviving spouse shall return the special plates to the department and the department shall issue regular registration plates to the surviving spouse.
16. National guard special plates. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who is a member of the national guard, as defined in chapter 29A, may, upon written application to the department, order special registration plates with a national guard processed emblem with the emblem designed by the department in cooperation with the adjutant general which emblem signifies that the applicant is a member of the national guard. The application shall be approved by the department in consultation with the adjutant general. Special registration plates with a national guard processed emblem shall be surrendered, as provided in subsection 12, in exchange for regular registration plates upon termination of the owner's membership in the active national guard.
17. Pearl Harbor special plates. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as a member of the armed services of the United States on December 7, 1941, may, upon written application to the department, order special registration plates with a Pearl Harbor processed emblem. The emblem shall be designed by the department in consultation with service organizations. The application is subject to approval by the department.
18. Purple heart special plates. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was awarded a purple heart medal by the United States government for wounds received in military or naval combat against an armed enemy of the United States may, upon written application to the department and presentation of satisfactory proof of the award of the purple heart medal, order special registration plates with a purple heart processed emblem. The design of the emblem shall include a representation of a purple heart medal and ribbon. The application is subject to approval by the department in consultation with the adjutant general.
19. United States armed forces retired special plates. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who is a retired member of the United States armed forces, may, upon written application to the department and upon presentation of satisfactory proof of membership, order special registration plates with a United States armed forces retired processed emblem. The emblem shall be designed by the department in consultation with service organizations. The application is subject to approval by the department. For purposes of this subsection, a person is considered to be retired if the person served twenty years or longer in the United States armed forces.
20. Silver or bronze star plates. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was awarded a silver or a bronze star by the United States government, may, upon written application to the department and presentation of satisfactory proof of the award of the silver or bronze star, order special registration plates with a silver or bronze star processed emblem. The emblem shall be designed by the department in consultation with the adjutant general.
21. Iowa heritage special plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12 may, upon written application to the department, order special registration plates with an Iowa heritage emblem. The emblem shall contain a picture of the American gothic house and the words "Iowa Heritage" and shall be designed by the department in consultation with the state historical society of Iowa.
b. The special Iowa heritage fee for letter number designated plates is thirty-five dollars. The special fee for personalized Iowa heritage plates is twenty-five dollars which shall be paid in addition to the special fee of thirty-five dollars. The annual special Iowa heritage fee is ten dollars for letter number designated registration plates and is fifteen dollars for personalized registration plates which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
c. The special fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and credited to the road use tax fund. Notwithstanding section 423.24, and prior to the crediting of revenues to the road use tax fund under section 423.24, subsection 1, paragraph "d", the treasurer of state shall credit monthly the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for the Iowa heritage plates from those revenues in the following manner:
(1) Seventy-five percent shall be credited to the Iowa heritage fund, created under section 303.9A.
(2) Twenty-five percent shall be allocated to the department of education. The department shall use the moneys to support teacher training in Iowa history, to purchase Iowa history classroom materials, to support student participation in Iowa history and citizenship-building activities, and to create a grant program for school districts to apply for funding to support field trips to museums, historic sites, and heritage attractions.
22. Education plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12, upon written application to the department, may order special registration plates with an education emblem. The education emblem shall be designed by the department in cooperation with the department of education.
b. The special school transportation fee for letter number designated education plates is thirty-five dollars. The fee for personalized education plates is twenty-five dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the special school transportation fee of thirty-five dollars. The annual special school transportation fee is ten dollars for letter number designated registration plates and is fifteen dollars for personalized registration plates which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and credited to the road use tax fund. Notwithstanding section 423.24, and prior to the crediting of revenues to the road use tax fund under section 423.24, subsection 1, paragraph "d", the treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from those revenues to the school budget review committee in accordance with section 257.31, subsection 17, the amount of the special school transportation fees collected in the previous month for the education plates.
[SS15, § 1571-m5; C24, 27, 31, 35, § 4874; C39, § 5001.18; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, § 321.34]
82 Acts, ch 1032, § 2, 4; 82 Acts, ch 1062, § 4, 38; 84 Acts, ch 1027, § 1; 84 Acts, ch 1250, § 1; 84 Acts, ch 1305, § 49; 85 Acts, ch 67, § 35; 85 Acts, ch 87, § 1; 86 Acts, ch 1182, § 1; 86 Acts, ch 1225, § 1; 87 Acts, ch 77, § 1; 88 Acts, ch 1215, § 1--;4; 88 Acts, ch 1222, § 1; 89 Acts, ch 17, § 1; 89 Acts, ch 27, § 1; 89 Acts, ch 247, § 4; 89 Acts, ch 296, § 27; 89 Acts, ch 317, § 31; 90 Acts, ch 1128, § 1; 90 Acts, ch 1151, § 1; 91 Acts, ch 49, § 1, 2; 91 Acts, ch 58, § 1; 91 Acts, ch 259, § 3; 92 Acts, ch 1175, § 29; 92 Acts, 2nd Ex, ch 1001, § 204, 205; 93 Acts, ch 2, § 1; 94 Acts, ch 1104, §1; 95 Acts, ch 118, § 7--;9, 40; 96 Acts, ch 1065, § 1; 96 Acts, ch 1088, § 3, 4, 8; 96 Acts, ch 1171, § 2; 96 Acts, ch 1219, § 21--;24
Referred to in § 257.31, 303.9A, 321.166, 321L.1, 321L.2, 331.557, 805.8(2b)
Special plates issued pursuant to former subsections 7--;9 and 12--;14 remain valid through month of expiration in 1997; 96 Acts, ch 1088, § 8 ~IContinued use of special prisoner of war plates by surviving spouse; 96 Acts, ch 1219, § 101
Iowa General Assembly
Search: Iowa Code 1997
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