CHAPTER 321
MOTOR VEHICLES AND LAW OF THE ROAD

Referred to in §7.10, 27A.1, 81.1, 103A.55, 123.46, 123.47, 135C.33, 232.8, 307.27, 312.1, 312.7, 321A.3, 321E.29, 321F.8, 321H.2, 321H.4A, 321I.1, 321I.31, 321J.4B, 321J.20, 321M.1, 321M.2, 321M.6, 321O.4, 322.2, 322.4, 322.9, 322.29, 322A.1, 322C.2, 322C.4, 322C.6, 326.5, 326.6, 326.11, 326.12, 326.22, 326.30, 331.362, 423.1, 423B.4, 435.26A, 462A.33, 523C.1, 535.2, 554.9311, 554.9503, 554.13104, 578A.7, 602.8106, 690.2, 692.1, 692A.101, 707.6A, 714.2, 716.13, 725.1, 805.6, 805.8A(14)(i), 805.9, 805.16, 809.1, 809A.3, 811.9, 903.1, 910.1
Fines doubled for moving traffic violations occurring

in road work zones; §805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph i

GENERAL PROVISIONS

  
     
321.1  Definitions of words and phrases.
  The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them.
  1.  “Agricultural hazardous material” means a hazardous material, other than hazardous waste, whose end use directly supports the production of an agricultural commodity, including, but not limited to, a fertilizer, pesticide, soil conditioner, or fuel. “Agricultural hazardous material” is limited to material in class 3, 8, or 9, division 2.1, 2.2, 5.1, or 6.1, or an ORM-D material as defined in 
49 C.F.R. §171.8
.
  1A.  “Air bag” means a motor vehicle inflatable occupant restraint system that operates in the event of a crash and is designed in accordance with federal motor vehicle safety standards for the specific make, model, and year of the motor vehicle in which it is or will be installed. “Air bag” includes all component parts to a motor vehicle inflatable occupant restraint system, including but not limited to the cover, sensors, controllers, inflators, wiring, and seat belt systems.
  1B.  “Alcohol concentration” means the number of grams of alcohol per any of the following:
  a.  One hundred milliliters of blood.
  b.  Two hundred ten liters of breath.
  c.  Sixty-seven milliliters of urine.
  2.  “Alcoholic beverage” includes alcohol, wine, spirits, beer, or any other beverage which contains ethyl alcohol and is fit for human consumption.
  3.  “Alley” means a thoroughfare laid out, established, and platted as such, by constituted authority.
  4.  “All-terrain vehicle” means a motor vehicle designed to travel on three or more wheels and designed primarily for off-road recreational use. “All-terrain vehicle” includes off-road utility vehicles, but does not include farm tractors or equipment, construction equipment, forestry vehicles, or lawn and grounds maintenance vehicles.
  5.  “Ambulance” means a motor vehicle which is equipped with life support systems and used to transport sick and injured persons who require emergency medical care to medical facilities.
  6.  “Authorized emergency vehicle” means vehicles of the fire department, police vehicles, ambulances, and emergency vehicles owned by the United States, this state, any subdivision of this state, or any municipality of this state, and privately owned vehicles as are designated or authorized by the director of transportation under section 321.451.
  6A.  “Autocycle” means a three-wheeled motor vehicle originally designed with two front wheels and one rear wheel, a steering wheel rather than handlebars, no more than two permanent seats that do not require the operator or a passenger to straddle or sit astride the vehicle, and foot pedals that control the brakes, acceleration, and clutch, where applicable. A motor vehicle meeting the definition of “autocycle” is an autocycle even if the vehicle bears a vehicle identification number, or is accompanied by a manufacturer’s certificate of origin, that identifies the vehicle as a motorcycle.
  6B.  “Bona fide business address” means the current street or highway address of a firm, association, or corporation.
  6C.  “Bona fide residence” or “bona fide address” means the current street or highway address of an individual’s residence. The bona fide residence of a person with more than one dwelling is the dwelling for which the person claims a homestead tax credit under chapter 425, if applicable. The bona fide residence of a homeless person is a primary nighttime residence meeting one of the criteria listed in section 48A.2, subsection 3.
  7.  “Business district” means the territory contiguous to and including a highway when fifty percent or more of the frontage thereon for a distance of three hundred feet or more is occupied by buildings in use for business.
  7A.  “Business-trade truck” means a model year 2010 or newer motor truck with an unladen weight of ten thousand pounds or less which is owned by a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership or by a person who files a schedule C or schedule F form with the federal internal revenue service and which is eligible for depreciation under §167 of the Internal Revenue Code. If the motor truck is a leased vehicle, the motor truck is a business-trade truck only if the lessee is a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership and the truck is used primarily for purposes of the business operations of the corporation, limited liability company, or partnership or the lessee is a person who files a schedule C or schedule F form with the federal internal revenue service and the truck is used primarily for purposes of the person’s own business or farming operation.
  8.  “Chauffeur” means a person who operates a motor vehicle, including a school bus, in the transportation of persons for wages, compensation, or hire.
  a.  A person is not a chauffeur when the operation of the motor vehicle, other than a truck tractor, by the owner or operator is occasional and merely incidental to the owner’s or operator’s principal business.
  b.  A fire fighter is not a chauffeur when operating a fire apparatus.
  c.  An ambulance or rescue squad attendant is not a chauffeur when operating an ambulance or rescue squad apparatus.
  d.  If authorized to transport inmates, probationers, parolees, or work releasees by the director of the Iowa department of corrections or the director’s designee, an employee of the Iowa department of corrections or a district department of correctional services is not a chauffeur when transporting the inmates, probationers, parolees, or work releasees.
  e.  A farmer or the farmer’s hired help is not a chauffeur when operating a truck, other than a truck tractor, owned by the farmer and used exclusively in connection with the transportation of the farmer’s own products or property.
  f.  A farmer or the farmer’s hired help, who is eighteen years of age or older, is not a chauffeur when operating a special truck owned by the farmer and used exclusively to transport the farmer’s own products or property to a destination no more than one hundred miles from farmland owned or rented by the farmer as measured by calculating the straight-line distance between the farmland and the destination.
  g.  If authorized to transport patients or clients by the director of the department of human services or the director’s designee, an employee of the department of human services is not a chauffeur when transporting the patients or clients in an automobile.
  h.  A person is not a chauffeur when the operation is by a home care aide in the course of the home care aide’s duties.
  i.  If authorized to transport students or clients by the superintendent of the Iowa braille and sight saving school or of the Iowa school for the deaf, or the superintendent’s respective designee, an employee of the Iowa braille and sight saving school or the Iowa school for the deaf is not a chauffeur when transporting the students or clients.
  j.  If authorized to transport patients or residents of the Iowa veterans home by the commandant or the commandant’s designee, an employee of or volunteer at the Iowa veterans home is not a chauffeur when transporting the patients or residents in an automobile in the course of the employee’s or volunteer’s normal duties.
  k.  A person operating a motorsports recreational vehicle is not a chauffeur.
  l.  A transportation network company driver, as defined in section 321N.1, is not a chauffeur.
  m.  A person operating a taxicab having a seating capacity of less than seven passengers and not operating on a regular route or between specified points is not a chauffeur.
  9.  “Combination” or “combination of vehicles” shall be construed to mean a group consisting of two or more motor vehicles, or a group consisting of a motor vehicle and one or more trailers, semitrailers or vehicles, which are coupled or fastened together for the purpose of being moved on the highways as a unit.
  10.  a.  “Combined gross weight” means the gross weight of a combination of vehicles.
  b.  “Gross combination weight rating” means the combined gross vehicle weight ratings for each vehicle in a combination of vehicles. In the absence of a weight specified by the manufacturer for a towed vehicle, the gross vehicle weight rating of the towed vehicle is its gross weight.
  11.  For purposes of administering and enforcing the commercial driver’s license provisions:
  a.  “Commercial driver” means the operator of a commercial motor vehicle.
  b.  “Commercial driver’s license” means commercial driver’s license as defined in 
49 C.F.R. §383.5
.
  c.  “Commercial driver’s license information system” means the national information system established to serve as a clearinghouse for locating information related to the licensing and identification of commercial motor vehicle drivers.
  d.  “Commercial learner’s permit” means commercial learner’s permit as defined in 
49 C.F.R. §383.5
.
  e.  “Commercial motor carrier” means a person responsible for the safe operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
  f.  “Commercial motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles used to transport passengers or property if any of the following apply:
  (1)  The combination of vehicles has a gross combination weight rating or combined gross weight, whichever is greater, of twenty-six thousand one or more pounds, including a towed vehicle or vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross weight, whichever is greater, of ten thousand one or more pounds.
  (2)  The motor vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross weight, whichever is greater, of twenty-six thousand one or more pounds.
  (3)  The motor vehicle is designed to transport sixteen or more persons, including the operator, or is of a size and design to transport sixteen or more persons, including the operator, but is redesigned or modified to transport less than sixteen persons with disabilities.
  (4)  The motor vehicle is used in the transportation of hazardous material of a type or quantity requiring vehicle placarding.
  g.  “Employer” means any person, including the United States, a state, the District of Columbia, or a political subdivision of a state, who owns or leases a commercial motor vehicle or assigns an employee to operate such a vehicle.
  h.  “Foreign jurisdiction” means a jurisdiction outside the fifty United States and the District of Columbia.
  i.  “Nonresident commercial driver’s license” means a commercial driver’s license issued to a person domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction meeting the requirements of 
49 C.F.R. §383.23(b)(1)
, or to a person domiciled in another state meeting the requirements of 
49 C.F.R. §383.23(b)(2)
.
  j.  “Nonresident commercial learner’s permit” means a commercial learner’s permit issued to a person domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction meeting the requirements of 
49 C.F.R. §383.23(b)(1)
, or to a person domiciled in another state meeting the requirements of 
49 C.F.R. §383.23(b)(2)
.
  k.  “Tank vehicle” means a commercial motor vehicle that is designed to transport any liquid or gaseous materials within a tank or tanks having an individual rated capacity of more than one hundred nineteen gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of one thousand gallons or more that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or chassis. A commercial motor vehicle transporting an empty storage container tank not designed for transportation with a rated capacity of one thousand gallons or more that is temporarily attached to a flatbed trailer is not considered a tank vehicle.
  12.  “Commercial vehicle” means a vehicle or combination of vehicles designed principally to transport passengers or property of any kind if any of the following apply:
  a.  The vehicle or any combination of vehicles has a gross weight or combined gross weight of ten thousand one or more pounds.
  b.  The vehicle or any combination of vehicles has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of ten thousand one or more pounds.
  c.  The vehicle is designed to transport sixteen or more persons, including the driver.
  d.  The vehicle is used in the transportation of hazardous material of a type or quantity requiring vehicle placarding.
  12A.  “Completed motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle which does not require any additional manufacturing operations to perform its intended function except the addition of readily attachable equipment, components, or minor finishing operations. “Completed motor vehicle” also includes a glider kit vehicle.
  13.  “Component part” means any part of a vehicle, other than a tire, having a component part number.
  14.  “Component part number” means the vehicle identification derivative consisting of numerical and alphabetical designations affixed to a component part by the manufacturer or the department or affixed by, or caused to be affixed by, the owner pursuant to rules promulgated by the department as a means of identifying the component part.
  15.  “Conviction” means a final conviction, including but not limited to a plea of guilty or nolo contendere accepted by the court; a final administrative ruling or determination; or an unvacated forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure a person’s appearance in court.
  15A.  “Crane” means a machine for raising, shifting, and lowering heavy weights by means of a projecting swinging arm.
  16.  “Crosswalk” means that portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections, or any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
  17.  “Dealer” means every person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging vehicles of a type required to be registered hereunder and who has an established place of business for such purpose in this state. “Dealer” includes those persons required to be licensed as dealers under chapters 322 and 322C.
  18.  “Demolisher” means any agency or person whose business is to convert a vehicle to junk, processed scrap, or scrap metal, or otherwise to wreck or dismantle vehicles.
  19.  “Department” means the state department of transportation. “Commission” means the state transportation commission.
  20.  “Director” means the director of transportation or the director’s designee.
  20A.  “Driver’s license” means any license or permit issued to a person to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of this state, including but not limited to a temporary restricted or temporary license and an instruction, chauffeur’s instruction, commercial learner’s, or temporary permit. For purposes of license suspension, revocation, bar, disqualification, cancellation, or denial under this chapter and chapters 321A, 321C, and 321J, “driver’s license” includes any privilege to operate a motor vehicle.
  20B.  “Electric personal assistive mobility device” means a self-balancing, nontandem two-wheeled device powered by an electric propulsion system that averages seven hundred fifty watts and is designed to transport one person, with a maximum speed on a paved level surface of less than twenty miles per hour. The maximum speed shall be calculated based on operation of the device by a person who weighs one hundred seventy pounds when the device is powered solely by the electric propulsion system. For purposes of this chapter, “electric personal assistive mobility device” does not include an assistive device as defined in section 216E.1.
  21.  “Endorsement” means an authorization to a person’s driver’s license required to permit the person to operate certain types of motor vehicles or to transport certain types or quantities of hazardous materials.
  22.  “Essential parts” mean all integral and body parts of a vehicle of a type required to be registered hereunder, the removal, alteration, or substitution of which would tend to conceal the identity of the vehicle or substantially alter its appearance, model, type, or mode of operation.
  23.  “Established place of business” means the place actually occupied either continuously or at regular periods by a dealer or manufacturer where the dealer’s or manufacturer’s books and records are kept and a large share of the dealer’s or manufacturer’s business is transacted. If a dealer has designated one established place of business for purposes of keeping all the dealer’s books and records pursuant to section 321.63, “established place of business” also includes any place actually occupied either continuously or at regular periods by the dealer where a large share of the dealer’s business is transacted but not where the dealer’s books and records are kept.
  24.  “Farm tractor” means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm implement for drawing plows, mowing machines, and other implements of husbandry.
  24A.  “Fence-line feeder” means a vehicle used exclusively for the mixing and dispensing of nutrients to bovine animals at a feedlot.
  24B.  “Financial liability coverage” means any of the following:
  a.  An owner’s policy of liability insurance which is issued by an insurance carrier authorized to do business in Iowa to or for the benefit of the person named in the policy as insured, and insuring the person named as insured and any person using an insured motor vehicle with the express or implied permission of the named insured against loss from liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of an insured motor vehicle within the United States of America or Canada, but subject to minimum limits, exclusive of interest and costs, in the amounts specified in section 321A.21 or specified in another provision of the Code, whichever is greater.
  b.  A bond filed with the department pursuant to section 321A.24.
  c.  A certificate of deposit filed with the department as provided in section 321A.25.
  d.  A valid certificate of self-insurance issued by the department pursuant to section 321A.34.
  25.  “Fire vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is equipped with pumps, tanks, hoses, nozzles, ladders, generators, or other fire apparatus used to transport fire personnel, fight fires, and respond to emergencies.
  26.  “Foreign vehicle” means every vehicle of a type required to be registered under this chapter brought into this state from another state, territory, or country other than in the ordinary course of business by or through a manufacturer or dealer and not registered in this state.
  27.  The linear measure of the plot of ground upon which the building is located abutting upon the highway shall be deemed “frontage occupied by the building”, and the phrase “frontage on such highway for a distance of three hundred feet or more” shall mean the total frontage on both sides of the highway for such distance.
  28.  “Garage” means every place of business where motor vehicles are received for housing, storage, or repair for compensation.
  28A.  “Glider kit vehicle” means a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in subsection 11, that is a combination of a new cab and a new frame with an engine, transmission, and drive axle that are not new such that the resulting vehicle is not a newly manufactured vehicle pursuant to 
49 C.F.R. §571.7(e)
.
  28B.  “Grain cart” means a vehicle with a nonsteerable single or tandem axle designed to move grain.
  29.  a.  “Gross weight” means the empty weight of a vehicle plus the maximum load to be carried by the vehicle. The maximum load to be carried by a passenger-carrying vehicle shall be determined by multiplying one hundred fifty pounds by the number of passenger seats carried by such vehicle.
  b.  “Unladen weight” means the weight of a vehicle or vehicle combination without load.
  c.  “Gross vehicle weight rating” means the weight specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.
  30.  “Guaranteed arrest bond certificate” means any printed, unexpired certificate issued by an automobile club or association to any of its members, or any printed, unexpired certificate issued by an insurance company authorized to write automobile liability insurance within this state, which certificate is signed by such member or insured and contains a printed statement that such automobile club, association, or insurance company and a surety company which is doing business in this state under the provisions of section 515.48, subsection 2, guarantee the appearance of the person whose signature appears on the certificate and that they will, in the event of failure of such person to appear in court at the time of trial, pay any fine or forfeiture imposed on such person in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars. If such insurance company is itself qualified under the provisions of section 515.48, subsection 2, the insurance company may be its own surety. Bail in this form shall be subject to the forfeiture and enforcement provisions with respect to bail bonds in criminal cases as provided by law.
  31.  “Hazardous material” means a substance or material which has been determined by the United States secretary of transportation to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and which has been so designated.
  32.  “Implement of husbandry” means a vehicle or special mobile equipment manufactured, designed, or reconstructed for agricultural purposes and, except for incidental uses, exclusively used in the conduct of agricultural operations. “Implements of husbandry” includes all-terrain vehicles operated in compliance with section 321.234A, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, fence-line feeders, and vehicles used exclusively for the application of organic or inorganic plant food materials, organic agricultural limestone, or agricultural chemicals. To be considered an implement of husbandry, a self-propelled implement of husbandry must be operated at speeds of thirty-five miles per hour or less. “Reconstructed” as used in this subsection means materially altered from the original construction by the removal, addition, or substitution of essential parts, new or used.
  A vehicle covered under this subsection, if it otherwise qualifies, may be operated as special mobile equipment and under such circumstances this subsection shall not be applicable to such vehicle, and such vehicle shall not be required to comply with sections 321.384 through 321.423, when such vehicle is moved during daylight hours; however, the provisions of section 321.383 shall remain applicable to such vehicle.
  33.  “Intersection” means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two highways which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
  34.  “Laned highway” means a highway the roadway of which is divided into three or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.
  35.  “Light delivery truck”, “panel delivery truck”, or “pickup” means any motor vehicle designed to carry merchandise or freight of any kind, not to exceed two thousand pounds.
  36.  “Local authorities” means every county, municipal, and other local board or body having authority to adopt local police regulations under the Constitution and laws of this state.
  36A.  “Low-speed electric bicycle” means a device having a saddle or seat for the use of a rider, two or three wheels equipped with fully operable pedals, and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty watts that meets the requirements of one of the following classes:
  a.  “Class 1 low-speed electric bicycle” means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used to provide assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty miles per hour or more.
  b.  “Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle” means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty miles per hour or more.
  c.  “Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle” means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used to provide assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty-eight miles per hour or more.
  36B.  “Low-speed vehicle” means a motor vehicle manufactured in compliance with the national highway and traffic safety administration standards for low-speed vehicles in 
49 C.F.R. §571.500
. A low-speed vehicle which is in compliance with the equipment requirements in 
49 C.F.R. §571.500
 shall be deemed to be in compliance with all equipment requirements of this chapter.
  36C.  “Manufactured home” is a factory-built structure constructed under authority of 42 U.S.C. §5403, which is required by federal law to display a seal from the United States department of housing and urban development, and was constructed on or after June 15, 1976.
  36D.  a.  “Manufactured or mobile home” means any vehicle without motive power used or so manufactured or constructed as to permit its being used as a conveyance upon the public streets and highways and so designed, constructed, or reconstructed as will permit the vehicle to be used as a place for human habitation by one or more persons.
  b.  “Travel trailer” means a vehicle without motive power used, manufactured, or constructed to permit its use as a conveyance upon the public streets and highways and designed to permit its use as a place of human habitation by one or more persons. The vehicle may be up to eight feet six inches in width and its overall length shall not exceed forty-five feet. The vehicle shall be customarily or ordinarily used for vacation or recreational purposes and not used as a place of permanent habitation. If the vehicle is used in this state as a place of human habitation for more than one hundred eighty consecutive days in one location it shall be classed as a manufactured or mobile home regardless of the size limitations provided in this paragraph.
  c.  “Fifth-wheel travel trailer” means a type of travel trailer which is towed by a pickup by a connecting device known as a fifth wheel. However, this type of travel trailer may have an overall length which shall not exceed forty-five feet.
  d.  “Motor home” means a motor vehicle designed as an integral unit to be used as a conveyance upon the public streets and highways and for use as a temporary or recreational dwelling and having at least four, two of which shall be systems specified in subparagraphs (1), (4), or (5) of this paragraph, of the following permanently installed systems which meet American national standards institute and national fire protection association standards in effect on the date of manufacture:
  (1)  Cooking facilities.
  (2)  Ice box or mechanical refrigerator.
  (3)  Potable water supply including plumbing and a sink with faucet either self-contained or with connections for an external source, or both.
  (4)  Self-contained toilet or a toilet connected to a plumbing system with connection for external water disposal, or both.
  (5)  Heating or air conditioning system or both, separate from the vehicle engine or the vehicle engine electrical system.
  (6)  A one hundred ten – one hundred fifteen volt alternating current electrical system separate from the vehicle engine electrical system either with its own power supply or with a connection for an external source, or both, or a liquefied petroleum system and supply.
  e.  “Motorsports recreational vehicle” means a modified motor vehicle used for the purpose of participating in motorsports competitions and consisting of a conversion unit mounted on a truck tractor or motor truck chassis such that the motor vehicle can be used as a conveyance on the highway and as a temporary or recreational dwelling. The motor vehicle must have at least four of the permanently installed systems listed in paragraph “d”, two of which shall be systems specified in paragraph “d”, subparagraph (1), (4), or (5).
  37.  “Manufacturer” means every person engaged in the business of fabricating or assembling vehicles of a type required to be registered. “Manufacturer” does not include a person who converts, modifies, or alters a completed motor vehicle manufactured by another person or a person who assembles a glider kit vehicle. “Manufacturer” includes a person who uses a completed motor vehicle manufactured by another person to construct a class “B” motor home as defined in section 321.124. “Manufacturer” also includes a final-stage manufacturer as defined in section 322.2.
  38.  “Metal tire” means every tire the surface of which in contact with the highway is wholly or partly of metal or other hard, nonresilient material.
  39.  Reserved.
  40.  a.  “Motorcycle” means every motor vehicle having a saddle or seat for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground including a motor scooter but excluding a tractor, an autocycle, a low-speed electric bicycle, and a motorized bicycle.
  b.  “Motorized bicycle” means a motor vehicle having a saddle or seat for the use of a rider, designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, and not capable of operating at a speed in excess of thirty-nine miles per hour on level ground unassisted by human power, but excluding a low-speed electric bicycle.
  c.  “Bicycle” means either of the following:
  (1)  A device having two or three wheels and having at least one saddle or seat for the use of a rider which is propelled by human power.
  (2)  A low-speed electric bicycle.
  41.  “Motor truck” means every motor vehicle designed primarily for carrying livestock, merchandise, freight of any kind, or over nine persons as passengers.
  42.  a.  “Motor vehicle” means a vehicle which is self-propelled and not operated upon rails.
  b.  “Used motor vehicle” or “secondhand motor vehicle” or “used car” means a motor vehicle of a type subject to registration under the laws of this state which has been sold “at retail” as defined in chapter 322 and previously registered in this or any other state.
  c.  “New motor vehicle or new car” means a motor vehicle subject to registration which has not been sold “at retail” as defined in chapter 322.
  d.  “Car” or “automobile” means a motor vehicle designed primarily for carrying nine passengers or less, excluding motorcycles and motorized bicycles.
  43.  Reserved.
  44.  “Multipurpose vehicle” means a motor vehicle designed to carry not more than ten people, and constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation.
  45.  “Nonresident” means every person who is not a resident of this state.
  46.  “Official traffic-control devices” means all signs, signals, markings, and devices not inconsistent with this chapter placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.
  47.  “Official traffic-control signal” means any device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
  47A.  “Off-road utility vehicle” means a motorized flotation-tire vehicle with not less than four and not more than eight low-pressure tires that is limited in engine displacement to less than one thousand five hundred cubic centimeters and in total dry weight to not more than one thousand eight hundred pounds and that has a seat that is of bucket or bench design, not intended to be straddled by the operator, and a steering wheel or control levers for control.
  48.  “Operator” or “driver” means every person who is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a highway.
  49.  “Owner” means a person who holds the legal title of a vehicle, or in the event a vehicle is the subject of a security agreement with an immediate right of possession vested in the debtor, then such debtor shall be deemed the owner for the purpose of this chapter.
  50.  “Peace officer” means every officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations in addition to its meaning in section 801.4.
  51.  “Pedestrian” means any person afoot.
  52.  “Person” means every natural person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation. Where the term “person” is used in connection with the registration of a motor vehicle, it shall include any corporation, association, partnership, company, firm, or other aggregation of individuals which owns or controls such motor vehicle as actual owner, or for the purpose of sale or for renting, whether as agent, salesperson, or otherwise.
  53.  “Pneumatic tire” means every tire in which compressed air is designed to support the load.
  54.  “Private road” or “driveway” means every way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner but not by other persons.
  54A.  “Product identification number” or the acronym PIN means a group of unique numerical or alphabetical designations assigned to a complete fence-line feeder, grain cart, or tank wagon by the manufacturer or by the department and affixed to the vehicle, pursuant to rules adopted by the department, as a means of identifying the vehicle or the year of manufacture.
  54B.  “Proof of financial liability coverage card” means either a liability insurance card issued under section 321.20B, a bond insurance card issued under section 321A.24, a security insurance card issued under section 321A.25, or a self-insurance card issued under section 321A.34.
  55.  “Railroad” means a carrier of persons or property upon cars operated upon stationary rails.
  56.  “Railroad corporation” means any corporation organized under the laws of this state or any other state for the purpose of operating the railroad within this state.
  57.  “Railroad sign” or “signal” means any sign, signal, or device erected by authority of a public body or official or by a railroad and intended to give notice of the presence of railroad tracks or the approach of a railroad train.
  58.  “Railroad train” means an engine or locomotive with or without cars coupled thereto, operated upon rails.
  59.  “Reconstructed vehicle” means every vehicle of a type required to be registered under this chapter materially altered from its original construction by the removal, addition, or substitution of essential parts, new or used. “Reconstructed vehicle” does not include a street rod, replica vehicle, or glider kit vehicle.
  59A.  “Registration fees”, unless otherwise specified, means both the annual vehicle registration fee and the fee for new registration, to the extent applicable, for purposes of administering the provisions of this chapter concerning vehicle registration fees.
  60.  “Registration year” means the period of twelve consecutive months beginning on the first day of the month following the month of the birth of the owner of the vehicle for vehicles registered by the county treasurer, except that “registration year” means the calendar year for motor trucks and truck tractors which are registered by the county treasurer in two equal semiannual installments pursuant to sections 321.120, 321.121, and 321.122, and “registration year” means the period of twelve consecutive months, as determined by the owner, for motor trucks and truck tractors that are registered by the county treasurer on an annual basis pursuant to sections 321.120, 321.121, and 321.122. For leased vehicles registered by the county treasurer, except for motor trucks and truck tractors registered pursuant to sections 321.120, 321.121, and 321.122, “registration year” means the period of twelve consecutive months beginning on the first day of the month following the month in which the lease expires. For vehicles registered under chapter 326, “registration year” means the twelve-month period determined by the department pursuant to section 326.14.
  61.  “Replica vehicle” means any completed motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or motorized bicycle with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than ten thousand pounds consisting of a body, frame, and other essential parts, assembled as a reproduction of a vehicle originally manufactured by a generally recognized manufacturer of motor vehicles with the substitution or addition of essential parts to update the vehicle for purposes of safety, performance, or reliability. For purposes of vehicle registration, the model year of a replica vehicle shall be the same as the model year of the motor vehicle that it is designed to resemble.
  62.  “Rescue vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is equipped with rescue, fire, life support, hazardous material, or emergency management equipment used to assist and rescue persons in emergencies or support emergency personnel in the performance of their duties.
  63.  “Residence district” means the territory within a city contiguous to and including a highway, not comprising a business, suburban, or school district, where forty percent or more of the frontage on such highway for a distance of three hundred feet or more is occupied by dwellings or by dwellings and buildings in use for business.
  63A.  “Retractable axle” means an axle designed with the capability of manipulation or adjustment of the weight on the axle.
  64.  “Right-of-way” means the privilege of the immediate use of the highway.
  64A.  “Road tractor” means every motor vehicle designed and used for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry any load thereon either independently or any part of the weight of a vehicle or load so drawn.
  65.  “Roadway” means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
  66.  “Road work zone” means the portion of a highway which is identified by posted or moving signs as the site of construction, maintenance, survey, or utility work. The zone starts upon meeting the first sign identifying the zone and continues until a posted or moving sign indicates that the work zone has ended.
  67.  “Rural residence district” means an unincorporated area established by a county board of supervisors which is contiguous to and including a secondary highway, not comprising a business district, where forty percent or more of the frontage of the highway for a distance of three hundred feet or more is occupied by dwellings or by dwellings and buildings in use for business. For purposes of this subsection, farm houses and farm buildings are not to be considered.
  68.  “Safety zone” means the area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is protected or so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.
  68A.  “Salvage pool” means the business of selling at auction wrecked or salvage vehicles, as defined in section 321.52.
  69.  “School bus” means every vehicle operated for the transportation of children to or from school, except vehicles which are:
  a.  Privately owned and not operated for compensation;
  b.  Used exclusively in the transportation of the children in the immediate family of the driver;
  c.  Operated by a municipally or privately owned urban transit company or a regional transit system as defined in section 324A.1 for the transportation of children as part of or in addition to their regularly scheduled service; or
  d.  New or used motor vehicles designed to carry not more than ten persons as passengers, including the driver, or used passenger vans designed to carry not more than twelve persons as passengers, including the driver, either school owned or privately owned, which are used to transport pupils to activity events in which the pupils are participants or used to transport pupils to their homes in case of illness or other emergency situations. The vehicles operated under the provisions of this paragraph shall be operated by employees of the school district who are specifically approved by the local superintendent of schools for the assignment.
  70.  “School district” means the territory contiguous to and including a highway for a distance of two hundred feet in either direction from a schoolhouse in a city.
  71.  “Semitrailer” means every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle.
  Wherever the word “trailer” is used in this chapter, same shall be construed to also include “semitrailer”.
  A “semitrailer” shall be considered in this chapter separately from its power unit.
  72.  “Sidewalk” means that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.
  73.  “Solid tire” means every tire of rubber or other resilient material which does not depend upon compressed air for the support of the load.
  74.  “Special mobile equipment” means every vehicle not designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property and incidentally operated or moved over the highways, including road construction or maintenance machinery and ditch-digging apparatus. This description does not exclude other vehicles which are within the general terms of this subsection.
  75.  “Special truck” means a motor truck or truck tractor not used for hire with a gross weight registration of six through thirty-nine tons used by a person engaged in farming to transport commodities produced only by the owner, or to transport commodities purchased by the owner for use in the owner’s own farming operation or occasional use for charitable purposes. “Special truck” also means a motor truck or truck tractor not used for hire with a gross weight registration of six through thirty-nine tons used by a person engaged in farming who assists another person engaged in farming through an exchange of services. A “special truck” does not include a truck tractor operated more than fifteen thousand miles annually.
  76.  “Specially constructed vehicle” means every vehicle of a type required to be registered under this chapter not originally constructed under a distinctive name, make, model, or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of vehicles and not materially altered from its original construction.  “Specially constructed vehicle” does not include a street rod, replica vehicle, or glider kit vehicle.
  77.  “Stinger-steered automobile transporter” means any vehicle combination designed and used specifically for the transport of assembled highway vehicles, recreational vehicles, or boats in which the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame located below and behind the rearmost axle of the power unit.
  78.  “Street” or “highway” means the entire width between property lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public, as a matter of right, for purposes of vehicular traffic.
  78A.  “Street rod” means any car or motor truck with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than ten thousand pounds required to be registered under this chapter, manufactured by a generally recognized manufacturer of motor vehicles prior to the year 1949, which may contain a body or frame not manufactured by the original manufacturer, or any motor vehicle designed and manufactured to resemble a motor vehicle manufactured prior to the year 1949. For purposes of vehicle registration, the model year of a street rod shall be the same as the model year of the motor vehicle that it is designed to resemble.
  79.  “Suburban district” means all other parts of a city not included in the business, school, or residence districts.
  80.  “Tandem axle” means any two or more consecutive axles whose centers are more than forty inches but not more than ninety-six inches apart.
  80A.  “Tank wagon” means a vehicle designed to carry liquid animal or human excrement.
  81.  “Through (or thru) highway” means every highway or portion thereof at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from intersecting highways is required by law to stop before entering or crossing the same and when stop signs are erected as provided in this chapter or such entrances are controlled by a peace officer or traffic-control signal. The term “arterial” is synonymous with “through” or “thru” when applied to highways of this state.
  82.  “Tourist attraction” means a business, activity, service, or site where a major portion of the product or service provided is tourist oriented.
  83.  “Tourist-oriented directional sign” means a sign providing identification and directional information for a tourist attraction.
  83A.  “Towing or recovery vehicle” means a motor vehicle equipped with booms, winches, slings, or wheel lifts used to tow, recover, or transport other motor vehicles.
  83B.  “Tracked implement of husbandry” means a fence-line feeder, grain cart, or tank wagon that is mounted on a chassis attached to a pair of tracks that transfer the weight of the implement to the ground or the roadway surface.
  84.  “Traffic” means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars, and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for purposes of travel.
  85.  “Trailer” means every vehicle without motive power designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.
  86.  Reserved.
  87.  “Transporter” means a person engaged in the business of delivering vehicles of a type required to be registered or titled in this state who has received authority to make delivery as specified by rules adopted by the department.
  88.  “Truck tractor” means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn. However, a truck tractor may have a box, deck, or plate for carrying freight, mounted on the frame behind the cab, and forward of the fifth-wheel connection point.
  89.  “Used vehicle parts dealer” means a person engaged in, or advertising as being engaged in, the business of selling bodies, parts of bodies, frames, or component parts of used vehicles subject to registration under this chapter.
  89A.  “Utility maintenance vehicle” means a motor vehicle operated by an employee or contractor of an entity, including but not limited to the state, a political subdivision of the state, or any commission, department, or agency thereof, an electric cooperative association, or a public or private corporation, in connection with the provision of utility services.
  89B.  “Utility services” means cable, electric, natural gas, telephone, telecommunication, water, and wastewater treatment services and includes but is not limited to the improvement, installation, maintenance, relocation, or repair of cables, fibers, pipes, utility poles, utility structures, wires, and associated right-of-way and other infrastructure associated with such services.
  90.  “Vehicle” means every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway. “Vehicle” does not include:
  a.  Any device moved by human power, including a low-speed electric bicycle.
  b.  Any device used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
  c.  Any personal delivery device operated pursuant to chapter 321O.
  d.  Any integral part of a truck tractor or road tractor which is mounted on the frame of the truck tractor or road tractor immediately behind the cab and which may be used to transport persons and property but which cannot be drawn upon the highway by the truck tractor or another motor vehicle.
  e.  Any steering axle, dolly, auxiliary axle, or other integral part of another vehicle which in and of itself is incapable of commercially transporting any person or property but is used primarily to support another vehicle.
  91.  “Vehicle identification number” or the initials VIN mean the numerical and alphabetical designations affixed to a vehicle or a component part of a vehicle by the manufacturer or the department or affixed by, or caused to be affixed by, the owner pursuant to rules promulgated by the department as a means of identifying the vehicle.
  92.  “Vehicle rebuilder” means a person engaged in, or advertising as being engaged in, the business of rebuilding or restoring to operating condition vehicles subject to registration under this chapter, which have been damaged or wrecked.
  93.  “Vehicle salvager” means a person engaged in, or advertising as being engaged in, the business of scrapping vehicles, dismantling or storing wrecked or damaged vehicles or selling reusable parts of vehicles or storing vehicles not currently registered which vehicles are subject to registration under this chapter.
  94.  “Where a vehicle is kept” shall refer to the county of residence of the owner or to the county where the vehicle is mainly kept if said owner is a nonresident of the state.
[S13, §1571-m1, -m20; C24, 27, §4863, 5030, 13012; C31, 35, §4863, 4960-d1, 5030, 13012; C39, §5000.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.1; 81 Acts, ch 101, §1; 
81 Acts 2d Ex, ch 2, §5
; 82 Acts, ch 1056, §1, ch 1122, §1, ch 1254, §1]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §1, 2, 38; 83 Acts, ch 9, §3, 8; 83 Acts, ch 24, §1, 12; 84 Acts, ch 1219, §21; 84 Acts, ch 1252, §1; 84 Acts, ch 1292, §2; 85 Acts, ch 21, §41; 85 Acts, ch 35, §1, 2; 85 Acts, ch 37, §1; 85 Acts, ch 40, §1; 86 Acts, ch 1056, §1; 86 Acts, ch 1071, §1; 86 Acts, ch 1210, §1, 2; 86 Acts, ch 1237, §19; 86 Acts, ch 1238, §13; 87 Acts, ch 170, §2 – 4; 87 Acts, ch 186, §1, 2; 87 Acts, ch 189, §1; 88 Acts, ch 1047, §1; 88 Acts, ch 1083, §1, 2; 89 Acts, ch 34, §1; 89 Acts, ch 83, §40, 41; 89 Acts, ch 118, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1183, §3; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §6 – 14; 91 Acts, ch 56, §1; 91 Acts, ch 219, §14; 92 Acts, ch 1048, §1; 92 Acts, ch 1104, §1; 92 Acts, ch 1175, §19, 28; 93 Acts, ch 114, §1; 93 Acts, ch 139, §7; 94 Acts, ch 1087, §1; 95 Acts, ch 10, §1; 95 Acts, ch 55, §1, 2; 95 Acts, ch 56, §1; 95 Acts, ch 118, §1, 2; 96 Acts, ch 1005, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1129, §113; 97 Acts, ch 100, §1; 97 Acts, ch 104, §5; 97 Acts, ch 108, §1, 2; 97 Acts, ch 139, §1, 17, 18; 97 Acts, ch 148, §7, 9; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §1 – 4; 98 Acts, ch 1075, §20; 98 Acts, ch 1121, §8; 99 Acts, ch 13, §1 – 3, 29; 99 Acts, ch 108, §1 – 3; 99 Acts, ch 188, §1; 2000 Acts, ch 1005, §1; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §1; 2000 Acts, ch 1025, §1, 6; 2000 Acts, ch 1133, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §15; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §15, 17; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §80; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §17, 18; 2003 Acts, ch 6, §1; 2003 Acts, ch 24, §2; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §1, 35; 2004 Acts, ch 1132, §80; 2004 Acts, ch 1175, §397, 400; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §2, 3; 2005 Acts, ch 20, §4; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §6, 7, 41
; 2008 Acts, ch 1018, §1 – 3
; 2008 Acts, ch 1021, §1 – 4; 2008 Acts, ch 1032, §106; 2008 Acts, ch 1044, §1 – 4, 8; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §2, 11, 38; 2009 Acts, ch 90, §1; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §20; 2010 Acts, ch 1035, §1; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §111; 2010 Acts, ch 1186, §3; 2011 Acts, ch 38, §2; 2012 Acts, ch 1013, §1, 2; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §1; 2013 Acts, ch 37, §1; 2013 Acts, ch 103, §2 – 4, 21; 2014 Acts, ch 1023, §1; 2014 Acts, ch 1027, §1; 2014 Acts, ch 1127, §4, 5; 2015 Acts, ch 29, §114; 2015 Acts, ch 72, §1, 4; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §31, 44; 2016 Acts, ch 1073, §101; 2016 Acts, ch 1098, §1, 2; 2016 Acts, ch 1101, §1, 24; 2017 Acts, ch 84, §1; 2018 Acts, ch 1010, §1; 2018 Acts, ch 1022, §1; 2018 Acts, ch 1095, §1; 2019 Acts, ch 59, §90; 2019 Acts, ch 67, §1, 20; 2019 Acts, ch 138, §1; 2019 Acts, ch 146, §1; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §145; 2020 Acts, ch 1089, §3; 2021 Acts, ch 33, §1 – 3; 2021 Acts, ch 119, §1; 2021 Acts, ch 125, §2 – 4
Referred to in §123.48, 142D.2, 159A.11, 308A.1, 321.20B, 321.24, 321.56, 321.105A, 321.121, 321.126, 321.235A, 321.235B, 321.260, 321.285, 321.373, 321.471, 321.474, 321.486, 321A.1, 321A.32, 321E.7, 321E.14, 321E.34, 321G.9, 321G.20, 321G.24, 321I.7, 321I.21, 321J.6, 321J.8, 321N.3, 321O.1, 321O.2, 321O.4, 321O.7, 322.2, 322.3, 322.4, 322.27A, 322.35, 322C.2, 322D.1, 325A.2, 326.2, 327F.39, 423.1, 423.6, 423B.2, 452A.74A, 452A.76, 453A.4, 455B.301, 462A.34A, 476.27, 481A.54, 522A.2, 537.3604, 537B.2, 537B.4, 669.14, 670.4, 707.6A, 713.6A, 713.6B, 714.2, 714.8, 805.8A(14)(i), 805.9, 805.16, 811.9
Subsection 8, unnumbered paragraph 1 amended
Subsection 8, paragraph b stricken and rewritten
Subsection 8, NEW paragraph c and former paragraphs c – l redesignated as d – m
NEW subsection 36A and former subsections 36A – 36C renumbered as 36B – 36D
Subsection 40 amended
Subsection 90, paragraph a amended
Subsection 90, NEW paragraph c and former paragraphs c – d redesignated as d – e

  
     
321.1A  Presumption of residency.
  1.  For purposes of this chapter there is a rebuttable presumption that a natural person is a resident of this state if any of the following elements exist:
  a.  The person has filed for a homestead tax exemption on property in this state.
  b.  The person is a veteran who has filed for a military tax exemption on property in this state.
  c.  The person is registered to vote in this state.
  d.  The person enrolls the person’s child to be educated in a public elementary or secondary school in this state.
  e.  The person is receiving public assistance from this state.
  f.  The person resides or has continuously remained in this state for a period exceeding thirty days except for infrequent or brief absences.
  g.  The person has accepted employment or engages in any trade, profession, or occupation within this state, except as provided in section 321.55.
  2.  a.  For purposes of issuing commercial learner’s permits and commercial driver’s licenses under this chapter, there is a rebuttable presumption that a natural person is a resident of this state if all of the following conditions exist:
  (1)  The person is enrolled in a commercial driver’s license training program administered by an Iowa-based motor carrier, or its subsidiary, designated by the department as a third-party tester pursuant to section 321.187.
  (2)  The person is in the process of applying for a commercial learner’s permit for the purpose of completing the training program.
  (3)  The person is residing in this state for the duration of the training program.
  b.  This subsection shall not apply if such application results in noncompliance with 
49 C.F.R. pt. 384
.
  3.  “Resident” does not include either of the following: 
  a.  A person who is attending a college or university in this state, if the person has a domicile in another state and has a valid driver’s license issued by the state of domicile. 
  b.  Members of the armed forces who are stationed in Iowa, provided that their vehicles are properly registered in their state of residency.
  4.  A corporation, association, partnership, company, firm, or other aggregation of individuals whose principal place of business is located within this state is a resident of this state.
83 Acts, ch 125, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §15; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §88; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §45
Referred to in §321.182

     
321.2  Administration and enforcement.
  1.  Except as otherwise provided by law, the state department of transportation shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
  2.  The division of state patrol of the department of public safety shall enforce the provisions of this chapter relating to traffic on the public highways of the state, including those relating to the safe and legal operation of passenger cars, motorcycles, motor trucks and buses, and to see that proper safety rules are observed.
  3.  The state department of transportation and the department of public safety shall cooperate to insure the proper and adequate enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
  4.  The director of revenue shall administer and enforce the collection of the fee for new registration as provided in section 321.105A.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4863; C39, §5000.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.2]
98 Acts, ch 1074, §20; 2005 Acts, ch 35, §31; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §39

     
321.3  Powers and duties of director.
  The director is hereby vested with the power and is charged with the duty of observing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of this chapter.
[C39, §5000.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.3]

     
321.4  Rules.
  The commissioner of public safety is authorized to adopt and promulgate administrative rules governing procedures as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter; and to carry out any other laws the enforcement of which is vested in the department of public safety.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5004; C39, §5000.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.4]

     
321.5  Duty to obey.
  All local officials charged with the administration and enforcement of this chapter shall be governed in their official acts by the rules promulgated by the department.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5005; C39, §5000.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.5]
Referred to in §331.653

     
321.6  Reciprocal enforcement — patrol beats.
  There shall be reciprocal cooperation between the members of the department, the state department of public safety and local authorities in the enforcing of local and state traffic laws and in making inspections, although this section shall not be construed to give the state department of public safety any right to establish regular patrol beats inside municipal limits unless requested for a special occasion or emergency by the mayor of such city or the sheriff of the county.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5017; C39, §5000.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.6]
2012 Acts, ch 1023, §157
Referred to in §331.653

     
321.7  Seal of department.
  The department may adopt an official seal.
[C39, §5000.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.7]

     
321.8  Director to prescribe forms.
  The director shall prescribe and provide suitable forms of applications, registration cards, certificates of title and all other forms requisite or deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and any other laws, the enforcement and administration of which are vested in the department except manufacturer’s or importer’s certificates. Manufacturer’s and importer’s certificates shall be provided by the manufacturer or importer and be in the form prescribed by the department.
[C39, §5000.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.8]
83 Acts, ch 41, §1

     
321.9  Authority to administer oaths and acknowledge signatures.
  Officers and employees of the department designated by the director, county officials authorized under this chapter to issue motor vehicle registrations and titles, and county officials authorized under chapter 321M to issue driver’s licenses are authorized, for the purpose of administering the motor vehicle laws, to administer oaths and acknowledge signatures, and shall do so without fee.
[C39, §5000.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.9]
2005 Acts, ch 8, §4

     
321.10  Certified copies of records.
  1.  The director and officers of the department designated by the director are authorized to prepare under the seal of the department and provide upon request a certified copy of any record of the department, charging a fee of fifty cents for each document so authenticated, and every such certified copy shall be admissible in any proceeding in any court in like manner as the original and shall be considered to be true and accurate unless shown otherwise by an objecting party. The seal of the department may be applied electronically on certified copies of records.
  2.  Any records or certified copies of records prepared pursuant to this section and any certified abstract, or a copy of a certified abstract, of the operating record of a driver or a motor vehicle owner prepared pursuant to this chapter, chapter 321A, or chapter 321J shall be received in evidence if determined to be relevant, in any court, preliminary hearing, grand jury proceeding, civil proceeding, administrative hearing, or forfeiture proceeding in the same manner and with the same force and effect as if the director or the director’s designee had testified in person.
[C39, §5000.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.10]
98 Acts, ch 1075, §21; 2006 Acts, ch 1010, §87; 2008 Acts, ch 1018, §4
Referred to in §321.11

     
321.11  Records of department.
  1.  All records of the department, other than those made confidential or not permitted to be open in accordance with 18 U.S.C. §2721 et seq., adopted as of a specific date by rule of the department, shall be open to public inspection during office hours.
  2.  Notwithstanding subsection 1, personal information shall not be disclosed to a requester, except as provided in 18 U.S.C. §2721, unless the person whose personal information is requested has provided express written consent allowing disclosure of the person’s personal information. As used in this section, “personal information” means information that identifies a person, including a person’s photograph, social security number, driver’s license number, name, address, telephone number, and medical or disability information, but does not include information on vehicular accidents, driving violations, and driver’s status or a person’s zip code.
  3.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section to the contrary, the department shall not release personal information to a person, other than to an officer or employee of a law enforcement agency, an employee of a federal or state agency or political subdivision in the performance of the employee’s official duties, a contract employee of the department of inspections and appeals in the conduct of an investigation, or a licensed private investigation agency or a licensed security service or a licensed employee of either, if the information is requested by the presentation of a registration plate number. In addition, an officer or employee of a law enforcement agency may release the name, address, and telephone number of a motor vehicle registrant to a person requesting the information by the presentation of a registration plate number if the officer or employee of the law enforcement agency believes that the release of the information is necessary in the performance of the officer’s or employee’s duties.
  4.  The department shall not release personal information that is in the form of a person’s photograph or digital image or a digital reproduction of a person’s photograph to a person other than an officer or employee of a law enforcement agency, an employee of a federal or state agency or political subdivision in the performance of the employee’s official duties, a contract employee of the department of inspections and appeals in the conduct of an investigation, or a licensed private investigation agency or a licensed security service or a licensed employee of either, regardless of whether a person has provided express written consent to disclosure of the information. The department may collect reasonable fees for copies of records or other services provided pursuant to this section or section 22.3, 321.10, or 622.46.
[C39, §5000.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.11]
96 Acts, ch 1102, §1, 3; 97 Acts, ch 108, §3; 98 Acts, ch 1035, §1; 99 Acts, ch 198, §4; 2000 Acts, ch 1133, §2, 18; 2001 Acts, ch 90, §1
Referred to in §321.11A, 321.183, 321A.3

  
     
321.11A  Personal information disclosure — exception.
  1.  Notwithstanding section 321.11, the department, upon request, shall provide personal information that identifies a person by the social security number of the person to the following:
  a.  The department of revenue for the purpose of collecting debt.
  b.  The judicial branch for the purpose of collecting court debt pursuant to section 602.8107.
  c.  The department of administrative services for the purpose of administering the setoff program pursuant to section 8A.504.
  2.  The social security number obtained by the department of revenue or the judicial branch shall retain its confidentiality and shall only be used for the purposes provided in this section.
2008 Acts, ch 1172, §17
For future amendment to subsection 1 effective upon the later of January 1, 2021, or the effective date of rules adopted by the department of revenue to implement 2020 Acts, ch 1064, see 2020 Acts, ch 1064, §13, 28; 2020 Acts, ch 1118, §73, 74

  
     
321.12  Destruction of records.
  1.  The director may destroy any records of the department which have been maintained on file for three years and which the director deems obsolete and of no further service in carrying out the powers and duties of the department, except as otherwise provided in this section.
  2.  Operating records relating to a person who has been issued a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit shall be maintained on file in accordance with rules adopted by the department.
  3.  The following records may be destroyed according to the following requirements:
  a.  Records concerning suspensions authorized under section 321.210, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (7), and section 321.210A may be destroyed six months after the suspension is terminated and the requirements of section 321.191 have been satisfied.
  b.  Records concerning suspensions and surrender of licenses or registrations required under section 321A.31 for failing to maintain proof of financial responsibility, as defined in section 321A.1, may be destroyed six months after the requirements of sections 321.191 and 321A.29 have been satisfied.
  4.  The director shall not destroy any operating records pertaining to arrests or convictions for operating while intoxicated, in violation of section 321J.2 or operating records pertaining to revocations for violations of section 321J.2A, except that a conviction or revocation under section 321J.2 or 321J.2A that is not subject to 
49 C.F.R. pt. 383
 shall be deleted from the operating records twelve years after the date of conviction or the effective date of revocation. Convictions or revocations that are retained in the operating records for more than twelve years under this subsection shall be considered only for purposes of disqualification actions under 
49 C.F.R. pt.  383
.
[C39, §5000.12; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.12]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §16; 94 Acts, ch 1164, §1, 2; 95 Acts, ch 48, §2; 95 Acts, ch 55, §3; 97 Acts, ch 177, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1138, §1, 37; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §169; 2014 Acts, ch 1092, §176; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §46; 2016 Acts, ch 1073, §102
Referred to in §321J.2

     
321.13  Authority to grant or refuse applications.
  The department shall examine and determine the genuineness, regularity, and legality of every application made to the department, and may investigate or require additional information. The department may reject any application if not satisfied of the genuineness, regularity, or legality of the application or the truth of any statement made within the application, or for any other reason, when authorized by law. The department may retain possession of any record or document until the investigation of the application is completed if it appears that the record or document is fictitious or unlawfully or erroneously issued and shall not return the record or document if it is determined to be fictitious or unlawfully or erroneously issued.
[C39, §5000.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.13]
95 Acts, ch 118, §3

     
321.14  Seizure of documents and plates.
  The department is hereby authorized to take possession of any registration card, certificate of title, permit, or registration plate, certificate of inspection or any inspection document or form, upon expiration, revocation, cancellation, or suspension thereof, or which is fictitious, or which has been unlawfully or erroneously issued.
[C39, §5000.14; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.14]

     
321.15  Publication of law.
  The department shall issue, in pamphlet or electronic form, such parts of this chapter together with such rules, instructions, and explanatory matter as may seem advisable. Such information shall be distributed as determined by the department and shall be furnished to each county treasurer.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5018; C39, §5000.15; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.15]
2004 Acts, ch 1013, §2, 35
Referred to in §321J.1A

  
     
321.16  Giving of notices.
  1.  When the department is authorized or required to give notice under this chapter or any other law regulating the operation of vehicles, unless a different method of giving notice is expressly prescribed, notice shall be given either by personal delivery to the person to be so notified or by personal service in the manner of original notice by 
rule of civil procedure 1.305(1)
, or by first class mail addressed to the person at the address shown in the records of the department, notwithstanding chapter 17A. The department shall adopt rules regarding the giving of notice by first class mail, the updating of addresses in department records, and the development of affidavits verifying the mailing of notices under this chapter and chapter 321J. A person’s refusal to accept or a claim of failure to receive a notice of revocation, suspension, or bar mailed by first class mail to the person’s last known address shall not be a defense to a charge of driving while suspended, revoked, denied, or barred.
  2.  Proof of the giving of notice by personal service may be made by the certificate of any officer or employee of the department or affidavit of any person over eighteen years of age, naming the person to whom such notice was given and specifying the time, place, and manner of the giving thereof.
  3.  If a peace officer serves notice of immediate suspension or revocation of a driver’s license as provided in this chapter or any other chapter, the peace officer may destroy the license or send the license to the department.
[C39, §5000.16; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.16]
85 Acts, ch 121, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §41; 2007 Acts, ch 143, §7
Referred to in §321.211A, 321.556
REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATE OF TITLE,

AND PROOF OF SECURITY AGAINST

FINANCIAL LIABILITY

     
321.17  Misdemeanor to violate registration provisions.
  It is a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 2, for any person to drive or move or for an owner knowingly to permit to be driven or moved upon the highway a vehicle of a type required to be registered under this chapter which is not registered, or for which the appropriate fees have not been paid, except as provided in section 321.109, subsection 3.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5085; C39, §5001.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.17]
96 Acts, ch 1152, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §49, 59; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §48; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §32
Referred to in §331.557, 805.8A(2)(a)

     
321.18  Vehicles subject to registration — exception.
  Every motor vehicle, trailer, and semitrailer when driven or moved upon a highway shall be subject to the registration provisions of this chapter except:
  1.  Any such vehicle driven or moved upon a highway in conformance with the provisions of this chapter relating to manufacturers, transporters, dealers, or nonresidents as contemplated by section 321.53 and chapter 326, or under a temporary registration permit issued by the department as hereinafter authorized.
  2.  Any such vehicle which is driven or moved upon a highway only for the purpose of crossing such highway from one property to another.
  3.  Any implement of husbandry.
  4.  Any special mobile equipment as herein defined.
  5.  Any vehicle which is used exclusively for interplant purposes, in the operation of an industrial or manufacturing plant, consisting of a single unit comprising a group of buildings separated by streets, alleys, or railroad tracks, and which vehicle is used solely to transport materials from one part of the plant to another or from an adjacent railroad track to the plant and in so doing incidentally using said streets or alleys for not more than one thousand feet.
  6.  Any vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.
  7.  Any school bus in this state used exclusively for the transportation of pupils to and from school or a school function or for the purposes provided in section 285.1, subsection 1, and section 285.10, subsection 9, or used exclusively for the transportation of children enrolled in a federal head start program. Upon application the department shall, without charge, issue a registration certificate and registration plates. The plates shall be attached to the front and rear of each bus exempt from registration under this subsection.
  8.  Any mobile home or manufactured home and any temporary undercarriage used solely for transporting manufactured homes, modular homes, or other portable buildings used or intended to be used for human occupancy.
  9.  Any trailer that is used exclusively for the transportation, display, and distribution of flags honoring deceased veterans in parades or ceremonies held on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or other patriotic occasions as authorized by resolution of the local government of the community where the parade or ceremony takes place. A trailer exempt from registration under this subsection shall only be used on city streets or secondary roads on the day of a parade or ceremony specified in the local government’s resolution, and a copy of the resolution shall be carried at all times in the vehicle pulling the trailer.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4864; C39, §5001.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.18; 82 Acts, ch 1251, §4]
95 Acts, ch 118, §4; 99 Acts, ch 188, §2; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §17; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §8; 2007 Acts, ch 131, §1, 6; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §21; 2010 Acts, ch 1193, §122; 2012 Acts, ch 1021, §65, 142
Referred to in §321.20B, 331.557, 423.1, 423B.2, 452A.17

     
321.18A  Records of implements of husbandry.
  A person selling at retail new implements of husbandry with a retail list price in excess of five thousand dollars upon which the manufacturer has affixed a vehicle identification number, shall maintain for ten years a record of the number, the name and address of the purchaser, and the date of sale.
91 Acts, ch 97, §43
Referred to in §331.557

  
     
321.19  Exemptions — distinguishing plates — definitions of urban transit company and regional transit system.
  1.  a.  The following vehicles are exempted from the payment of the registration fees imposed by this chapter, except as provided for urban transit companies in subsection 2, but are not exempt from the penalties provided in this chapter:
  (1)  All vehicles owned or leased for a period of sixty days or more by the government and used in the transaction of official business by the representatives of foreign governments or by officers, boards, or departments of the government of the United States, and by the state, counties, municipalities and other political subdivisions of the state including vehicles used by an urban transit company operated by a municipality or a regional transit system, and self-propelling vehicles used neither for the conveyance of persons for hire, pleasure, or business nor for the transportation of freight other than those used by an urban transit company operated by a municipality or a regional transit system.
  (2)  All fire trucks, providing they are not owned and operated for a pecuniary profit.
  (3)  Authorized emergency vehicles used only in disaster relief owned and operated by an organization not operated for pecuniary profit.
  b.  (1)  The department shall furnish, on application, free of charge, distinguishing plates for vehicles thus exempted, which plates except plates on state patrol vehicles shall bear the word “official” and the department shall keep a separate record.
  (2)  Registration plates issued for state patrol vehicles, except unmarked patrol vehicles, shall bear two red stars on a yellow background, one before and one following the registration number on the plate, which registration number shall be the officer’s badge number.
  (3)  Registration plates issued for county sheriff’s patrol vehicles shall display one seven-pointed gold star followed by the letter “S” and the call number of the vehicle. 
  c.  However, the director of the department of administrative services or the director of transportation may order the issuance of regular registration plates for any exempted vehicle used by any of the following:
  (1)  Peace officers or federal law enforcement officers in the enforcement of the law.
  (2)  Persons enforcing chapter 124 and other laws relating to controlled substances.
  (3)  Persons in the department of justice, the alcoholic beverages division of the department of commerce, disease investigators of the Iowa department of public health, the department of inspections and appeals, and the department of revenue, who are regularly assigned to conduct investigations which cannot reasonably be conducted with a vehicle displaying “official” state registration plates.
  (4)  Persons who are federal agents or officers regularly assigned to conduct investigations which cannot reasonably be conducted with a vehicle displaying “official” registration plates.
  (5)  Persons in the Iowa lottery authority whose regularly assigned duties relating to security or the carrying of lottery tickets cannot reasonably be conducted with a vehicle displaying “official” registration plates.
  (6)  Persons in the economic development authority who are regularly assigned duties relating to existing industry expansion or business attraction, and mental health professionals or health care professionals who provide off-site or in-home medical or mental health services to clients of publicly funded programs.
  d.  For purposes of sale of exempted vehicles, the exempted governmental body, upon the sale of the exempted vehicle, may issue for in-transit purposes a pasteboard card bearing the words “Vehicle in Transit”, the name of the official body from which the vehicle was purchased, together with the date of the purchase plainly marked in at least one-inch letters, and other information required by the department. The in-transit card is valid for use only within forty-eight hours after the purchase date as indicated on the bill of sale which shall be carried by the driver.
  2.  a.  “Urban transit company” means any person, firm, corporation, company, or municipality which operates buses or trolley cars or both, primarily upon the streets of cities over well-defined routes between certain termini, for the transportation of passengers for a uniform fare, and which accepts for passengers all who present themselves for transportation without discrimination up to the limit of the capacity of each vehicle. Included are street railways, plants, equipment, property, and rights, used and useful in the transportation of passengers. Motor carriers and interurbans subject to the jurisdiction of the state department of transportation, and taxicabs, are not included.
  b.  The department, in accordance with subsection 1, shall furnish distinguishing plates for vehicles used by urban transit companies operated by a municipality. No other provision of law providing for the payment of taxes, registration, or license fees for vehicles shall be applicable to any bus, car, or vehicle for the transportation of passengers owned and operated by any urban transit company.
  c.  Chapter 326 is not applicable to urban transit companies or systems.
  3.  a.  “Regional transit system” means a public transit system serving one county or all or part of a multicounty area whose boundaries correspond to the same boundaries as those of the regional planning areas designated by the governor, except as agreed upon by the department. Privately chartered bus services and uses other than providing services that are open and public on a shared ride basis shall not be construed to be a regional transit system.
  b.  Each county board of supervisors within the region is responsible for determining the service and funding within its county. However, the administration and overhead support services for the overall regional transit system shall be consolidated into one existing or new agency to be mutually agreed upon by the participating members. 
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4867, 4922; C39, §5001.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §321.19; C66, 71, 73, §321.19, 386C.1 – 386C.3; C75, 77, 79, 81, §321.19]
83 Acts, ch 40, §1; 84 Acts, ch 1253, §1 – 3; 85 Acts, ch 67, §34; 85 Acts, ch 115, §2; 86 Acts, ch 1042, §10; 92 Acts, ch 1244, §41; 95 Acts, ch 118, §5; 96 Acts, ch 1034, §19; 96 Acts, ch 1066, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1211, §33; 97 Acts, ch 104, §6; 97 Acts, ch 158, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1028, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1074, §21; 99 Acts, ch 141, §37; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §244; 2003 Acts, ch 178, §109, 121; 2003 Acts, ch 179, §142; 2005 Acts, ch 35, §31; 2006 Acts, ch 1022, §1; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §49; 2011 Acts, ch 118, §85, 89; 2015 Acts, ch 30, §97; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §32
Referred to in §8A.362, 321.39, 321.166, 331.557, 721.8
See also §8A.362, 321.22, 321.170

  
     
321.20  Application for registration and certificate of title.
  1.  Except as provided in this chapter, an owner of a vehicle subject to registration shall make application to the county treasurer of the county of the owner’s residence, or if a nonresident, to the county treasurer of the county where the primary users of the vehicle are located, or if a lessor of the vehicle pursuant to chapter 321F which vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of less than ten thousand pounds, to the county treasurer of the county of the lessee’s residence, or if a firm, association, or corporation with vehicles in multiple counties, the owner may make application to the county treasurer of the county where the primary user of the vehicle is located, for the registration and issuance of a certificate of title for the vehicle upon the appropriate form furnished by the department. However, upon the transfer of ownership, the owner of a vehicle subject to the apportioned registration provisions of chapter 326 shall make application for issuance of a certificate of title to either the department or the appropriate county treasurer. The owner of a vehicle purchased pursuant to section 578A.7 shall present documentation that such sale was completed in compliance with that section. The application shall be accompanied by a fee of twenty dollars, and shall bear the owner’s signature. A nonresident owner of two or more vehicles subject to registration may make application for registration and issuance of a certificate of title for all vehicles subject to registration to the county treasurer of the county where the primary user of any of the vehicles is located. The owner of a mobile home or manufactured home shall make application for a certificate of title under this section from the county treasurer of the county where the mobile home or manufactured home is located. The application shall contain:
  a.  The full legal name; social security number or Iowa driver’s license number or Iowa nonoperator’s identification card number; date of birth; bona fide residence; and mailing address of the owner and of the lessee if the vehicle is being leased. If the owner or lessee is a firm, association, or corporation, the application shall contain the bona fide business address and federal employer identification number of the owner or lessee. Up to three owners’ names may be listed on the application. If the vehicle is a leased vehicle, the application shall state whether the notice of registration renewal shall be sent to the lessor or to the lessee and whether the lessor or the lessee shall receive the refund of the annual registration fee, if any. Information relating to the lessee of a vehicle shall not be required on an application for registration and a certificate of title for a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand pounds or more.
  b.  A description of the vehicle including, insofar as the specified data may exist with respect to a given vehicle, the make, model, type of body, the number of cylinders, the type of motor fuel used, the vehicle identification number or other assigned number, and whether new or used and, if a new vehicle, the date of sale by the manufacturer or dealer to the person intending to operate the vehicle. If the vehicle is a new low-speed vehicle, the manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate required to accompany the application under paragraph “d” shall certify that the vehicle was manufactured in compliance with the national highway traffic safety administration standards for low-speed vehicles in 
49 C.F.R. §571.500
.
  c.  Such further information as may reasonably be required by the department.
  d.  A statement of the applicant’s title and of all liens or encumbrances upon the vehicle and the names and mailing addresses of all persons having any interest in the vehicle and the nature of every such interest. When the application refers to a new vehicle, it shall be accompanied by a manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate duly assigned as provided in section 321.45.
  e.  The amount of the fee for new registration to be paid under section 321.105A, the amount of tax to be paid under section 423.26, subsection 1, or the amount of tax to be paid under section 423.26A.
  f.  If the vehicle is owned by a nonresident but is subject to issuance of an Iowa certificate of title or registration, the application shall also contain the full legal name, Iowa driver’s license number or Iowa nonoperator’s identification card number, date of birth, bona fide residence, and mailing address of the primary user of the vehicle. If the primary user is a firm, association, or corporation, the application shall contain the bona fide business address and federal employer identification number of the primary user. The primary user’s name and address shall not be printed on the registration receipt or the certificate of title.
  2.  Notwithstanding contrary provisions of this chapter or chapter 326 regarding titling and registration by means other than electronic means, the department shall, by July 1, 2019, develop and implement a program to allow for electronic applications, titling, registering, and funds transfers for vehicles subject to registration in order to improve the efficiency and timeliness of the processes and to reduce costs for all parties involved. The program shall also provide for the electronic submission of any statement required by this section, except where prohibited by federal law.
  3.  The department shall adopt rules on the method for providing signatures for applications and statements required by this section that are made by electronic means.
  4.  Notwithstanding this section or any other provision of law to the contrary, if the program required by subsection 2 is not implemented by July 1, 2019, an owner of a vehicle subject to registration may apply to the county treasurer of a county contiguous to the county designated for the owner under subsection 1 for registration and issuance of a certificate of title.
[S13, SS15, §1571-m2; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4869, 5008, 5009; C39, §5001.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.20; 82 Acts, ch 1251, §5]
84 Acts, ch 1305, §47; 87 Acts, ch 46, §1; 87 Acts, ch 108, §1; 95 Acts, ch 194, §1, 12; 97 Acts, ch 104, §7; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 99 Acts, ch 8, §1; 99 Acts, ch 188, §3; 2000 Acts, ch 1005, §2; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §39 – 41, 47; 2000 Acts, ch 1134, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §17
; 2003 Acts, 1st Ex, ch 2, §163, 205
; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §3, 35; 2005 Acts, ch 34, §3, 26; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §9; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §2; 2008 Acts, ch 1018, §5; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §13, 21, 50, 51; 2010 Acts, ch 1108, §3, 15; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §2; 2016 Acts, ch 1083, §1, 2; 2018 Acts, ch 1095, §2; 2019 Acts, ch 50, §12
Referred to in §312.2, 321.29, 321.47, 321.52A, 321.109, 321.126, 331.557, 435.27
Surcharge imposed; §321.52A 

  
     
321.20A  Certificate of title and registration fees — commercial vehicles.
  1.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, the owner of a commercial vehicle subject to the apportioned registration provisions of chapter 326 may make application to the department or the appropriate county treasurer for a certificate of title. The owner of a commercial vehicle purchased pursuant to section 578A.7 shall present documentation that such sale was completed in compliance with that section. The application for certificate of title shall be made within thirty days of purchase or transfer and shall be accompanied by a twenty dollar title fee and the appropriate fee for new registration. The department or the county treasurer shall deliver the certificate of title to the owner if there is no security interest. If there is a security interest, the title, when issued, shall be delivered to the first secured party. Delivery may be made using electronic means.
  2.  An owner of more than fifty commercial vehicles subject to the apportioned registration provisions of chapter 326 who is issued a certificate of title under this section shall not be subject to annual registration fees until the commercial vehicle is driven or moved upon the highways. The annual registration fee due shall be prorated for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year. Ownership of the commercial vehicle shall not be transferred until annual registration fees have been paid to the department.
95 Acts, ch 118, §6; 96 Acts, ch 1089, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §2; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §2; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §2; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §4, 35; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §3; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §14, 21, 52; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §3; 2019 Acts, ch 50, §13
Referred to in §312.2, 321.47, 321.52A, 331.557
Surcharge imposed, §321.52A 

  
     
321.20B  Proof of security against liability — driving without liability coverage.
  1.  a.  Notwithstanding chapter 321A, which requires certain persons to maintain proof of financial responsibility, a person shall not drive a motor vehicle on the highways of this state unless financial liability coverage, as defined in section 321.1, subsection 24B, is in effect for the motor vehicle and unless the driver has in the motor vehicle the proof of financial liability coverage card issued for the motor vehicle, or if the vehicle is registered in another state, other evidence that financial liability coverage is in effect for the motor vehicle. A proof of financial liability coverage card may be produced in paper or electronic format. Acceptable electronic formats include electronic images displayed on a cellular telephone or any other portable electronic device that has a display screen with touch input or a miniature keyboard.
  b.  It shall be conclusively presumed that a motor vehicle driven upon a parking lot which is available to the public without charge or which is available to customers or invitees of a business or facility without charge was driven on the highways of this state in order to enter the parking lot, and this section shall be applicable to such a motor vehicle. As used in this section, “parking lot” includes access roads, drives, lanes, aisles, entrances, and exits to and from a parking lot described in this paragraph.
  c.  This subsection does not apply to the operator of a motor vehicle owned by or leased to the United States, this state or another state, or any political subdivision of this state or of another state, or to a motor vehicle which is subject to section 325A.6.
  2.  a.  An insurance company transacting business in this state shall issue to its insured owners of motor vehicles registered in this state a financial liability coverage card for each motor vehicle insured. Each financial liability coverage card shall identify the registration number or vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle insured and shall indicate the expiration date of the applicable insurance coverage. The financial liability coverage card shall also contain the name and address of the insurer or the name of the insurer and the name and address of the insurance agency, the name of the insured, and an emergency telephone number of the insurer or emergency telephone number of the insurance agency. An insurance company may issue a financial liability coverage card in either paper format or, if requested by the insured, electronic format.
  b.  The department shall adopt rules regarding the contents of a financial liability coverage card to be issued pursuant to this section.
  (1)  Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a fleet owner who is issued a certificate of self-insurance pursuant to section 321A.34, subsection 1, is not required to maintain in each vehicle a financial liability coverage card with the individual registration number or the vehicle identification number of the vehicle included on the card. Such fleet owner shall be required to maintain a financial liability coverage card in each vehicle in the fleet including information deemed appropriate by the director.
  (2)  An association of individual members that is issued a certificate of self-insurance pursuant to section 321A.34, subsection 2, is required to maintain in each vehicle of an individual member a financial liability coverage card that complies with the provisions of this section and in addition contains information relating to the association and the association’s certificate of self-insurance as is deemed appropriate by the director.
  3.  If the financial liability coverage for a motor vehicle which is registered in this state is canceled or terminated effective prior to the expiration date indicated on the financial liability coverage card issued for the vehicle, the person to whom the financial liability coverage card was issued shall destroy the card.
  4.  a.  If a peace officer stops a motor vehicle registered in this state and the driver is unable to provide proof of financial liability coverage, the peace officer shall do one of the following:
  (1)  Issue a warning memorandum to the driver.
  (2)  Issue a citation to the driver.
  (3)  Issue a citation and remove the motor vehicle’s license plates and registration receipt.
  (a)  Upon removing the license plates and registration receipt, the peace officer shall deliver the plates for destruction, as appropriate, and forward the registration receipt and evidence of the violation, as determined by the department, to the county treasurer of the county in which the motor vehicle is registered.
  (b)  The motor vehicle may be driven for a time period of up to forty-eight hours after receiving the citation solely for the purpose of removing the motor vehicle from the highways of this state, unless the driver’s operating privileges are otherwise suspended. After receiving the citation, the driver shall keep the citation in the motor vehicle at all times while driving the motor vehicle as provided in this subparagraph, as proof of the driver’s privilege to drive the motor vehicle for such limited time and purpose.
  (4)  (a)  Issue a citation, remove the motor vehicle’s license plates and registration receipt, and impound the motor vehicle. The peace officer shall deliver the plates for destruction, as appropriate, and forward the registration receipt and evidence of the violation, as determined by the department, to the county treasurer of the county in which the motor vehicle is registered.
  (b)  A motor vehicle which is impounded may be claimed by a person if the owner provides proof of financial liability coverage and proof of payment of any applicable fine and the costs of towing and storage for the motor vehicle. If the motor vehicle is not claimed within thirty days after impoundment, the motor vehicle may be treated as an abandoned vehicle pursuant to section 321.89.
  (c)  The holder of a security interest in a motor vehicle which is impounded pursuant to this subparagraph shall be notified of the impoundment within seventy-two hours of the impoundment of the motor vehicle and shall have the right to claim the motor vehicle upon the payment of all fees. However, if the value of the vehicle is less than the security interest, all fees shall be divided equally between the lienholder and the political subdivision impounding the vehicle.
  b.  An owner or driver of a motor vehicle who is charged with a violation of subsection 1 and issued a citation under paragraph “a”, subparagraph (3) or (4), is subject to the following:
  (1)  An owner or driver who produces to the clerk of court, prior to the date of the individual’s court appearance as indicated on the citation, proof that financial liability coverage was in effect for the motor vehicle at the time the person was stopped and cited, or, if the driver is not the owner of the motor vehicle, proof that liability coverage was in effect for the driver with respect to the motor vehicle being driven at the time the driver was stopped and cited, in the same manner as if the motor vehicle were owned by the driver, shall be given a receipt indicating that such proof was provided and be subject to one of the following:
  (a)  If the person was cited pursuant to paragraph “a”, subparagraph (3), the owner or driver shall provide a copy of the receipt to the county treasurer of the county in which the motor vehicle is registered and the owner shall be assessed a fifteen dollar administrative fee by the county treasurer who shall issue new license plates and registration to the person after payment of the fee.
  (b)  If the person was cited pursuant to paragraph “a”, subparagraph (4), the owner or driver, after the owner provides proof of financial liability coverage to the clerk of court, may claim the motor vehicle after such person pays any applicable fine and the costs of towing and storage for the motor vehicle, and the owner or driver provides a copy of the receipt and the owner pays to the county treasurer of the county in which the motor vehicle is registered a fifteen dollar administrative fee, and the county treasurer shall issue new license plates and registration to the person.
  (2)  An owner or driver who is charged with a violation of subsection 1 and is unable to show that financial liability coverage was in effect for the motor vehicle at the time the person was stopped and cited may do either of the following:
  (a)  Sign an admission of violation on the citation and remit to the clerk of court a scheduled fine as provided in section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “f”, for a violation of subsection 1. Upon payment of the fine to the clerk of court of the county where the citation was issued, payment of a fifteen dollar administrative fee to the county treasurer of the county in which the motor vehicle is registered, and providing proof of payment of any applicable fine and proof of financial liability coverages to the county treasurer of the county in which the motor vehicle is registered, the treasurer shall issue new license plates and registration to the owner.
  (b)  Request an appearance before the court on the matter. If the matter goes before the court, and the owner or driver is found guilty of a violation of subsection 1, the court may impose a fine as provided in section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “f”, for a violation of subsection 1, or the court may order the person to perform unpaid community service instead of the fine. Upon the payment of the fine or the entry of the order for unpaid community service, the person shall provide proof of payment or entry of such order and the county treasurer of the county in which the motor vehicle is registered shall issue new license plates and registration to the owner upon the owner providing proof of financial liability coverage and paying a fifteen dollar administrative fee to the county treasurer.
  c.  An owner or driver cited for a violation of subsection 1, who produces to the clerk of court prior to the date of the person’s court appearance as indicated on the citation proof that financial liability coverage was in effect for the motor vehicle at the time the person was stopped and cited, shall not be convicted of such violation and the citation issued shall be dismissed by the court. Upon dismissal, the court or clerk of court shall assess the costs of the action against the defendant named on the citation.
  5.  If the motor vehicle is not registered in this state and the driver is a nonresident, the peace officer shall do one of the following:
  a.  Issue a warning memorandum to the driver.
  b.  Issue a citation. An owner or driver who produces to the clerk of court prior to the date of the person’s court appearance as indicated on the citation proof that the financial liability coverage was in effect for the motor vehicle at the time the person was stopped and cited, or if the driver is not the owner of the motor vehicle, proof that liability coverage was in effect for the driver with respect to the motor vehicle being driven at the time the driver was stopped and cited in the same manner as if the motor vehicle were owned by the driver, shall be given a receipt indicating that proof was provided, and the citation issued shall be dismissed by the court. Upon dismissal, the court or clerk of court shall assess the costs of the action against the defendant named on the citation.
  6.  This section does not apply to a motor vehicle identified in section 321.18, subsection 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8.
  7.  This section does not apply to a lienholder who has a security interest in a motor vehicle subject to the registration requirements of this chapter, so long as such lienholder maintains financial liability coverage for any motor vehicle driven or moved by the lienholder in which the lienholder has an interest.
  8.  This section does not apply to a motor vehicle owned by a motor vehicle dealer or wholesaler licensed pursuant to chapter 322.
  9.  The director of transportation and the commissioner of insurance shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this section.
97 Acts, ch 139, §2, 17, 18; 98 Acts, ch 1100, §41; 98 Acts, ch 1121, §1 – 4, 8, 9; 99 Acts, ch 110, §1; 99 Acts, ch 114, §19; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §16; 2002 Acts, ch 1050, §32; 2003 Acts, ch 151, §23 – 25; 2006 Acts, ch 1144, §1 – 3; 2007 Acts, ch 215, §105; 2008 Acts, ch 1031, §111; 2012 Acts, ch 1138, §29; 2013 Acts, ch 103, §5, 6
Referred to in §321.1, 321.54, 321.55, 321.89, 321.515, 321.516, 321A.34, 321K.1, 321N.4, 322.7B, 326.25, 331.557, 805.8A(14)(f)

321.21  Special mobile equipment plates.  Repealed by 99 Acts, ch 13, §28, 29; 
2000 Acts, ch 1154, §46, 50
. 

     
321.22  Urban and regional transit equipment certificates and plates.
  1.  An urban transit company or system having a franchise to operate in any city and any regional transit system may make application to the department, upon forms furnished by the department, for a certificate containing a distinguishing number and for one or more pairs of registration plates to be attached to the front and rear of buses owned or operated by the transit company or system.
  2.  The department shall issue to the applicant a certificate, or certificates, containing but not limited to the applicant’s name and address, the distinguishing number assigned to the applicant, and such other information deemed necessary by the department for proper identification of the buses.
  3.  The department shall issue registration plates to the applicant.
  4.  The department shall issue the certificates and plates without fee.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.22]
84 Acts, ch 1253, §4; 85 Acts, ch 195, §31; 92 Acts, ch 1244, §42; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §22
Referred to in §331.557

  
     
321.23  Titles to specially constructed and reconstructed vehicles, street rods, replica vehicles, and foreign vehicles.
  1.  a.  If the vehicle to be registered is a specially constructed vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, street rod, replica vehicle, or foreign vehicle, such fact shall be stated in the application. A fee of ten dollars shall be paid by the person making the application upon issuance of a certificate of title by the county treasurer. For a specially constructed vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, street rod, or replica vehicle subject to registration, the application shall be accompanied by a statement from the department authorizing the motor vehicle to be titled and registered in this state. The owner of a specially constructed vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, street rod, replica vehicle, or foreign vehicle purchased pursuant to section 578A.7 shall present documentation that such sale was completed in compliance with that section.
  b.  The department shall cause a physical inspection to be made of all specially constructed vehicles, reconstructed vehicles, street rods, and replica vehicles upon application for a certificate of title by the owner, to determine whether the motor vehicle complies with the definition of specially constructed vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, street rod, or replica vehicle in this chapter and to determine that the integral component parts are properly identified and that the rightful ownership is established before issuing the owner the authority to have the motor vehicle registered and titled. The purpose of the physical inspection under this section is not to determine whether the motor vehicle is in a condition safe to operate.
  c.  The owner of a specially constructed vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, street rod, or replica vehicle shall apply for a certificate of title and registration for the vehicle at the county treasurer’s office within thirty days of the inspection. For a foreign vehicle which has been registered outside this state, the owner shall surrender to the treasurer all registration plates, registration cards, and certificates of title, or if the vehicle to be registered is from a nontitle state, the evidence of foreign registration and ownership as may be prescribed by the department except as provided in subsection 2.
  d.  Upon completion of every specially constructed vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, street rod, or replica vehicle, the owner shall certify on a form prescribed by the department that such vehicle is in compliance with all equipment specifications required under this chapter.
  2.  Where in the course of operation of a vehicle registered in another state it is desirable to retain registration of said vehicle in such other state, such applicant need not surrender but shall submit for inspection said evidence of such foreign registration and the treasurer upon a proper showing shall register said vehicle in this state but shall not issue a certificate of title for such vehicle.
  3.  In the event an applicant for registration of a foreign vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued is able to furnish evidence of being the registered owner of the vehicle to the county treasurer of the owner’s residence, although unable to surrender such certificate of title, the county treasurer may issue a registration receipt and plates upon receipt of the required annual registration fee and the fee for new registration but shall not issue a certificate of title thereto. Upon surrender of the certificate of title from the foreign state, the county treasurer shall issue a certificate of title to the owner, or person entitled thereto, of such vehicle as provided in this chapter. The owner of a vehicle registered under this subsection shall not be required to obtain a certificate of title in this state and may transfer ownership of the vehicle to a motor vehicle dealer licensed under chapter 322 if, at the time of the transfer, the certificate of title is held by a secured party and the dealer has forwarded to the secured party the sum necessary to discharge the security interest pursuant to section 321.48, subsection 1.
  4.  A vehicle which does not meet the equipment requirements of this chapter due to the particular use for which it is designed or intended, may be registered by the department upon payment of appropriate fees and after inspection and certification by the department that the vehicle is not in an unsafe condition. A person is not required to have a certificate of title to register a vehicle under this subsection. If the owner elects to have a certificate of title issued for the vehicle, a fee of twenty dollars shall be paid by the person making the application upon issuance of a certificate of title. If the department’s inspection reveals that the vehicle may be safely operated only under certain conditions or on certain types of roadways, the department may restrict the registration to limit operation of the vehicle to the appropriate conditions or roadways. This subsection does not apply to snowmobiles as defined in section 321G.1. Section 321.382 does not apply to a vehicle registered under this subsection which is operated exclusively by a person with a disability who has obtained a persons with disabilities parking permit as provided in section 321L.2, if the persons with disabilities parking permit is carried in or on the vehicle and shown to a peace officer on request.
[C39, §5001.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.23]
83 Acts, ch 9, §4, 8; 84 Acts, ch 1305, §48; 88 Acts, ch 1158, §65; 89 Acts, ch 247, §3; 96 Acts, ch 1171, §1; 97 Acts, ch 70, §2; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §5; 99 Acts, ch 13, §4; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §6; 2008 Acts, ch 1044, §5, 8; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §15, 21, 53; 2008 Acts, ch 1191, §127; 2019 Acts, ch 50, §14
Referred to in §312.2, 321.30, 321.47, 321.52A, 321.67, 331.557
Surcharge imposed; §321.52A 

     
321.23A  Affidavit of correction.
  When information is printed incorrectly on a certificate of title, application for certificate of title, damage disclosure statement, or other document required for a title transfer or when these documents contain an alteration or erasure, the county treasurer may accept a notarized affidavit of correction. This section does not apply to an odometer certification statement. The department shall consult with a representative of the Iowa state county treasurer’s association and shall promulgate rules and adopt a standard affidavit form or forms to administer this section.
2004 Acts, ch 1092, §1
Referred to in §331.557

  
     
321.24  Issuance of registration and certificate of title.
  1.  Upon receipt of the application for title and payment of the required fees for a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, the county treasurer or the department shall, when satisfied as to the application’s genuineness and regularity, and, in the case of a mobile home or manufactured home, that taxes are not owing under chapter 423 or 435, issue a certificate of title and, except for a mobile home or manufactured home, a registration receipt, and shall file the application, the manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate, the certificate of title, or other evidence of ownership, as prescribed by the department. The registration receipt shall be delivered to the owner and shall contain upon its face the date issued, the name and address of the owner, the registration number assigned to the vehicle, the amount of the fee paid, the type of fuel used, a description of the vehicle as determined by the department, and a form for notice of transfer of the vehicle. The name and address of any lessee of the vehicle shall not be printed on the registration receipt or certificate of title. Up to three owners may be listed on the registration receipt and certificate of title.
  2.  The county treasurer shall maintain in the county record system information contained on the registration receipt. The information shall be accessible by registration number and shall be open for public inspection during reasonable business hours. Copies the department requires shall be sent to the department in the manner and at the time the department directs.
  3.  The certificate of title shall contain upon its face the identical information required upon the face of the registration receipt. In addition, the certificate of title shall contain a statement of the owner’s title, the title number assigned to the owner or owners of the vehicle, the name and address of the previous owner, and a statement of all security interests and encumbrances as shown in the application, upon the vehicle described, including the nature of the security interest, date of perfection, and name and mailing address of the secured party.
  4.  If the prior certificate of title is from another state and indicates that the vehicle was rebuilt, the new certificate of title and registration receipt shall contain the designation “REBUILT” printed on its face together with the name of the state issuing the prior title. The designation shall be retained on the face of all subsequent certificates of title and registration receipts for the vehicle.
  5.  If the prior certificate of title is from another state and indicates that the vehicle was junked, an Iowa junking certificate shall be issued according to section 321.52, subsections 2 and 3. If the prior certificate of title from another state indicates that the vehicle is salvaged and not rebuilt or is a salvage certificate of title, an Iowa salvage certificate of title shall be issued and a “SALVAGE” designation shall be retained on all subsequent Iowa certificates of title and registration receipts for the vehicle, unless the owner has surrendered the prior certificate of title and a salvage theft examination certificate, as provided under section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph “c”, and the salvage theft examination certificate was properly executed within thirty days of the date the owner was assigned the prior certificate of title. The department may require that subsequent Iowa certificates of title retain other states’ designations which indicate that a vehicle had incurred prior damage. The department shall determine the manner in which other states’ rebuilt, salvage, or other designations are to be indicated on Iowa titles.
  6.  If the prior certificate of title is from another state and indicates that the vehicle was returned to the manufacturer pursuant to a law of another state similar to chapter 322G, the new registration receipt and certificate of title, and all subsequent registration receipts and certificates of title issued for the vehicle, shall contain a designation indicating the vehicle was returned to the manufacturer. The department shall determine the manner in which other states’ designations are to be indicated on Iowa registration receipts and certificates of title. The department may determine that a “REBUILT” or “SALVAGE” designation supersedes the designation required by this subsection and include the “REBUILT” or “SALVAGE” designation on the registration receipt and certificate of title in lieu of the designation required by this subsection.
  7.  The certificate shall contain the name of the county treasurer or of the department and, if the certificate of title is printed, the signature of the county treasurer, the deputy county treasurer, or the department director or deputy designee. The certificate of title shall contain upon the reverse side a form for assignment of title or interest and warranty by the owner, for reassignments by a dealer licensed in this state or in another state if the state in which the dealer is licensed permits Iowa licensed dealers to similarly reassign certificates of title. However, titles for mobile homes or manufactured homes shall not be reassigned by licensed dealers. Notwithstanding section 321.1, subsection 17, as used in this subsection, “dealer” means every person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging vehicles of a type required to be registered under this chapter.
  8.  The original certificate of title shall be delivered to the owner if there is no security interest. Otherwise the certificate of title shall be delivered by the county treasurer or the department to the person holding the first security interest. Delivery may be made using electronic means.
  9.  The county treasurer or the department shall maintain in the county or department records system information contained on the certificate of title. The information shall be accessible by title certificate number for a period of three years from the date of notification of cancellation of title or that a new title has been issued as provided in this chapter. Copies the department requires shall be sent to the department in the manner and at the time the department directs. The department shall designate a uniform system of title numbers to indicate the county of issuance.
  10.  A vehicle shall be registered for the registration year. A vehicle registered for the first time in this state shall be registered for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year and pay an annual registration fee prorated for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year plus a fee for new registration if applicable pursuant to section 321.105A. Except for a vehicle registered under chapter 326, a vehicle registered for the first time during the eleventh month of the owner’s registration year may be registered for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year as provided in this subsection or for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year and for the next registration year, upon payment of the applicable registration fees.
  11.  If the county treasurer or department is not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle or that there are no undisclosed security interests in it, or a junking certificate has been issued for the vehicle but a certificate of title will not be reissued under section 321.52, subsection 3, and the vehicle qualifies as an antique vehicle under section 321.115, subsection 1, the county treasurer or department may register the vehicle but shall, as a condition of issuing a certificate of title and registration receipt, require the applicant to file with the department a bond in the form prescribed by the department and executed by the applicant, and either accompanied by the deposit of cash with the department or also executed by a person authorized to conduct a surety business in this state. The owner of a vehicle subject to the bond requirements of this subsection shall apply for a certificate of title and registration for the vehicle at the county treasurer’s office within thirty days of issuance of written authorization from the department. The bond shall be in an amount equal to one and one-half times the current value of the vehicle as determined by the department and conditioned to indemnify any prior owner and secured party and any subsequent purchaser of the vehicle or person acquiring any security interest in it, and their respective successors in interest, against any expense, loss, or damage, including reasonable attorney fees, by reason of the issuance of the certificate of title for the vehicle or on account of any defect in or undisclosed security interest upon the right, title, and interest of the applicant in and to the vehicle. Any such interested person has a right of action to recover on the bond for any breach of its conditions, but the aggregate liability of the surety to all persons shall not exceed the amount of the bond. The bond, and any deposit accompanying it, shall be returned at the end of three years or earlier if the vehicle is no longer registered in this state and the currently valid certificate of title is surrendered to the department, unless the department has been notified of the pendency of an action to recover on the bond. The department may authorize issuance of a certificate of title as provided in this subsection for a vehicle with an unreleased security interest upon presentation of satisfactory evidence that the security interest has been extinguished or that the holder of the security interest cannot be located to release the security interest as provided in section 321.50.
  12.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 2, paragraph “b”.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4873; C39, §5001.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.24; 82 Acts, ch 1251, §8]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §3, 38; 87 Acts, ch 108, §2; 87 Acts, ch 130, §1; 88 Acts, ch 1089, §3; 89 Acts, ch 185, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1116, §1; 91 Acts, ch 142, §1; 92 Acts, ch 1104, §2; 94 Acts, ch 1199, §77; 95 Acts, ch 45, §1; 99 Acts, ch 188, §4; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §42, 47; 2000 Acts, ch 1028, §1, 4; 2000 Acts, ch 1047, §1, 4; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §17
; 2003 Acts, 1st Ex, ch 2, §164, 205
; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §5, 35; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §7, 8; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §4; 2007 Acts, ch 143, §8; 2008 Acts, ch 1018, §6; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §54; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §113; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §1; 2014 Acts, ch 1092, §73; 2016 Acts, ch 1098, §31; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §31, 93
Referred to in §321.46, 321.52, 321.69, 321.152, 331.557, 805.8A(2)(b)
Certain trailers exempt, see §321.123 

  
     
321.25  Application for registration and title — cards attached.
  1.  A vehicle may be operated upon the highways of this state without registration plates for a period of forty-five days after the date of delivery of the vehicle to the purchaser from a dealer if a card bearing the words “registration applied for” is attached on the rear of the vehicle. The card shall have plainly stamped or stenciled the registration number of the dealer from whom the vehicle was purchased and the date of delivery of the vehicle. In addition, a dealer licensed to sell new motor vehicles may attach the card to a new motor vehicle delivered by the dealer to the purchaser even if the vehicle was purchased from an out-of-state dealer and the card shall bear the registration number of the dealer that delivered the vehicle. A dealer shall not issue a card to a person known to the dealer to be in possession of registration plates which may be attached to the vehicle. A dealer shall not issue a card unless an application for registration and certificate of title has been made by the purchaser and a receipt issued to the purchaser of the vehicle showing the fee paid by the person making the application. Dealers’ records shall indicate the agency to which the fee is sent and the date the fee is sent. The dealer shall forward the application by the purchaser to the county treasurer or state office within thirty calendar days from the date of delivery of the vehicle. However, if the vehicle is subject to a security interest and has been offered for sale pursuant to section 321.48, subsection 1, the dealer shall forward the application by the purchaser to the county treasurer or state office within thirty calendar days from the date of the delivery of the vehicle to the purchaser.
  2.  The department shall, upon request by any dealer, furnish “registration applied for” cards free of charge. Only cards furnished by the department shall be used. Only one card shall be issued in accordance with this subsection for each vehicle purchased.
[S13, §1571-m10; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4880; C39, §5001.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, §321.25; C77, §321.25 – 321.27; C79, 81, §321.25]
83 Acts, ch 82, §1; 93 Acts, ch 47, §1; 97 Acts, ch 108, §4; 99 Acts, ch 13, §5; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §3
Referred to in §321.46, 331.557, 805.8A(2)(c)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 2

     
321.26  Multiple registration periods and adjustments.
  1.  There are established twelve registration periods for the registration of vehicles by the county treasurer. Each registration period shall commence on the first day of each calendar month following the month of the birth of the owner of the vehicle and end on the last day of the twelfth month.
  2.  The county treasurer may adjust the renewal or expiration date of vehicles registered in the county when deemed necessary to equalize the number of vehicles registered in each twelve-month period or for the administrative efficiency of the county treasurer’s office. The adjustment shall be accomplished by delivery of a written notice to the vehicle owner of the adjustment and allowance of a credit for the remaining months of the unused portion of the annual registration fee, rounded to the nearest whole dollar, which amount shall be deducted from the annual registration fee due at the time of registration. Upon receipt of the notification the owner shall, within thirty days, surrender the registration card and registration plates to a county treasurer, except that the registration plates shall not be surrendered if validation stickers or other emblems are used to designate the month and year of expiration of registration. Upon payment of the annual registration fee, less the credit allowed for the remaining months of the unused portion of the annual registration fee, the county treasurer of the county where the vehicle is registered shall issue a new registration card and registration plates, validation stickers, or emblems which indicate the month and year of expiration of registration.
  3.   Except for motor trucks or truck tractors registered by the county treasurer pursuant to sections 321.120, 321.121, and 321.122, vehicles subject to registration which are owned by a person other than a natural person shall be registered for a registration year as determined by the county treasurer.
82 Acts, ch 1062, §34, 38; 83 Acts, ch 24, §8, 12; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §55; 2013 Acts, ch 103, §7; 2021 Acts, ch 38, §1
Referred to in §331.557
Subsection 2 amended

321.27  Implementation of twelve-month registration period.  Repealed by 97 Acts, ch 108, §49. 

     
321.28  Failure to register.
  The treasurer shall withhold the registration of any vehicle the owner of which shall have failed to register the same under the provisions of this chapter, for any previous period or periods for which it appears that registration should have been made, until the fee for such previous period or periods shall be paid.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4870; C39, §5001.12; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.28]
Referred to in §321.101, 331.557

     
321.29  Renewal not permitted.
  Any vehicle once registered in the state and by removal no longer subject to registration in this state, shall upon being returned to this state and subject to registration be again registered in accordance with section 321.20.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4876; C39, §5001.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.29]
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.30  Grounds for refusing registration or title.
  1.  The department or the county treasurer shall refuse registration and issuance of a certificate of title or any transfer of title and registration upon any of the following grounds:
  a.  That the application contains any false or fraudulent statement or that the applicant has failed to furnish required information or reasonable additional information requested by the department or that the applicant is not entitled to registration and issuance of a certificate of title of the vehicle under this chapter.
  b.  That the vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated or moved upon the highways, providing such condition is revealed by a member of this department, or any peace officer.
  c.  That the department or the county treasurer has reasonable ground to believe that the vehicle is a stolen or embezzled vehicle or that the granting of registration and issuance of a certificate of title would constitute a fraud against the rightful owner.
  d.  That the registration of the vehicle stands suspended or revoked for any reason as provided in the motor vehicle laws of this state.
  e.  That the required registration fees have not been paid except as provided in section 321.48.
  f.  For a vehicle subject only to a certificate of title or a manufactured home, that the required use tax has not been paid.
  g.  If application for registration and certificate of title for a new vehicle is not accompanied by a manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate duly assigned.
  h.  If application for a transfer of registration and issuance of a certificate of title for a used vehicle registered in this state is not accompanied by a certificate of title duly assigned.
  i.  If application and supporting documents are insufficient to authorize the issuance of a certificate of title as provided by this chapter, except that an initial registration or transfer of registration may be issued as provided in section 321.23.
  j.  In the case of a mobile home or manufactured home, that taxes are owing under chapter 435 for a previous year.
  k.  In the case of a mobile home or manufactured home converted from real estate, real estate taxes which are delinquent.
  l.  If a commercial motor vehicle has been assigned to be operated by a commercial motor carrier whose ability to operate has been terminated or denied by a federal agency.
  m.  If the applicant is under eighteen years of age, unless the applicant has an Iowa driver’s license or the application is being made by more than one applicant and one of the applicants is at least eighteen years of age.
  2.  a.  Unless otherwise provided for in this chapter, the department or the county treasurer shall refuse registration and issuance of a certificate of title unless the vehicle bears a manufacturer’s label pursuant to 
49 C.F.R. pt. 567
 certifying that the vehicle meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.
  b.  A military vehicle, other than a vehicle that runs on continuous tracks or wheels and tracks, that was originally manufactured for and sold directly to the armed forces of the United States in conformity with contractual specifications, as provided in 
49 C.F.R. §571.7
, may be registered and issued a certificate of title if the owner provides satisfactory evidence to the department that the vehicle is substantially in compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards. The department may adopt rules as necessary concerning the registration and titling of military vehicles in accordance with this chapter.
  3.  The department or the county treasurer shall refuse registration of a vehicle if the applicant for registration of the vehicle has failed to pay the required annual registration fee or the fee for new registration of any vehicle owned or previously owned when the fee was required to be paid by the applicant, and for which vehicle the registration was suspended or revoked under section 321.101, subsection 1, paragraph “d”, or section 321.101A, until the fee is paid together with any accrued penalties.
[C39, §5001.14; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.30; 82 Acts, ch 1164, §1, ch 1251, §9]
85 Acts, ch 98, §3; 87 Acts, ch 108, §3 – 5; 95 Acts, ch 55, §4; 95 Acts, ch 194, §2, 12; 99 Acts, ch 188, §5; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §4, 5; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §17; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §245; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §10, 41; 2007 Acts, ch 126, §53; 2008 Acts, ch 1018, §7, 8; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §56, 57; 2012 Acts, ch 1091, §1
Referred to in §321.101, 331.557
See also §321.40 

  
     
321.31  Records system.
  A state and county records system shall be maintained in the following manner:
  1.  State records system.
  a.  The department shall install and maintain a records system which shall contain the name and address of the vehicle owner, current and previous registration number, vehicle identification number, make, model, style, date of purchase, registration certificate number, maximum gross weight, weight, list price or value of the vehicle as fixed by the department, fees paid and date of payment. The records system shall also contain a record of the certificate of title including such information as the department deems necessary. The information to be kept in the records system shall be entered within forty-eight hours after receipt insofar as is practical. The records system shall constitute the permanent record of ownership of each vehicle titled under the laws of this state.
  b.  The department may make photostatic, microfilm, or other photographic copies of certificates of title, registration receipts, or other records, reports or documents which are required to be retained by the department. When copies have been made, the department may destroy the original records in such manner as prescribed by the director. The photostatic, microfilm, or other photographic copies, when no longer of use, may be destroyed in the manner prescribed by the director, subject to the approval of the state records commission. Photostatic, microfilm, or other photographic copies of records shall be admissible in evidence when duly certified and authenticated by the officer having custody and control of the copies of records. Records of vehicle certificates of title may be destroyed seven years after the date of issue.
  c.  The director shall maintain a records system of delinquent accounts owed to the state using information provided through the computerized data bank established in section 421.17. The department and county treasurers shall use the information maintained in the records system to determine if applicants for renewal of registration have delinquent accounts, charges, fees, loans, taxes, or other indebtedness owed to or being collected by the state as provided pursuant to section 8A.504. The director, the director of the department of administrative services, and the director of revenue shall establish procedures for updating the delinquent accounts records to add and remove accounts, as applicable.
  2.  County records system.
  a.  Each county treasurer’s office shall maintain a county records system for vehicle registration and certificate of title documents. The records system shall consist of information from the certificate of title, including the date of perfection and cancellation of security interests, and information from the registration receipt. The information shall be maintained in a manner approved by the department.
  b.  Records of vehicle certificates of title for vehicles that are delinquent for five or more consecutive years may be destroyed by the county treasurer. Automated files, optical disks, microfiche records, and photostatic, microfilm or other photographic copies of records shall be admissible in evidence when duly certified and authenticated by the officer having custody and control of the records.
[S13, §1571-m2; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5010; C39, §5001.15; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.31]
89 Acts, ch 185, §2; 95 Acts, ch 194, §3, 12; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §246; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §6, 35; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180
Referred to in §331.557
For future amendment to subsection 1, paragraph c, effective upon the later of January 1, 2021, or the effective date of rules adopted by the department of revenue to implement 2020 Acts, ch 1064, see 2020 Acts, ch 1064, §14, 28; 2020 Acts, ch 1118, §73, 74

     
321.32  Registration card carried and exhibited — exception.
  1.  A vehicle’s registration card shall at all times be carried in the vehicle to which it refers and shall be shown to any peace officer upon the officer’s request.
  2.  This section shall not apply when the registration card is being used for the purpose of making application for renewal of registration or upon a transfer of registration for that vehicle.
[S13, §1571-m11; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4879; C39, §5001.16; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.32]
91 Acts, ch 27, §1; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §89
Referred to in §331.557, 805.8A(2)(d)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 2

     
321.33  Exception.  Repealed by 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §140.  See §321.32.

  
     
321.34  Plates or validation sticker furnished — retained by owner — special plates.
  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, autocycle, 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 a county treasurer 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.
  a.  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 annual 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.
  b.  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, motorcycle, trailer, or motor truck 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.  Permanent plates.  In lieu of issuing annual registration plates for trailers, semitrailers, motor trucks, and truck tractors, the department may issue a permanent registration plate for trailers, semitrailers, 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 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 autocycles, 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 annual registration fee and any penalties subject to regular registration plate holders for late renewal.
  c.  The fees collected by the director under this subsection 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 subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection 1, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, trailer over two thousand pounds, or travel trailer registered in this state, collegiate registration plates created pursuant to this subsection. 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.  (1)  The fees for a collegiate registration plate are as follows:
  (a)  A registration fee of twenty-five dollars.
  (b)  A special collegiate registration fee of twenty-five dollars.
  (2)  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 deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall credit monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to Iowa state university of science and technology, the university of northern Iowa, and the state university of Iowa respectively, 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.
  7A.  Collegiate plates — Private four-year colleges and universities.
  a.  Upon application by a private four-year college or university located in this state and payment of the initial set-up costs for establishing the collegiate plate, the department, in consultation with the college or university, may design a special collegiate registration plate displaying the colors associated with the college or university.
  b.  Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue to the owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection 1, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, trailer over two thousand pounds, or travel trailer registered in this state, collegiate registration plates created pursuant to this subsection. The fee for the issuance of collegiate registration plates is twenty-five dollars, which fee is in addition to the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. An applicant may obtain a personalized collegiate registration plate upon payment of the additional fee for a personalized plate as provided in subsection 5 in addition to the collegiate plate fee and the regular registration fee. The county treasurer shall validate collegiate registration plates issued under this subsection in the same manner as regular registration plates, upon payment of five dollars in addition to the regular annual registration fee. Upon receipt of the collegiate registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the regular registration plates to the county treasurer.
  c.  A personalized 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.  Medal of honor plates.
  a.  The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection 1, autocycle, motorcycle, trailer, or motor truck who has been awarded the 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 medal of honor and an identifying number. Each applicant applying for special registration plates under this subsection may order 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 at no charge to the applicant in exchange for the registration plates previously issued to the person. A person who is issued special plates under this subsection is exempt from payment of any annual registration fee for the motor vehicle bearing the special plates. 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.
  b.  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. 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.
  8A.  Ex-prisoner of war special plates.
  a.  The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection 1, autocycle, motorcycle, trailer, or motor truck who was a prisoner of war during a time of military conflict may, upon written application to the department, order only one set of special registration plates with an ex-prisoner of war processed emblem. The emblem shall be designed by the department in cooperation with the adjutant general and shall signify 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 special plates shall be issued at no charge and are subject to an annual registration fee of fifteen dollars. The county treasurer shall validate the special plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under this section.
  b.  The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection may continue to use or apply for and 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.
  9.  Leased vehicles.  Registration plates under this section, including disabled veteran plates specified in section 321.105, 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.
  a.  An owner referred to in subsection 12 who is a current or retired 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 signify that the applicant is a current or retired member of a paid or volunteer fire department.
  b.  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. An applicant who is the owner of a business-trade truck or special truck shall not be issued special fire fighter registration plates for more than one vehicle. The fee for the special plates is twenty-five dollars which shall be paid 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.
  c.  The special fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the Paul Ryan memorial fire fighter safety training fund created pursuant to section 100B.12 the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for the fire fighter plates.
  d.  For purposes of this subsection, a person is considered to be retired if the person is recognized by the chief of the fire department where the individual served, and on record, as officially retired from the fire department. Special registration plates with a fire fighter emblem shall be surrendered, as provided in subsection 12, in exchange for regular registration plates upon termination of the motor vehicle owner’s membership in the paid or volunteer fire department, unless the person is a retired member in good standing.
  10A.  Emergency medical services plates.
  a.  The owner of a motor vehicle referred to in subsection 12 who is a current member of a paid or volunteer emergency medical services agency may, upon written application to the department, order special registration plates, designed by the department in cooperation with representatives designated by the Iowa emergency medical services association, which plates signify that the applicant is a current member of a paid or volunteer emergency medical services agency. The application shall be approved by the department, in consultation with representatives designated by the Iowa emergency medical services association, 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 is twenty-five dollars which is 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.
  b.  The special fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the emergency medical services fund created in section 135.25 the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for issuance of emergency medical services plates.
  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, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, 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.  (1)  The special natural resources fee for letter-number designated natural resources plates is forty-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 forty-five dollars. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall credit monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, 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.
  (2)  From the moneys credited to the Iowa resources enhancement and protection fund under subparagraph (1), ten dollars of the fee collected for each natural resources plate issued, and fifteen dollars from each renewal fee, shall be allocated to the department of natural resources wildlife bureau to be used for nongame wildlife programs.
  d.  Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current registration 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 twenty-five 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”.
  11A.  Love our kids plates.
  a.  Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue “love our kids” plates to the owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection 1, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, or travel trailer.
  b.  Love our kids plates shall be designed by the department in cooperation with the Iowa department of public health.
  c.  The special fee for letter-number designated love our kids plates is thirty-five dollars. The fee for personalized love our kids plates is twenty-five dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the special love our kids fee of thirty-five dollars. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the Iowa department of public health the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for the love our kids plates. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys transferred under this subsection shall not revert to the general fund of the state.
  d.  Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current registration 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 love our kids 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 love our kids plates is five dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the annual special love our kids fee and the regular annual registration fee. The annual love our kids fee shall be credited as provided under paragraph “c”.
  11B.  Motorcycle rider education plates.
  a.  Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue “motorcycle rider education” plates to the owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection 1, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, or travel trailer.
  b.  Motorcycle rider education plates shall be designed by the department.
  c.  The special fee for letter-number designated motorcycle rider education plates is thirty-five dollars. The fee for personalized motorcycle rider education plates is twenty-five dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the special motorcycle rider education fee of thirty-five dollars. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the department for use in accordance with section 321.179, the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for the motorcycle rider education plates.
  d.  Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current registration 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 motorcycle rider education 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 motorcycle rider education plates is five dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the annual special motorcycle rider education fee and the regular annual registration fee. The annual motorcycle rider education fee shall be credited as provided under paragraph “c”.
  11C.  Blackout plates.
  a.  Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue blackout plates to the owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection 1, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, or travel trailer.
  b.  Blackout plates shall be designed by the department. A blackout plate’s background shall be black, and the plate’s letters and numbers shall be white.
  c.  The special blackout fee for letter-number designated blackout plates is thirty-five dollars. An applicant may obtain personalized blackout plates upon payment of the fee for personalized plates as provided in subsection 5, which is in addition to the special blackout fee. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund.
  d.  Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current registration 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 blackout 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 blackout plates is five dollars which shall be paid in addition to the annual special blackout fee and the regular annual registration fee. The annual special blackout fee shall be credited as provided under paragraph “c”.
  e.  The department shall not condition the issuance of blackout plates on the receipt of any number of orders for blackout plates.
  11D.  Flying our colors plates.
  a.  Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue flying our colors plates to the owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection 1, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, or travel trailer.
  b.  Flying our colors plates shall be designed by the department. Flying our colors plates shall be navy along the top and red along the bottom, and contain a white space in the middle of the plate which shall include the plate’s letters and numbers in black and a gray image of a bald eagle behind the plate’s letters and numbers. 
  c.  (1)  The special flying our colors fee for letter-number designated flying our colors plates is thirty-five dollars. An applicant may obtain personalized flying our colors plates upon payment of the fee for personalized plates as provided in subsection 5, which is in addition to the special fee. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund.
  (2)  The treasurer of state shall credit monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the flood mitigation fund created under section 418.10, the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for flying our colors plates. This subparagraph is repealed July 1, 2023.
  d.  Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current registration 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 flying our colors fee for letter-number designated flying our colors plates is ten dollars which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The annual fee for personalized flying our colors plates is five dollars which shall be paid in addition to the annual special flying our colors fee and the regular annual registration fee. The annual special flying our colors 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, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, 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.
  d.  A special registration plate issued for a motorcycle, autocycle, or motorized bicycle under this section shall be designated in the manner provided for personalized registration plates under subsection 5, paragraph “a”.
  12A.  Special registration plates — armed forces services.
  a.  An owner of a vehicle referred to in subsection 12 who applies for any type of special registration plates associated with service in the United States armed forces shall be issued one set of the special registration plates at no charge, but shall be subject to the annual registration fee of fifteen dollars, if the owner is eligible for, but has relinquished to the department or the county treasurer or has not been issued, ex-prisoner of war or legion of merit special registration plates under this section.
  b.  An owner of a vehicle referred to in subsection 12 who applies for any type of special registration plates associated with service in the United States armed forces shall be issued one set of the special registration plates at no charge and subject to no annual registration fee if the owner is eligible for, but has relinquished to the department or the county treasurer or has not been issued, medal of honor registration plates under subsection 8 or disabled veteran registration plates under section 321.105.
  c.  The owner shall provide the appropriate information regarding the owner’s eligibility for any of the special registration plates described in paragraph “a” or “b”, and regarding the owner’s eligibility for the special registration plates for which the owner has applied, as required by the department.
  d.  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 same annual registration fee, if applicable. 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.
  13.  Special plates displaying organization decal.
  a.  (1)  The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration pursuant to section 321.109, subsection 1, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, or travel trailer may upon request be issued special registration plates that contain a space reserved for the placement of an organization decal. If the special plates are requested at the time of initial application for registration and certificate of title for the vehicle, no special plate fee is required other than the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. If the special plates are requested as replacement plates, the owner shall surrender the current regular or special registration plates in exchange for the special plates and shall pay a replacement plate fee of five dollars. The county treasurer shall validate special plates with an organization decal in the same manner as regular plates, upon payment of the annual registration fee.
  (2)  An applicant may obtain a personalized special registration plate with space reserved for an organization decal, subject to the additional fees for a personalized plate as provided in subsection 5. Personalized plates with space reserved for an organization decal shall be limited to no more than five initials, letters, or combinations of numerals and letters.
  b.  (1)  An organization may apply to the department for approval to issue a decal to be displayed on vehicle registration plates. To qualify for such approval, an organization shall meet the following requirements:
  (a)  The primary activity or interest of the organization serves the community, contributes to the welfare of others, and is not discriminatory in its purpose, nature, activity, or name.
  (b)  The name and purpose of the organization do not promote any specific product or brand name that is provided for sale.
  (c)  The organization is a nonprofit corporation which is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is organized under the laws of this state or authorized to do business within this state.
  (2)  The department may accept an application for a decal design from a group of nonprofit organizations with a common purpose, provided that each organization within the group meets the requirements for a qualifying organization established by the department under this subsection.
  c.  An organization desiring to issue a decal shall submit an application to the department on a form to be provided by the department. Along with the application, the organization shall furnish to the department all of the following:
  (1)  A copy of the articles of incorporation for the organization.
  (2)  A copy of the charter or by-laws for the organization.
  (3)  Any Internal Revenue Service rulings concerning the organization’s nonprofit tax exemption status.
  (4)  A color copy of the completed decal design.
  (5)  A clear and concise explanation of the purpose of the decal, all eligibility requirements for purchasing the decal, and fees to be charged for the decal.
  (6)  Certification by the person who has legal rights to the decal design allowing use of the design.
  (7)  Any other information required by the department.
  d.  The department shall consider a proposed decal design based upon criteria established by the department, which shall include but not be limited to the following:
  (1)  A decal shall not promote a specific religion, faith, or anti-religious sentiment.
  (2)  A decal shall not have any sexual connotation and shall not be vulgar, prejudiced, hostile, insulting, or racially or ethnically degrading.
  e.  Upon approval by the department of an organization’s application to issue a decal and approval of the design of the decal, the organization is responsible for the production, administration, and issuance of the decal. An organization shall not issue a decal that has not been approved by the department or alter the approved design of a decal without the department’s approval.
  f.  A person shall not display a decal on a vehicle registration plate other than a decal approved by the department.
  g.  The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A as necessary to implement this subsection.
  14.  Persons with disabilities special plates.  An owner referred to in subsection 12 or an owner of a trailer used to transport a wheelchair who is a person with a disability, or who is the parent or guardian of a child who resides with the parent or guardian owner and who is a person with a disability, as defined in section 321L.1, may, upon written application to the department, order special registration plates with a persons with disabilities processed emblem designed by the department bearing the international symbol of accessibility. The special registration plates with a persons with disabilities processed emblem shall only be issued if the application is accompanied with a statement from a physician licensed under chapter 148 or 149, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 148C, an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under chapter 152, or a chiropractor licensed under chapter 151, written on the physician’s, physician assistant’s, nurse practitioner’s, or chiropractor’s stationery, stating the nature of the applicant’s or the applicant’s child’s disability and such additional information as required by rules adopted by the department, including proof of residency of a child who is a person with a disability. If the application is approved by the department, the special registration plates with a persons with disabilities 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 persons with disabilities processed emblem. The authorization for special registration plates with a persons with disabilities processed emblem shall not be renewed without the applicant furnishing evidence to the department that the owner of the vehicle or the owner’s child is still a person with a disability as defined in section 321L.1. An owner who has a child who is a person with a disability shall provide satisfactory evidence to the department that the child with a disability continues to reside with the owner. The registration plates with a persons with disabilities processed emblem shall be surrendered in exchange for regular registration plates as provided in subsection 12 when the owner of the vehicle or the owner’s child no longer qualifies as a person with a disability as defined in section 321L.1 or when the owner’s child who is a person with a disability no longer resides with the owner.
  15.  Legion of merit special plates.
  a.  The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection 1, autocycle, motorcycle, trailer, or motor truck who has been awarded the legion of merit shall be issued one set of special registration plates with a legion of merit processed emblem, upon written application to the department and presentation of satisfactory proof of the award of the legion of merit as established by the Congress of the United States. The emblem shall be designed by the department in cooperation with the adjutant general and shall signify that the owner was awarded the legion of merit. The application is subject to approval by the department, in consultation with the adjutant general. The special plates shall be issued at no charge and are subject to an annual registration fee of fifteen dollars. The county treasurer shall validate the special plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under this section.
  b.  The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection may continue to use or apply for and 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.
  a.  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. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated national guard plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized national guard plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for national guard plates. 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.
  b.  Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates with a national guard processed emblem at no charge.
  c.  The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection may continue to use or apply for and use the special plates subject to registration of the special plates in the surviving spouse’s name and upon payment of the annual five-dollar special plate fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. 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.
  17.  Pearl Harbor special plates.
  a.  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. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated Pearl Harbor plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized Pearl Harbor plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for Pearl Harbor plates.
  b.  Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates with a Pearl Harbor processed emblem at no charge.
  c.  The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection may continue to use or apply for and use the special plates subject to registration of the special plates in the surviving spouse’s name and upon payment of the annual five-dollar special plate fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. 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.
  18.  Purple heart special plates.
  a.  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. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated purple heart plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized purple heart plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for purple heart plates.
  b.  Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates with a purple heart processed emblem at no charge.
  c.  The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection may continue to use or apply for and use the special plates subject to registration of the special plates in the surviving spouse’s name and upon payment of the annual five-dollar special plate fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. 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.
  19.  United States armed forces retired special plates.
  a.  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 is recognized by the United States armed forces as retired from the United States armed forces. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated armed forces retired plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized armed forces retired plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for armed forces retired plates.
  b.  Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates with an armed forces retired processed emblem at no charge.
  c.  The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection may continue to use or apply for and use the special plates subject to registration of the special plates in the surviving spouse’s name and upon payment of the annual five-dollar special plate fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. 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.
  20.  Silver or bronze star plates.
  a.  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. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated silver star and bronze star plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized silver star and bronze star plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for silver star and bronze star plates.
  b.  Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates with a silver star or bronze star processed emblem at no charge.
  c.  The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection may continue to use or apply for and use the special plates subject to registration of the special plates in the surviving spouse’s name and upon payment of the annual five-dollar special plate fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. 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.
  20A.  Distinguished service, navy, or air force cross plates.
  a.  An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was awarded a distinguished service cross, a navy cross, or an air force cross by the United States government may, upon written application to the department and presentation of satisfactory proof of the award, order special registration plates with a distinguished service cross, navy cross, or air force cross processed emblem. The emblem shall be designed by the department in consultation with the adjutant general. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated distinguished service cross, navy cross, and air force cross plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized distinguished service cross, navy cross, and air force cross plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for distinguished service cross, navy cross, and air force cross plates.
  b.  Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates with a distinguished service cross, navy cross, or air force cross processed emblem at no charge.
  c.  The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection may continue to use or apply for and use the special plates subject to registration of the special plates in the surviving spouse’s name and upon payment of the annual five-dollar special plate fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. 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.
  20B.  Soldier’s, navy and marine corps, or airman’s medal plates.
  a.  An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was awarded a soldier’s medal, a navy and marine corps medal, or an airman’s medal by the United States government may, upon written application to the department and presentation of satisfactory proof of the award, order special registration plates with a soldier’s medal, navy and marine corps medal, or airman’s medal processed emblem. The emblem shall be designed by the department in consultation with the adjutant general. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated soldier’s medal, navy and marine corps medal, and airman’s medal plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized soldier’s medal, navy and marine corps medal, and airman’s medal plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for soldier’s medal, navy and marine corps medal, and airman’s medal plates.
  b.  Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates with a soldier’s medal, navy and marine corps medal, or airman’s medal processed emblem at no charge.
  c.  The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection may continue to use or apply for and use the special plates subject to registration of the special plates in the surviving spouse’s name and upon payment of the annual five-dollar special plate fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. 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.
  20C.  Combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action medal, and combat medical badge plates.
  a.  The department, in consultation with the adjutant general, shall design combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action medal, and combat medical badge distinguishing processed emblems. Upon receipt of two hundred fifty orders for combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action medal, or combat medical badge special registration plates, accompanied by a start-up fee of twenty dollars per order, the department shall begin issuing special registration plates with the applicable distinguishing processed emblem as provided in paragraphs “b”, “c”, and “d”. The minimum order requirement shall apply separately to each of the special registration plates created under this subsection.
  b.  An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was awarded a combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action medal, or combat medical badge by the United States government may, upon written application to the department and presentation of satisfactory proof of the award, order special registration plates with a combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action medal, or combat medical badge processed emblem. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action medal, and combat medical badge plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action medal, and combat medical badge plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action medal, and combat medical badge plates.
  c.  Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates with a combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action medal, or combat medical badge distinguishing processed emblem at no charge.
  d.  The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection may continue to use or apply for and use the special plates subject to registration of the special plates in the surviving spouse’s name and upon payment of the annual five-dollar special plate fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. 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.
  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 deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall credit monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the Iowa heritage fund created under section 303.9A the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for the Iowa heritage plates.
  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 deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, 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.
  23.  Breast cancer awareness plates.
  a.  Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue breast cancer awareness plates to an owner of a motor vehicle referred to in subsection 12.
  b.  Breast cancer awareness plates shall contain an image of a pink ribbon and shall be designed by the department in consultation with the Susan G. Komen foundation.
  c.  The special fee for letter-number designated breast cancer awareness plates is thirty-five dollars. The fee for personalized breast cancer awareness plates is twenty-five dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the special breast cancer awareness fee of thirty-five dollars. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the Iowa department of public health the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for the breast cancer awareness plates and such funds are appropriated to the Iowa department of public health. The Iowa department of public health shall distribute one hundred percent of the funds received monthly in the form of grants to support breast cancer screenings for both men and women who meet eligibility requirements like those established by the Susan G. Komen foundation. In the awarding of grants, the Iowa department of public health shall give first consideration to affiliates of the Susan G. Komen foundation and similar nonprofit organizations providing for breast cancer screenings at no cost in Iowa. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys transferred under this subsection shall not revert to the general fund of the state.
  d.  Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current registration 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 breast cancer awareness fee for letter-number designated plates is ten dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The annual special fee for personalized breast cancer awareness plates is five dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the annual special breast cancer awareness fee and the regular annual registration fee. The annual special breast cancer awareness fee shall be credited and transferred as provided under paragraph “c”.
  24.  Gold star plates.
  a.  An owner referred to in subsection 12 who is the surviving spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a deceased member of the United States armed forces who died while serving on active duty during a time of military conflict or who died as a result of such service may order special registration plates bearing a gold star emblem upon written application to the department accompanied by satisfactory supporting documentation as determined by the department. The gold star emblem shall be designed by the department in cooperation with the commission of veterans affairs. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated gold star plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized gold star plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for gold star plates.
  b.  Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates bearing a gold star emblem at no charge.
  25.  Civil war sesquicentennial plates.
  a.  The department, in consultation with the adjutant general, shall design a civil war sesquicentennial distinguishing processed emblem. Upon receipt of two hundred fifty orders for civil war sesquicentennial special registration plates, accompanied by a start-up fee of twenty dollars per order, the department shall begin issuing special registration plates with a civil war sesquicentennial processed emblem as provided in paragraph “b”.
  b.  An owner referred to in subsection 12, upon written application to the department, may order special registration plates with a civil war sesquicentennial processed emblem. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraphs “a” and “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of letter-number designated and personalized civil war sesquicentennial plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the department of cultural affairs the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for civil war sesquicentennial plates, and such funds are appropriated to the department of cultural affairs to be used for the Iowa battle flag project.
  26.  Fallen peace officers plates.
  a.  The department, in consultation with the department of public safety and concerns of police survivors, inc., shall design a fallen peace officers distinguishing processed emblem. Upon receipt of two hundred fifty orders for fallen peace officers special registration plates, accompanied by a start-up fee of twenty dollars per order, the department shall begin issuing special registration plates with a fallen peace officers processed emblem as provided in paragraphs “b” and “c”.
  b.  An owner of a motor vehicle referred to in subsection 12, upon written application to the department, may order special registration plates with a fallen peace officers processed emblem. The special fee for letter-number designated fallen peace officers plates is thirty-five dollars. The fee for personalized fallen peace officers plates is twenty-five dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the special fallen peace officers fee of thirty-five dollars. The fees collected by the director under this paragraph shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the department of public safety the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for the fallen peace officers plates and such funds are appropriated to the department of public safety. The department of public safety shall distribute one hundred percent of the funds received monthly in the form of grants to nonprofit organizations that provide resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected coworkers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. In the awarding of grants, the department of public safety shall give first consideration to concerns of police survivors, inc., and similar nonprofit organizations providing such resources. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys transferred under this subsection shall not revert to the general fund of the state.
  c.  Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current registration 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 fallen peace officers fee for letter-number designated plates is ten dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The annual special fee for personalized fallen peace officers plates is five dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the annual special fallen peace officers fee and the regular annual registration fee. The annual special fallen peace officers fee shall be credited and transferred as provided under paragraph “b”.
  27.  United States veteran plates.
  a.  An owner referred to in subsection 12 who served in the armed forces of the United States and was discharged under honorable conditions may, upon written application to the department and upon presentation of satisfactory proof of military service and discharge under honorable conditions, order special registration plates bearing a distinguishing processed emblem depicting the word “veteran” below an image of the American flag. The application is subject to approval by the department. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated United States veteran plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized United States veteran plates, shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for United States veteran plates.
  b.  Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for a special registration plate under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates bearing a distinguishing processed emblem depicting the word “veteran” below an image of the American flag at no charge.
[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; 97 Acts, ch 2, §1, 2; 97 Acts, ch 70, §3, 15; 97 Acts, ch 104, §8 – 10; 97 Acts, ch 108, §5; 97 Acts, ch 123, §1; 97 Acts, ch 212, §33; 98 Acts, ch 1079, §1 – 3; 99 Acts, ch 7, §1 – 9; 99 Acts, ch 114, §20; 99 Acts, ch 141, §38; 99 Acts, ch 180, §15; 2000 Acts, ch 1154, §21; 2000 Acts, ch 1157, §1; 2000 Acts, ch 1206, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 24, §73, 74; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §17; 2001 Acts, ch 144, §2, 3; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §42; 2003 Acts, ch 3, §1; 2003 Acts, ch 7, §1 – 9; 2003 Acts, ch 105, §2
; 2003 Acts, 1st Ex, ch 2, §165 – 171, 205
; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §7 – 10, 35; 2004 Acts, ch 1175, §333, 347; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §9; 2007 Acts, ch 143, §9; 2007 Acts, ch 178, §2, 3; 2007 Acts, ch 184, §2 – 5, 7; 2007 Acts, ch 215, §106, 107, 130; 2008 Acts, ch 1018, §9 – 16; 2008 Acts, ch 1088, §118; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §58 – 77; 2008 Acts, ch 1124, §4, 5; 2008 Acts, ch 1130, §8, 10; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §142; 2011 Acts, ch 68, §1, 5; 2011 Acts, ch 114, §2; 2011 Acts, ch 131, §59, 60, 158; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §4; 2014 Acts, ch 1116, §11 – 28; 2015 Acts, ch 30, §98, 99, 205, 209; 2016 Acts, ch 1068, §1, 4; 2016 Acts, ch 1098, §3 – 11; 2017 Acts, ch 29, §91; 2019 Acts, ch 89, §35; 2020 Acts, ch 1118, §155; 2021 Acts, ch 38, §2
Referred to in §35A.11, 100B.12, 257.31, 303.9A, 321.105, 321.145, 321.166, 321L.1, 321L.2, 321L.2A, 331.557, 805.8A(2)(e)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 2
2011 amendment to subsection 10, paragraph b, applies for registration plates issued during registration periods beginning on or after January 1, 2012; phased-in elimination of business-trade and special truck plates; 
2011 Acts, ch 68, §4, 5
Subsection 1 amended

     
321.35  Plates — reflective material — bidding procedures.
  1.  All motor vehicle registration plates shall be treated with a reflective material according to specifications proposed by the director and approved by the commission.
  2.  The department shall not enter into any contract requiring an expenditure of at least five hundred thousand dollars for the manufacture of motor vehicle registration plates to be reissued to owners under this chapter unless competitive bidding procedures as provided in chapter 8A, subchapter III, are followed.
[C62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.35]
95 Acts, ch 118, §10; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §247
Referred to in §331.557

  
     
321.36  Reserved.

  
     
321.37  Display of plates.
  1.  Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than an autocycle, motorcycle, motorized bicycle, or truck tractor shall be attached to the motor vehicle, one in the front and the other in the rear. The registration plate issued for an autocycle, motorcycle, or other vehicle required to be registered hereunder shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle. The registration plate issued for a truck tractor shall be attached to the front of the truck tractor. The special plate issued to a dealer shall be attached on the rear of the vehicle when operated on the highways of this state.
  2.  Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle which is model year 1948 or older, and reconstructed or specially constructed vehicles built to resemble a model year 1948 vehicle or older, other than a truck registered for more than five tons, autocycle, motorcycle, or truck tractor, may display one registration plate on the rear of the vehicle if the other registration plate issued to the vehicle is carried in the vehicle at all times when the vehicle is operated on a public highway.
  3.  It is unlawful for the owner of a vehicle to place any frame around or over the registration plate which does not permit full view of all numerals and letters printed on the registration plate.
[S13, §1571-m11; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4877; C39, §5001.21; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.37]
84 Acts, ch 1305, §50; 90 Acts, ch 1233, §16; 97 Acts, ch 104, §11; 2016 Acts, ch 1098, §12
Referred to in §321.57, 331.557, 805.8A(2)(f)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 2

  
     
321.38  Plates — method of attaching — imitations prohibited.
  Every registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging and at a height of not less than twelve inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible. An imitation plate or plates imitating or purporting to imitate the official registration plate of any other state or territory of the United States or of any foreign government shall not be fastened to the vehicle.
[S13, §1571-m11; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4877; C39, §5001.22; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.38]
85 Acts, ch 195, §32
Referred to in §321.57, 331.557, 805.8A(2)(g)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 2

     
321.39  Expiration of registration.
  Except as provided in this chapter every vehicle registration, registration card, and registration plate shall expire as follows:
  1.  For vehicles registered by the county treasurer, at midnight on the last day of the registration year. A person shall not be considered to be driving a motor vehicle with an expired registration for a period of one month following the expiration date of the vehicle registration. The one-month period shall be the same as the period defined in section 321.134, subsection 1.
  2.  For vehicles on which the first installment of an annual registration fee has been paid, at midnight on the last day of June or the first business day of July when June 30 falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday; for vehicles on which the second installment of an annual registration fee has been paid, at midnight on the last day of December or the first business day of January when December 31 falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday.
  3.  For vehicles registered without payment of annual registration fees as provided in section 321.19, when designated by the department.
  4.  Registration for every vehicle registered by the county treasurer shall expire upon transfer of ownership.
[S13, §1571-m16; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4868; C39, §5001.23; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.39]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §5, 38
; 89 Acts, ch 83, §42
; 2003 Acts, ch 24, §3; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §78; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §5
Referred to in §331.557

  
     
321.40  Application for renewal — notification — reasons for refusal.
  1.  Application for renewal for a vehicle registered under this chapter shall be made on or after the first day of the month prior to the month of expiration of registration and up to and including the last day of the month following the month of expiration of registration. The registration shall be renewed upon payment of the appropriate annual registration fee. Application for renewal for a vehicle registered under chapter 326 shall be made on or after the first day of the month prior to the month of expiration of registration and up to and including the last day of the month of expiration of registration.
  2.  On or before the fifteenth day of the eleventh month of a vehicle’s registration year, the department shall create an electronic file and the county treasurer shall send a statement of fees due to the appropriate owner of record. After the department has generated the electronic file used to produce statements for a registration month, and before the fifteenth day of the month following expiration of a vehicle’s registration year, the department shall create a subsequent electronic file and the county treasurer shall send a statement of fees due to the appropriate owner of record for any vehicle subsequently registered for that registration month. The statement shall be mailed or electronically transmitted to the most current address of record, showing information sufficient to identify the vehicle and a listing of the various fees as appropriate. Failure to receive a statement shall have no effect upon the accrual of penalty at the appropriate date.
  3.  Registration receipts issued for renewals shall have the word “renewal” imprinted thereon and, if the owner making a renewal application has been issued a certificate of title, the title number shall appear on the registration receipt. All registration receipts for renewals shall be typewritten or printed by other mechanical means. The applicant shall receive a registration receipt.
  4.  The county treasurer shall refuse to renew the registration of a vehicle registered to a person when notified by the department through the distributed teleprocessing network that the person has not paid restitution as defined under section 910.1, subsection 4, to a clerk of the court located within the state. Each clerk of court shall, on a daily basis, notify the department through the Iowa court information system of the full name and social security number of all persons who owe delinquent restitution and whose restitution obligation has been satisfied or canceled. This subsection does not apply to the transfer of a registration or the issuance of a new registration.
  5.  The county treasurer shall refuse to renew the registration of a vehicle registered to the applicant for renewal of registration if the applicant has failed to pay any local vehicle taxes due in that county on that vehicle or any other vehicle owned or previously owned by the applicant until such local vehicle taxes are paid.
  6.  a.  The department or the county treasurer shall refuse to renew the registration of a vehicle registered to the applicant if the department or the county treasurer knows that the applicant has a delinquent account, charge, fee, loan, taxes, or other indebtedness owed to or being collected by the state, from information provided pursuant to sections 8A.504 and 421.17. An applicant may contest this action by initiating a contested case proceeding with the agency that referred the debt for collection pursuant to section 8A.504. The department of revenue and the department of transportation shall notify the county treasurers through the distributed teleprocessing network of persons who owe such a delinquent account, charge, fee, loan, taxes, or other indebtedness.
  b.  A county treasurer, in cooperation with the department of revenue, may collect from a person applying for renewal of a vehicle registration delinquent taxes, including penalties and interest owed to the state, and nontax liabilities being collected by the central collection unit of the department of revenue pursuant to section 421.17, subsection 27. The applicant may remit full payment of the balance owed including applicable penalties and interest, along with a processing fee of five dollars, to the county treasurer at the time of registration renewal. Upon full payment of the required balance owed including applicable penalties and interest, the processing fee, and the vehicle registration fee, the county treasurer shall issue the registration to the person. A county treasurer collecting on behalf of the department of revenue shall update the vehicle registration records through the distributed teleprocessing network on a daily basis for all persons who have paid taxes or other balances owed pursuant to this subsection. A county treasurer shall forward all funds collected for the department of revenue to the department of revenue. 
  7.  a.  The department or the county treasurer shall refuse to renew the registration of a vehicle registered to an applicant if the department or the county treasurer knows that the applicant has not paid a civil penalty imposed on the applicant pursuant to section 321N.3, subsection 3. An applicant may contest this action by initiating a contested case proceeding with the department. The department shall notify the county treasurers through the distributed teleprocessing network of persons who have not paid such civil penalties.
  b.  The county treasurer of the county of an applicant’s residence and in which the applicant’s vehicle is registered, in cooperation with the department, may collect a civil penalty imposed on the applicant pursuant to section 321N.3, subsection 3, when the applicant applies for renewal of a vehicle registration. The applicant may remit full payment of the civil penalty, along with a processing fee of five dollars, to the county treasurer at the time of registration renewal. Upon full payment of the civil penalty, the processing fee, and the vehicle registration fee, the county treasurer shall issue the registration to the applicant. A county treasurer collecting a civil penalty on behalf of the department pursuant to this subsection shall update the vehicle registration records through the distributed teleprocessing network on a daily basis for all applicants who have paid civil penalties pursuant to this subsection. A county treasurer shall forward all funds collected on behalf of the department to the department.
  8.  The county treasurer shall refuse to renew the registration of a vehicle registered to an applicant if the county treasurer knows that the applicant has one or more uncontested, delinquent parking tickets issued pursuant to section 321.236, subsection 1, paragraph “b”, owing to the county, or owing to a city with which the county has an agreement authorized under section 331.553. However, a county treasurer may renew the registration if the treasurer determines that an error was made by the county or city in identifying the vehicle involved in the parking violation or if the citation has been dismissed as against the owner of the vehicle pursuant to section 321.484. This subsection does not apply to the transfer of a registration or the issuance of a new registration. Notwithstanding section 28E.10, a county treasurer may utilize the department’s vehicle registration and titling system to facilitate the purposes of this subsection.
  9.  When application is made for the renewal of a motor vehicle registration on or after December 1, 1982, the person in whose name the registration is recorded shall notify the county treasurer of the type of fuel used by the vehicle if the type of fuel used is different from that which is shown on the registration receipt. If a motor vehicle registration indicates that the vehicle uses or may use a special fuel as defined in chapter 452A the county treasurer shall issue a special fuel user identification sticker. The person who owns or controls the vehicle shall affix the sticker in a prominent place on the vehicle adjacent to the place where the special fuel is delivered into the motor vehicle fuel supply tank.
  10.  a.  The clerk of the district court shall notify the county treasurer of any delinquent court debt, as defined in section 602.8107, which is being collected by the department of revenue pursuant to section 602.8107, subsection 3, or the county attorney pursuant to section 602.8107, subsection 4. The county treasurer shall refuse to renew the vehicle registration of the applicant upon such notification from the clerk of the district court in regard to such applicant.
  b.  If the applicant enters into or renews an installment agreement as defined in section 602.8107, that is satisfactory to the department of revenue, the county attorney, or the county attorney’s designee, the department of revenue, county attorney, or a county attorney’s designee shall provide the county treasurer with written or electronic notice of the installment agreement within five days of entering into the installment agreement. The county treasurer shall temporarily lift the registration hold on an applicant for a period of ten days if the treasurer receives such notice in order to allow the applicant to register a vehicle for the year. If the applicant remains in compliance with the installment agreement entered into with the department of revenue or the county attorney or the county attorney’s designee, subsequent lifts of registration holds shall be granted without additional restrictions.
[S13, §1571-m6; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4875; C39, §5001.24; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.40; 82 Acts, ch 1218, §1]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §6, 7, 38; 85 Acts, ch 32, §78; 85 Acts, ch 77, §1; 85 Acts, ch 87, §2; 95 Acts, ch 57, §1; 95 Acts, ch 169, §1, 10; 95 Acts, ch 194, §4, 12; 97 Acts, ch 104, §12, 61; 2000 Acts, ch 1028, §2, 4; 2002 Acts, ch 1043, §1; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §248; 2005 Acts, ch 54, §1, 12; 2007 Acts, ch 126, §54; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §79; 2008 Acts, ch 1172, §18; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §250; 2010 Acts, ch 1146, §2, 3, 26; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §6; 2015 Acts, ch 138, §89, 161, 162; 2016 Acts, ch 1101, §2, 24; 2017 Acts, ch 29, §92, 93; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §84, 92; 2021 Acts, ch 86, §33
Referred to in §321.34, 321.152, 321.153, 321.236, 331.553, 331.557, 364.2, 421.17, 422.20, 422.72, 423B.2
For future amendment to subsection 6, paragraph a, effective upon the later of January 1, 2021, or the effective date of rules adopted by the department of revenue to implement 2020 Acts, ch 1064, see 2020 Acts, ch 1064, §15, 28; 2020 Acts, ch 1118, §73, 74
Subsection 6, paragraph b amended

     
321.41  Change of address or name or fuel type.
  1.  Whenever any person after making application for or obtaining the registration of a vehicle shall move from the address named in the application or shown upon a registration card such person shall within ten days thereafter notify the county treasurer of the county in which the registration of said vehicle is of record, in writing of the person’s old and new addresses.
  2.  Whenever the name of any person who has made application for or obtained the registration of a vehicle is thereafter legally changed such person shall within ten days notify the county treasurer of the county in which the title of said vehicle is of record, of such former and new name.
  3.  A person who has registered a vehicle in a county, other than the county designated on the vehicle registration plate, may apply to the county treasurer where the vehicle is registered for new registration plates upon payment of a fee of five dollars and the return of the former county registration plates.
  4.  When a motor vehicle is modified to use a different fuel type or to use more than one fuel type the person in whose name the vehicle is registered shall within thirty days notify the county treasurer of the county in which the registration of the vehicle is of record of the new fuel type or alternative fuel types. The county treasurer shall make the record of such changes available to the department of revenue. If the vehicle uses or may use a special fuel the county treasurer shall issue a special fuel identification sticker.
[C39, §5001.25; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.41; 82 Acts, ch 1218, §2]
2003 Acts, ch 145, §286
Referred to in §331.557, 805.8A(2)(h)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 2

     
321.42  Lost or damaged certificates, cards, and plates — replacements.
  1.  If a registration card, plate, or pair of plates is lost or becomes illegible, the owner shall immediately apply for replacement. The fee for a replacement registration card is three dollars. The fee for a replacement plate or pair of plates other than a replacement of a special plate issued pursuant to section 321.60 is five dollars. The fee for replacement of a special plate issued pursuant to section 321.60 is forty dollars. When the owner has furnished information required by the department and paid the proper fee, a duplicate, substitute, or new registration card, plate, or pair of plates may be issued. The county treasurer or the department may waive the fee for a replacement plate if the plate is lost during a documented accident.
  2.  a.  If a certificate of title is lost or destroyed, the owner or lienholder shall apply for a replacement copy of the original certificate of title. The owner or lienholder of a motor vehicle may also apply for a replacement copy of the original certificate of title upon surrender of the original certificate of title with the application. The application shall be made to the department or county treasurer who issued the original certificate of title. The application shall be signed by the owner or lienholder and accompanied by a fee of twenty dollars.
  b.  After five days, the department or county treasurer shall issue a replacement copy using the applicant’s most recent bona fide address; however, the five-day waiting period does not apply to an applicant who is a lienholder or to an applicant who has surrendered the original certificate of title to the department or county treasurer. The replacement copy shall be clearly marked “replacement” and shall include security interests and liens. When a replacement copy has been issued, the previous certificate is void. The department or county treasurer is not authorized to refund fees collected for a replacement title under this section or section 321.52A.
  c.  If a security interest noted on the face of an original certificate of title was released by the lienholder on a separate form pursuant to section 321.50, subsection 5, and the signature of the lienholder, or the person executing the release on behalf of the lienholder, is notarized, but the lienholder has not delivered the original certificate to the appropriate party as provided in section 321.50, subsection 5, the owner may apply for and receive a replacement certificate of title without the released security interest noted thereon. The lienholder shall return the original certificate of title to the department or to the treasurer of the county where the title was issued.
  d.  A new purchaser or transferee is entitled to receive an original title upon presenting the assigned replacement copy to the treasurer of the county where the new purchaser or transferee resides. At the time of purchase, a purchaser may require the seller to indemnify the purchaser and all future purchasers of the vehicle against any loss which may be suffered due to claims on the original certificate. A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a replacement has been issued shall surrender the original certificate to the county treasurer or the department.
  3.  If a county treasurer mails vehicle registration documents which become lost or are damaged in transit through the United States postal service, the person to whom the documents were being sent may apply for reissuance without cost. The application shall be made with the county treasurer who originally issued the documents not less than twenty days from the date the documents were placed with the United States postal service. If the original documents are received after reissuance of duplicates, the original documents shall be surrendered to the county treasurer within five days of the time they are received.
[SS15, §1571-m5; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4886; C39, §5001.26; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, S81, §321.42; 81 Acts, ch 102, §1]
84 Acts, ch 1305, §51; 85 Acts, ch 209, §1; 99 Acts, ch 13, §6; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §43, 47; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §11, 35; 2005 Acts, ch 34, §4, 26; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §11; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §16, 21; 2008 Acts, ch 1124, §6
Referred to in §312.2, 321.52A, 331.557, 648.22A
Surcharge imposed; §321.52A 

     
321.43  New identifying numbers.
  The department may assign a distinguishing number to a vehicle when the vehicle identification number on the vehicle is destroyed or obliterated and issue to the owner a special plate bearing the distinguishing number which shall be affixed to the vehicle in a position to be determined by the director. The vehicle shall be registered and titled under the distinguishing number in lieu of the former vehicle identification number within thirty days of issuance of the distinguishing number.
[C27, 31, 35, §5083-b4; C39, §5001.27; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.43]
84 Acts, ch 1067, §31; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §10; 2005 Acts, ch 179, §126
Referred to in §331.557

  
     
321.44  Rules governing change of engines, drivetrain assemblies, and related parts.
  The director shall adopt and enforce rules governing registration and titling of motor vehicles as deemed necessary by the director and compatible with the public interest with respect to the change or substitution of engines, drivetrain assemblies or related parts in any motor vehicle.
[C39, §5001.28; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.44]
88 Acts, ch 1278, §32
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.44A  Voluntary contribution — anatomical gift public awareness and transplantation fund — amount retained by county treasurer.
  For each application for registration or renewal, the county treasurer or the department shall request through use of a written form, and, if the application is made in person, through verbal communication, that an applicant make a voluntary contribution of one dollar or more to the anatomical gift public awareness and transplantation fund established pursuant to section 142C.15. One hundred percent of the moneys collected by the county and one hundred percent of the moneys collected by the department in the form of contributions shall be remitted to the treasurer of state for deposit in the fund to be used for the purposes specified for the fund. However, up to five percent of the moneys collected by the county may be retained by the county treasurer for deposit in the general fund of the county. The director shall adopt rules to administer this section.
96 Acts, ch 1076, §3; 97 Acts, ch 121, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1107, §8
Referred to in §142C.15, 331.557
TRANSFERS OF TITLE OR INTEREST

  
     
321.45  Title must be transferred with vehicle.
  1.  a.  No manufacturer, importer, dealer, or other person shall sell or otherwise dispose of a new vehicle subject to registration under the provisions of this chapter to a dealer to be used by such dealer for purposes of display and lease or resale without delivering to such dealer a manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate duly executed and with such assignments thereon as may be necessary to show title in the purchaser thereof; nor shall such dealer purchase or acquire a new vehicle that is subject to registration without obtaining from the seller thereof such manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate. In addition to the assignments stated herein, such manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate shall contain thereon the identification and description of the vehicle delivered and the name and address of the dealer to whom said vehicle was originally sold over the signature of an authorized official of the manufacturer or importer who made the original delivery.
  b.  For each new mobile home, manufactured home, travel trailer, and camping trailer said manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate shall also contain thereon the exterior length and exterior width of said vehicle not including any area occupied by any hitching device, and the manufacturer’s shipping weight.
  c.  Completed motor vehicles, other than class “B” motor homes, which are converted, modified, or altered shall retain the identity and model year of the original manufacturer of the vehicle. Motor homes and all other motor vehicles manufactured from chassis or incomplete motor vehicles manufactured by another may have the identity and model year assigned by the final manufacturer.
  d.  Notwithstanding paragraph “c”, a glider kit vehicle shall take the identity of the new cab and the new frame used in the assembly of the glider kit vehicle.
  2.  a.   A person shall not acquire any right, title, claim, or interest in or to any vehicle subject to registration under this chapter from the owner thereof except by virtue of a certificate of title issued or assigned to the person for such vehicle or by virtue of a manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate delivered to the person for such vehicle and waiver or estoppel shall not operate in favor of any person claiming title to or interest in any vehicle against a person having possession of the certificate of title or manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate for such vehicle for a valuable consideration except in the following cases:
  (1)  The perfection of a lien or security interest as provided in section 321.50.
  (2)  The perfection of a security interest in new or used vehicles held as inventory for sale as provided in uniform commercial code, chapter 554, article 9.
  (3)  A dispute between a buyer and the selling dealer who has failed to deliver or procure the certificate of title as promised.
  (4)  Except for the purposes of section 321.493.
  (5)  The vehicle is disposed of pursuant to section 321.52, subsection 2, paragraph “b”.
  (6)  An insurer obtains a salvage certificate of title for a vehicle pursuant to section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph “a”.
  b.  Except in the cases enumerated in paragraph “a”, no court in any case at law or equity shall recognize the right, title, claim, or interest of any person in or to any vehicle subject to registration sold or disposed of, or mortgaged or encumbered, unless evidenced by a certificate of title or manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate duly issued or assigned in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
  3.  Upon the transfer of any registered vehicle, the owner, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, shall endorse an assignment and warranty of title upon the certificate of title for such vehicle with a statement of all liens and encumbrances thereon, and the owner shall deliver the certificate of title to the purchaser or transferee at the time of delivering the vehicle except as otherwise provided in this chapter. The owner shall indicate to the transferee the name of the county in which the vehicle was last registered and the registration expiration date.
  4.  After acquiring a used mobile home or manufactured home to be titled in Iowa, a manufactured or mobile home retailer, as defined in section 103A.51, shall within thirty days apply for and obtain from the county treasurer of the county where the mobile home or manufactured home is located a new certificate of title for the mobile home or manufactured home. In the event that there is a prior lien or encumbrance to be released, as required by section 321.50, subsection 5, the thirty-day time period in this subsection does not begin to run until the lien or encumbrance is released.
[S13, §1571-m9; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4961; C39, §5002.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.45; 82 Acts, ch 1251, §10]
87 Acts, ch 130, §2; 88 Acts, ch 1215, §5; 95 Acts, ch 57, §2; 99 Acts, ch 188, §6, 7; 2000 Acts, ch 1085, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §17; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §43; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §12, 35; 2006 Acts, ch 1090, §17, 26; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §90; 2013 Acts, ch 96, §1; 2013 Acts, ch 103, §8, 21; 2015 Acts, ch 52, §1, 14; 2017 Acts, ch 31, §1
Referred to in §103A.55, 321.20, 321.46, 321.49, 321.67, 321.104, 321.493, 331.557, 805.8A(2)(i)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 2

  
     
321.46  New title and registration upon transfer of ownership — credit.
  1.  The transferee shall, within thirty calendar days after purchase or transfer, apply for and obtain from the county treasurer of the person’s residence, or if a nonresident, the county treasurer of the county where the primary users of the vehicle are located or the county where all other vehicles owned by the nonresident are registered, or in the case of a mobile home or manufactured home, the county treasurer of the county where the mobile home or manufactured home is located, or if a firm, association, or corporation with vehicles in multiple counties, the transferee may apply for and obtain from the county treasurer of the county where the primary user of the vehicle is located, a new registration and a new certificate of title for the vehicle, except as provided in section 321.25, 321.48, or 322G.12, or when the transferee obtains the vehicle pursuant to section 321.52, subsection 2, paragraph “b”. The transferee shall present with the application the certificate of title endorsed and assigned by the previous owner and shall indicate the name of the county in which the vehicle was last registered and the registration expiration date.
  2.  Upon filing the application for a new registration and a new title, the applicant shall pay a title fee of twenty dollars, an annual registration fee prorated for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year, and a fee for new registration if applicable. A manufacturer applying for a certificate of title pursuant to section 322G.12 shall pay a title fee of ten dollars. However, a title fee shall not be charged to a manufactured or mobile home retailer applying for a certificate of title for a used mobile home or manufactured home, titled in Iowa, as required under section 321.45, subsection 4. The county treasurer, if satisfied of the genuineness and regularity of the application, and in the case of a mobile home or manufactured home, that taxes are not owing under chapter 435, and that applicant has complied with all the requirements of this chapter, shall issue a new certificate of title and, except for a mobile home, manufactured home, or a vehicle returned to and accepted by a manufacturer as described in section 322G.12, a registration card to the purchaser or transferee, shall cancel the prior registration for the vehicle, and shall forward the necessary copies to the department on the date of issuance, as prescribed in section 321.24. Mobile homes or manufactured homes titled under chapter 448 that have been subject under section 446.18 to a public bidder sale in a county shall be titled in the county’s name, with no fee, and the county treasurer shall issue the title.
  3.  The applicant shall be entitled to a credit for that portion of the annual registration fee of the vehicle sold, traded, transferred, or junked which had not expired prior to the transfer of ownership of the vehicle. The annual registration fee for the new registration for the vehicle acquired shall be reduced by the amount of the credit. The credit shall be computed on the basis of the number of months remaining in the registration year, rounded to the nearest whole dollar. The credit shall be subject to the following limitations:
  a.  The credit shall be claimed within six months from the date the vehicle for which credit is granted was sold, traded, transferred, or junked. After six months, all credits shall be disallowed.
  b.  Any credit granted to the owner of a vehicle which has been sold, traded, transferred, or junked may only be claimed by that person toward the annual registration fee for another vehicle purchased and the credit may not be sold, transferred, or assigned to any other person.
  c.  When the amount of the credit is computed to be an amount of less than ten dollars, a credit shall be disallowed.
  d.  To claim a credit for the unexpired annual registration fee on a junked vehicle, the county treasurer shall disallow any claim for credit unless the owner presents a junking certificate or other evidence as required by the department to the county treasurer.
  e.  A credit shall not be allowed to any person who has made claim to receive a refund under section 321.126.
  f.  If the credit allowed exceeds the amount of the annual registration fee for the vehicle acquired, the owner may claim a refund under section 321.126, subsection 1, paragraph “f”, for the balance of the credit.
  g.  The credit shall be computed on the unexpired number of months computed from the date of purchase of the vehicle acquired.
  4.  If the annual registration fee upon application is delinquent, the applicant shall be required to pay the delinquent fee from the first day the annual registration fee was due prorated to the month of application for new title.
  5.  The seller or transferor may file an affidavit on forms prescribed and provided by the department with the county treasurer of the county where the vehicle is registered certifying the sale or transfer of ownership of the vehicle and the assignment and delivery of the certificate of title for the vehicle. Upon receipt of the affidavit, the county treasurer shall file the affidavit with the copy of the registration receipt for the vehicle on file in the treasurer’s office and on that day the treasurer shall note receipt of the affidavit in the vehicle registration and titling system. Upon filing the affidavit, it shall be presumed that the seller or transferor has assigned and delivered the certificate of title for the vehicle. For a leased vehicle, the lessor licensed pursuant to chapter 321F or the lessee may file an affidavit as provided in this subsection certifying that the lease has expired or been terminated and the date that the leased vehicle was surrendered to the lessor.
  6.  An applicant for a new registration for a vehicle transferred to the applicant by a spouse, parent, or child of the applicant, or by operation of law upon inheritance, devise or bequest, from the applicant’s spouse, parent, or child, or by a former spouse pursuant to a decree of dissolution of marriage, is entitled to a credit to be applied to the annual registration fee for the transferred vehicle. A credit shall not be allowed unless the vehicle to which the credit applies is registered within the time specified under subsection 1. The credit shall be computed on the basis of the number of unexpired months remaining in the registration year of the former owner computed from the date the vehicle was transferred, computed to the nearest whole dollar. The credit may exceed the amount of the annual registration fee for the transferred vehicle. When the amount of the credit is computed to be an amount of less than ten dollars, the credit shall be disallowed. The credit shall not be sold, transferred, or assigned to any other person.
  7.  If a motor vehicle is leased and the lessee purchases the vehicle upon termination of the lease, the lessor shall, upon claim by the lessee with the lessor within six months of the purchase, assign the annual registration fee credit and registration plates for the leased motor vehicle to the lessee. Credit shall be applied as provided in subsection 3.
[S13, §1571-m9; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4962; C39, §5002.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.46; 82 Acts, ch 1251, §11]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §8, 38; 83 Acts, ch 24, §2 – 4, 12; 83 Acts, ch 82, §2; 84 Acts, ch 1305, §52; 85 Acts, ch 87, §3; 87 Acts, ch 130, §3; 88 Acts, ch 1215, §6; 90 Acts, ch 1154, §1 – 5; 91 Acts, ch 191, §6; 93 Acts, ch 87, §3; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 99 Acts, ch 188, §8; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §6; 2000 Acts, ch 1047, §2, 4; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §17, 18; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §44; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §13, 14, 35; 2005 Acts, ch 34, §5, 26; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §12, 13; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §6; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §17, 21, 80; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §143; 2013 Acts, ch 22, §1 – 3; 2014 Acts, ch 1110, §1, 2; 2015 Acts, ch 52, §2, 14
Referred to in §312.2, 321.34, 321.47, 321.48, 321.52, 321.52A, 321.105, 321.109, 321.113, 321.121, 321.122, 321.126, 322G.12, 331.557, 805.8A(2)(j)
Surcharge imposed; §321.52A 
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 2

     
321.46A  Change from apportioned registration — credit.
  An owner changing a vehicle’s registration from apportioned registration under chapter 326 to registration under this chapter shall be entitled to a credit on the vehicle’s annual registration fees under this chapter. The credit may be allowed when the owner surrenders to the county treasurer proof of apportioned registration provided by the department. The amount of the credit shall be calculated based on the unexpired complete calendar months remaining in the registration year from the date the application is filed with the county treasurer.
87 Acts, ch 108, §6; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §81; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §7
Referred to in §331.557

  
     
321.47  Transfers by operation of law.
  1.  If ownership of a vehicle is transferred by operation of law upon inheritance, devise or bequest, dissolution decree, order in bankruptcy, insolvency, replevin, foreclosure or execution sale, abandoned vehicle sale, or when the engine of a motor vehicle is replaced by another engine, or a vehicle is sold or transferred to satisfy an artisan’s lien as provided in chapter 577, a landlord’s lien as provided in chapter 570, a self-service storage facility lien as provided in section 578A.7, a storage lien as provided in chapter 579, a judgment in an action for abandonment of a manufactured or mobile home as provided in chapter 555B, upon presentation of an affidavit relating to the disposition of a valueless mobile, modular, or manufactured home as provided in chapter 555C, or repossession is had upon default in performance of the terms of a security agreement, the county treasurer in the transferee’s county of residence or, in the case of a mobile home or manufactured home, the county treasurer of the county where the mobile home or manufactured home is located, upon the surrender of the prior certificate of title or the manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate, or when that is not possible, upon presentation of satisfactory proof to the county treasurer of ownership and right of possession to the vehicle and upon payment of a fee of twenty dollars and the presentation of an application for registration and certificate of title, may issue to the applicant a registration card for the vehicle and a certificate of title to the vehicle. A person entitled to ownership of a vehicle under a decree of dissolution shall surrender a reproduction of a certified copy of the dissolution and upon fulfilling the other requirements of this chapter is entitled to a certificate of title and registration receipt issued in the person’s name.
  2.  The persons entitled under the laws of descent and distribution of an intestate’s property to the possession and ownership of a vehicle owned in whole or in part by a decedent, upon filing an affidavit stating the name and date of death of the decedent, the right to possession and ownership of the persons filing the affidavit, and that there has been no administration of the decedent’s estate, which instrument shall also contain an agreement to indemnify creditors of the decedent who would be entitled to levy execution upon the motor vehicle to the extent of the value of the motor vehicle, are entitled upon fulfilling the other requirements of this chapter, to the issuance of a registration card for the interest of the decedent in the vehicle and a certificate of title to it. If a decedent dies testate, and either the will is not probated or is admitted to probate without administration, the persons entitled to the possession and ownership of a vehicle owned in whole or in part by the decedent may file an affidavit and, upon fulfilling the other requirements of this chapter, are entitled to the issuance of a registration card for the interest of the decedent in the vehicle and a certificate of title to the vehicle. The affidavit shall contain the same information and indemnity agreement as is required in cases of intestacy pursuant to this section. A requirement of chapter 450 shall not be considered satisfied by the filing of the affidavit provided for in this section. If, from the records in the office of the county treasurer, there appear to be any liens on the vehicle, the certificate of title shall contain a statement of the liens unless the application is accompanied by proper evidence of their satisfaction or extinction. Evidence of extinction may consist of, but is not limited to, an affidavit of the applicant stating that a security interest was foreclosed as provided in chapter 554, article 9, part 6. The department shall waive the certificate of title fee and surcharge required under sections 321.20, 321.20A, 321.23, 321.46, 321.52, and 321.52A if the person entitled to possession and ownership of a vehicle, as provided in this subsection, is the surviving spouse of a decedent.
  3.  Whenever ownership of a vehicle is transferred under the provisions of this section, the registration plates shall be removed and forwarded to a county treasurer, or to the department if the vehicle is owned by a nonresident. Upon transfer the vehicle shall not be operated upon the highways of this state until the person entitled to possession of the vehicle applies for and obtains registration for the vehicle.
  4.  A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 2.
[S13, §1571-m9; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4963; C39, §5002.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.47]
84 Acts, ch 1243, §1; 84 Acts, ch 1305, §53; 91 Acts, ch 119, §1; 93 Acts, ch 154, §2; 95 Acts, ch 118, §11; 99 Acts, ch 83, §2; 2000 Acts, ch 1149, §165, 187; 2000 Acts, ch 1203, §2; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §15; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §80; 2004 Acts, ch 1092, §2; 2005 Acts, ch 34, §6, 26; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §18, 21; 2008 Acts, ch 1119, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1138, §51; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §33; 2011 Acts, ch 38, §3; 2014 Acts, ch 1076, §14; 2019 Acts, ch 50, §15; 2021 Acts, ch 38, §3
Referred to in §312.2, 321.52A, 321.69, 321.104, 321.105A, 321.113, 321.121, 321.122, 331.557, 555C.3, 578A.7, 805.8A(2)(k)
Surcharge imposed; §321.52A
Subsection 3 amended

  
     
321.48  Vehicles acquired for resale.
  1.  a.  When the transferee of a vehicle is a dealer who holds the vehicle for resale and operates the vehicle only for purposes incident to a resale and displays a dealer plate on the vehicle or does not drive such vehicle or permit it to be driven upon the highways, such transferee shall not be required to obtain a new registration or a new certificate of title but upon transferring title or interest to another person shall execute and acknowledge an assignment and warranty of title upon the certificate of title assigned to the person and deliver the same to the person to whom such transfer is made.
  b.  A dealer licensed pursuant to chapter 322 or chapter 322C who has acquired a vehicle for resale which is subject to a security interest as provided in section 321.50 and who has forwarded to the secured party the sum necessary to discharge the security interest may offer the vehicle for sale prior to the receipt from the county treasurer of the certificate of title for the vehicle with the lien discharged for a period of not more than thirty days from the date the vehicle was acquired and the provisions of section 321.104, subsection 2, shall not apply.
  2.  A foreign registered vehicle purchased or otherwise acquired by a dealer for the purpose of resale shall be issued a certificate of title for the vehicle by the county treasurer of the dealer’s residence upon proper application as provided in this chapter and upon payment of a fee of five dollars and the dealer is exempt from the payment of any and all registration fees for the vehicle. The application for certificate of title shall be made within thirty days after the vehicle comes within the border of the state. However, a dealer acquiring a vehicle registered in another state which permits Iowa dealers to reassign that state’s certificates of title shall not be required to obtain a new registration or a new certificate of title and upon transferring title or interest to another person shall execute an assignment upon the certificate of title for the vehicle to the person to whom the transfer is made and deliver the assigned certificate of title to the person.
  3.  Notwithstanding subsections 1 and 2, requirements in those subsections for obtaining title to a vehicle or acknowledging assignment and warranty of title do not apply to a dealer who sells a motor vehicle to a purchaser in a consignment transaction authorized under section 322.7B.
  4.  In a transaction in which a vehicle is traded to a dealer as defined in chapter 322 or chapter 322C toward the purchase price of another vehicle and each vehicle is owned in whole or in part by the same person, the person acquiring the vehicle from the dealer shall be entitled to a credit under section 321.46.
  5.  A transferee of a new completed motor vehicle shall obtain a certificate of title for the vehicle but is not required to pay the annual registration fee for the vehicle, provided all of the following apply: 
  a.  The transferee is an equipment dealer licensed as a motor vehicle dealer under chapter 322. 
  b.  The transferee purchases the vehicle at retail for the purpose of modifying the vehicle as provided in section 321.105A, subsection 2, paragraph “c”, subparagraph (31), prior to selling it as a used vehicle to a business or government entity.
  c.  The transferee operates the vehicle only for purposes incidental to a resale.
  d.  The transferee displays a dealer plate on the vehicle or does not drive the vehicle or permit it to be driven upon the highways.
  6.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a dealer from obtaining a new certificate of title or new registration in the same manner as other purchasers.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4965; C39, §5002.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.48]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §9, 38; 83 Acts, ch 82, §3; 84 Acts, ch 1169, §1; 84 Acts, ch 1305, §54; 88 Acts, ch 1215, §7; 90 Acts, ch 1116, §2; 99 Acts, ch 13, §7; 2003 Acts, ch 8, §11; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2014 Acts, ch 1065, §1; 2014 Acts, ch 1123, §26
Referred to in §321.23, 321.25, 321.30, 321.46, 321.49, 321.52A, 321.71, 321.104, 331.557, 805.8A(2)(l)
Surcharge imposed; §321.52A 
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 2

     
321.49  Time limit — penalty — power of attorney.
  1.  Except as provided in section 321.52, if an application for transfer of registration and certificate of title is not submitted to the county treasurer of the residence of the transferee within thirty days of the date of assignment or transfer of title, or within thirty days of the date of delivery to the purchaser if the vehicle is subject to a security interest and was offered for sale pursuant to section 321.48, subsection 1, a penalty of ten dollars shall accrue against the applicant, and no registration card or certificate of title shall be issued to the applicant for the vehicle until the penalty is paid.
  2.  Certificates of title to vehicles may be assigned by an attorney in fact of the owner under a power of attorney appointed and so empowered on forms provided by the department. Such power of attorney shall be filed by the transferee with the application for title.
  3.  A manufactured or mobile home retailer who acquires a used mobile home or manufactured home, titled in Iowa, and who does not apply for and obtain a certificate of title from the county treasurer of the county where the manufactured or mobile home is located within thirty days of the date of acquisition, as required under section 321.45, subsection 4, is subject to a penalty of ten dollars. A certificate of title shall not be issued to the manufactured or mobile home retailer until the penalty is paid.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4966; C39, §5002.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.49]
85 Acts, ch 209, §2; 87 Acts, ch 130, §4; 93 Acts, ch 47, §2; 99 Acts, ch 13, §8; 99 Acts, ch 188, §9; 2000 Acts, ch 1154, §22; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §17, 18; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §45; 2013 Acts, ch 96, §2
Referred to in §331.557

  
     
321.50  Security interest provisions.
  1.  A security interest in a vehicle subject to registration under the laws of this state or a mobile home or manufactured home, except trailers whose empty weight is two thousand pounds or less, and except new or used vehicles held by a dealer or manufacturer as inventory for sale, is perfected by the delivery to the county treasurer of the county where the certificate of title was issued or, in the case of a new certificate, to the county treasurer where the certificate will be issued, of an application for certificate of title which lists the security interest, or an application for notation of security interest signed by the owner or by one owner of a vehicle owned jointly by more than one person, or signed through electronic means as determined by the department, or a certificate of title from another jurisdiction which shows the security interest, and payment of a fee of ten dollars for each security interest shown. The department shall require the federal employer identification number of a secured party who is a firm, association, or corporation or, if a natural person, the social security number. Upon delivery of the application and payment of the fee, the county treasurer shall note the date of delivery on the application. If the delivery is by electronic means and the time is electronically recorded on the application along with the date, the time shall be included with the date on all subsequent documents and records where the date of perfection is required under this chapter. The date of delivery shall be the date of perfection of the security interest in the vehicle, regardless of the date the security interest is noted on the certificate of title. Up to three security interests may be perfected against a vehicle and shown on an Iowa certificate of title. If the owner or secured party is in possession of the certificate of title, it must also be delivered at this time. If a vehicle is subject to a security interest when brought into this state, the validity of the security interest and the date of perfection is determined by section 554.9303. Delivery as provided in this subsection constitutes perfection of a security interest on a certificate of title for purposes of this chapter and chapter 554.
  2.  Upon receipt of the application and the required fee, if the certificate of title was not delivered to the county treasurer along with the application, the county treasurer shall notify the holder of the certificate of title to deliver to the county treasurer, within five days from the receipt of notice, the certificate of title to permit notation of the security interest. If the holder of the certificate of title fails to deliver it within five days, the holder shall be liable to anyone harmed by the holder’s failure.
  3.  Upon receipt of the application, the certificate of title, if any, and the required fee, the county treasurer shall note the security interest and the date of perfection of the security interest on the certificate of title. The county treasurer shall also note the security interest and the date of perfection of the security interest in the county records system. Upon receipt of a certificate of title issued by a foreign jurisdiction, on which a security interest has been noted, the county treasurer shall note the security interest and the date the security interest was noted on the foreign certificate of title, if available, or if not, the date of issuance of the foreign certificate of title, on the face of the new certificate of title. The county treasurer shall also note the security interest and the date that was noted on the certificate of title in the county records system. The county treasurer shall then deliver the certificate of title to the first secured party as shown thereon.
  4.  Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, if a security interest has been delivered by electronic means, the county treasurer or department shall not print a certificate of title until all security interests have been released, but shall provide the first security interest holder with an electronic record of the certificate of title. When a vehicle is subject to an electronic lien, the certificate of title for the vehicle shall be considered to be physically held by the lienholder for purposes of compliance with odometer disclosure requirements under section 321.71.
  5.  a.  When a security interest is discharged, the holder shall note a cancellation of the security interest on the face of the certificate of title over the holder’s signature or may note the cancellation of the security interest on a separate, notarized release form or letter. The holder shall deliver the certificate of title and the form or letter, if applicable, to the county treasurer where the title was issued. In the case of a security interest that has been delivered by electronic means, the holder shall notify the department or the county treasurer, in a manner prescribed by the department, of the release of the security interest. The county treasurer shall immediately note the cancellation of the security interest on the face of the certificate of title, if applicable, and in the county records system. The county treasurer shall on the same day deliver the certificate of title, if applicable, and the separate, notarized release form or letter, if applicable, to the then first secured party or, if there is no such person, to the person as directed by the owner, in writing, on a form prescribed by the department or, if there is no person designated, then to the owner. The cancellation of the security interest shall be noted on the certificate of title by the county treasurer without charge. The holder of a security interest discharged by payment who fails to release the security interest within fifteen days after being requested in writing to do so shall forfeit to the person making the payment the sum of twenty-five dollars.
  b.  If a lien has been released by the lienholder but has not been sent to the county of record for clearance of the lien, any county may note the release on the face of the title and shall notify the county of record that the lien has been released as of the specified date and make entry upon the computer system. Notification to the county of record shall be made by an automated statewide system or by sending a photocopy of the released title to the county of record.
  c.  When a security interest is discharged, the lienholder shall note the cancellation of the security interest on the face of the title and, if applicable, may note the cancellation of the security interest on a form prescribed by the department and deliver a copy of the form in lieu of the title to the department or to the treasurer of the county in which the title was issued. The form may be delivered by electronic means. The department or county treasurer shall note the release of the security interest upon the statewide computer system and the county’s records. A copy of the form, if used, shall be attached to the title by the lienholder, if the title is held by the lienholder, and shall be evidence of the release of the security interest. If the title is held by the lienholder, the lienholder shall deliver the title to the first lienholder, or if there is no such person, to the person as designated by the owner, or if there is no such person designated, to the owner. If a certificate of title has not been issued, upon release of a security interest, the lienholder shall notify the department or the county treasurer, in a manner prescribed by the department, of the release of the security interest.
  d.  For purposes of this subsection, a security interest noted on an Iowa certificate of title and appearing in the statewide computer system and the county’s records shall be presumed to be discharged upon presentation of a valid certificate of title subsequently issued by a foreign jurisdiction on which the security interest is no longer noted.
  6.  The uniform commercial code, chapter 554, article 9, shall apply to all transactions intended to create a security interest in vehicles except as provided in this chapter.
  7.  Upon request of any person, the county treasurer shall certify whether there are, on the date and hour stated therein, any security interests or liens against a vehicle and the name and address of each secured party. The uniform fee for a certification shall be two dollars if the request for the certification is on a form conforming to standards prescribed by the secretary of state; otherwise, three dollars. Upon request and payment of the appropriate fee, the county treasurer shall furnish a certified copy of any security interests for a uniform fee of one dollar per page.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4967; C39, §5002.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.50]
83 Acts, ch 5, §3, 5; 84 Acts, ch 1305, §55; 89 Acts, ch 260, §3; 92 Acts, ch 1175, §30; 97 Acts, ch 108, §6; 99 Acts, ch 13, §9; 99 Acts, ch 188, §10; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §7, 44, 47; 2000 Acts, ch 1149, §166, 187; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §17; 2003 Acts, ch 8, §13; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §286; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §15 – 17, 35; 2004 Acts, ch 1092, §3; 2014 Acts, ch 1123, §11; 2018 Acts, ch 1034, §1
Referred to in §321.24, 321.42, 321.45, 321.48, 321.131, 331.557

     
321.51  Terminal rental adjustment clause — vehicle leases that are not sales or security interests.
  An agreement involving the leasing of a motor vehicle or trailer does not create a sale or security interest solely because the agreement provides for an increase or decrease adjustment in the rental price of the motor vehicle or trailer based upon the amount realized upon sale or other disposition of the motor vehicle or trailer following the termination of the lease.
94 Acts, ch 1052, §1
Referred to in §331.557

  
     
321.52  Out-of-state sales — junked, dismantled, wrecked, or salvage vehicles.
  1.  When a vehicle is sold outside the state for purposes other than for junk, the owner, dealer or otherwise, shall detach the registration plates and registration card and shall indicate on the registration card the name and address of the foreign purchaser or transferee over the person’s signature. Unless the registration plates are legally attached to another vehicle, the owner shall surrender the registration plates and registration card to the county treasurer, who shall cancel the records, destroy the registration plates, and forward the registration card to the department. The department shall make a notation on the records of the out-of-state sale and, after a reasonable period, may destroy the files for that particular vehicle. The department is not authorized to make a refund of annual registration fees on a vehicle sold out of state unless it receives the registration card completed as provided in this section.
  2.  a.  The purchaser or transferee of a motor vehicle subject to registration for which a certificate of title is issued which is sold for scrap or junk shall surrender the certificate of title, properly endorsed and signed by the previous owner, to the county treasurer of the county of residence of the transferee, and shall apply for a junking certificate from the county treasurer, within thirty days after assignment of the certificate of title, except when the vehicle is disposed of pursuant to paragraph “b”. The county treasurer shall issue to such person without fee a junking certificate. A junking certificate shall authorize the holder to possess, transport, or transfer by endorsement the ownership of the junked vehicle. A certificate of title shall not again be issued for the vehicle subsequent to the issuance of a junking certificate except as provided in subsection 3. The county treasurer shall cancel the record of the vehicle. The junking certificate shall be printed on the registration receipt form and shall be imprinted with the words “junking certificate”, as prescribed by the department. A space for transfer by endorsement shall be on the junking certificate. A separate form for the notation of the transfer of component parts shall be attached to the junking certificate when the certificate is issued.
  b.  The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration that does not have a certificate of title or a junking certificate may dispose of the vehicle to a vehicle recycler licensed under chapter 321H for scrap or junk if the vehicle is twelve model years old or older and is acquired by the vehicle recycler for reasonable consideration equaling less than one thousand dollars.
  3.  a.  When a vehicle for which a certificate of title is issued is junked or dismantled by the owner, the owner shall detach the registration plates and surrender the plates to the county treasurer, unless the plates are properly assigned to another vehicle. The owner shall also surrender the certificate of title to the county treasurer, except when the vehicle is disposed of pursuant to subsection 2, paragraph “b”.
  b.  Upon the surrender of the certificate of title and application for junking certificate, the county treasurer shall issue to the person, without fee, a junking certificate, which shall authorize the holder to possess, transport, or transfer ownership of the junked vehicle by endorsement of the junking certificate. The county treasurer shall hold the surrendered certificate of title, registration receipt, application for junking certificate, and, if applicable, the registration plates for a period of fourteen days following the issuance of a junking certificate under this subsection.
  c.  Within the fourteen-day period, the person who was issued the junking certificate and to whom the vehicle was titled or assigned may surrender to the county treasurer the junking certificate, and upon the person’s payment of appropriate fees and taxes and payment of any credit for annual registration fees received by the person for the vehicle under section 321.46, subsection 3, the county treasurer shall issue to the person a certificate of title for the vehicle. After the expiration of the fourteen-day period, a county treasurer shall not issue a certificate of title for a junked vehicle for which a junking certificate is issued. The county treasurer shall cancel the record of the vehicle and forward the certificate of title to the department.
  d.  However, upon application and a showing of good cause, the department may issue a certificate of title to a person after the fourteen-day period for a junked vehicle for which a junking certificate has been issued. For purposes of this subsection, “good cause” means that the junking certificate was obtained by mistake or inadvertence. If a person’s application to the department is denied, the person may make application for a certificate of title under the bonding procedure as provided in section 321.24, if the vehicle qualifies as an antique vehicle under section 321.115, subsection 1, or the person may seek judicial review as provided under sections 17A.19 and 17A.20.
  4.  a.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an insurer may apply for and be issued a salvage certificate of title for a motor vehicle without surrendering the certificate of title or manufacturer’s or importer’s statement of origin properly assigned if ownership of the vehicle was transferred, or will transfer, to the insurer pursuant to a settlement with the previous owner of the vehicle arising from circumstances involving damage to the vehicle, and at least thirty days have expired since the effective date of such settlement. To obtain a salvage certificate of title pursuant to this paragraph “a”, the insurer shall submit an application for a salvage certificate of title to the county treasurer of the county in which the vehicle is stored by or on behalf of the insurer. The application shall be accompanied by an affidavit from the insurer in which the insurer certifies it has made at least two written attempts to obtain a properly assigned certificate of title or manufacturer’s or importer’s statement of origin for the vehicle by contacting the previous owner of the vehicle and all lienholders of record by certified mail or a similar service that provides proof of service using a return receipt, and has been unable to obtain the title or statement of origin. The failure of a previous owner or lienholder to provide a properly assigned certificate of title or manufacturer’s or importer’s statement of origin shall be deemed to be a waiver by the previous owner or lienholder of all rights, title, claim, and interest in the vehicle. The application shall also be accompanied by the application fee required under paragraph “b”, and proof of payment of the total amount of the settlement by the insurer to the previous owner of the vehicle. Upon receiving an application that complies with this paragraph “a”, the county treasurer shall issue a salvage certificate of title to the insurer which shall be free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership and shall bear the word “SALVAGE” stamped or printed on the face of the title in a manner prescribed by the department.
  b.  A vehicle rebuilder or a person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging vehicles of a type required to be registered in this state, upon acquisition of a wrecked or salvage vehicle, shall surrender the certificate of title or manufacturer’s or importer’s statement of origin properly assigned, together with an application for a salvage certificate of title, to the county treasurer of the county of residence of the purchaser or transferee within thirty days after the date of assignment of the certificate of title for the wrecked or salvage motor vehicle. This subsection applies only to vehicles with a fair market value of five hundred dollars or more, based on the value before the vehicle became wrecked or salvage. Upon payment of a fee of ten dollars, the county treasurer shall issue a salvage certificate of title which shall bear the word “SALVAGE” stamped or printed on the face of the title in a manner prescribed by the department. A salvage certificate of title may be assigned to an educational institution, a new motor vehicle dealer licensed under chapter 322, a person engaged in the business of purchasing bodies, parts of bodies, frames or component parts of vehicles for sale as scrap metal, a salvage pool, or an authorized vehicle recycler licensed under chapter 321H. An authorized vehicle recycler licensed under chapter 321H or a new motor vehicle dealer licensed under chapter 322 may assign or reassign an Iowa salvage certificate of title or a salvage certificate of title from another state to any person, and the provisions of section 321.24, subsection 5, requiring issuance of an Iowa salvage certificate of title shall not apply. A vehicle on which ownership has transferred to an insurer of the vehicle as a result of a settlement with the owner of the vehicle arising out of damage to, or unrecovered theft of, the vehicle shall be deemed to be a wrecked or salvage vehicle and the insurer shall comply with this subsection to obtain a salvage certificate of title within thirty days after the date of assignment of the certificate of title of the vehicle.
  c.  When a wrecked or salvage vehicle has been repaired, the owner may apply for a regular certificate of title by paying the appropriate fees and surrendering the salvage certificate of title and a properly executed salvage theft examination certificate. A motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of thirty thousand pounds or more is not subject to the salvage theft examination otherwise required under paragraph “d”, and the owner of such vehicle is not required to submit a salvage theft examination certificate. The county treasurer shall issue a regular certificate of title which shall bear a designation printed on the face of the title and printed on the registration receipt indicating that the vehicle was previously titled on a salvage certificate of title in a form approved by the department. This designation shall be included on every Iowa certificate of title and registration receipt issued thereafter for the vehicle. However, if ownership of a stolen vehicle has been transferred to an insurer organized under the laws of this state or admitted to do business in this state, or if the transfer was the result of a settlement with the owner of the vehicle arising from damage to or the unrecovered theft of the vehicle, and if the insurer certifies to the county treasurer on a form approved by the department that the insurance company has received one or more written estimates which state that the retail cost of repairs including labor, parts, and other materials of all damage to the vehicle is less than three thousand dollars, the county treasurer shall issue to the insurance company the regular certificate of title and registration receipt without this designation.
  d.  A salvage theft examination shall be made by a peace officer who has been specially certified and recertified when required by the Iowa law enforcement academy to do salvage theft examinations. The Iowa law enforcement academy shall determine standards for training and certification, conduct training, and may approve alternative training programs which satisfy the academy’s standards for training and certification. The owner of the salvage vehicle shall make the vehicle available for examination at a time and location designated by the peace officer doing the examination. The owner may obtain a permit to drive the vehicle to and from the examination location by submitting a repair affidavit to the agency performing the examination stating that the vehicle is reasonably safe for operation and listing the repairs which have been made to the vehicle. The owner must be present for the examination and have available for inspection the salvage title, bills of sale for all essential parts changed, if applicable, and the repair affidavit. The examination shall be for the purposes of determining whether the vehicle or repair components have been stolen. The examination is not a safety inspection and a signed salvage theft examination certificate shall not be construed by any court of law to be a certification that the vehicle is safe to be operated. There shall be no cause of action against the peace officer or the agency conducting the examination or the county treasurer for failure to discover or note safety defects. If the vehicle passes the theft examination, the peace officer shall indicate that the vehicle passed examination on the salvage theft examination certificate. The permit and salvage theft examination certificate shall be on controlled forms prescribed and furnished by the department. The owner shall pay a fee of fifty dollars at the time the examination is scheduled. The agency performing the examinations shall retain forty dollars of the fee and shall pay five dollars of the fee to the department and five dollars of the fee to the treasurer of state for deposit in the general fund of the state. Moneys deposited to the general fund under this paragraph are subject to the requirements of section 8.60 and shall be used by the Iowa law enforcement academy to provide for the special training, certification, and recertification of officers as required by this subsection.
  e.  For purposes of this subsection, “wrecked or salvage vehicle” means a damaged motor vehicle subject to registration for which the cost of repair exceeds seventy percent of the fair market value of the vehicle, as determined in accordance with rules adopted by the department, before the vehicle became damaged.
  5.  The department shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 17A to carry out this section.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4887; C39, §5002.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.52; 81 Acts, ch 102, §3]
84 Acts, ch 1169, §2; 84 Acts, ch 1305, §56; 85 Acts, ch 67, §36; 85 Acts, ch 209, §3; 88 Acts, ch 1089, §4 – 6; 88 Acts, ch 1215, §8 – 10; 89 Acts, ch 185, §3; 89 Acts, ch 296, §28; 91 Acts, ch 142, §2, 3; 91 Acts, ch 260, §1225, 1226; 92 Acts, ch 1104, §3; 93 Acts, ch 131, §12; 94 Acts, ch 1107, §51; 95 Acts, ch 45, §2, 3; 97 Acts, ch 108, §7; 97 Acts, ch 121, §2; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §8, 9; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §11; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §14; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §7; 2006 Acts, ch 1120, §12; 2007 Acts, ch 143, §10; 2008 Acts, ch 1018, §17, 18; 2008 Acts, ch 1032, §47, 48; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §19, 21, 82; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §114; 2015 Acts, ch 52, §3, 4, 14; 2016 Acts, ch 1098, §32; 2017 Acts, ch 31, §2; 2021 Acts, ch 30, §1
Referred to in §312.2, 321.1, 321.24, 321.45, 321.46, 321.47, 321.49, 321.52A, 321.67, 321.69, 321.100, 321.104, 321.126, 322C.6, 331.557, 805.8A(2)(m)
Surcharge imposed; §321.52A
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 2
Subsection 4, paragraph e amended

     
321.52A  Certificate of title surcharge — allocation of moneys.
  In addition to the fee required for the issuance of a certificate of title under section 321.20, 321.20A, 321.23, 321.42, 321.46, 321.47, 321.48, or 321.52, a surcharge of five dollars shall be required. Of each surcharge collected under those sections, the county treasurer shall remit five dollars to the office of treasurer of state for deposit as set forth in section 321.145, subsection 2.
91 Acts, ch 267, §607; 95 Acts, ch 118, §12; 96 Acts, ch 1117, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 188, §25; 2002 Acts, ch 1121, §1; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §35; 2009 Acts, ch 133, §116
Referred to in §321.42, 321.47, 321.145
PERMITS TO NONRESIDENT OWNERS

     
321.53  Nonresident owners of passenger vehicles and trucks.
  A nonresident owner, except as provided in sections 321.54 and 321.55, of a private passenger motor vehicle, not operated for hire, may operate or permit the operation of such vehicle within this state without registering such vehicle in, or paying any fees to, this state subject to the condition that such vehicle at all times when operated in this state is duly registered in, and displays upon it a valid registration plate or plates issued for such vehicle in the place of residence of such owner. A nonresident who leases a vehicle from a resident owner shall not be considered a nonresident owner of such vehicle for the purpose of exemption under this section. This section shall be operative to the extent that under the laws of the foreign country, state, territory, or federal district of such nonresident owner’s residence like exemptions and privileges are granted to vehicles registered under the laws, and owned by residents, of this state. A truck, truck tractor, trailer or semitrailer owned by a nonresident and operated on Iowa highways must have displayed upon it a valid registration plate or plates and a valid registration certificate, card, or other official evidence of its allowable weight in the state, district or county in which it is registered.
[S13, §1571-m16; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4865; C39, §5003.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.53]
Referred to in §321.18

     
321.54  Registration and financial liability coverage required of certain nonresident carriers.
  1.  Nonresident owners of foreign vehicles operated within this state for the intrastate transportation of persons or property for compensation or for the intrastate transportation of merchandise shall register and maintain financial liability coverage as required under section 321.20B for each vehicle and pay the same fees required for like vehicles owned by residents of this state.
  2.  The term “intrastate transportation” as used herein shall mean the transportation for compensation of persons or property originating at any point or place in the state of Iowa and destined to any other point or place in said state irrespective of the route or highway or highways traversed, including the crossing of any state line of the state of Iowa, or the ticket or bill of lading issued and used for such transportation.
[C39, §5003.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.54]
97 Acts, ch 139, §3, 17, 18; 98 Acts, ch 1121, §8
Referred to in §321.53, 805.8A(13)(a)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 13, paragraph a 

     
321.55  Registration and financial liability coverage required for certain vehicles owned or operated by nonresidents.
  1.  A nonresident owner or operator engaged in remunerative employment within this state or carrying on business within this state and owning or operating a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer within this state shall register and maintain financial liability coverage as required under section 321.20B for each vehicle and pay the same fees for registration as are paid for like vehicles owned by residents of this state. However, this subsection does not apply to a person commuting from the person’s residence in another state or whose employment is seasonal or temporary, not exceeding ninety days.
  2.  a.  A nonresident owner of a motor vehicle operated within this state by a resident of this state shall register the vehicle and shall maintain financial liability coverage as required under section 321.20B for the vehicle. The nonresident owner shall pay the same fees for registration as are paid for like vehicles owned by residents of this state. However, registration under this paragraph is not required for vehicles being operated by residents temporarily for not more than ninety days. For purposes of this paragraph, a vehicle is not operated in the state temporarily, and is therefore subject to registration and the owner is required to pay the applicable fees, if the vehicle is located in Iowa for more than ninety consecutive or nonconsecutive days and is operated on an Iowa highway by an Iowa resident during that time. It is unlawful for a resident to operate within the state an unregistered motor vehicle required to be registered under this paragraph. The ninety-day temporary period of operation provided for under this paragraph does not apply to a vehicle owned by a shell business as provided in paragraph “b”.
  b.  On or after July 1, 2013, if the department, in consultation with the department of revenue, determines that the nonresident owner of a vehicle is a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation that is a shell business, it shall be rebuttably presumed that the Iowa resident in control of the vehicle is the actual owner of the vehicle, that the vehicle is subject to registration in this state, and that payment of the fee for new registration for the vehicle is owed by the Iowa resident.
  (1)  Factors which indicate that a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation is a shell business include but are not limited to the following:
  (a)  The partnership, limited liability company, or corporation lacks a specific business activity or purpose.
  (b)  The partnership, limited liability company, or corporation fails to maintain a physical location in the foreign state.
  (c)  The partnership, limited liability company, or corporation fails to employ individual persons and provide those persons with internal revenue service form W-2 wage and tax statements.
  (d)  The partnership, limited liability company, or corporation fails to file federal tax returns, or fails to file a required state tax return in the foreign state.
  (2)  Factors which indicate that a person is in control of a vehicle include but are not limited to the following:
  (a)  The person was the initial purchaser of the vehicle.
  (b)  The person operated or stored the vehicle in Iowa for any period of time.
  (c)  The person is a partner, member, or shareholder of the nonresident partnership, limited liability company, or corporation that purports to be the owner of the vehicle.
  (d)  The person is insured to drive the vehicle.
  (3)  If the department determines that the nonresident owner of a vehicle is a shell business, the department shall notify the Iowa resident in control of the vehicle in writing that the Iowa resident is required to obtain an Iowa certificate of title and registration for the vehicle and pay the fee for new registration owed for the vehicle not later than thirty days from the date of the notice.
[C39, §5003.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.55]
83 Acts, ch 58, §1; 97 Acts, ch 139, §4, 17, 18; 98 Acts, ch 1121, §8; 2013 Acts, ch 140, §160
Referred to in §321.1A, 321.53, 321.105A, 805.8A(2)(n)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 2 

     
321.56  Repair of out-of-state commercial motor vehicles — permits.
  1.  The operator of a commercial motor vehicle which is not registered within the state as required pursuant to this chapter or chapter 326 or which does not have an interstate fuel permit, as required under chapter 452A, may enter the state and travel to a commercial vehicle dealer or repair facility and exit the state if all of the following circumstances apply:
  a.  If the commercial motor vehicle is entering the state solely for the purposes of maintenance and repair to the commercial motor vehicle and is exiting the state after having completed vehicle maintenance or repair.
  b.  If the operator has obtained a temporary entry or exit permit from the department.
  c.  If the commercial motor vehicle is unladen.
  2.  The department shall provide a temporary entry and exit permit to a commercial motor vehicle operator which authorizes the operator to enter and exit the state as allowed under this section. Any operator of a commercial motor vehicle who has in the operator’s possession the permit allowing entry into the state and exit from the state shall not be charged with a registration violation under this chapter or chapter 326 or with a motor fuel tax violation under chapter 452A, except for violations of section 452A.74A.
  3.  For purposes of this section, “commercial motor vehicle” means as defined in section 321.1, subsection 11, paragraph “f”, subparagraph (2).
2001 Acts, ch 132, §3; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §46; 2006 Acts, ch 1142, §83; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §47
SPECIAL PLATES TO MANUFACTURERS,

TRANSPORTERS, WHOLESALERS,

AND DEALERS

  
     
321.57  Operation under special plates.
  1.  A dealer owning any vehicle of a type otherwise required to be registered under this chapter may operate or move the vehicle upon the highways solely for purposes of transporting, testing, demonstrating, or selling the vehicle without registering the vehicle, upon condition that the vehicle display in the manner prescribed in sections 321.37 and 321.38 a special plate issued to the owner as provided in sections 321.58 through 321.62. A dealer may operate or move upon the highways a vehicle owned by the dealer for either private or business purposes, including hauling a load or towing a trailer, without registering it if the vehicle is in the dealer’s inventory and is continuously offered for sale at retail, and there is displayed on it a special plate issued to the dealer as provided in sections 321.58 through 321.62. A dealer may operate or move upon the highways an unregistered vehicle owned by a lessor licensed pursuant to chapter 321F solely for the purpose of delivering the vehicle to the owner or transporting the vehicle to or from an auction if there is displayed on the vehicle a special plate issued to the dealer as provided in sections 321.58 through 321.62.
  2.  In addition, while a service customer is having the customer’s own vehicle serviced or repaired by the dealer, the service customer of the dealer may operate upon the highways a motor vehicle owned by the dealer, except a motor truck or truck tractor, upon which there is displayed a special plate issued to the dealer, provided all of the requirements of this section are complied with.
  3.  Also a transporter may operate or move any vehicle of like type upon the highways solely for the purpose of delivery upon likewise displaying thereon like plates issued to the transporter as provided in these sections.
  4.  The provisions of this section and sections 321.58 through 321.62 shall not apply to any vehicles offered for hire, work or service vehicles owned by a transporter or dealer.
  5.  A dealer licensed as a wholesaler for a new motor vehicle model under chapter 322 may operate a new motor vehicle of that model, owned by the wholesaler, upon the highway when there is displayed on the vehicle a special plate issued to the wholesaler as provided in sections 321.58 through 321.62 and when operated solely for the purposes of demonstration, show, or exhibition.
  6.  A manufacturer licensed under chapter 322 that manufactures ambulances, rescue vehicles, or fire vehicles may operate or move a new ambulance, rescue vehicle, or fire vehicle manufactured and owned by the manufacturer solely for purposes of transporting, demonstrating, showing, or exhibiting the vehicle when there is displayed on the vehicle a special plate issued to the manufacturer as provided in sections 321.58 through 321.62.
[SS15, §1571-m14; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4888, 4894, 4895; C39, §5004.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.57; 82 Acts, ch 1251, §12]
92 Acts, ch 1175, §1; 97 Acts, ch 139, §5, 17; 98 Acts, ch 1121, §5, 9; 99 Acts, ch 188, §11; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §17, 18; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §19; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §47; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §15; 2006 Acts, ch 1090, §18, 26; 2007 Acts, ch 102, §1; 2014 Acts, ch 1123, §27; 2021 Acts, ch 80, §166
Referred to in §321.309, 321E.10, 805.8A(2)(o)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 2
Subsection 4 amended

     
321.58  Application.
  All dealers, transporters, and new motor vehicle wholesalers licensed under chapter 322, upon payment of a fee of seventy dollars for a two-year period or part thereof, may make application to the department upon the appropriate form for a certificate containing a general distinguishing number and for one or more special plates as appropriate to various types of vehicles subject to registration. The applicant shall also submit proof of the applicant’s status as a bona fide transporter, new motor vehicle wholesaler licensed under chapter 322, or dealer, as reasonably required by the department. Dealers in new vehicles shall furnish satisfactory evidence of a valid franchise with the manufacturer of the vehicles authorizing the dealership.
[SS15, §1571-m14; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4888; C39, §5004.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.58; 82 Acts, ch 1251, §13]
92 Acts, ch 1175, §2; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §10; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §18; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §20; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §48; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §42, 57; 2006 Acts, ch 1090, §19, 26
Referred to in §321.57, 321.59, 321.115, 321.309

     
321.59  Issuance of certificate.
  The department, upon granting an application made as provided under section 321.58, shall issue to the applicant a certificate containing the applicant’s name and address and the general distinguishing number assigned to the applicant.
[SS15, §1571-m14; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4890, 4891; C39, §5004.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.59]
2015 Acts, ch 30, §100
Referred to in §321.57, 321.115

  
     
321.60  Issuance of special plates.
  The department shall issue special plates as applied for, which shall display the general distinguishing number assigned to the applicant. Each plate so issued shall also contain a number or symbol identifying the plate and distinguishing it from every other plate bearing the same general distinguishing number. The fee for each special plate is forty dollars for a two-year period or part thereof. The fee for a special plate used on a vehicle that is hauling a load or towing a trailer is seven hundred fifty dollars for a two-year period or part thereof.
[SS15, §1571-m14; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4892; C39, §5004.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.60]
84 Acts, ch 1305, §57; 92 Acts, ch 1175, §3; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §43, 57; 2014 Acts, ch 1123, §28
Referred to in §321.42, 321.57, 321.115

     
321.61  Expiration of special plates.
  A special plate shall expire at midnight on December 31 of even-numbered years. A person shall not be considered to be driving a vehicle with an expired registration for one month following the expiration date of the special plate.
[S13, §1571-m16; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4868; C39, §5004.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.61]
92 Acts, ch 1175, §4; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §44, 57
Referred to in §321.57, 321.115

     
321.62  Records required.
  Every transporter or dealer shall keep a written record of the vehicles upon which such special plates are used, which record shall be open to inspection by any police officer or any officer or employee of the department.
[C39, §5004.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.62]
Referred to in §321.57, 321.115, 805.8A(2)(p)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 2

  
     
321.63  Different places of business.
  1.  If a transporter or dealer has an established place of business in more than one city, the transporter or dealer shall secure a separate and distinct certificate of registration and number plates for each such place of business.
  2.  If a dealer has more than one established place of business, the dealer may designate one such location in this state for purposes of keeping all the dealer’s books and records, regardless of the line-make of motor vehicles to which such books and records pertain, by submitting a written certification to the department in a manner approved by the department.
[SS15, §1571-m14; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4889; C39, §5004.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.63]
2018 Acts, ch 1095, §3
Referred to in §321.1

321.64  Implementation of multiyear licensing and issuance of special plates.  Repealed by 98 Acts, ch 1075, §32. 

PUBLIC GARAGE RECORDS

     
321.65  Garage record.
  Every person or corporation operating a public garage shall keep for public inspection a record of the registration number and engine serial number or manufacturer’s vehicle identification number of every motor vehicle offered for sale or taken in for repairs in said garage.
[C24, 27, §4988 – 4990; C31, 35, §4990-c1; C39, §5004.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.65]
2005 Acts, ch 179, §127

     
321.66  Duty to hold vehicles.
  The proprietor of a garage and the proprietor’s employees upon discovering that the engine number of a motor vehicle has been altered or obliterated shall immediately notify some member of the department or peace officer of the county in which the garage is located, and hold said vehicle for a period of twenty-four hours or until investigation shall have been made by such peace officer.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4991; C39, §5004.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.66]
USED MOTOR VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS — NEW AND USED MOTOR VEHICLE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS

  
     
321.67  Certificate of title must be executed.
  1.  No person, except as provided in sections 321.23 and 321.45, section 321.52, subsection 2, paragraph “b”, and section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph “a”, shall sell or otherwise dispose of a registered vehicle or a vehicle subject to registration without delivering to the purchaser or transferee thereof a certificate of title with such assignment thereon as may be necessary to show title in the purchaser.
  2.  No person shall purchase or otherwise acquire or bring into this state a registered vehicle or a vehicle subject to registration without obtaining a certificate of title thereto except for temporary use or as provided in sections 321.23 and 321.45, section 321.52, subsection 2, paragraph “b”, and section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph “a”.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4898; C39, §5005.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.67]
2015 Acts, ch 52, §5, 14; 2017 Acts, ch 31, §3
Referred to in §805.8A(2)(q)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 2

     
321.68  Sale in bulk.
  1.  It shall be unlawful for any dealer in this state to sell and transfer the dealer’s stock of used motor vehicles in bulk unless the dealer complies with the following requirements:
  a.  The vendor shall file with the county treasurer and the department, duplicate inventories of all used motor vehicles proposed to be transferred, giving the factory number, last registration number, if any, and description of each such used motor vehicle and the name and address of proposed vendee, with a certification signed by both the vendee and the vendor that the certificates of title pertaining to all the used motor vehicles listed on the inventory have been duly assigned to the vendee as prescribed in this chapter.
  b.  The vendee shall, if the vendee has not already secured a dealer’s registration, immediately secure such registration from the department.
  2.  Upon the completion of such requirements the department shall certify to the county treasurer that such used motor vehicles are, from and after a date to be set by the department, the property of the vendee.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4899; C39, §5005.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.68]
2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180

  
     
321.69  Damage disclosure statement.
  1.  A certificate of title shall not be issued for a motor vehicle unless a damage disclosure statement has been made by the transferor of the vehicle and is furnished with the application for certificate of title. A damage disclosure statement shall be provided by the transferor to the transferee in a transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle. The new certificate of title and registration receipt shall state on the face whether a prior owner had disclosed that the vehicle was damaged to the extent that it was a wrecked or salvage vehicle as defined in section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph “e”.
  2.  The damage disclosure statement required by this section shall, at a minimum, state whether the transferor knows if the vehicle was titled as a salvage, rebuilt, or flood vehicle in this or any other state prior to the transferor’s ownership of the vehicle and, if not, whether the transferor knows if the vehicle was damaged to the extent that it was a wrecked or salvage vehicle as defined in section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph “e”, during or prior to the transferor’s ownership of the vehicle.
  3.  The damage disclosure statement shall be provided by the transferor to the transferee at or before the time of sale. If the transferor is not a resident of this state or if the transferee acquired the vehicle by operation of law as provided in section 321.47, the transferee shall not be required to submit a damage disclosure statement from the transferor with the transferee’s application for title unless the state of the transferor’s residence requires a damage disclosure statement. However, the transferee shall submit a damage disclosure statement with the transferee’s application for title indicating whether a salvage, rebuilt, or flood title had ever existed for the vehicle, and if not, whether the vehicle was damaged to the extent that it was a wrecked or salvage vehicle as defined in section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph “e”, during or prior to the transferor’s ownership of the vehicle, and the year, make, and vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle. The transferee shall not be required to indicate whether the vehicle was damaged to the extent that it was a wrecked or salvage vehicle as defined in section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph “e”, under this subsection if the transferor’s certificate of title is from another state and if it indicates that the vehicle is salvaged and not rebuilt or is another state’s salvage certificate of title.
  4.  A lessee who has executed a lease as defined in section 321F.1 shall provide a damage disclosure statement to the lessor at the termination of the lease. The damage disclosure statement shall be made on a separate disclosure document and shall state whether the vehicle was damaged during the term of the lease to the extent that it was a wrecked or salvage vehicle as defined in section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph “e”. The lessee’s damage disclosure statement shall not be submitted with the application for title, but the lessor shall retain the lessee’s damage disclosure statement for five years following the date of the statement.
  5.  The department shall retain each damage disclosure statement received and copies shall be available to the public and the attorney general upon request.
  6.  Authorized vehicle recyclers licensed under chapter 321H and motor vehicle dealers licensed under chapter 322 shall maintain copies of all damage disclosure statements where the recycler or dealer is either the transferor or the transferee for five years following the date of the statement. The copies shall be made available to the department or the attorney general upon request.
  7.  a.  The damage disclosure statements shall be made on the back of the certificate of title if the title is available to the transferor at the time of sale. If the title is not available at the time of sale or if the face of the transferor’s Iowa title contains no indication that the vehicle was previously salvaged or titled as a salvage, rebuilt, or flood vehicle and the transferor knows or reasonably should know that the vehicle was previously salvaged or titled as a salvage, rebuilt, or flood vehicle in another state, the transferor shall make the disclosure on a separate disclosure document. The damage disclosure statement forms shall be as approved by the department. The treasurer shall not accept a damage disclosure statement and issue a title unless the back of the title or separate disclosure document has been fully completed and signed and dated by the transferee and the transferor, if applicable. If a separate damage disclosure document from a prior owner is required to be furnished with the application for title, the transferor shall provide a copy of the separate damage disclosure document to the transferee at or before the time of sale.
  b.  In addition to the information required in subsection 2, a separate disclosure document shall state whether the vehicle’s certificate of title indicates the existence of damage prior to the period of the transferor’s ownership of the vehicle and whether the vehicle was titled as a salvage, rebuilt, or flood vehicle during the period of the transferor’s ownership of the vehicle.
  8.  A person, authorized vehicle recycler licensed under chapter 321H, or motor vehicle dealer licensed under chapter 322 shall not be liable to a subsequent owner, driver, or passenger of a vehicle because a prior owner or lessee gave a false or inaccurate damage disclosure statement or failed to disclose that the vehicle had previously been damaged and repaired or had been titled on a salvage, rebuilt, or flood certificate of title unless the person, recycler, or dealer knew or reasonably should have known that the prior owner or lessee gave a false or inaccurate damage disclosure statement or failed to disclose that the vehicle had been damaged and repaired or had been titled on a salvage, rebuilt, or flood certificate of title.
  9.  Except for subsections 10 and 11, this section does not apply to motor trucks and truck tractors with a gross vehicle weight rating of sixteen thousand pounds or more, vehicles more than seven model years old, autocycles, motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and special mobile equipment. This section does apply to motor homes. The requirement in subsection 1 that the new certificate of title and registration receipt shall state on the face whether a prior owner had disclosed that the vehicle was damaged to the extent that it was a wrecked or salvage vehicle as defined in section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph “e”, does not apply to a vehicle with a certificate of title bearing a designation that the vehicle was previously titled on a salvage certificate of title pursuant to section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph “c”, or to a vehicle with a certificate of title bearing a “REBUILT” or “SALVAGE” designation pursuant to section 321.24, subsection 4 or 5. Except for subsections 10 and 11, this section does not apply to new motor vehicles with a true mileage, as defined in section 321.71, of one thousand miles or less, unless such vehicle has incurred damage as described in subsection 2.
  10.  a.  A person shall not sell, lease, or trade a motor vehicle if the person knows or reasonably should know that the motor vehicle contains a nonoperative air bag that is part of an inflatable restraint system, or that the motor vehicle has had an air bag removed and not replaced, unless the person clearly discloses, in writing, to the person to whom the person is selling, leasing, or trading the vehicle, prior to the sale, lease, or trade, that the air bag is missing or nonoperative. In addition, a lessee who has executed a lease as defined in section 321F.1 shall provide the disclosure statement required in this subsection to the lessor upon termination of the lease.
  b.  The written disclosure required by this subsection shall be deemed to be a damage disclosure statement for the purposes of subsections 6, 8, and 11.
  11.  A person who knowingly makes a false damage disclosure statement or fails to make a damage disclosure statement required by this section commits a fraudulent practice. Failure of a person, authorized vehicle recycler licensed under chapter 321H, or motor vehicle dealer licensed under chapter 322 to comply with any duty imposed by this section constitutes a violation of section 714.16, subsection 2, paragraph “a”.
  12.  The department shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
92 Acts, ch 1104, §4; 95 Acts, ch 45, §4, 5; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §3; 97 Acts, ch 108, §8; 98 Acts, ch 1034, §1; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §21; 2003 Acts, ch 56, §1 – 5; 2003 Acts, ch 179, §71; 2004 Acts, ch 1007, §1; 2005 Acts, ch 19, §40, 41; 2006 Acts, ch 1010, §88; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2016 Acts, ch 1073, §103; 2016 Acts, ch 1098, §13
Referred to in §714H.3
Fraudulent practices, see §714.8 – 714.14

  
     
321.69A  Disclosure of repairs to new vehicles.
  1.  a.  A person licensed as a new motor vehicle dealer pursuant to chapter 322 shall not be required to disclose to a prospective or actual buyer or lessee of a new motor vehicle repairs of damage to or adjustments on or replacements of parts with new parts on the motor vehicle if all of the following are true:
  (1)  The repairs, adjustments, or replacements were made to achieve compliance with factory specifications.
  (2)  The actual cost of any labor or parts charged to or performed by the dealer for any such repairs, adjustments, or parts does not exceed four percent of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
  (3)  The dealer posts in a conspicuous place notice that repairs, adjustments, or replacements will be disclosed upon request.
  (4)  The dealer discloses any such repairs, adjustments, or replacements upon request.
  b.  The provisions of this section take precedence over and shall supersede section 714.16, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, unnumbered paragraph 4, and section 714H.4, subsection 2.
  2.  A person licensed as a new motor vehicle dealer pursuant to chapter 322 shall disclose in writing, at or before the time of sale or lease, to the buyer or lessee of a new motor vehicle that the vehicle has been subject to any repairs of damage to or adjustments on or replacements of parts with new parts if the actual cost of any labor or parts charged to or performed by the dealer for any such repairs, adjustments, or parts exceeds four percent of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. The written disclosure shall include the signature of the buyer or lessee and be in a form and in a format approved by the attorney general by rule. A dealer shall retain a copy of each written disclosure issued pursuant to this section for five years from the date of issuance.
  3.  As used in this section, “manufacturer’s suggested retail price” means the amount required to be disclosed by a dealer pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §1232(f)(4).
  4.  A violation of this section is an unlawful practice pursuant to section 714.16.
  5.  A violation of this section is a prohibited practice or act pursuant to section 714H.5.
2011 Acts, ch 90, §1; 2014 Acts, ch 1123, §29, 30
Referred to in §322C.16

     
321.70  Dealer vehicles.
  A dealer registered under this chapter shall not be required to register any vehicle owned by the dealer which is being held for sale or trade, provided the annual registration fee was not delinquent at the time the vehicle was acquired by the dealer. When a dealer ceases to hold any vehicle for sale or trade or the vehicle otherwise becomes subject to registration under this chapter the annual registration fee and delinquent annual registration fee, if any, shall be due for the registration year.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4901; C39, §5005.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.70]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §11, 38; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §83

  
     
321.71  Odometer requirements.
  1.  For the purposes of this section the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them:
  a.  “Intent and purpose of this section” is and shall mean to achieve the end that odometers of motor vehicles shall at all times correctly show the true mileage that the motor vehicle has been driven.
  b.  “True mileage” is the actual mileage the motor vehicle has been driven.
  2.  No person shall knowingly tamper with, adjust, alter, change, set back, disconnect or fail to connect the odometer of any motor vehicle, or cause any of the foregoing to occur to an odometer of a motor vehicle, so as to reflect a lower mileage than the true mileage driven by the motor vehicle.
  3.  No person shall conspire with any other person to evade the intent and purpose of this section.
  4.  No person shall with the intent to defraud operate a motor vehicle on any street or highway knowing that the odometer of the motor vehicle is disconnected or nonfunctional.
  5.  No person shall advertise for sale, sell, use or install on any part of a motor vehicle or on any odometer in a motor vehicle any device which causes the odometer to register any mileage other than the true mileage.
  6.  In the event any odometer is repaired or replaced, the reading of the repaired or replaced odometer shall be set at the reading of the odometer repaired or replaced immediately prior to repair or replacement, but where the odometer is incapable of registering the same mileage the odometer shall be adjusted to read zero and any adjustment made in accordance with the provisions of this subsection shall not be deemed a violation of any provision of this section.
  7.  A certificate of title shall not be issued for a motor vehicle which is equipped with an odometer by the manufacturer, unless an odometer statement which is in compliance with federal law and regulations has been made by the transferor of the vehicle and is furnished with the application for certificate of title, or unless an exemption applies under 
49 C.F.R. §580.17
. The new certificate of title shall record on its face the odometer reading and the word “actual” if the true mileage is known. If the odometer reading is not the true mileage or the true mileage is unknown, the words “not actual” shall be recorded. If the odometer reading is greater than the odometer can mechanically count, the words “exceeds the mechanical limits” shall be recorded. However, a certificate of title may be issued for a motor vehicle to a person who moves into this state if the person acquired ownership of the motor vehicle prior to moving to this state.
  8.  Any person who knowingly makes or delivers a false odometer statement as required by subsection 7 shall be guilty of a violation of this section.
  9.  Unless an exemption applies under 
49 C.F.R. §580.17
 or unless a certificate of title has been issued for the vehicle in the name of the dealer, an Iowa licensed motor vehicle dealer shall not have in possession as inventory for sale a used motor vehicle acquired by the dealer for which the dealer does not possess an odometer statement by the transferor which is in compliance with federal law and regulations. Transfer of a new motor vehicle with an ownership document which is a manufacturer’s statement of origin requires an odometer statement only when transferred at retail.
  10.  A transferee of a motor vehicle reassigning the certificate of title to such motor vehicle pursuant to the provisions of section 321.48, subsection 1, shall not be guilty of a violation of this section if such transferee has in the transferee’s possession an odometer statement by the transferor which is in compliance with federal law and regulations and if the transferee has no knowledge that the statement is false and that the transferee has no knowledge that the odometer does not reflect the true mileage of such motor vehicle.
  11.  The department may adopt rules to administer this section, which rules shall be in compliance with the federal Truth in Mileage Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-579, and 
49 C.F.R. pt. 580
.
  12.  Any person who violates this section commits a fraudulent practice.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.71]
84 Acts, ch 1243, §2, 3; 84 Acts, ch 1305, §58; 90 Acts, ch 1131, §1, 2; 98 Acts, ch 1100, §43; 2020 Acts, ch 1006, §1, 2
Referred to in §307.37, 321.50, 321.69, 322.4
Fraudulent practices, see §714.8 – 714.14

     
321.71A  Counterfeit, nonfunctional, and unsafe air bags.
  1.  As used in this section:
  a.  “Counterfeit air bag” means an air bag displaying a mark identical or similar to the genuine mark of a motor vehicle manufacturer without authorization from the manufacturer.
  b.  “Nonfunctional air bag” means an air bag that was previously deployed or damaged, or has an electric fault that is detected by a motor vehicle’s air bag diagnostic system after the air bag is installed in the motor vehicle.
  2.  A person who manufactures, imports, installs, reinstalls, sells, or offers to sell any device with the intent that the device replace an air bag in a motor vehicle, and who knows that the device is a counterfeit air bag, nonfunctional air bag, or air bag that does not comply with federal safety requirements as provided in 
49 C.F.R. §571.208
, is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor.
  3.  A person who manufactures, imports, installs, reinstalls, sells, offers to sell, or tampers with any device that causes a motor vehicle’s diagnostic system to inaccurately indicate that the motor vehicle is equipped with a functional air bag when a counterfeit or nonfunctional air bag is installed, or when no air bag is installed, with the intent to mislead the owner or operator of the motor vehicle into believing that the motor vehicle is equipped with a functional air bag, is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor.
  4.  A violation of this section is an unlawful practice under section 714.16.
2001 Acts, ch 94, §1; 2015 Acts, ch 72, §2, 4
Referred to in §714H.3
SPECIAL ANTITHEFT LAW

     
321.72  Report of stolen and recovered motor vehicles.
  Every peace officer upon receiving reliable information that any vehicle registered under this chapter has been stolen shall immediately report the theft to the department unless prior thereto information has been received of the recovery of the vehicle. Any officer upon receiving information that any vehicle, which the officer has previously reported as stolen, has been recovered, shall immediately report the fact of the recovery to the law enforcement agency which originated the theft report and to the department.
[C27, 31, 35, §13417-a1; C39, §5006.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.72; 81 Acts, ch 103, §1]
Referred to in §321.74, 331.653

     
321.73  Reports by owners.
  1.  The owner, or person having a lien or encumbrance upon a registered vehicle which has been stolen or embezzled, may notify the department of such theft or embezzlement, but in the event of an embezzlement may make such report only after having procured the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of the person charged with such embezzlement.
  2.  Every owner or other person who has given any such notice must notify the department of a recovery of such vehicle.
[C39, §5006.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.73]
Referred to in §321.74

     
321.74  Action by department.
  The department, upon receiving a report of a stolen or embezzled vehicle as provided in section 321.72 or 321.73 or through the national motor vehicle title information system, shall file and appropriately index the same and shall immediately suspend the registration of the vehicle so reported and shall not transfer the certificate of title or registration of the vehicle until such time as the department is notified that the vehicle has been recovered.
[C39, §5006.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.74]
2004 Acts, ch 1013, §18, 35
321.75 through 321.77Reserved. 

     
321.78  Injuring or tampering with vehicle.
  Any person who either individually or in association with one or more other persons willfully injures or tampers with any vehicle or breaks or removes any part or parts of or from a vehicle without the consent of the owner is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
[C39, §5006.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.78]
Referred to in §322C.6

     
321.79  Intent to injure.
  Any person who with intent to commit any malicious mischief, injury, or other crime climbs into or upon a vehicle whether it is in motion or at rest or with like intent attempts to manipulate any of the levers, starting mechanism, brakes, or other mechanism or device of a vehicle while the same is at rest and unattended or with like intent sets in motion any vehicle while the same is at rest and unattended is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
[C39, §5006.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.79]

  
     
321.80  Reserved. 

     
321.81  Presumptive evidence.
  Whoever shall conceal, barter, sell, possess or dispose of any vehicle or component part which has been stolen, or shall disguise, alter, or change such vehicle or component part or the vehicle identification number or component part number thereof, or remove or change the registration plate thereon, or do any act designed to prevent identification of such vehicle or component part, shall be presumed to have knowledge that such vehicle or component part had been stolen.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5093; C39, §5006.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.81]
321.82 and 321.83Reserved. 

     
321.84  Seizure of vehicles.
  It shall be the duty of any peace officer who finds a vehicle or component part, the vehicle identification number or component part number of which has been altered, defaced, or tampered with, and who has reasonable cause to believe that the possessor of the vehicle or component part wrongfully holds it, to forthwith seize it, either with or without warrant, and deliver it to the sheriff of the county in which it is seized.
[C27, 31, 35, §5083-b1; C39, §5006.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.84]
Referred to in §321.85

     
321.85  Stolen vehicles or component parts.
  When a vehicle or component part is seized under section 321.84 or is stolen or embezzled, and is not claimed by the owner before the date on which the person charged with its stealing or embezzling is convicted, the officer having the vehicle or component part in the officer’s custody shall, on that date by certified mail, notify the department that the officer has the vehicle or component part in the officer’s possession, giving a full and complete description of it, including all vehicle identification numbers and component part numbers. If there is a dispute regarding a claim for the vehicle or component part, the agency holding the vehicle or component part shall conduct an evidentiary hearing to adjudicate the claim.
[C24, §12222; C27, 31, 35, §5083-b2, 12222; C39, §5006.14; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.85]
85 Acts, ch 64, §1
Referred to in §8A.323

     
321.86  Notice by director.
  The director shall, if the owner appears of record in the director’s office, notify the owner of the fact that the vehicle or component part is in the custody of the officer, and if not of record in the director’s office, the director shall mail the description to the county treasurer of each county.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §12223; C39, §5006.15; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.86]
Referred to in §8A.323

     
321.87  Delivery to owner.
  If, within forty days thereafter, the owner of the vehicle or component part appears and properly identifies it, the officer having the vehicle or component part in custody shall deliver it to such owner upon payment by the owner of the costs incurred incident to the apprehension of the vehicle or component part and the location of the owner.
[C24, §12224; C27, 31, 35, §5083-b3, 12224; C39, §5006.16; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.87]
Referred to in §8A.323

  
     
321.88  Failure of owner to claim.
  If the owner does not appear within forty days, the motor vehicle shall be deemed abandoned and the officer having possession of the motor vehicle shall proceed as provided in section 321.89, subsections 3 and 5.
[C24, §12225; C27, 31, 35, §5083-b3, 12225; C39, §5006.17; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.88]
Referred to in §8A.323
Section not amended; internal reference change applied

  
     
321.89  Abandoned vehicles.
  1.  Definitions.  As used in this section and sections 321.90 and 321.91 unless the context otherwise requires:
  a.  “Abandoned vehicle” means any of the following:
  (1)  A vehicle that has been left unattended on public property for more than twenty-four hours and lacks current registration plates or two or more wheels or other parts which renders the vehicle totally inoperable.
  (2)  A vehicle that has remained illegally on public property for more than twenty-four hours.
  (3)  A vehicle that has been unlawfully parked on private property or has been placed on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than twenty-four hours.
  (4)  A vehicle that has been legally impounded by order of a police authority and has not been reclaimed for a period of ten days. However, a police authority may declare the vehicle abandoned within the ten-day period by commencing the notification process in subsection 3.
  (5)  Any vehicle parked on the highway determined by a police authority to create a hazard to other vehicle traffic.
  (6)  A vehicle that has been impounded pursuant to section 321J.4B by order of the court and whose owner has not paid the impoundment fees after notification by the person or agency responsible for carrying out the impoundment order.
  b.  “Demolisher” means a person licensed under chapter 321H whose business it is to convert a vehicle to junk, processed scrap, or scrap metal, or otherwise to wreck or dismantle vehicles.
  c.  “Police authority” means the state patrol, any law enforcement agency of a county or city, or any special security officer employed by the state board of regents under section 262.13.
  2.  Authority to take possession of abandoned vehicles.  A police authority, upon the authority’s own initiative or upon the request of any other authority having the duties of control of highways or traffic, shall take into custody an abandoned vehicle on public property and may take into custody an abandoned vehicle on private property. The police authority may employ its own personnel, equipment, and facilities or hire a private entity, equipment, and facilities for the purpose of removing, preserving, storing, or disposing of abandoned vehicles. A property owner or other person in control of private property may employ a private entity who is a garagekeeper, as defined in section 321.90, to dispose of an abandoned vehicle, and the private entity may take into custody the abandoned vehicle without a police authority’s initiative. If a police authority employs a private entity to dispose of abandoned vehicles, the police authority shall provide the private entity with the names and addresses of the registered owners, all lienholders of record, and any other known claimant to the vehicle or the personal property found in the vehicle. The owners, lienholders, or other claimants of the abandoned vehicle shall not have a cause of action against a private entity for action taken under this section if the private entity provides notice as required by subsection 3, paragraph “a”.
  3.  Notification of owner, lienholders, and other claimants.
  a.  A police authority or private entity that takes into custody an abandoned vehicle shall send notice by certified mail that the vehicle has been taken into custody no more than twenty days after taking custody of the vehicle. Notice shall be sent to the last known address of record of the last known registered owner of the vehicle, all lienholders of record, and any other known claimant to the vehicle.
  b.  Notice shall be deemed given when mailed. The notice shall include all of the following: 
  (1)  A description of the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number of the vehicle. 
  (2)  The location of the facility where the vehicle is being held.
  (3)  Information for the persons receiving the notice of their right to reclaim the vehicle and personal property contained therein within ten days after the effective date of the notice. Persons may reclaim the vehicle or personal property upon payment of all towing, preservation, and storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody and upon payment of the costs of notice required pursuant to this subsection. 
  (4)  A statement that failure of the owner, lienholders, or claimants to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle or personal property within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, lienholders, and claimants of all right, title, claim, and interest in the vehicle or personal property. 
  (5)  A statement that failure to reclaim the vehicle or personal property is deemed consent for the police authority or private entity to sell the vehicle at a public auction or dispose of the vehicle to a demolisher and to dispose of the personal property by sale or destruction.
  c.  If the abandoned vehicle was taken into custody by a private entity without a police authority’s initiative, the notice shall state that the private entity may claim a garagekeeper’s lien as described in section 321.90, subsection 1, and may proceed to sell or dispose of the vehicle.
  d.  If the abandoned vehicle was taken into custody by a police authority or by a private entity hired by a police authority, the notice shall state that any person claiming rightful possession of the vehicle or personal property who disputes the planned disposition of the vehicle or personal property by the police authority or private entity or of the assessment of fees and charges provided by this section may ask for an evidentiary hearing before the police authority to contest those matters.
  e.  If the persons receiving notice do not ask for a hearing or exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle or personal property within the ten-day reclaiming period, the owner, lienholders, or claimants shall no longer have any right, title, claim, or interest in or to the vehicle or the personal property.
  f.  A court in any case in law or equity shall not recognize any right, title, claim, or interest of the owner, lienholders, or claimants after the expiration of the ten-day reclaiming period.
  g.  If it is impossible to determine with reasonable certainty the identities and addresses of the last registered owner and all lienholders, notice by one publication in one newspaper of general circulation in the area where the vehicle was abandoned shall be sufficient to meet all requirements of notice under this section. The published notice may contain multiple listings of abandoned vehicles but shall be published within the same time requirements and contain the same information as prescribed for mailed notice in this subsection.
  4.  Reclamation of abandoned vehicles.  Prior to driving an abandoned vehicle away from the premises, a person who received or who is reclaiming the vehicle on behalf of a person who received notice under subsection 3 shall present to the police authority or private entity, as applicable, the person’s valid driver’s license and proof of financial liability coverage as provided in section 321.20B.
  5.  Auction of abandoned vehicles.
  a.  If an abandoned vehicle has not been reclaimed as provided for in subsection 3, the police authority or private entity shall make a determination as to whether or not the vehicle shall be sold for use upon the highways. If the vehicle is not sold for use upon the highways, it shall be sold for junk, or demolished and sold as scrap. The police authority or private entity shall sell the vehicle at public auction. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a police authority or private entity may dispose of the vehicle to a demolisher for junk without public auction after complying with the notification procedures in subsection 3. The purchaser of the vehicle takes title free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership, shall receive a sales receipt from the police authority or private entity, and is entitled to register the vehicle and receive a certificate of title if sold for use upon the highways. If the vehicle is sold or disposed of to a demolisher for junk, the demolisher shall make application for a junking certificate to the county treasurer within thirty days of purchase and shall surrender the sales receipt in lieu of the certificate of title.
  b.  From the proceeds of the sale of an abandoned vehicle the police authority, if the police authority did not hire a private entity, shall reimburse itself for the expenses of the auction, the costs of towing, preserving, and storing which resulted from placing the abandoned vehicle in custody, all notice and publication costs incurred pursuant to subsection 3, the cost of inspection, and any other costs incurred except costs of bookkeeping and other administrative costs. Any remainder from the proceeds of a sale shall be held for the owner of the vehicle or entitled lienholder for ninety days, and shall then be deposited in the road use tax fund. The costs to police authorities of auction, towing, preserving, storage, and all notice and publication costs, and all other costs which result from placing abandoned vehicles in custody, whenever the proceeds from a sale of the abandoned vehicles are insufficient to meet these expenses and costs, shall be paid from the road use tax fund and are the obligation of the last owner or owners, jointly and severally.
  c.  The director of transportation shall establish by rule a claims procedure to be followed by police authorities in obtaining expenses and costs from the fund and procedures for reimbursement of expenses and costs to a private entity hired by a police authority to take custody of an abandoned vehicle. If a private entity has been hired by a police authority, the police authority shall file a claim with the department for reimbursement of towing fees which shall be paid from the road use tax fund.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.89]
84 Acts, ch 1305, §59; 85 Acts, ch 64, §2; 87 Acts, ch 123, §1; 88 Acts, ch 1158, §66; 92 Acts, ch 1238, §31; 95 Acts, ch 48, §3; 95 Acts, ch 118, §13; 96 Acts, ch 1126, §4; 98 Acts, ch 1074, §22; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §11; 2005 Acts, ch 35, §31; 2005 Acts, ch 64, §1; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §23, 24; 2021 Acts, ch 22, §1, 2; 2021 Acts, ch 174, §15
Referred to in §8A.323, 80.39, 321.20B, 321.88, 321.90, 321.91, 321J.4B, 555B.1
Subsection 3 amended
NEW subsection 4 and former subsection 4 renumbered as 5

  
     
321.90  Disposal of abandoned motor vehicles.
  1.  Garagekeepers and abandoned motor vehicles.  Any motor vehicle left in a garage operated for commercial purposes after the period for which the vehicle was to remain on the premises shall, after notice by certified mail to the last known registered owner of the vehicle addressed to the owner’s last known address of record to reclaim the vehicle within ten days of the date of the notice, be deemed an abandoned motor vehicle unless reclaimed by the owner within such ten-day period or the owner notifies the garagekeeper in writing within such period of time that such vehicle is not an abandoned motor vehicle and shall be reported by the garagekeeper to the police authority. If the identity or address of the last registered owner of the motor vehicle cannot be determined, the vehicle shall be deemed an abandoned motor vehicle on the eleventh day after the period for which the vehicle was to remain on the premises unless reclaimed by the owner within the ten-day period or the owner notifies the garagekeeper in writing within such period of time that such vehicle is not an abandoned motor vehicle and shall be reported by the garagekeeper to the police authority. All abandoned motor vehicles left in garages may be taken into custody by a police authority upon the request of the garagekeeper and sold in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 321.89, subsection 5, unless the motor vehicle is reclaimed. The proceeds of the sale shall be first applied to the garagekeeper’s charges for towing and storage, and any surplus proceeds shall be distributed in accordance with section 321.89, subsection 5. Nothing in this section shall be construed to impair any lien of a garagekeeper under the laws of this state, or the right of a garagekeeper to foreclose the garagekeeper’s lien, provided that a garagekeeper shall be deemed to have abandoned the garagekeeper’s artisan lien when such vehicle is taken into custody by the police authority. For the purposes of this section “garagekeeper” means any operator of a parking place or establishment, motor vehicle storage facility, or establishment for the servicing, repair, or maintenance of motor vehicles.
  2.  Disposal to demolisher.
  a.  Any person, firm, corporation, or unit of government upon whose property or in whose possession is found any abandoned motor vehicle, or any person being the owner of a motor vehicle whose title certificate is faulty, lost, or destroyed and is thereby unable to transfer title to the motor vehicle, may apply to the police authority of the jurisdiction in which the motor vehicle is situated for authority to sell, give away, or otherwise dispose of the motor vehicle to a demolisher.
  b.  The application shall set out the name and address of the applicant, and the year, make, model, and vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle, if ascertainable, together with any other identifying features, and shall contain a concise statement of the facts surrounding the abandonment, or a statement that the title of the motor vehicle is lost or destroyed, or the reasons for the defect of title in the owner. The applicant shall execute an affidavit stating that the facts alleged are true and that no material fact has been withheld. An order for disposal obtained pursuant to section 555B.8, subsection 3, satisfies the application requirements of this paragraph.
  c.  If the police authority finds that the application is executed in proper form, and shows that the motor vehicle has been abandoned upon the property of the applicant, or if it shows that the motor vehicle is not abandoned but that the applicant appears to be the rightful owner, the police authority shall follow appropriate notification procedures as set forth in section 321.89, subsection 3, except that in the case of an order for disposal obtained pursuant to section 555B.8, subsection 3, no notification is required.
  d.  If the abandoned motor vehicle is not reclaimed in accordance with section 321.89, subsection 3, or no lienholder objects to the disposal in the case of an owner-applicant, the police authority shall give the applicant a certificate of authority allowing the applicant to obtain a junking certificate for the motor vehicle. The applicant shall make application for a junking certificate to the county treasurer within thirty days of receipt of the certificate of authority and surrender the certificate of authority in lieu of the certificate of title. The demolisher shall accept the junking certificate in lieu of the certificate of title to the motor vehicle.
  e.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section and sections 321.89 and 321.91, any person, firm, corporation, or unit of government upon whose property or in whose possession is found any abandoned motor vehicle, or any person being the owner of a motor vehicle whose title certificate is faulty, lost, or destroyed, may dispose of such motor vehicle to a demolisher for junk without a title and without the notification procedures of section 321.89, subsection 3, if the motor vehicle lacks an engine or two or more wheels or other structural part which renders the vehicle totally inoperable. The police authority shall give the applicant a certificate of authority. The owner shall apply to the county treasurer for a junking certificate within thirty days of receipt of the certificate of authority and shall surrender the certificate of authority in lieu of the certificate of title.
  f.  The owner of an abandoned motor vehicle and all lienholders shall no longer have any right, title, claim, or interest in or to the motor vehicle; and no court in any case in law or equity shall recognize any right, title, claim, or interest of any owner or lienholders after the disposal of the motor vehicle to a demolisher.
  g.  Any proceeds from the sale of an abandoned motor vehicle to a demolisher under this section, by one other than the owner of the vehicle, except the sale of a vehicle pursuant to an order for disposal obtained pursuant to section 555B.8, subsection 3, shall first be applied to that person’s expenses in effecting the sale, including storage, towing, and disposal charges, and any surplus shall be distributed in accordance with section 321.89, subsection 5. The proceeds from the sale of a vehicle disposed of pursuant to section 555B.8, subsection 3, shall be distributed in accordance with section 555B.9.
  3.  Duties of demolishers.
  a.  Any demolisher who purchases or otherwise acquires an abandoned motor vehicle for junk under the provisions of this section shall junk, scrap, wreck, dismantle, or demolish such motor vehicle. A demolisher shall not junk, scrap, wreck, dismantle, or demolish a vehicle until the demolisher has obtained the junking certificate issued for the vehicle.
  b.  A demolisher shall keep an accurate and complete record of all motor vehicles purchased or received by the demolisher in the course of the demolisher’s business. These records shall contain the name and address of the person from whom each motor vehicle was purchased or received and the date when the purchases or receipts occurred. The records shall be open for inspection by any police authority at any time during normal business hours. Any record required by this section shall be kept by the demolisher for at least one year after the transaction to which it applies.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.90]
88 Acts, ch 1138, §12 – 14; 95 Acts, ch 118, §14, 15; 2005 Acts, ch 179, §128; 2008 Acts, ch 1018, §19
Referred to in §8A.323, 321.89, 321.91, 555B.9
Section not amended; internal reference changes applied

     
321.91  Limitation on liability — penalty for abandonment.
  1.  No person, firm, corporation, unit of government, garagekeeper or police authority upon whose property an abandoned vehicle is found or who disposes of such abandoned vehicle in accordance with sections 321.89 and 321.90 shall be liable for damages by reason of the removal, sale, or disposal of such vehicle.
  2.  A person who abandons a vehicle is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “b”.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.91]
2000 Acts, ch 1203, §3; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2004 Acts, ch 1101, §35
Referred to in §8A.323, 321.89, 321.90, 805.8A(14)(b)

     
321.92  Altering or changing numbers.
  1.  Fraudulent intent.
  a.  No person shall with fraudulent intent, deface, destroy, or alter the vehicle identification number or component part number or other distinguishing number or identification mark of a vehicle or component part, including a rebuilt identification, nor shall a person place or stamp a serial, engine, or other number or mark upon a vehicle or component part, except one assigned thereto by the department.
  b.  The year of manufacture of a fence-line feeder, grain cart, or tank wagon manufactured on or after July 1, 2001, shall be permanently made a part of the identification plate on the vehicle. A person shall not fraudulently alter, deface, or attempt to fraudulently alter or deface the year of manufacture or other product identification number on a fence-line feeder, grain cart, or tank wagon.
  c.  A violation of this subsection is a felony punishable as provided in section 321.483.
  d.  This subsection does not prohibit the restoration of an original vehicle identification number, component part number, or other number or mark when the restoration is made by the department, nor prevent a manufacturer from placing, in the ordinary course of business, numbers or marks upon vehicles or component parts.
  2.  Vehicles without identification numbers.  A person who knowingly buys, receives, disposes of, sells, offers for sale, or has in the person’s possession a vehicle, or a component part of a vehicle, from which the vehicle identification number, rebuilt identification, or component part number has been removed, defaced, covered, altered, or destroyed for the purpose of concealing or misrepresenting the identity of the vehicle or component part is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
[SS15, §1571-m12a; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5080; C39, §5006.09, 5006.21; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §321.80, 321.92; C79, 81, §321.92]
88 Acts, ch 1089, §7; 2009 Acts, ch 133, §117
Referred to in §321H.6, 321H.8, 322.3, 322.6, 322C.3, 322C.6
Similar provisions, §714.8(5) 

     
321.93  Defense.
  Under a charge of possessing a vehicle or component part, the vehicle identification number or component part number of which is defaced, altered, or tampered with, it shall be a complete defense that the accused at the time of such possession had in the accused’s possession a certificate of title from the officer whose duty it is to register vehicles and component parts in the state in which the vehicle or component part is registered, showing good and sufficient reason why numbers are defaced, changed, or tampered with, the original vehicle identification number or component part number, and the ownership of the vehicle or component part.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5083; C39, §5006.22; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.93]

     
321.94  Test to determine true number.
  Where it appears that a vehicle identification number or component part number has been altered, defaced or tampered with, any peace officer, or any other person acting under a peace officer’s direction, may apply any recognized process or test to the part containing the number for the purpose of determining the true number.
[C27, 31, 35, §5083-b5; C39, §5006.23; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.94; 81 Acts, ch 103, §2]

     
321.95  Right of inspection.
  1.  Peace officers shall have the authority to inspect any vehicle or component part in possession of a vehicle rebuilder, vehicle salvager, used vehicle parts dealer, or any person licensed under chapter 322, or found upon the public highway or in any public garage, enclosure, or property in which vehicles or component parts are kept for sale, storage, hire, or repair and for that purpose may enter any such public garage, enclosure, or property. Every vehicle rebuilder, vehicle salvager, used vehicle parts dealer, or any person licensed under chapter 322, or a person having used engines or transmissions which are component parts for sale shall keep an accurate and complete record of all vehicles demolished and of such component parts purchased or received for resale as component parts in the course of business. These records shall contain the name and address of the person from whom each such vehicle or component part was purchased or received and the date when the purchase or receipt occurred or the junking certificate if required for the vehicle. These records shall be open for inspection by any peace officer at any time during normal business hours. Records required by this section shall be kept for at least three years after the transaction which they record.
  2.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor.
[C27, 31, 35, §5083-b6; C39, §5006.24; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.95]
2009 Acts, ch 130, §39; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §2
Referred to in §805.8A(14)(j)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph j

     
321.96  Prohibited plates — certificates.
  1.  A person shall not display or cause or permit to be displayed, or have in the person’s possession, a vehicle identification number or component part number except as provided in this chapter, or a canceled, revoked, altered, or fictitious registration number plates, registration receipt, or certificate of title, as the same are respectively provided for in this chapter.
  2.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5084; C39, §5006.25; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.96]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §17; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §3
OFFENSES AGAINST REGISTRATION LAWS

AND SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION

OF REGISTRATION

     
321.97  Fraudulent applications.
  Any person who fraudulently uses a false or fictitious name in any application for the registration of, or certificate of title to, a vehicle or knowingly makes a false statement or knowingly conceals a material fact or otherwise commits a fraud in any such application is guilty of a fraudulent practice.
[S13, §1571-m26; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5088; C39, §5007.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.97]
Referred to in §322C.6
Fraudulent practices, see §714.8 – 714.14

     
321.98  Operation without registration.
  1.   Except as otherwise expressly permitted in this chapter, a person shall not operate and an owner shall not knowingly permit to be operated upon any highway any vehicle required to be registered and titled under this chapter unless:
  a.  A valid registration card and registration plate or plates issued for the vehicle for the current registration year are attached to and displayed on the vehicle when and as required by this chapter; and 
  b.  A certificate of title has been issued for the vehicle.
  2.  Any violation of this section is a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 2.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5085; C39, §5007.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.98]
2001 Acts, ch 176, §50, 59; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §34; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §77
Referred to in §322C.6, 805.8A(2)(r)

     
321.99  Fraudulent use of registration.
  A person shall not knowingly lend to another a registration card, registration plate, special plate, or permit issued to the person if the other person desiring to borrow the card, plate, or permit would not be entitled to the use of it. A person shall not knowingly permit the use of a registration card, registration plate, special plate, or permit issued to the person by one not entitled to it, nor shall a person knowingly display upon a vehicle a registration card, registration plate, special plate, or permit not issued for that vehicle under this chapter. A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 2.
[SS15, §1571-m12a; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4878, 5080; C39, §5007.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.99]
83 Acts, ch 125, §2; 86 Acts, ch 1055, §1; 2000 Acts, ch 1203, §4; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §35
Referred to in §321H.6, 321H.8, 322.3, 322.6, 322C.3, 322C.6, 805.8A(2)(s)

     
321.100  False evidences of registration.
  It is a fraudulent practice for any person to commit any of the following acts:
  1.  To alter with a fraudulent intent any certificate of title, manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate, registration card, registration plate, manufacturer’s vehicle identification plate, or permit issued by the department or county treasurer.
  2.  To forge or counterfeit any such document or plate.
  3.  To hold or use any such document or plate knowing the same to have been so altered, forged, or falsified.
  4.  To hold or use any certificate of title, manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate, registration card, registration plate, manufacturer’s vehicle identification plate, or permit issued by the department or county treasurer, for any vehicle to which such document or plate is not legally assigned.
  5.  To transfer in any manner or to offer to transfer in any manner a certificate of title, manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate to any vehicle on which a salvage certificate of title or junking certificate is required under section 321.52, with knowledge or reason to believe that the certificate will be used for a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the certificate is issued. “Transfer” for the purposes of this subsection means to sell, exchange, change possession or ownership or convey in any manner.
[SS15, §1571-m12a; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5080; C39, §5007.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.100]
91 Acts, ch 97, §44
Referred to in §322C.6
Fraudulent practices, see §714.8 – 714.14

     
321.101  Suspension or revocation of registration or cancellation of certificate of title by department.
  1.  The department is hereby authorized to suspend or revoke the registration of a vehicle, registration card, registration plate, or any nonresident or other permit in any of the following events:
  a.  When the department is satisfied that such registration card, plate, or permit was fraudulently or erroneously issued.
  b.  When the department determines that a registered vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated or moved upon the highways.
  c.  When a registered vehicle has been dismantled or wrecked.
  d.  When the department determines that the required annual registration fee has not been paid and the fee is not paid upon reasonable notice and demand.
  e.  When a registration card, registration plate, or permit is knowingly displayed upon a vehicle other than the one for which issued.
  f.  When the department determines that the owner has committed any offense under this chapter involving the registration card, plate, or permit to be suspended or revoked.
  g.  When the department is so authorized under any other provision of law.
  h.  If a commercial motor vehicle has been assigned to be operated by a commercial motor carrier whose ability to operate has been terminated or denied by a federal agency.
  2.  The department shall cancel a certificate of title that appears to have been improperly issued or fraudulently obtained or, in the case of a mobile home or manufactured home, if taxes were owing under chapter 435 at the time the certificate was issued and have not been paid. However, before the certificate to a mobile home or manufactured home for which taxes were owing can be canceled, notice and opportunity to pay the taxes must be given to the person to whom the certificate was issued. Upon cancellation of a certificate of title, the department shall notify the county treasurer who issued it, who shall enter the cancellation upon the records. The department shall also notify the person to whom the certificate of title was issued, as well as each lienholder who has a perfected lien, of the cancellation and shall demand the surrender of the certificate of title, but the cancellation shall not affect the validity of any perfected lien.
  3.  Notice of suspension or revocation of the registration of a vehicle, registration card, registration plate, or any nonresident or other permit under the terms of this section shall be by personal delivery of the notice to the person to be so notified or by certified mail addressed to the person at the person’s address as shown on the registration record. A return acknowledgment is not necessary to prove such latter service.
  4.  If a vehicle, for which the registration has been suspended or revoked pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph “d”, or section 321.101A, is transferred to a bona fide purchaser for value without actual knowledge of such suspension or revocation, then the vehicle shall be deemed to be registered and the provisions of sections 321.28 and 321.30, subsection 1, paragraphs “d” and “e”, shall not be applicable to such vehicle for the failure of the previous owner to pay the required fees.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5090; C39, §5007.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.101; 82 Acts, ch 1251, §14]
95 Acts, ch 55, §5; 99 Acts, ch 188, §12; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §12; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §17; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §19, 35; 2007 Acts, ch 126, §55; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §84
Referred to in §321.30

     
321.101A  Revocation of registration by county treasurer.
  The county treasurer may revoke the registration and registration plates of a vehicle if the annual registration fee or the fee for new registration is paid by check, electronic payment, or credit card and the check, electronic payment, or credit card is not honored by the payer’s financial institution or credit card company, upon reasonable notice and demand. The owner of the vehicle or person in possession of the registration and registration plates for the vehicle shall immediately return the revoked registration and registration plates to the appropriate county treasurer’s office.
2000 Acts, ch 1016, §13; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §8, 31; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §85
Referred to in §321.30, 321.101

     
321.102  Suspending or revoking special registration.
  The department is also authorized to suspend or revoke a certificate or the special plates issued to a manufacturer, transporter, or dealer upon determining that any said person is not lawfully entitled thereto or has made or knowingly permitted any illegal use of such plates or has committed fraud in the registration of vehicles or failed to give notices of transfer when and as required by this chapter.
[C39, §5007.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.102]

     
321.103  Owner to return evidences of registration and title.
  Whenever the department as authorized hereunder cancels, suspends, or revokes the registration of a vehicle, or certificate of title, or registration card, or registration plate or plates, or any nonresident or other permit or the registration of any dealer, the owner or person in possession of the same shall immediately return the evidences of registration, certificate of title, or plates so canceled, suspended, or revoked to the department.
[C39, §5007.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.103]

  
     
321.104  Penal offenses against title law.
  It is a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 2, for any person to commit any of the following acts:
  1.  To operate any motor vehicle upon the highways upon which the certificate of title has been canceled, or while a certificate of registration of a motor vehicle is suspended or revoked.
  2.  For a dealer or a person acting on behalf of a dealer to acquire, purchase, hold or display for sale a motor vehicle without having obtained a manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate or a certificate of title, or assignments thereof, unless otherwise provided in this chapter.
  3.  To fail to surrender a certificate of title, registration card, or registration plates upon cancellation, suspension, or revocation of the certificate or registration by the department and notice as prescribed in this chapter.
  4.  To sell, offer for sale, or transfer a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, except as provided in section 321.47 or 321.48, section 321.52, subsection 2, paragraph “b”, or section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph “a”, without obtaining a certificate of title in the name of the seller or transferor or without delivering to the purchaser or transferee a certificate of title or a manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate duly assigned to the purchaser or transferee as provided in this chapter.
  5.  To violate any of the other provisions of this chapter or any lawful rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
  6.  For a manufactured or mobile home retailer to sell or transfer a mobile home or manufactured home without delivering to the purchaser or transferee a certificate of title or a manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate properly assigned to the purchaser, or to transfer a mobile home or manufactured home without disclosing to the purchaser the owner of the mobile home or manufactured home in a manner prescribed by the department pursuant to rules, or to fail to apply for and obtain a certificate of title for a used mobile home or manufactured home, titled in Iowa, acquired by the manufactured or mobile home retailer within thirty days from the date of acquisition as required under section 321.45, subsection 4.
[S13, §1571-m24; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5086; C39, §5007.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.104; 82 Acts, ch 1251, §15]
85 Acts, ch 195, §33; 86 Acts, ch 1237, §20; 87 Acts, ch 130, §5; 97 Acts, ch 108, §9; 99 Acts, ch 188, §13; 2000 Acts, ch 1154, §23; 2000 Acts, ch 1203, §5; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §17; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §49; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §36; 2015 Acts, ch 52, §6, 14; 2017 Acts, ch 31, §4
Referred to in §321.48, 805.8A(2)(t)
REGISTRATION FEES
Local vehicle tax; see chapter 423B

  
     
321.105  Annual registration fee required.
  1.  An annual registration fee shall be paid for each vehicle operated upon the public highways of this state unless the vehicle is specifically exempted under this chapter. If a vehicle, which has been registered for the current registration year, is transferred during the registration year, the transferee shall reregister the vehicle as provided in section 321.46.
  2.  The annual registration fee shall be paid to the county treasurer at the same time the application is made for the registration or reregistration of the motor vehicle or trailer. An owner may, when applying for registration or reregistration of a motor vehicle or trailer, request that the plates be mailed to the owner’s post office address. The owner’s request shall be accompanied by a mailing fee as determined annually by the director in consultation with the Iowa county treasurers association.
  3.  Upon application by a financial institution, as defined in section 422.61, and approval of the application by the county treasurer, the county treasurer in any county may authorize the financial institution to receive applications for renewal of vehicle registrations and payment of the annual registration fees. The annual registration fees shall be delivered to the county treasurer at the time the county treasurer has processed the vehicle registration application. Annual registration fees received with vehicle registration applications shall be designated as public funds only upon receipt of such funds by the county treasurer from the financial institution.
  4.  In addition to the payment of an annual registration fee for each trailer and semitrailer to be issued a registration plate under chapter 326, an additional registration fee may be paid for a period of four subsequent registration years.
  5.  Seriously disabled veterans who have been provided with an automobile or other vehicle by the United States government under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. §3901 – 3904, shall be exempt from payment of the registration fee provided in this chapter for that vehicle, and shall be provided, without fee, with one set of regular registration plates or one set of any type of special registration plates associated with service in the United States armed forces for which the disabled veteran qualifies under section 321.34. The disabled veteran, to be able to claim the benefit, must be a resident of the state of Iowa. In lieu of the set of regular or special military registration plates available without fee, the disabled veteran may obtain a set of nonmilitary special registration plates or personalized plates issued under section 321.34 by paying the additional fees associated with those plates.
[SS15, §1571-m7; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4904; C39, §5008.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.105]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §12, 38; 83 Acts, ch 123, §125, 209; 86 Acts, ch 1182, §2; 95 Acts, ch 118, §16; 97 Acts, ch 108, §10; 97 Acts, ch 121, §3; 2000 Acts, ch 1216, §4; 2008 Acts, ch 1018, §20; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §86; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §8; 2018 Acts, ch 1026, §109
Referred to in §25.1, 321.34, 321.105A, 321.145, 321.166, 321L.2, 326.2, 331.427, 331.557
Collection of mobile home tax, §435.24 

  
     
321.105A  Fee for new registration.
  1.  Definitions.  The following terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, except in those instances where the context clearly indicates otherwise:
  a.  “Department” means the department of revenue.
  b.  “Director” means the director of revenue.
  c.  “Owner” means as defined in section 321.1. For purposes of the fee for new registration imposed on leased vehicles under subsection 3, “owner” means the “lessor”.
  d.  “Purchase” means any transfer, exchange, or barter, conditional or otherwise, in any manner or by any means whatsoever, for consideration.
  2.  Fee imposed — exemptions.  In addition to the annual registration fee required under section 321.105, a “fee for new registration” is imposed in the amount of five percent of the purchase price for each vehicle subject to registration. The fee for new registration shall be paid by the owner of the vehicle to the county treasurer at the time application is made for a new registration and certificate of title, if applicable. A new registration receipt shall not be issued until the fee has been paid. The county treasurer or the department of transportation shall require every applicant for a new registration receipt for a vehicle subject to registration to supply information as the county treasurer or the director deems necessary as to the time of purchase, the purchase price, and other information relative to the purchase of the vehicle. On or before the tenth day of each month, the county treasurer or the department of transportation shall remit to the department of revenue the amount of the fees for new registration collected during the preceding month.
  a.  For purposes of this subsection, “purchase price” applies to the measure subject to the fee for new registration. “Purchase price” shall be determined in the same manner as “sales price” is determined for purposes of computing the tax imposed upon the sales price of tangible personal property under chapter 423, pursuant to the definition of sales price in section 423.1. The following are exempt from the fee for new registration imposed by this subsection:
  (1)  The amount of any cash rebate which is provided by a motor vehicle manufacturer to the purchaser of the vehicle subject to registration so long as the rebate is applied to the purchase price of the vehicle.
  (2)  (a)  In transactions, except those subject to subparagraph division (b), in which a vehicle subject to registration is traded toward the purchase price of another vehicle subject to registration, the portion of the purchase price which is not valued in money, whether received in money or not, if the following conditions are met:
  (i)  The vehicle traded to the retailer is the type of vehicle normally sold in the regular course of the retailer’s business.
  (ii)  The vehicle traded to the retailer is intended by the retailer to be ultimately sold at retail or is intended to be used by the retailer or another in the remanufacturing of a like vehicle.
  (b)  In a transaction between persons, neither of which is a retailer of vehicles subject to registration, in which a vehicle subject to registration is traded toward the purchase price of another vehicle subject to registration, the amount of the trade-in value allowed on the vehicle subject to registration traded.
  (c)  The person listed on the title and registration of the newly acquired vehicle must be the same person listed on the title and registration of the traded vehicle being traded in order to exclude the trade-in value from the purchase price. Additionally, the following trades qualify under this subparagraph division (c):
  (i)  A trade between spouses, if the traded vehicle and the acquired vehicle are titled in the name of one or both of the spouses, with no outside party named on the title.
  (ii)  A trade between lineal family members, including adopted and step relationships, if one of the family members from the title of the traded vehicle is also on the title of the newly acquired vehicle.
  (iii)  A trade involving an entity, if one of the owners listed on the title of the traded vehicle is an entity. If multiple names are on the names on the title must be separated by “or”. For purposes of trades under this subparagraph subdivision, a sole proprietorship shall not be distinguished from an individual owner.
  (iv)  A trade in which the vehicle being purchased is titled in the name of an individual other than the owner of the traded vehicle due to the cosigning requirements of a financial institution.
  (3)  The fair market value of a replacement motor vehicle owned by a motor vehicle dealer licensed under chapter 322 which is being registered by that dealer and is not otherwise exempt from the fee for new registration, if all of the following conditions are met:
  (a)  The motor vehicle being registered is being placed in service as a replacement motor vehicle for a motor vehicle registered by the motor vehicle dealer.
  (b)  The motor vehicle being registered is taken from the motor vehicle dealer’s inventory.
  (c)  Use tax or the fee for new registration on the motor vehicle being replaced was paid by the motor vehicle dealer when that motor vehicle was registered.
  (d)  The replaced motor vehicle is returned to the motor vehicle dealer’s inventory for sale.
  (e)  The application for registration and title of the motor vehicle being registered is filed with the county treasurer within two weeks of the date the replaced motor vehicle is returned to the motor vehicle dealer’s inventory.
  (f)  The motor vehicle being registered is placed in the same or substantially similar service as the replaced motor vehicle.
  b.  For purposes of this subsection, the fee for new registration on a vehicle registered in this state by the manufacturer of that vehicle from a manufacturer’s statement of origin is calculated on the base value of fifty percent of the retail list price of the vehicle.
  c.  The following are exempt from the fee for new registration imposed under this subsection, as long as a valid affidavit is filed with the county treasurer at the time of application for registration:
  (1)  Entities listed in section 423.3, subsections 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 31, and 79, to the extent that those entities are exempt from the tax imposed on the sale of tangible personal property sold at retail in the state to consumers or users.
  (2)  Vehicles as defined in section 321.1, subsections 41, 64A, 71, 85, and 88, except such vehicles subject to registration which are designed primarily for carrying persons, when purchased for lease and actually leased to a lessee for use outside the state of Iowa and the subsequent sole use in Iowa is in interstate commerce or interstate transportation.
  (3)  (a)  Vehicles subject to registration which are transferred from an entity doing business within this state to another entity doing business within this state if all of the following apply:
  (i)  The receiving entity was formed by the transferring entity for the purpose of continuing the business.
  (ii)  (A)  All ownership remains the same and in the same proportions as the previous ownership with no fewer or additional owners or replacement owners.
  (B)  In the case of a sole proprietorship, the spouse of the sole proprietor may stand in place of the sole proprietor.
  (b)  This exemption also applies where the vehicles subject to registration are transferred from a corporation as part of the liquidation of the corporation to its stockholders if within three months of such transfer the stockholders retransfer those vehicles subject to registration to a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company for the purpose of continuing the business of the corporation when all of the incidents of ownership are owned by the same person or persons who were stockholders of the corporation.
  (c)  For an exemption under this subparagraph, a receiving entity shall have been in existence for not longer than twenty-four months.
  (4)  Vehicles subject to registration which are transferred from a corporation that is primarily engaged in the business of leasing vehicles subject to registration to a corporation that is primarily engaged in the business of leasing vehicles subject to registration when the transferor and transferee corporations are part of the same controlled group for federal income tax purposes.
  (5)  (a)  Vehicles registered or operated under chapter 326 and used substantially in interstate commerce. For purposes of this subparagraph (5), “substantially in interstate commerce” means that a minimum of twenty-five percent of the miles operated by the vehicle accrues in states other than Iowa. This subparagraph (5) applies only to vehicles which are registered for a gross weight of thirteen tons or more.
  (b)  For purposes of this subparagraph (5), trailers and semitrailers registered or operated under chapter 326 are deemed to be used substantially in interstate commerce and to be registered for a gross weight of thirteen tons or more.
  (c)  For the purposes of this subparagraph (5), if a vehicle meets the requirement that twenty-five percent of the miles operated accrues in states other than Iowa in each year of the first four-year period of operation, the exemption from the fee for new registration shall continue until the vehicle is sold or transferred. If the vehicle is found to have not met the exemption requirements or the exemption was revoked, the value of the vehicle upon which the fee for new registration shall be imposed is based on the original purchase price if revocation or nonqualification for this exemption occurs during the first year following registration. If revocation or nonqualification for this exemption occurs after the first year following registration, the value of the vehicle upon which the fee shall be imposed is the book or market value, whichever is less, at the time the exemption requirements were not met or the exemption was revoked.
  (6)  Vehicles, excluding autocycles, motorcycles, and motorized bicycles, subject to registration in any state when purchased for rental or registered and titled by a motor vehicle dealer licensed pursuant to chapter 322 for rental use, and held for rental for a period of one hundred twenty days or more and actually rented for periods of sixty days or less by a person regularly engaged in the business of renting vehicles, including but not limited to motor vehicle dealers licensed pursuant to chapter 322 who rent automobiles to users, if the rental of the vehicles is subject to taxation under section 423.2 or chapter 423C.
  (7)  Vehicles subject to registration in this state for which the applicant for registration has paid to another state a state sales, use, or occupational tax, or paid the equivalent sales or excise tax of another country to that country. However, if the tax paid to another state or country is less than the fee for new registration calculated for the vehicle, the difference shall be the amount to be collected as the fee for new registration.
  (8)  A vehicle subject to registration in this state which is owned by a person who has moved from another state or country with the intention of changing residency to Iowa, provided that the vehicle was purchased for use in the state or country from which the applicant moved and was not, at or near the time of purchase, purchased for use in Iowa.
  (9)  A vehicle that was previously registered in this state and was subsequently registered in another state is not subject to the fee for new registration when it is again registered in this state, provided that the applicant for registration has maintained ownership of the vehicle since its initial registration in this state and has previously paid the use tax or fee for new registration for the vehicle in this state.
  (10)  Vehicles transferred by operation of law as provided in section 321.47.
  (11)  Vehicles for which ownership is transferred to or from a revocable or irrevocable trust, if no consideration is present.
  (12)  Vehicles transferred to the surviving corporation for no consideration as a result of a corporate merger according to the laws of this state in which the merging corporation is immediately extinguished and dissolved.
  (13)  Vehicles purchased in this state by a nonresident for removal to the nonresident’s state of residence if the purchaser applies to the county treasurer for a transit plate under section 321.109.
  (14)  Vehicles purchased by a licensed motor vehicle dealer for resale or primarily for use by the dealer’s customers while the customers’ vehicles are being serviced or repaired by the dealer.
  (15)  Vehicles purchased by a wholesaler of new motor vehicles licensed under section 322.27A for resale by the same wholesaler.
  (16)  Homemade vehicles built from parts purchased at retail, upon which the consumer paid a tax to the seller, but only on such vehicles never before registered. This exemption does not apply for vehicles subject to registration which are made by a manufacturer engaged in the business for the purpose of sales or rental.
  (17)  Vehicles titled under a salvage certificate of title. However, when such a vehicle has been repaired and a regular certificate of title is applied for, the fee for new registration is due as follows:
  (a)  If the owner of the vehicle is a licensed recycler, unless the applicant is licensed as a vehicle dealer, the fee for new registration applies based on the fair market value of the vehicle, with deduction allowed for the cost of parts, supplies, and equipment for which sales tax was paid and which were used to rebuild the vehicle.
  (b)  If the owner is a person who is not licensed as a recycler or vehicle dealer, the fee for new registration applies based on the fair market value of the vehicle, with deduction allowed for the cost of parts, frames, chassis, auto bodies, or supplies that were purchased to rebuild the vehicle and for which sales tax was paid.
  (18)  A vehicle delivered to a resident Native American Indian on a reservation.
  (19)  A vehicle transferred from one individual to another individual as a gift in a transaction in which no consideration is present.
  (20)  A vehicle given by a corporation as a gift to a retiring employee.
  (21)  A vehicle sold by an entity where the profits from the sale are used by or donated to a nonprofit entity which is exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a government entity, or a nonprofit private educational institution, and where the entire proceeds from the sale of the vehicle are expended for any of the following purposes:
  (a)  Educational.
  (b)  Religious.
  (c)  Charitable. A charitable act is an act done out of goodwill, benevolence, and a desire to add to or to improve the good of humankind in general or any class or portion of humankind, with no pecuniary profit inuring to the person performing the service or giving the gift.
  (22)  A vehicle given or sold to be subsequently awarded as a raffle prize under chapter 99B.
  (23)  A vehicle won as a raffle prize under chapter 99B.
  (24)  A vehicle that is directly and primarily used in the recycling or reprocessing of waste products.
  (25)  Vehicles subject to registration under this chapter when purchased for lease and titled by the lessor licensed pursuant to chapter 321F and actually leased for a period of six months or more if the lease of the vehicle is subject to the fee for new registration under subsection 3 or exempt from the fee for new registration pursuant to subsection 3, paragraph “f”.
  (a)  A lessor may maintain the exemption under this subparagraph (25) for a qualifying lease that terminates at the conclusion or prior to the contracted expiration date if the lessor does not use the vehicle for any purpose other than for lease.
  (b)  Once the vehicle is used by the lessor for a purpose other than for lease, the exemption under this subparagraph (25) no longer applies and, unless there is another exemption from the fee for new registration, the fee for new registration is due on the fair market value of the vehicle determined at the time the lessor uses the vehicle for a purpose other than for lease, payable to the department.
  (c)  If the lessor holds the vehicle exclusively for sale, the fee for new registration is due and payable on the purchase price of the vehicle at the time of purchase pursuant to this subsection.
  (26)  A vehicle repossessed by a licensed vehicle dealer pursuant to the uniform commercial code, chapter 554, provided there is a valid lien on the title and the dealer anticipates reselling the vehicle.
  (27)  A vehicle repossessed by a financial institution or an individual by means of a foreclosure affidavit pursuant to the uniform commercial code, chapter 554, provided there is a valid lien on the vehicle and the foreclosure affidavit is used for the sole purpose of retaining possession of the vehicle until a new buyer is found. However, if the financial institution or individual uses the foreclosure affidavit to take title to the vehicle and register the vehicle, the fee for new registration shall be due based on the outstanding loan amount on the vehicle.
  (28)  A damaged vehicle acquired by an insurance company from a client or financial institution, provided the insurance company has a vehicle dealers license.
  (29)  A vehicle returned to a manufacturer and titled in the manufacturer’s name under section 322G.12.
  (30)  A vehicle purchased directly by a federal, state, or local governmental agency and titled in an individual’s name pursuant to a governmental program authorized by law.
  (31)  (a)  A new completed motor vehicle purchased at retail by an equipment dealer who is licensed as a motor vehicle dealer under chapter 322, provided that all of the following apply:
  (i)  The equipment dealer modifies the vehicle as provided in subparagraph division (b), subparagraph subdivision (i) or (ii).
  (ii)  The total value of the work performed and the equipment installed on the vehicle equals or exceeds eighty percent of the purchase price paid for the new vehicle.
  (iii)  Notwithstanding section 322.3, the equipment dealer sells the modified vehicle as a used vehicle to a purchaser that is a business or government entity, and not an individual consumer.
  (b)  For purposes of this subparagraph, “equipment dealer” means a person who does at least one of the following:
  (i)  Rebuilds new completed motor vehicles by fabricating, altering, adding, or replacing essential parts, components, or equipment for the purpose of building an ambulance, rescue vehicle, fire vehicle, or towing or recovery vehicle.
  (ii)  Installs cranes, hook loaders, buckets, aerial ladders, tanks, or special equipment on new completed motor trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of fourteen thousand five hundred pounds or more.
  3.  Leased vehicles.
  a.  A fee for new registration is imposed in an amount equal to five percent of the leased price for each vehicle subject to registration which is leased by a lessor licensed pursuant to chapter 321F for a period of six months or more. The fee for new registration shall be paid by the owner of the vehicle to the county treasurer from whom the registration receipt or certificate of title is obtained. A registration receipt for a vehicle subject to registration or issuance of a certificate of title shall not be issued until the fee for new registration is paid in the initial instance.
  b.  The amount of the lease price subject to the fee for new registration shall be computed on each separate lease transaction by taking the total of the lease payments, plus the down payment, and excluding the following charges, if included as part of the lease payment:
  (1)  Title fee.
  (2)  Annual registration fees.
  (3)  Fee for new registration.
  (4)  Federal excise taxes attributable to the sale of the vehicle to the owner or to the lease of the vehicle by the owner.
  (5)  Optional service or warranty contracts subject to tax pursuant to section 423.2, subsection 1.
  (6)  Insurance.
  (7)  Manufacturer’s rebate.
  (8)  Refundable deposit.
  (9)  Finance charges, if any, on items listed in subparagraphs (1) through (8).
  c.  If any or all of the items in paragraph “b”, subparagraphs (1) through (8), are excluded from the lease price subject to the fee for new registration, the owner shall maintain adequate records of the amounts of those items. If the parties to a lease enter into an agreement providing that the fee for new registration is to be paid by the lessee or included in the monthly lease payments to be paid by the lessee, the total cost of the fee for new registration shall not be included in the computation of the lease price for the purpose of the fee for new registration under this section. The county treasurer or the department of transportation shall require every applicant for a registration receipt for a vehicle subject to a fee for new registration to supply information as the county treasurer or the director deems necessary as to the date of the lease transaction, the lease price, and other information relative to the lease of the vehicle.
  d.  On or before the tenth day of each month, the county treasurer or the department of transportation shall remit to the department of revenue the amount of the fees for new registration collected during the preceding month.
  e.  If the lease is terminated or voided prior to the termination date contained in the lease agreement, no refund shall be allowed for a fee for new registration previously paid under this section, except as provided in section 322G.4.
  f.  The following are exempt from the fee for new registration imposed under this subsection as long as a valid affidavit is filed with the county treasurer at the time of application for registration:
  (1)  Vehicles leased to entities listed in section 423.3, subsections 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 31, and 79, to the extent that those entities are exempt from the tax imposed on the sale of tangible personal property sold at retail in the state to consumers or users.
  (2)  A vehicle leased directly to a federal, state, or local governmental agency and titled in an individual’s name pursuant to a governmental program authorized by law.
  4.  Administration and enforcement — director of revenue.
  a.  The director of revenue in consultation with the department of transportation shall administer and enforce the fee for new registration as nearly as possible in conjunction with the administration and enforcement of the state use tax law, except that portion of the law which implements the streamlined sales and use tax agreement.
  b.  Section 422.25, subsection 4, sections 422.30, 422.67, and 422.68, section 422.69, subsection 1, sections 422.70, 422.71, 422.72, 422.74, and 422.75, section 423.14, subsection 2, and sections 423.23, 423.24, 423.25, 423.32, 423.33, 423.35, 423.37 through 423.42, 423.45, and 423.47, consistent with the provisions of this section, apply with respect to the fees for new registration authorized under this section in the same manner and with the same effect as if the fees for new registration were retail use taxes within the meaning of those statutes.
  5.  Collections by dealers.
  a.  If an amount of the fee for new registration represented by a dealer to the purchaser of a vehicle is computed upon a purchase price that is not subject to the fee for new registration or the amount represented is in excess of the actual amount subject to the fee and the amount represented is actually paid by the purchaser to the dealer, the excess amount of fee for new registration paid shall be returned to the purchaser upon notification to the dealer by the department that an excess payment exists.
  b.  If an amount of the fee for new registration represented by a dealer to a purchaser is computed upon a purchase price that is not subject to the fee for new registration or the amount represented is in excess of the actual amount subject to the fee and the amount represented is actually paid by the purchaser to the dealer, the excess amount of fee for new registration paid shall be returned to the purchaser upon proper notification to the dealer by the purchaser that an excess payment exists. “Proper” notification is written notification which allows a dealer at least sixty days to respond and which contains enough information to allow a dealer to determine the validity of a purchaser’s claim that an excess amount of fee for new registration has been paid. No cause of action shall accrue against a dealer for excess fee for new registration paid until sixty days after proper notification has been given the dealer by the purchaser.
  c.  In the circumstances described in paragraphs “a” and “b”, a dealer has the option to either return any excess amount of fee for new registration paid to a purchaser, or to remit the amount which a purchaser has paid to the dealer to the department.
  6.  Refunds.
  a.  A fee for new registration is not refundable, except in the following circumstances:
  (1)  If a vehicle is sold and later returned to the seller and the entire purchase price is refunded by the seller, the purchaser is entitled to a refund of the fee for new registration paid. To obtain a refund, the purchaser shall make application on forms provided by the department and show proof that the entire purchase price was returned and that the fee for new registration had been paid.
  (2)  If a vehicle manufacturer reimburses a purchaser for the fee for new registration paid on a returned defective vehicle, the manufacturer may obtain a refund from the department by providing proof that the fee was paid and the purchaser reimbursed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 322G.
  (3)  If the department determines that, as a result of a mistake, an amount of the fee for new registration has been paid which was not due, such amount shall be refunded to the vehicle owner by the department.
  b.  A claim for refund under this subsection that has not been filed with the department within three years after the fee for new registration was paid shall not be allowed by the director.
  7.  Penalties.
  a.  False statement.  A person who willfully makes a false statement in regard to the purchase price of a vehicle subject to a fee for new registration or willfully attempts in any manner to evade payment of the fee required by this section is guilty of a fraudulent practice. A person who willfully makes a false statement in regard to the purchase price of such a vehicle with the intent to evade payment of the fee for new registration or willfully attempts in any manner to evade payment of the fee required by this section shall be assessed a penalty of seventy-five percent of the amount of the fee unpaid and required to be paid on the actual purchase price less trade-in allowance.
  b.  Evasion fee.  An Iowa resident found to be in control of a vehicle which is owned by a shell business and for which the fee for new registration has not been paid, as provided in section 321.55, subsection 2, is guilty of a fraudulent practice. An Iowa resident found to be in control of a vehicle which is owned by a shell business and for which the fee for new registration has not been paid, as provided in section 321.55, subsection 2, shall be assessed a penalty of seventy-five percent of the amount of the fee unpaid and required to be paid on the actual purchase price less trade-in allowance.
  c.  Failure to file.  If a person required by this chapter to file an application for certificate of title or registration with the county treasurer fails to file such application or registration on or before the due date for such application or registration, a penalty in the amount of ten percent of the fee for new registration due shall be added to the fee.
  d.  Underpayment.  If a person required by this chapter to file an application for certificate of title or registration with the county treasurer files such application or registration with any inaccurate information that results in the person paying less than the full amount of the fee for new registration, penalties, or interest that was due at the time of application, a penalty in the amount of five percent of the fee for new registration due shall be added to the fee.
2008 Acts, ch 1113, §40; 2008 Acts, ch 1191, §128; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §251, 263; 2009 Acts, ch 60, §2, 3; 2009 Acts, ch 179, §122 – 124; 2010 Acts, ch 1145, §1, 17; 2011 Acts, ch 110, §1, 2; 2013 Acts, ch 30, §68; 2013 Acts, ch 140, §161; 2014 Acts, ch 1065, §2; 2014 Acts, ch 1110, §3; 2014 Acts, ch 1123, §31; 2016 Acts, ch 1098, §14; 2021 Acts, ch 86, §13 – 19, 49
Referred to in §312.2, 321.2, 321.20, 321.24, 321.48, 321.129, 321.145, 321.152, 322G.12, 331.557, 421.60, 423.3
Fraudulent practices, see §714.8 – 714.14
Subsection 2, paragraph a amended
Subsection 2, paragraph c, subparagraph (1) amended
Subsection 2, paragraph c, subparagraph (3), subparagraph divisions (a) and (c) amended
Subsection 2, paragraph c, subparagraphs (7), (8), (15), (18), and (19) amended
Subsection 2, paragraph c, subparagraph (25), unnumbered paragraph 1 amended
Subsection 3, paragraphs a and e amended
Subsection 3, paragraph f, subparagraph (1) amended
Subsection 7 amended

     
321.106  Registration for fractional part of year.
  1.  When a motor truck, truck tractor, or road tractor is registered by the county treasurer pursuant to section 321.120, 321.121, or 321.122 and there is no delinquency and the registration is made in February or succeeding months through November, the annual registration fee shall be prorated for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year. A fee shall not be required for the month of December for a vehicle registered on a calendar year basis on which there is no delinquency. However, when such a vehicle is registered in November, the vehicle may be registered for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year or for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year and for the next registration year, upon payment of the applicable registration fees.
  2.  When a vehicle is registered under chapter 326 and there is no delinquency and the registration is made in the second through eleventh month of the registration year, the annual registration fee shall be prorated for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year. However, when such a vehicle is registered in the eleventh month of the registration year, the vehicle may be registered for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year and for the next registration year, upon payment of the applicable registration fees.
  3.  When a vehicle is registered on a birth month basis and there is no delinquency and the registration is made in the month after the beginning of the registration year or succeeding months, the annual registration fee shall be prorated for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year. A fee shall not be required for the month of the owner’s birthday for a vehicle on which there is no delinquency. However, when a vehicle registered on a birth month basis is registered during the eleventh month of the registration year, the vehicle may be registered for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year or for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year and for the next registration year, upon payment of the applicable registration fees.
  4.  If a fee computed under this section contains a fractional part of a dollar, the fee shall be computed to the nearest whole dollar. A fee computed under this section shall not be less than five dollars. The fee so computed shall be deemed to be the annual registration fee for the remainder of the registration year. This subsection does not apply to vehicles registered under chapter 326.
  5.  A reduction in the annual registration fee shall not be allowed by the department until the applicant files satisfactory evidence to prove that there is no delinquency in registration.
[SS15, §1571-m7; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4905; C39, §5008.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.106]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §13, 38; 83 Acts, ch 24, §5, 12; 2000 Acts, ch 1028, §3, 4; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §87; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §9, 40; 2013 Acts, ch 103, §9
Referred to in §321.466, 331.557
321.107 and 321.108Reserved. 

  
     
321.109  Annual registration fee computed — transit fee.
  1.  a.  The annual fee for all motor vehicles including vehicles designated by manufacturers as station wagons, 1993 and subsequent model year multipurpose vehicles, and 2010 and subsequent model year motor trucks with an unladen weight of ten thousand pounds or less, except motor trucks registered under section 321.122, business-trade trucks, special trucks, motor homes, motorsports recreational vehicles, ambulances, hearses, autocycles, motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and 1992 and older model year multipurpose vehicles, shall be equal to one percent of the value as fixed by the department plus forty cents for each one hundred pounds or fraction thereof of weight of vehicle, as fixed by the department. The weight of a motor vehicle, fixed by the department for registration purposes, shall include the weight of a battery, heater, bumpers, spare tire, and wheel. Provided, however, that for any new vehicle purchased in this state by a nonresident for removal to the nonresident’s state of residence the purchaser may make application to the county treasurer in the county of purchase for a transit plate for which a fee of ten dollars shall be paid. And provided, however, that for any used vehicle held by a registered dealer and not currently registered in this state, or for any vehicle held by an individual and currently registered in this state, when purchased in this state by a nonresident for removal to the nonresident’s state of residence, the purchaser may make application to the county treasurer in the county of purchase for a transit plate for which a fee of three dollars shall be paid. The county treasurer shall issue a nontransferable certificate of registration for which no refund shall be allowed; and the transit plates shall be void thirty days after issuance. Such purchaser may apply for a certificate of title by surrendering the manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate or certificate of title, duly assigned as provided in this chapter. In this event, the treasurer in the county of purchase shall, when satisfied with the genuineness and regularity of the application, and upon payment of a fee of twenty dollars, issue a certificate of title in the name and address of the nonresident purchaser delivering the title to the owner. If there is a security interest noted on the title, the county treasurer shall mail to the secured party an acknowledgment of the notation of the security interest. The county treasurer shall not release a security interest that has been noted on a title issued to a nonresident purchaser as provided in this paragraph. The application requirements of section 321.20 apply to a title issued as provided in this subsection, except that a natural person who applies for a certificate of title shall provide either the person’s social security number, passport number, or driver’s license number, whether the license was issued by this state, another state, or another country. The provisions of this subsection relating to multipurpose vehicles are effective for all 1993 and subsequent model years. The annual registration fee for multipurpose vehicles that are 1992 model years and older shall be in accordance with section 321.124.
  b.  The annual registration fee shall be sixty dollars for a vehicle with permanently installed equipment manufactured for and necessary to assist a person with a disability who is either the owner or lessee of the vehicle or a member of the owner’s or lessee’s household in entry and exit of the vehicle or if the owner or lessee of the vehicle or a member of the owner’s or lessee’s household uses a wheelchair as the only means of mobility. This paragraph applies only to vehicles that are otherwise subject to paragraph “a” and to motor trucks with an unladen weight of ten thousand pounds or less that are otherwise subject to section 321.122. For purposes of this paragraph, “uses a wheelchair” does not include use of a wheelchair due to a temporary injury or medical condition.
  2.  a.  Dealers may, in addition to other provisions of this section, purchase from the department in-transit permits, for which a fee of two dollars per permit shall be paid at time of purchase. One such permit shall be displayed on each vehicle purchased from a dealer by a nonresident for removal to the state of the nonresident’s residence, and one such permit shall also be displayed on each vehicle not currently registered in Iowa and purchased by an Iowa dealer for removal to the dealer’s place of business in this state. The permits shall be void fifteen days after issuance by the selling dealer. Each permit shall contain the following information:
  (1)  The words “in-transit” in bold type.
  (2)  The dealer’s license number.
  (3)  The date issued.
  (4)  The purchaser’s name and address.
  (5)  The word “Iowa” in bold type.
  (6)  The words “good for fifteen days after the date of issuance”.
  (7)  Other information the director requires.
  b.  The sales invoice verifying the sale shall be in the possession of the driver of the vehicle in transit and shall be signed by the owner or an authorized individual of the issuing dealership.
  c.  Motor vehicles brought into the state on a transit sticker for the purpose of installation of special equipment may also be subject to the provisions of this subsection.
  3.  The owner of an unregistered motor vehicle or motor vehicle for which the registration is delinquent may make application to the county treasurer of the county of residence or, if the unregistered or delinquent motor vehicle is purchased by a nonresident of the state, to the county treasurer in the county of purchase, for a temporary thirty-day permit for a fee of twenty-five dollars. The permit shall authorize the motor vehicle to be driven or towed upon the highway, but shall not authorize a motor truck or truck tractor to haul or tow a load. The permit fee shall not be considered a registration fee or exempt the owner from payment of all other fees, registration fees, and penalties due. If the annual registration fee for the motor vehicle is delinquent, the annual registration fee and penalty shall continue to accrue until paid. The permit fee shall not be prorated, refunded, or used as credit as provided under section 321.46. The permit shall be displayed in the upper left-hand corner of the rear window of all motor vehicles, except motorcycles. Permits issued for a motorcycle shall be attached to the rear of the motorcycle.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4908; C39, §5008.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.109]
84 Acts, ch 1305, §60; 88 Acts, ch 1007, §1; 92 Acts, ch 1019, §1, 8; 92 Acts, ch 1222, §1; 92 Acts, ch 1232, §401, 412; 93 Acts, ch 165, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1129, §113; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §4; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §20, 35; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §12, 13; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §16, 41; 2008 Acts, ch 1042, §1; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §3, 11, 20, 21, 88; 2010 Acts, ch 1035, §2; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2014 Acts, ch 1127, §6; 2016 Acts, ch 1098, §15
Referred to in §312.2, 321.17, 321.34, 321.105A, 321.110, 321.113, 321.115A, 321.116, 321.122, 321.124, 331.557

     
321.110  Rejecting fractional dollars.
  When the annual registration fee, computed according to section 321.109, subsection 1, totals a fraction over a certain number of dollars the fee shall be arrived at by computing to the nearest even dollar.
[C27, 31, 35, §4908-a1; C39, §5008.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.110]
2008 Acts, ch 1113, §89
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.111  Conversion of car — effect.
  Any motor vehicle originally registered as a passenger car and thereafter converted into a truck with a loading capacity of less than one thousand pounds, shall be registered as a passenger car.
[C35, §4908-g1; C39, §5008.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.111]
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.112  Minimum motor vehicle fee.
  No motor vehicle, except as provided in section 321.117, shall be registered for a registration year for less than ten dollars.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4909; C39, §5008.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.112]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §14, 38; 2007 Acts, ch 143, §11, 35; 2008 Acts, ch 1124, §37
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.113  Automatic reduction.
  1.  The annual registration fee for a motor vehicle shall not be automatically reduced under this section unless the fee is based on the value and weight of the motor vehicle as provided in section 321.109, subsection 1.
  2.  If a motor vehicle is more than seven model years old, the part of the annual registration fee that is based on the value of the vehicle shall be seventy-five percent of the rate as fixed when the motor vehicle was new and the total fee shall not be less than fifty dollars; except that if the registration is a renewal for a vehicle registered to the same owner prior to January 1, 2009, the annual registration fee shall not be more than the fee paid for the previous registration year.
  3.  If a motor vehicle is more than nine model years old, the part of the annual registration fee that is based on the value of the vehicle shall be fifty percent of the rate as fixed when the motor vehicle was new and the total fee shall not be less than fifty dollars; except that if the registration is a renewal for a vehicle registered to the same owner prior to January 1, 2009, the annual registration fee shall not be more than the fee paid for the previous registration year.
  4.  a.  Except as provided in paragraph “b”, if a motor vehicle is twelve model years old or older, the annual registration fee is fifty dollars; except that if the registration is a renewal for a vehicle registered to the same owner prior to January 1, 2009, the annual registration fee shall not be more than the fee paid for the previous registration year.
  b.  If the registration is a renewal for a motor vehicle registered as an antique vehicle by the same owner prior to January 1, 2009, the annual registration fee shall be twenty-three dollars for a motor vehicle that is model year 1970 through 1983 and sixteen dollars for a motor vehicle that is model year 1969 or older.
  c.  For purposes of determining the portion of an annual registration fee under paragraph “a” or “b” that is based upon the value of the motor vehicle, sixty percent of the annual registration fee is attributable to the value of the vehicle.
  5.  As used in this section, “owner” includes a surviving spouse who is required to transfer title pursuant to section 321.46 or 321.47.
[SS15, §1571-m7; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4910; C39, §5008.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.113]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §15, 38; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §4, 24; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §65; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §4, 11, 90; 2011 Acts, ch 38, §4
Referred to in §321.115, 321.115A, 331.557

  
     
321.114  Reserved.

     
321.115  Antique vehicles — model year plates permitted.
  1.  a.  A motor vehicle twenty-five years old or older may be registered as an antique vehicle. The annual registration fee is the fee provided in section 321.113, 321.122, or 321.124.
  b.  The owner of a motor truck, truck tractor, road tractor, or motor home that is twenty-five years old or older who desires to use the vehicle exclusively for exhibition or educational purposes at state or county fairs, or at other places where the vehicle may be exhibited for entertainment or educational purposes, may register the vehicle as a “limited use” vehicle in accordance with sections 321.58 through 321.62. The “limited use” registration under this paragraph permits driving of the vehicle upon the public roads to and from state and county fairs or other places of entertainment or education for exhibition or educational purposes and to and from service stations for the purpose of receiving necessary maintenance, or for the purposes of transporting, testing, demonstrating, or selling the vehicle.
  c.  The owner of a motor vehicle registered under this subsection may display authentic Iowa registration plates from the model year of the motor vehicle, furnished by the person and approved by the department, in lieu of the current and valid Iowa registration plates issued for the vehicle, provided that the current and valid Iowa registration plates and the registration card issued for the vehicle are simultaneously carried within the vehicle and are available for inspection to any peace officer upon the officer’s request.
  2.  The sale of a motor vehicle twenty years old or older which is primarily of value as a collector’s item and not as transportation is not subject to chapter 322, and any person may sell such a vehicle at retail without a license as required under chapter 322.
  3.  Truck tractors and semitrailers used in combination for exhibition and educational purposes may be registered and driven according to the provisions of subsection 1. Truck tractors and semitrailers registered under this section shall not be used to haul loads.
  4.  A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 2.
[C35, §4911-f1; C39, §5008.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.115]
85 Acts, ch 101, §1; 88 Acts, ch 1204, §1; 92 Acts, ch 1175, §31; 97 Acts, ch 104, §13; 2000 Acts, ch 1203, §6; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §17; 2007 Acts, ch 143, §12, 35; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §120, 131; 2008 Acts, ch 1124, §35, 37; 2008 Acts, ch 1191, §136; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §37
Referred to in §321.24, 321.52, 321.438, 331.557, 805.8A(2)(u)

     
321.115A  Replica vehicles and street rods — model year plates permitted — penalty.
  1.  A motor vehicle may be registered as a replica vehicle or street rod. The annual registration fee is the fee provided for in section 321.109, 321.113, 321.122, or 321.124. The owner of a vehicle registered under this section may display registration plates from or representing the model year of the motor vehicle or the model year of the motor vehicle the registered vehicle is designed to resemble, furnished by the person and approved by the department, in lieu of the current and valid Iowa registration plates issued for the vehicle, provided that the current and valid Iowa registration plates and the registration card issued for the vehicle are simultaneously carried within the vehicle and are available for inspection to any peace officer upon the officer’s request.
  2.  Truck tractors and semitrailers registered under this section shall not be used to haul loads.
  3.  A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 2.
2008 Acts, ch 1044, §6, 8; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §42; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §38
Referred to in §331.557, 805.8A(2)(v)

     
321.116  Battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle fees.
  1.  For each battery electric motor vehicle subject to an annual registration fee under section 321.109, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, and operated on the public highways of this state, the owner shall pay an annual battery electric motor vehicle registration fee, which shall be in addition to the annual registration fee imposed for the vehicle under section 321.109, subsection 1, paragraph “a”. For purposes of this subsection, “battery electric motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle equipped with electrical drivetrain components and not equipped with an internal combustion engine, that is propelled exclusively by one or more electrical motors using electrical energy stored in a battery or other energy storage device that can be recharged by plugging into an electrical outlet or electric vehicle charging station. The amount of the fee shall be as follows:
  a.  For the period beginning January 1, 2020, and ending December 31, 2020, sixty-five dollars.
  b.  For the period beginning January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2021, ninety-seven dollars and fifty cents.
  c.  On or after January 1, 2022, one hundred thirty dollars.
  2.  For each plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle subject to an annual registration fee under section 321.109, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, and operated on the public highways of this state, the owner shall pay an annual plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle registration fee, which shall be in addition to the annual registration fee imposed for the vehicle under section 321.109, subsection 1, paragraph “a”. For purposes of this subsection, “plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle equipped with electrical drivetrain components, an internal combustion engine, and a battery or other energy storage device that can be recharged by plugging into an electrical outlet or electric vehicle charging station. The amount of the fee shall be as follows:
  a.  For the period beginning January 1, 2020, and ending December 31, 2020, thirty-two dollars and fifty cents.
  b.  For the period beginning January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2021, forty-eight dollars and seventy-five cents.
  c.  On or after January 1, 2022, sixty-five dollars.
2019 Acts, ch 151, §1, 3
Referred to in §321.117, 331.557

  
     
321.117  Motorcycle, autocycle, ambulance, and hearse fees.
  1.  For all motorcycles and autocycles the annual registration fee shall be twenty dollars. For all motorized bicycles the annual registration fee shall be seven dollars. When the motorcycle or autocycle is more than five model years old, the annual registration fee shall be ten dollars. The annual registration fee for ambulances and hearses shall be fifty dollars. Passenger car plates shall be issued for ambulances and hearses.
  2.  In addition to the fee required for a motorcycle under subsection 1, the owner of a motorcycle that is a battery electric motor vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle, as those terms are defined in section 321.116, shall pay an annual electric motorcycle registration fee. The amount of the fee shall be as follows:
  a.  For the period beginning January 1, 2020, and ending December 31, 2020, four dollars and fifty cents.
  b.  For the period beginning January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2021, six dollars and seventy-five cents.
  c.  On or after January 1, 2022, nine dollars.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4912; C39, §5008.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.117]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §17, 38; 84 Acts, ch 1305, §61; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §91; 2016 Acts, ch 1098, §16; 2019 Acts, ch 151, §2, 3
Referred to in §321.112, 331.557

  
     
321.118  Reserved.

     
321.119  Church buses.
  For motor vehicles designed to carry nine passengers or more which are owned and used exclusively by a church or religious organization to transport passengers to and from activities of or sponsored by the church or religious organization and not operated for rent or hire for purposes unrelated to the activities of the church or religious organization, the annual registration fee shall be twenty-five dollars.
[C81, §321.119]
84 Acts, ch 1305, §62; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §92
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.120  Business-trade trucks.
  1.  The annual registration fee for a business-trade truck shall be determined pursuant to section 321.122, subsection 1, paragraph “a”.
  2.  Upon application for a new registration, an owner who registers a motor vehicle as a business-trade truck shall be required to provide proof or affirm that the vehicle meets the definition of a business-trade truck. The department may adopt rules as necessary to prescribe the documentation required of the applicant as proof or affirmation under this subsection but shall not require that such documentation be notarized. If requested by the department of transportation or a county treasurer, the department of revenue shall confirm or refute, according to the most recent records available, that an applicant for registration of a business-trade truck is either a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership or a person who files a schedule C or schedule F form for federal income tax purposes and that the corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or person is allowed a depreciation deduction with respect to the vehicle under section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code.
  3.  Upon approval of the application and payment of the proper fees, the county treasurer shall issue regular registration plates for the business-trade truck. The department may adopt rules requiring the use of a sticker or other means to identify motor vehicles registered under this section.
  4.  If the department determines by audit or other means that a person has registered a vehicle as a business-trade truck that is not qualified for such registration, the person shall be required to pay the difference between the regular annual registration fees owed for the vehicle for each year the vehicle was registered in violation of this section and the fees actually paid.
  5.  If the department determines by audit or other means that the person had knowingly registered a vehicle as a business-trade truck that is not qualified for such registration, the person shall be required to pay a penalty for improper registration in the amount of seven hundred fifty dollars for each registration year in which the vehicle was registered in violation of this section, not to exceed two thousand two hundred fifty dollars.
2008 Acts, ch 1113, §5, 11; 2011 Acts, ch 68, §2, 5
Referred to in §321.1, 321.26, 321.106, 321.134, 321.152, 331.557, 422.20, 422.72
2011 amendment to subsection 3 applies for registration plates issued during registration periods beginning on or after January 1, 2012; phased-in elimination of business-trade truck plates; 
2011 Acts, ch 68, §4, 5

  
     
321.121  Special trucks for farm use.
  1.  a.  Except as provided in paragraph “b”, the annual registration fee for a special truck with a gross weight of six tons shall be one hundred dollars, and the annual registration fee for a special truck with a gross weight exceeding six tons but not exceeding eighteen tons shall be as follows:
For a gross         And not                  The annual

 weight         exceeding:                  registration

 exceeding:                  fee shall be:

  6 Tons    7 Tons    $125

  7 Tons    8 Tons    $155

  8 Tons    9 Tons    $170

  9 Tons    10 Tons    $190

10 Tons    11 Tons    $205

11 Tons    12 Tons    $225

12 Tons    13 Tons    $245

13 Tons    14 Tons    $265

14 Tons    15 Tons    $280

15 Tons    16 Tons    $295

16 Tons    17 Tons    $305

17 Tons    18 Tons    $315
  b.  If the registration is a renewal for a special truck registered to the same owner prior to January 1, 2009, the annual registration fee shall be eighty dollars for a gross weight of six tons, one hundred dollars for a gross weight of seven tons, one hundred twenty dollars for a gross weight of eight tons, and in addition, fifteen dollars for each ton over eight tons and not exceeding eighteen tons. As used in this paragraph, “owner” includes a surviving spouse who is required to transfer title pursuant to section 321.46 or 321.47.
  c.  The annual registration fee for a special truck with a gross weight registration exceeding eighteen tons but not exceeding nineteen tons shall be three hundred twenty-five dollars and for a gross weight registration exceeding nineteen tons but not exceeding twenty tons the annual registration fee shall be three hundred seventy-five dollars.
  d.  The additional annual registration fee for a special truck for a gross weight registration in excess of twenty tons is twenty-five dollars for each ton over twenty tons and not exceeding thirty-eight tons, and an additional ten dollars for a gross weight registration in excess of thirty-eight tons and not exceeding thirty-nine tons.
  2.  Upon approval of the application and payment of the proper fees, the county treasurer shall issue regular registration plates for the special truck. The department may adopt rules requiring the use of a sticker or other means to identify motor vehicles registered under this section.
  3.  A person convicted of or found by audit to be using a motor vehicle registered as a special truck for any purpose other than permitted by section 321.1, subsection 75, shall, in addition to any other penalty imposed by law, be required to pay regular annual motor vehicle registration fees for such motor vehicle.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.121; 81 Acts 2d Ex, ch 2, §6]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §18, 38; 86 Acts, ch 1210, §3; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §6, 11, 93; 2011 Acts, ch 38, §5; 2011 Acts, ch 68, §3, 5; 2019 Acts, ch 138, §2
Referred to in §321.1, 321.26, 321.106, 321.134, 331.557
Subsection 2 applies for registration plates issued during registration periods beginning on or after January 1, 2012; phased-in elimination of special truck plates; 
2011 Acts, ch 68, §4, 5

     
321.122  Trucks, truck tractors, and road tractors — fees.
  1.  The annual registration fee for truck tractors, road tractors, and motor trucks, except 2010 and subsequent model year motor trucks required to be registered under section 321.109 and motor trucks registered as special trucks, shall be based on the combined gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles. All such trucks, truck tractors, or road tractors registered under this section shall be registered for a gross weight equal to or in excess of the unladen weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles. The annual registration fee for such vehicles or combination of vehicles, except special trucks, shall be the applicable fee under paragraph “a” or “b”.
  a.  (1)  For a combined gross weight of three tons or less, the annual registration fee is one hundred fifty dollars; for such a vehicle more than seven model years old, one hundred twenty dollars; for such a vehicle more than nine model years old, one hundred dollars; and for such a vehicle twelve model years old or older, fifty dollars.
  (2)  For a combined gross weight exceeding three tons, the annual registration fee shall be as set forth in the following schedule:
For a combined         And not                  The annual

 gross weight         exceeding:                  registration

 exceeding:                  fee shall be:

  3 Tons    4 Tons    $  165

  4 Tons    5 Tons    $  180

  5 Tons    6 Tons    $  195

  6 Tons    7 Tons    $  215

  7 Tons    8 Tons    $  220

  8 Tons    9 Tons    $  225

  9 Tons    10 Tons    $  235

10 Tons    11 Tons    $  270

11 Tons    12 Tons    $  305

12 Tons    13 Tons    $  340

13 Tons    14 Tons    $  375

14 Tons    15 Tons    $  445

15 Tons    16 Tons    $  485

16 Tons    17 Tons    $  525

17 Tons    18 Tons    $  565

18 Tons    19 Tons    $  610

19 Tons    20 Tons    $  675

20 Tons    21 Tons    $  715

21 Tons    22 Tons    $  755

22 Tons    23 Tons    $  795

23 Tons    24 Tons    $  835

24 Tons    25 Tons    $  965

25 Tons    26 Tons    $1,010

26 Tons    27 Tons    $1,060

27 Tons    28 Tons    $1,105

28 Tons    29 Tons    $1,150

29 Tons    30 Tons    $1,200

30 Tons    31 Tons    $1,245

31 Tons    32 Tons    $1,295

32 Tons    33 Tons    $1,340

33 Tons    34 Tons    $1,415

34 Tons    35 Tons    $1,465

35 Tons    36 Tons    $1,510

36 Tons    37 Tons    $1,555

37 Tons    38 Tons    $1,605

38 Tons    39 Tons    $1,650

39 Tons    40 Tons    $1,695
  b.  If the registration is a renewal for a motor vehicle with a combined gross weight of nine tons or less registered to the same owner prior to January 1, 2009, the following applies:
  (1)  For a combined gross weight of three tons or less, the annual registration fee is sixty-five dollars; for such a vehicle which is more than ten model years old, fifty-five dollars; for such a vehicle which is more than thirteen model years old, forty-five dollars; and for such a vehicle which is more than fifteen model years old, thirty-five dollars.
  (2)  For a combined gross weight exceeding three tons but not exceeding nine tons, the annual registration fee shall be as set forth in the following schedule:
For a combined         And not                  The annual

 gross weight         exceeding:                  registration

 exceeding:                  fee shall be:

  3 Tons    4 Tons    $  80

  4 Tons    5 Tons    $  90

  5 Tons    6 Tons    $105

  6 Tons    7 Tons    $130

  7 Tons    8 Tons    $165

  8 Tons    9 Tons    $200
  (3)  As used in this paragraph “b”, “owner” includes a surviving spouse who is required to transfer title pursuant to section 321.46 or 321.47.
  c.  For a combined gross weight exceeding forty tons, the annual registration fee shall be one thousand six hundred ninety-five dollars plus eighty dollars for each ton over forty tons.
  2.  For truck tractors or road tractors equipped with two or more solid rubber tires, the annual registration fee shall be the fee for truck tractors or road tractors with pneumatic tires and of the same combined gross weight, plus twenty-five percent thereof.
  3.  This section shall not apply to a rubber-tired farm tractor not operated for hire upon the public highways.
  4.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor.
[C31, 35, §4919-d1; C39, §5008.18; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.122]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §19, 38; 86 Acts, ch 1182, §3; 86 Acts, ch 1210, §4; 88 Acts, ch 1019, §11, 12; 90 Acts, ch 1233, §17; 95 Acts, ch 118, §17; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §7, 11, 23, 25; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §4; 2011 Acts, ch 38, §6
Referred to in §321.1, 321.26, 321.106, 321.109, 321.115, 321.115A, 321.120, 321.134, 321E.12, 331.557

     
321.123  Trailers.
  1.  a.  All trailers except farm trailers, mobile homes, and manufactured homes, unless otherwise provided in this section, are subject to an annual registration fee as follows:
  (1)  For trailers with an empty weight of two thousand pounds or less, the annual registration fee is twenty dollars.
  (2)  For trailers with an empty weight in excess of two thousand pounds, the annual registration fee is thirty dollars.
  b.  Trailers for which the empty weight is two thousand pounds or less are exempt from the certificate of title and lien provisions of this chapter.
  c.  For trailers and semitrailers licensed under chapter 326, the annual registration fee for the permanent registration plate shall be the applicable fee under paragraph “a”. The registration fees for a permanent registration plate, at the option of the registrant, shall be remitted to the department at five-year intervals or on an annual basis. Fees collected under this section shall not be reduced or prorated under chapter 326.
  2.  a.  Travel trailers and fifth-wheel travel trailers, except those in manufacturer’s or dealer’s stock, shall be subject to an annual registration fee of thirty cents per square foot of floor space computed on the exterior overall measurements, but excluding three feet occupied by any trailer hitch as provided by and certified to by the owner, to the nearest whole dollar. When a travel trailer or fifth-wheel travel trailer is registered in Iowa for the first time or when title is transferred, the annual registration fee shall be prorated on a monthly basis. The annual registration fee shall be reduced to seventy-five percent of the full fee after the vehicle is more than six model years old.
  b.  A travel trailer may be stored under section 321.134, provided the travel trailer is not used for human habitation for any period during storage and is not moved upon the highways of the state. A travel trailer stored under section 321.134 is not subject to a manufactured or mobile home tax assessed under chapter 435.
  3.  Motor trucks or truck tractors pulling trailers or semitrailers shall be registered for the combined gross weight of the motor truck or truck tractor and trailer or semitrailer, except that:
  a.  Motor trucks registered for six tons or less not used for hire, pulling trailers or semitrailers used by a person engaged in farming to transport commodities produced by the owner, or to transport commodities or livestock purchased by the owner for use in the owner’s own farming operation or used by any person to transport horses shall not be subject to registration for the gross weight of such trailer or semitrailer provided the combined gross weight does not exceed twelve tons, plus the tolerance provided for in section 321.466.
  b.  Motor trucks registered for six tons or less not used for hire, pulling trailers or semitrailers used by a person in the person’s own operations shall not be subject to registration for the gross weight of such trailer or semitrailer provided the combined gross weight does not exceed eight tons, plus the tolerance provided for in section 321.466.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4920; C39, §5008.19; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.123; 82 Acts, ch 1251, §16 – 18]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §20, 38; 84 Acts, ch 1305, §63; 89 Acts, ch 296, §29; 95 Acts, ch 118, §18; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §5, 6; 99 Acts, ch 188, §14; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §14; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §15, 17; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §80; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §9, 31; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §24, 25, 94, 95
Referred to in §312.2, 321.310, 331.557

  
     
321.124  Motor homes, multipurpose vehicles, and motorsports recreational vehicles — fees.
  1.  Motor homes are classified as follows:
  a.  Class A motor home means a truck chassis or special chassis upon which is built a driver’s compartment and an entire body which provides temporary living quarters. A class A motor home shall also mean a passenger carrying bus which has been registered at least five times as a motor truck and which has been converted, modified, or altered to provide temporary living quarters.
  b.  Class B motor home means a completed van-type vehicle which has been converted, modified, constructed, or altered to provide temporary living quarters.
  c.  Class C motor home means an incomplete vehicle upon which is permanently attached a body designed to provide temporary living quarters.
  2.  Class A motor homes and class C motor homes are exempt from the provisions of section 322.5, subsection 2, except that a motor vehicle dealer showing class A motor homes and class C motor homes shall apply for a temporary permit upon forms and for such time as provided in section 322.5, subsection 2, and the department may issue the temporary permit upon payment of the fee provided therein.
  3.  The annual registration fee for motor homes and 1992 and older model years for multipurpose vehicles is as follows:
  a.  For class A motor homes with a list price of eighty thousand dollars or more as certified to the department by the manufacturer, four hundred dollars for registration each year through five model years and three hundred dollars for each succeeding registration.
  b.  For class A motor homes with a list price of forty thousand dollars or more but less than eighty thousand dollars as certified to the department by the manufacturer, two hundred dollars for registration each year through five model years and one hundred fifty dollars for each succeeding registration.
  c.  For class A motor homes with a list price of twenty thousand dollars or more but less than forty thousand dollars as certified to the department by the manufacturer, one hundred forty dollars for the first five registrations and one hundred five dollars for each succeeding registration.
  d.  For class A motor homes with a list price of less than twenty thousand dollars as certified to the department by the manufacturer, one hundred twenty dollars for registration each year through five model years and eighty-five dollars for each succeeding registration.
  e.  For a class A motor home which is a passenger-carrying bus which has been registered at least five times as a motor truck and which has been converted, modified, or altered to provide temporary living quarters, ninety dollars for registration each year through ten model years and sixty-five dollars for each succeeding registration. In computing the number of registrations, the registrations shall be cumulative beginning with the registration of the class A motor home as a motor truck prior to its conversion, modification, or alteration to provide temporary living quarters.
  f.  For class B motor homes, ninety dollars for registration each year through five model years and sixty-five dollars for each succeeding registration.
  g.  For class C motor homes, one hundred ten dollars for registration each year through five model years and eighty dollars for each succeeding registration.
  h.  (1)  For multipurpose vehicles in accordance with the following:
  (a)  Two hundred dollars for registration for the first and second model years.
  (b)  One hundred seventy-five dollars for registration for the third and fourth model years.
  (c)  One hundred fifty dollars for registration for the fifth model year.
  (d)  Seventy-five dollars for registration for the sixth model year.
  (e)  Fifty-five dollars for registration for each succeeding model year.
  (f)  The annual registration fee for a multipurpose vehicle with permanently installed equipment manufactured for and necessary to assist a person with a disability who is either the owner or a member of the owner’s household in entry and exit of the vehicle or for a multipurpose vehicle if the vehicle’s owner or a member of the vehicle owner’s household uses a wheelchair as the only means of mobility shall be sixty dollars. For purposes of this subparagraph, “uses a wheelchair” does not include use of a wheelchair due to a temporary injury or medical condition.
  (2)  The registration fees required by this lettered paragraph are applicable to all 1992 and older model years for multipurpose vehicles beginning January 1, 1993. The registration fees for multipurpose vehicles that are 1993 and subsequent model years shall be in accordance with section 321.109.
  (3)  For purposes of determining that portion of the annual registration fee which is based upon the value of the multipurpose vehicle, sixty percent of the annual fee is attributable to the value of the vehicle.
  4.  a.  The annual registration fee for a motorsports recreational vehicle is four hundred dollars. For purposes of determining that portion of the annual registration fee which is based upon the value of the motorsports recreational vehicle, sixty percent of the annual fee is attributable to the value of the vehicle. The owner of a motor vehicle registered under this subsection shall certify at the time of registration or renewal of registration that the motor vehicle is used for the purpose of participating in motorsports competition.
  b.  If the department determines by audit or other means that a person registered a vehicle as a motorsports recreational vehicle that is not qualified for such registration, the person shall be required to pay the difference between the regular annual registration fees owed for the vehicle for each year the vehicle was registered in violation of this section and the fees actually paid.
  c.  If the department determines by audit or other means that the person knowingly registered a vehicle as a motorsports recreational vehicle that is not qualified for such registration, the person shall be required to pay a penalty for improper registration in the amount of seven hundred fifty dollars for each registration year in which the vehicle was registered in violation of this section, not to exceed two thousand two hundred fifty dollars.
[C81, §321.124]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §21, 38; 83 Acts, ch 75, §1, 2; 92 Acts, ch 1019, §2, 8; 92 Acts, ch 1222, §2; 92 Acts, ch 1232, §402, 412; 93 Acts, ch 165, §2; 96 Acts, ch 1129, §113; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2014 Acts, ch 1127, §7
Referred to in §321.1, 321.109, 321.115, 321.115A, 321.152, 322.2, 331.557

     
321.125  Effect of exemption.
  The exemption of a motor vehicle from an annual registration fee or a fee for new registration shall not exempt the operator of such vehicle from the performance of any other duty imposed on the operator by this chapter.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4923; C39, §5008.21; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.125]
2008 Acts, ch 1113, §96
Referred to in §331.557

  
     
321.126  Refunds of annual registration fees.
  1.  Refunds of unexpired annual vehicle registration fees shall be allowed in accordance with this section, except that no refund shall be allowed and paid if the unused portion of the fee is less than ten dollars. Paragraphs “a” and “b” do not apply to vehicles registered by the county treasurer. The refunds shall be made as follows:
  a.  If the vehicle is destroyed by fire or accident, or junked and its identity as a vehicle entirely eliminated, the owner in whose name the vehicle was registered at the time of destruction or dismantling shall return the plates to the department and within thirty days thereafter make a statement of such destruction or dismantling and make claim for refund. With reference to the destruction or dismantling of a vehicle, no refund shall be allowed unless a junking certificate has been issued, as provided in section 321.52.
  b.  If the vehicle is stolen, the owner shall give notice of the theft to the department within five days. If the vehicle is not recovered by the owner thirty days prior to the end of the current registration year, the owner shall make a statement of the theft and make claim for refund.
  c.  If the vehicle is placed in storage by the owner upon the owner’s entry into the military service of the United States, the owner shall return the plates to the county treasurer or the department and make a statement regarding the storage and military service and make claim for refund. Whenever the owner of a vehicle so placed in storage desires to again register the vehicle, the county treasurer or department shall compute and collect the fees for registration for the registration year commencing in the month the vehicle is removed from storage.
  d.  If the vehicle is registered by the county treasurer during the current registration year and the owner or lessee registers the vehicle for apportioned registration under chapter 326, the owner of the registered vehicle shall surrender the registration plates to the county treasurer and may file a claim for refund. In lieu of a refund, a credit for the annual registration fees paid to the county treasurer may be applied by the department to the owner or lessee’s apportioned registration fees upon the surrender of the county plates and registration.
  e.  A refund for trailers and semitrailers issued a permanent registration plate pursuant to chapter 326 shall be paid by the department upon application.
  f.  If a vehicle is sold or junked, the owner in whose name the vehicle was registered may make claim to the county treasurer or department for a refund of the sold or junked vehicle’s annual registration fee. Also if the owner of a vehicle receives a vehicle registration fee credit under section 321.46, subsection 3, and the credit allowed exceeds the amount of the annual registration fee for the vehicle acquired, the owner may claim a refund for the balance of the credit. The refund is subject to the following limitations:
  (1)  If a vehicle registration fee credit has not been received by the owner of the vehicle under section 321.46, subsection 3, the refund shall be computed on the basis of the number of unexpired months remaining in the registration year at the time the vehicle was sold or junked. The refund shall be rounded to the nearest whole dollar. Section 321.127, subsection 1, does not apply.
  (2)  The refund shall only be allowed if the owner makes claim for the refund within six months after the date of the vehicle’s sale, trade, or junking.
  (3)  This paragraph “f” does not apply to vehicles registered under chapter 326.
  g.  If the vehicle was leased and an affidavit was filed by the lessor or the lessee as provided in section 321.46, the lessor or the lessee, as applicable, may make a claim for a refund with the county treasurer of the county where the vehicle was registered within six months of the vehicle’s surrender to the lessor. The refund shall be paid to either the lessor or the lessee, as specified on the application for title and registration pursuant to section 321.20.
  h.  If the owner of the vehicle moves out of state, the owner may make a claim for a refund by returning the Iowa registration plates, along with evidence of the vehicle’s registration in another jurisdiction, to the county treasurer of the county in which the vehicle was registered within six months of the out-of-state registration. For purposes of section 321.127, the unexpired months remaining in the registration year shall be calculated on the basis of the effective date of the out-of-state registration. However, for the purpose of timely issuance of the refund, the claim for a refund under this paragraph is considered to be filed on the date the registration documents are received by the county treasurer.
  2.  Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, there shall be no refund of apportioned registration fees unless the state which issued the base plate for the vehicle allows such refund. If an owner subject to apportioned registration leases the vehicle for which the refund is sought, the claim shall be filed in the names of both the lessee and the lessor and the refund payment made payable to both the lessor and the lessee. The term “owner” for purposes of this section shall include a person in whom is vested right of possession or control of a vehicle which is subject to a lease, contract, or other legal arrangement vesting right of possession or control in addition to the term as defined in section 321.1, subsection 49.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4924; C39, §5008.22; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.126]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §22, 23, 38; 85 Acts, ch 87, §4, 5; 87 Acts, ch 108, §7; 90 Acts, ch 1154, §6 – 11; 92 Acts, ch 1073, §3; 95 Acts, ch 118, §19, 40; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §21, 35; 2005 Acts, ch 133, §1; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §18; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §10, 11, 31; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §97; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §91; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §10, 11
Referred to in §321.46, 321.128, 326.15, 331.557

     
321.127  Payment of refund.
  1.  The refund of the annual registration fee for vehicles shall be computed on the basis of the number of unexpired months remaining in the registration year from date of filing of the claim for refund with the county treasurer, computed to the nearest dollar.
  2.  The department, unless reasonable grounds exist for delay, shall make refund on or before the last day of the month following the month in which the claim is filed with the department.
  3.  For trailers or semitrailers issued a permanent registration plate, a refund shall be paid equal to the annual fee for twelve months times the remaining number of complete registration years.
  4.  Refunds for vehicles registered for apportioned registration under chapter 326 shall be paid on the basis of unexpired complete calendar months remaining in the registration year from the date the claim for refund and the license plate are received by the department.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4924; C39, §5008.23; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.127; 81 Acts, ch 104, §1]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §24, 38; 85 Acts, ch 87, §6; 87 Acts, ch 108, §8; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §22; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §12, 31; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §98; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §12
Referred to in §321.126, 321.128, 331.557

     
321.128  Payment authorized.
  The department may make the payments under sections 321.126 and 321.127, when sufficient proof of such destruction by accident, or the junking and entire elimination of identity as a motor vehicle, theft, or storage by an owner entering the military service of the United States in time of war, is properly certified, approved by the county treasurer, and filed with the department.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4925; C39, §5008.24; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.128]
83 Acts, ch 24, §10, 12
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.129  When fees returnable.
  1.  Whenever any application to the department is accompanied by a vehicle registration fee as required by law and the application is refused or rejected, the fee shall be returned to the applicant.
  2.  Whenever the department through error collects any vehicle registration fee not required to be paid under this chapter, the fee shall be refunded from the refund account to the person paying the fee upon application made within one year after the date of such payment.
  3.  This section does not apply to the fee for new registration administered by the department of revenue pursuant to section 321.105A.
[C39, §5012.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.173]
2008 Acts, ch 1018, §21, 30; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §121
C2009, §321.129
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.130  Fees in lieu of taxes.
  The registration fees imposed by this chapter upon private passenger motor vehicles or semitrailers are in lieu of all state and local taxes, except local vehicle taxes, to which motor vehicles or semitrailers are subject.
[S13, §1571-m8; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4927; C39, §5008.26; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.130]
85 Acts, ch 32, §79; 89 Acts, ch 296, §30
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.131  Lien of fee.
  All registration or other fees provided for in this chapter shall constitute a lien against the vehicle for which the fees are payable unless otherwise provided in this section until such time as they are paid as provided by law, with any accrued penalties. The county treasurer may perfect a security interest in a vehicle for the amount of such fees as provided in section 321.50. If the lien is not perfected as provided in this section, the lien shall not be valid against a bona fide purchaser of the vehicle without actual notice to the purchaser.
[S13, §1571-m21; SS15, §1571-m7; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4928; C39, §5008.27; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.131]
2004 Acts, ch 1013, §22, 35
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.132  When lien attaches.
  The lien of the original annual registration fee attaches, at the time the fee is first payable, as provided by law, and the lien of all renewals of registration attach on the first day of each succeeding registration year.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4929; C39, §5008.28; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.132]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §25, 38; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §99
Referred to in §331.557
PENALTIES, COSTS, AND COLLECTIONS

     
321.133  Methods of collection.
  The collection of all fees and penalties may be enforced against any vehicle or they may be collected by suit against the owner who shall remain personally liable therefor until such time as the transfer thereof shall be reported to the county treasurer and the department or until such time as said vehicle ceases to be in use and all fees and penalties to such date shall be paid.
[S13, §1571-m21; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4930; C39, §5009.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.133]
Referred to in §331.557, 331.653

  
     
321.134  Monthly penalty.
  1.  On the first day of the second month following the beginning of each registration year a penalty of five percent of the annual registration fee shall be added to the annual registration fees not paid by that date and an additional penalty of five percent shall be added the first day of each succeeding month, until the fee is paid. A penalty shall not be less than five dollars. If the owner of a vehicle surrenders the registration plates for a vehicle prior to the plates becoming delinquent, to the county treasurer of the county where the vehicle is registered, or to the department if the vehicle is registered under chapter 326, the owner may register the vehicle any time thereafter upon payment of the annual registration fee for the registration year without penalty. To avoid a penalty or an additional penalty in the case of a delinquent registration through a county treasurer, if the last calendar day of a month falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday, the payment deadline is extended to include the first business day of the following month. For payments made through a county treasurer’s authorized internet site only, if the last day of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday, the electronic payment must be entered by midnight on the first business day of the next month. All other electronic payments must be entered by midnight on the last day of the month preceding the delinquent date.
  2.  The annual registration fee for trucks, truck tractors, and road tractors registered by the county treasurer, as provided in sections 321.120, 321.121, and 321.122, may be payable in two equal semiannual installments if the annual registration fee exceeds the annual registration fee for a vehicle with a gross weight exceeding five tons. The penalties provided in subsection 1 shall be computed on the amount of the first installment only and on the first day of the seventh month of the registration period the same rate of penalty shall apply to the second installment, until the fee is paid. 
  3.  If a penalty applies to an annual vehicle registration fee provided for in sections 321.120, 321.121, and 321.122, the same penalty shall be assessed on the fees collected to increase the registered gross weight of the vehicle, if the increased gross weight is requested within forty-five days from the date the delinquent vehicle is registered for the current registration period.
  4.  Notwithstanding subsections 1 through 3, if a vehicle registration is delinquent for twenty-four months or more, a flat penalty and fee shall be assessed for the delinquent period in addition to the current annual registration fee. The flat penalty and fee shall be one hundred fifty percent of the current annual registration fee.
  5.  The department shall waive the penalties imposed by this section for an owner who is in the military service of the United States and who has been relocated as a result of being placed on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. The department shall adopt rules to implement this subsection, including, if necessary, procedures for refunding penalties collected prior to March 29, 2004.
[SS15, §1571-m7; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4931; C39, §5009.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.134]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §26, 38; 83 Acts, ch 24, §6, 12; 89 Acts, ch 185, §4; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §18; 2002 Acts, ch 1043, §2; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §23, 35; 2004 Acts, ch 1092, §4; 2007 Acts, ch 143, §13; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §100; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §13, 40; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §257; 2013 Acts, ch 103, §10; 2017 Acts, ch 92, §1
Referred to in §321.39, 321.123, 331.557, 331.653

     
321.135  When fees delinquent.
  Except as otherwise provided, annual registration fees become delinquent and penalties accrue the first of the month following the purchase of a new vehicle, and thirty days following the date a vehicle is brought into the state.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4932; C39, §5009.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.135]
84 Acts, ch 1219, §22; 85 Acts, ch 209, §4; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §101
Referred to in §331.557, 331.653
321.136 through 321.144Reserved.
FUNDS

  
     
321.145  Disposition of moneys and fees.
  1.  Except for fines, forfeitures, court costs, and the collection fees retained by the county treasurer pursuant to section 321.152, and except as provided in subsection 2, moneys and motor vehicle registration fees collected under this chapter shall be credited by the treasurer of state to the road use tax fund.
  2.  Revenues derived from trailer registration fees collected pursuant to sections 321.105 and 321.105A, fees charged for driver’s licenses and nonoperator’s identification cards, fees charged for commercial driver’s license driving skills tests pursuant to section 321.187A, fees charged for the issuance of a certificate of title, the certificate of title surcharge collected pursuant to section 321.52A, and revenues credited pursuant to section 423.43, subsection 2, and section 423C.5 shall be deposited in a fund to be known as the statutory allocations fund under the control of the department and credited as follows:
  a.  Moneys shall be credited in order of priority as follows:
  (1)  An amount equal to four percent of the revenue from the operation of section 321.105A, subsection 2, shall be credited to the department, to be used for purposes of public transit assistance under chapter 324A.
  (2)  An amount equal to two dollars per year of license validity for each issued or renewed driver’s license which is valid for the operation of a motorcycle shall be credited to the motorcycle rider education fund established under section 321.179.
  (3)  The amounts required to be transferred pursuant to section 321.34 from revenues available under this subsection shall be transferred and credited as provided in section 321.34 for the various purposes specified in that section.
  b.  Any such revenues remaining shall be credited to the road use tax fund.
[SS15, §1571-m32; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4999; C39, §5010.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.145]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §19; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §30, 36; 2009 Acts, ch 97, §9; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §1; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §144; 2011 Acts, ch 113, §47, 55, 56; 2011 Acts, ch 114, §3; 2016 Acts, ch 1105, §1, 2, 15, 16, 18; 2018 Acts, ch 1026, §110; 2021 Acts, ch 135, §1, 8
Referred to in §312.1, 321.34, 321.52A, 321.211, 331.557, 423.43, 423C.5
Road use tax fund, §312.1
2021 amendment to subsection 2, unnumbered paragraph 1 effective January 1, 2022; 2021 Acts, ch 135, §8
Subsection 2, unnumbered paragraph 1 amended
321.146 and 321.147Reserved. 

     
321.148  Monthly estimate.
  The department shall, on the first day of each month, furnish an estimate in writing to the treasurer of state of the amount of expenditures to be made by the department during that month.
[C31, 35, §5003-c1; C39, §5010.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.148]
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.149  Supplies.
  The department shall prepare and furnish to the treasurer of each county all supplies required for the administration of this chapter in such form as the department may prescribe. Contracts for the supplies shall be awarded by the director of the department of administrative services to persons, firms, partnerships, or corporations engaged in the business of printing in Iowa unless, or through them, the persons, firms, partnerships, or corporations cannot provide the required printing set forth in this section. In lieu of purchasing under competitive bids, the director of the department of administrative services shall have authority to arrange with the director of the department of corrections to furnish the supplies as can be made in the state institutions.
[S13, §1571-m2; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5006; C39, §5010.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.149]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §27, 38; 83 Acts, ch 96, §157, 159; 98 Acts, ch 1119, §25; 98 Acts, ch 1164, §40; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §249; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §24, 35
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.150  Time limit.
  Blanks or forms for listing used motor vehicles shall be placed in the hands of county treasurers not later than December 15 of any year.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5007; C39, §5010.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.150]
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.151  Duty and liability of treasurer.
  The county treasurer shall collect the registration fee, the fee for new registration, and penalties on each vehicle registered by the county treasurer and shall be responsible on the county treasurer’s bond for such amount. The county treasurer shall remit such amount to the treasurer of state as provided in this chapter. Fees collected pursuant to participation in county issuance of driver’s licenses under chapter 321M shall be governed by the provisions of that chapter.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5011; C39, §5010.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.151]
98 Acts, ch 1073, §12; 98 Acts, ch 1143, §18, 26; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §102
Referred to in §331.557

  
     
321.152  Collection fees retained by county.
  1.  A county treasurer may retain for deposit in the county general fund the following:
  a.  Four percent of the total collection, excluding the amount of any fee for new registration, for each annual or semiannual vehicle registration and each duplicate registration card or plate issued.
  b.  Two dollars and fifty cents from each fee collected for certificates of title.
  c.  Forty percent of all fees collected for certified copies of certificates of title.
  d.  Sixty percent of all fees collected for perfection of security interests.
  e.  Twenty-five percent of each penalty collected for improper business-trade truck registration under section 321.120, subsection 5.
  f.  One dollar from each fee for new registration collected pursuant to section 321.105A.
  g.  Twenty-five percent of each penalty collected for improper motorsports recreational vehicle registration under section 321.124, subsection 4.
  2.  The moneys retained under subsection 1 shall be deducted, and reported to the department when the county treasurer transfers the money collected under this chapter. However, a deduction is not lawful unless the county treasurer has complied with sections 321.24 and 321.153.
  3.  The five dollar processing fee charged by a county treasurer for collection of tax debt owed to the department of revenue pursuant to section 321.40, subsection 6, shall be retained for deposit in the county general fund.
  4.  This section does not apply to fees collected or retained by a county treasurer pursuant to participation in county issuance of driver’s licenses under chapter 321M.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5012; C39, §5010.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.152]
83 Acts, ch 123, §126, 209; 84 Acts, ch 1305, §64; 91 Acts, ch 267, §608; 92 Acts, ch 1238, §32; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §12; 98 Acts, ch 1143, §19, 26; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §25, 35; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §8, 11, 103, 104; 2010 Acts, ch 1146, §4, 26; 2014 Acts, ch 1127, §8
Referred to in §321.145, 321.153, 331.427, 331.557

     
321.153  Treasurer’s report to department.
  1.  The county treasurer on the tenth day of each month shall certify to the department a full and complete statement of all fees and penalties received by the county treasurer during the preceding calendar month and shall remit all moneys not retained for deposit under section 321.152 to the treasurer of state.
  2.  The distributed teleprocessing network shall be used in the collection, receipting, accounting, and reporting of any fee collected through the registration renewal or title process, with sufficient time and financial resources provided for implementation.
  3.  This section does not apply to fees collected or retained by a county treasurer pursuant to participation in county issuance of driver’s licenses under chapter 321M.
  4.  This section does not apply to processing fees charged by a county treasurer for the collection of tax debt owed to the department of revenue pursuant to section 321.40.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5013; C39, §5010.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.153]
89 Acts, ch 185, §5; 92 Acts, ch 1073, §4; 92 Acts, ch 1238, §33; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §12; 98 Acts, ch 1143, §20, 26; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §26, 35; 2010 Acts, ch 1146, §5, 26
Referred to in §321.152, 321.154, 331.555, 331.557, 331.558

     
321.154  Reports by department.
  The department, immediately upon receiving the county treasurer’s report under section 321.153, shall also report to the treasurer of state the amount so collected by such county treasurer.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5014; C39, §5010.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.154]
2015 Acts, ch 30, §101
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.155  Duty of treasurer of state.
  The treasurer of state shall keep proper books of account for the purposes specified herein and shall report to the department each remittance from the county treasurer, when said remittance is received.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5015; C39, §5010.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.155]
Referred to in §331.557

     
321.156  Audit by department.
  The department shall check and audit all fees and penalties collected, and shall effect a settlement with the county treasurer annually.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5016; C39, §5010.12; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.156]
Referred to in §331.557
VALUE AND WEIGHT OF VEHICLES

     
321.157  Schedule of prices and weights.
  1.  A manufacturer or importer of a motor vehicle sold or offered for sale in this state, either by the manufacturer, importer, distributor, dealer, or any other person, shall file in the office of the department a sworn statement showing the various models manufactured by the manufacturer, importer, distributor, dealer, or other person, and the retail list price and weight of each model concurrently with a public announcement of such prices or concurrently with notification of such prices to dealers licensed to sell such motor vehicles under chapter 322, whichever comes first. The manufacturer, importer, distributor, dealer, or other person shall also make the same report on subsequent new models manufactured.
  2.  In lieu of filing the sworn statement required under subsection 1, a manufacturer or importer of a motor vehicle sold or offered for sale in this state may electronically provide the information required in subsection 1 to the department, or, if the manufacturer or importer provides the required information to a third-party vendor, the manufacturer or importer shall make the required information available to the department through the third-party vendor.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4968; C39, §5011.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.157]
2000 Acts, ch 1016, §45, 47
Referred to in §321.160, 321.161

     
321.158  Registration dependent on schedule.
  No motor vehicle shall be registered in this state unless the manufacturer thereof has furnished to the department the sworn statement herein provided, giving the list price and weight of the model of the motor vehicle that is offered for registration, except as provided in section 321.159.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4970; C39, §5011.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.158]

     
321.159  Exceptional cases — annual registration fee.
  1.  The department shall have the power to fix the annual registration fee on all makes and models of motor vehicles which are not now being furnished or upon which the statement from the factory cannot be obtained.
  2.  For a current year model of a motor vehicle for which the manufacturer or importer of the motor vehicle has not provided the weight and list price, the department shall set the annual registration fee at ten dollars greater than the annual registration fee for the previous year model. Once the manufacturer or importer provides the required information, the information shall be used to set the annual registration fee or the registration renewal fee for the succeeding registration or registration renewal time for the motor vehicle.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4971; C39, §5011.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.159]
92 Acts, ch 1222, §3; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §46, 47; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §105
Referred to in §321.158

     
321.160  Department to maintain statement.
  1.  The department shall maintain a statement showing all the different makes and models of motor vehicles previously registered in the department, and all the different makes and models of motor vehicles, statements of which have been filed in the office by the manufacturers as provided in section 321.157, together with the retail list price and weight of the vehicles.
  2.  Copies of the statement shall be furnished to each county treasurer and additional copies may be sold by the department to other persons, at a price to be set by the department, covering the approximate cost of the copies and service involved. Copies of the statement required by this section may be provided electronically. All funds received shall be forwarded by the department to the treasurer of state.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4972; C39, §5011.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.160]
2004 Acts, ch 1013, §27, 35

     
321.161  Department to fix values and weight.
  The department shall annually, and at such other times as new makes or models of motor vehicles are offered for sale or sold in this state, fix the value and weight of each of the different makes and models of motor vehicles which are sold or offered for sale within the state. The value and weight as fixed by the department shall, on 1975 and subsequent year model motor vehicles, be based on the original certification as provided in section 321.157.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4973; C39, §5011.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.161]

     
321.162  Method of fixing value and weight.
  The value shall be fixed at the next even one hundred dollars above the retail list price F.O.B. the factory, and the weight shall be fixed at the next even one hundred pounds above the manufacturer’s shipping weight or the actual weight of the vehicle fully equipped.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4974; C39, §5011.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.162]
PLATES AND SUPPLIES
321.163 and 321.164Reserved. 

     
321.165  Manufacture by state.
  The director shall have authority to arrange with the director of the department of corrections to furnish such supplies as may be made at the state institutions.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4977; C39, §5012.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.165]
83 Acts, ch 96, §157, 159

  
     
321.166  Vehicle plate specifications.
  Vehicle registration plates shall conform to the following specifications:
  1.  a.  Registration plates shall be of metal and of a size not to exceed six inches by twelve inches, except that the size of plates issued for use on autocycles, motorized bicycles, motorcycles, motorcycle trailers, and trailers with an empty weight of two thousand pounds or less shall be established by the department.
  b.  Trailers with empty weights of two thousand pounds or less may, upon request, be licensed with regular-sized license plates.
  2.  Every registration plate or pair of plates shall display a registration plate number which shall consist of alphabetical or numerical characters or a combination thereof and the name of this state, which may be abbreviated. Every registration plate issued by the county treasurer shall display the name of the county, including any plate issued pursuant to section 321.34, except Pearl Harbor and purple heart registration plates issued prior to January 1, 1997; registration plates issued pursuant to section 321.34, subsection 13, paragraph “d”; and collegiate, fire fighter, and medal of honor registration plates. Special truck registration plates shall display the word “special”. The department may adopt rules to implement this subsection.
  3.  The registration plate number shall be displayed in characters which shall not exceed a height of four inches nor a stroke width exceeding five-eighths of an inch. Special plates issued to dealers shall display the alphabetical character “D”, which shall be of the same size as the characters in the registration plate. The registration plate number issued for autocycles, motorized bicycles, motorcycles, trailers with an empty weight of two thousand pounds or less, and motorcycle trailers shall be a size prescribed by the department.
  4.  The registration plate number, except on autocycles, motorized bicycles, motorcycles, motorcycle trailers, and trailers with an empty weight of two thousand pounds or less, shall be of sufficient size to be readable from a distance of one hundred feet during daylight.
  5.  There shall be a marked contrast between the color of the registration plates and the data which is required to be displayed on the registration plates. When a new series of registration plates is issued to replace a current series, the new registration plates shall be of a distinctively different color from the series which is replaced, except for collegiate registration plates issued under section 321.34, subsection 7 or 7A.
  6.  Registration plates issued to a disabled veteran under the provisions of section 321.105 shall display the alphabetical characters “DV” which shall precede the registration plate number. The plates may also display a persons with disabilities parking sticker if issued to the disabled veteran by the department under section 321L.2.
  7.  The year and month of expiration of registration, which may be abbreviated, shall be displayed on vehicle registration plates issued by the county treasurer. A distinctive emblem or validation sticker may be prescribed by the department to designate the year and month of expiration. The year and month of expiration shall not be required to be displayed on plates issued under section 321.19.
  8.  The owner of a trailer with an empty weight of two thousand pounds or less shall receive registration plates for the trailer smaller than plates regularly issued for automobiles pursuant to rules adopted by the department in accordance with this section unless the owner requests regular-sized plates.
  9.  Special registration plates issued pursuant to section 321.34, other than gold star, medal of honor, collegiate, fire fighter, natural resources, blackout, and flying our colors registration plates, shall be consistent with the design and color of regular registration plates but shall provide a space on a portion of the plate for the purpose of allowing the placement of a distinguishing processed emblem or an organization decal. Special registration plates shall also comply with the requirements for regular registration plates as provided in this section to the extent the requirements are consistent with the section authorizing a particular special vehicle registration plate.
  10.  If the department reissues a new registration plate design for a special registration plate under section 321.34, all persons who have purchased or obtained the special registration plates shall not be required to pay the issuance fee.
[S13, §1571-m12, -m13; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4978; C39, §5001.19, 5001.20, 5012.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §321.35, 321.36, 321.166; C79, 81, §321.166]
82 Acts, ch 1032, §3, 4; 82 Acts, ch 1062, §28, 29, 36, 38; 83 Acts, ch 24, §7, 12; 86 Acts, ch 1225, §2; 88 Acts, ch 1215, §11; 89 Acts, ch 247, §5; 92 Acts, ch 1026, §1; 94 Acts, ch 1028, §1 – 4; 95 Acts, ch 118, §20, 40; 96 Acts, ch 1088, §5, 6; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §7, 8; 96 Acts, ch 1171, §3; 96 Acts, ch 1219, §25; 97 Acts, ch 70, §4; 97 Acts, ch 104, §14, 15; 99 Acts, ch 13, §10, 29; 2007 Acts, ch 184, §6, 7; 2008 Acts, ch 1124, §7; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §25, 26; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §52, 180; 2016 Acts, ch 1068, §2, 4; 2016 Acts, ch 1098, §17; 2019 Acts, ch 89, §36; 2020 Acts, ch 1118, §156
Referred to in §321L.1

     
321.167  Delivery of plates, stickers, and emblems.
  The department, upon requisition by the county treasurer, shall provide vehicle registration plates, validation stickers, and emblems as required for the administration of this chapter. Vehicle registration plates and validation stickers shall be provided to the county treasurer in numerical sequence.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4979; C39, §5012.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.167]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §30, 38

     
321.168  Additional deliveries.
  Thereafter, during the year, the department, upon requisition of the county treasurer, shall deliver additional number plates.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4980; C39, §5012.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.168]

     
321.169  Account of plates.
  The department shall keep an accurate record of all number plates issued to each county, and shall also keep a record showing the assignment thereof by the county treasurer to motor vehicles.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4981; C39, §5012.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.169]

     
321.170  Plates for exempt vehicles.
  The department shall furnish, on application, free of charge, distinguishing plates for motor vehicles exempted from annual registration fees and shall keep a separate record thereof.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4982; C39, §5012.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.170]
2008 Acts, ch 1113, §106
See also §8A.362, 321.19 

     
321.171  Title of plates.
  All number plates issued shall be and remain the property of the state.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4983; C39, §5012.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.171]
321.172 and 321.173Reserved. 
DRIVER’S LICENSES

     
321.174  Operators licensed — operation of commercial motor vehicles.
  1.  A person, except those expressly exempted, shall not operate any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state unless the person has a driver’s license issued by the department valid for the vehicle’s operation.
  2.  a.  A person operating a commercial motor vehicle shall not have more than one driver’s license. A nonresident may operate a commercial motor vehicle in Iowa if the nonresident has been issued a license by another state, a nonresident commercial driver’s license or nonresident commercial learner’s permit, or a driver’s license issued by a foreign jurisdiction which the federal highway administration has determined to be issued in conformity with the federal commercial driver testing and licensing standards, if the license, commercial driver’s license, commercial learner’s permit, or driver’s license is valid for the vehicle operated.
  b.  A person who operates a commercial motor vehicle upon the highways of this state without having been issued a driver’s license valid for the vehicle operated commits a simple misdemeanor.
  c.  A person who operates a commercial motor vehicle upon the highways of this state after the person’s commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit has been downgraded to a noncommercial status pursuant to section 321.207 commits a simple misdemeanor.
  3.  A licensee shall have the licensee’s driver’s license in immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle and shall display the same upon demand of a judicial magistrate, district associate judge, district judge, peace officer, or examiner of the department. If the licensee has been issued a commercial learner’s permit, the licensee’s driver’s license includes both the licensee’s commercial learner’s permit and the licensee’s underlying commercial or noncommercial driver’s license. However, a person charged with violating this subsection shall not be convicted and the citation shall be dismissed by the court if the person produces to the clerk of the district court, prior to the licensee’s court date indicated on the citation, a driver’s license issued to that person and valid for the vehicle operated at the time of the person’s arrest or at the time the person was charged with a violation of this section. Upon dismissal, the court or clerk of court shall assess the costs of the action against the defendant named on the citation.
[C31, 35, §4960-d2, -d29; C39, §5013.01, 5013.15; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, §321.174, 321.190; C77, 79, §321.174, 321.189; C81, §321.174]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §20; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2004 Acts, ch 1120, §2; 2006 Acts, ch 1144, §4; 2011 Acts, ch 38, §7; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §48
Referred to in §321.176, 321.515, 805.8A(4)(a)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 4

     
321.174A  Operation of motor vehicle with expired license.
  A person shall not operate a motor vehicle upon a highway in this state with an expired driver’s license.
97 Acts, ch 108, §11; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9
Referred to in §805.8A(4)(b)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 4

321.175  Reserved.

     
321.176  Persons exempt from driver’s licensing requirements.
  The following persons are exempt from driver’s licensing requirements:
  1.  Any person while operating a military motor vehicle in the service of the armed forces of the United States.
  2.  Any person while operating a farm tractor or implement of husbandry to or from the home farm buildings to any adjacent or nearby farmland for the exclusive purpose of conducting farm operations.
  3.  A nonresident operating a motor vehicle within the legal scope of the nonresident’s home state or country license except a nonresident may operate a commercial motor vehicle only in compliance with section 321.174.
[C31, 35, §4960-d3, -d4; C39, §5013.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.176; 81 Acts, ch 105, §1, 2]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §21; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §11

  
     
321.176A  Persons exempt from commercial driver’s license requirements.
  The following operators are exempt from the commercial driver’s license requirements:
  1.  A farmer or a person working for a farmer while operating a covered farm vehicle as defined in the federal Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, Pub. L. No. 112-141, §32934. The exemption provided in this subsection shall apply to farmers who assist each other through an exchange of services and shall include operation of a commercial motor vehicle between the farms of the farmers who are exchanging services.
  2.  A fire fighter while operating a fire vehicle for a volunteer or paid fire organization or a peace officer, as defined in section 801.4, while operating a commercial motor vehicle for a law enforcement agency, under conditions necessary to preserve life or property or to execute related governmental functions.
  3.  The following persons when operating commercial motor vehicles for military purposes:
  a.  Active duty military personnel.
  b.  Members of the military reserves.
  c.  Members of the national guard on active duty, including personnel on full-time national guard duty, personnel on part-time national guard training, and national guard military technicians.
  d.  Active duty United States coast guard personnel.
  4.  A person while operating a motor home solely for personal or family use.
  5.  A person operating a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds towing a travel trailer or fifth-wheel travel trailer solely for personal or family use.
  6.  A person exempted by rules adopted by the department pursuant to section 321.176B.
  7.  A home care aide operating a motor vehicle in the course of the home care aide’s duties.
90 Acts, ch 1230, §22; 92 Acts, ch 1175, §20; 93 Acts, ch 139, §8; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §9; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §14; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §19; 2014 Acts, ch 1123, §12
Referred to in §321.188, 321.189, 321.463

     
321.176B  Persons exempt by rule from commercial driver’s license requirements.
  If after July 1, 1990, federal law or federal regulations are changed to allow exemptions from commercial driver’s license requirements for suppliers of agricultural inputs or their employees while delivering these products to their customers, the department shall immediately, pursuant to chapter 17A, adopt rules which allow these exemptions from the commercial driver’s license requirements.
90 Acts, ch 1230, §23
Referred to in §321.176A

     
321.177  Persons not to be licensed.
  The department shall not issue a driver’s license:
  1.  To any person who is under the age of eighteen years except as provided in section 321.180B. However, the department may issue a driver’s license to certain minors as provided in section 321.178 or 321.194, or a driver’s license restricted to motorized bicycles as provided in section 321.189.
  2.  To any person holding any other driver’s license.
  3.  To any person whose driver’s license or driving privilege is suspended or revoked.
  4.  To any person who is a chronic alcoholic, or is addicted to the use of an illegal narcotic drug.
  5.  To any person who has previously been adjudged to be incompetent by reason of mental illness and who has not at the time of application been restored to competency by the methods provided by law.
  6.  To any person who fails to pass an examination required by this chapter.
  7.  To any person when the director has good cause to believe the person by reason of physical or mental disability would not be able to operate a motor vehicle safely.
  8.  To any person to operate a commercial motor vehicle unless the person is eighteen years of age or older and the person qualifies under federal and state law to be issued a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit in this state.
  9.  To any person, as a chauffeur, who is under the age of eighteen.
[C31, 35, §4960-d5 – 4960-d9; C39, §5013.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.177]
85 Acts, ch 195, §34; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §24; 95 Acts, ch 194, §5; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 98 Acts, ch 1112, §1, 14, 16; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §286; 2006 Acts, ch 1030, §35; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §49
Referred to in §321.180A

  
     
321.178  Driver education — restricted license — reciprocity.
  1.  Approved course.
  a.  An approved driver education course as programmed by the department shall consist of at least thirty clock hours of classroom instruction, of which no more than one hundred eighty minutes shall be provided to a student in a single day, and six or more clock hours of laboratory instruction of which at least three clock hours shall consist of street or highway driving. Classroom instruction shall include all of the following:
  (1)  A minimum of four hours of instruction concerning substance abuse and distracted driving.
  (2)  A minimum of twenty minutes of instruction concerning railroad crossing safety.
  (3)  Instruction relating to becoming an organ donor under the revised uniform anatomical gift Act as provided in chapter 142C.
  (4)  Instruction providing an awareness about sharing the road with pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles. The instruction course shall be first approved by the state department of transportation. Instructional materials creating an awareness about sharing the road with pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles shall also be distributed during the course of instruction.
  b.  (1)  To be qualified as a classroom driver education instructor, a person shall have satisfied the educational requirements for a teaching license at the elementary or secondary level and hold a valid license to teach driver education in the public schools of this state.
  (2)  (a)  To be qualified to provide street or highway driving instruction, a person shall be certified by the department and authorized by the board of educational examiners. However, if the person is a peace officer, as defined in section 801.4, subsection 11, paragraph “a”, “b”, “c”, or “h”, with five or more years of experience as a peace officer, or a retired peace officer who holds a driver’s license that is valid for more than two years from the date of issuance, the person shall not be required to be authorized by the board of educational examiners. A person shall not be required to hold a current Iowa teacher or administrator license at the elementary or secondary level or to have satisfied the educational requirements for an Iowa teacher license at the elementary or secondary level in order to be certified by the department or authorized by the board of educational examiners to provide street or highway driving instruction. For purposes of this subparagraph division, “retired peace officer” means a person retired under chapter 97A or 411, or section 97B.49B or 97B.49C, after service as a peace officer, as defined in section 801.4, subsection 11, paragraph “a”, “b”, “c”, or “h”.
  (b)  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to provide for certification of persons qualified to provide street or highway driving instruction. The board of educational examiners shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to provide for authorization of persons certified by the department to provide street or highway driving instruction. The department may disqualify a person from providing street or highway driving instruction without concurrent or further action by the board of educational examiners, and the board of educational examiners may withhold or withdraw authorization to provide street or highway driving instruction without concurrent or further action by the department.
  (3)  The department shall not disqualify a person from providing street or highway driving instruction and the board of educational examiners shall not withhold or withdraw authorization to provide street or highway instruction for the sole reason that the person was involved in a motor vehicle accident, unless either of the following circumstances exist:
  (a)  The person contributed to the motor vehicle accident and the accident caused the death or serious injury of another person.
  (b)  The person contributed to the motor vehicle accident and it was the person’s second or subsequent contributive motor vehicle accident in a two-year period.
  (4)  A person who provides street or highway driving instruction shall hold a driver’s license valid for the vehicle operated.
  c.  Every public school district in Iowa shall offer or make available to all students residing in the school district, or Iowa students attending a nonpublic school or receiving competent private instruction or independent private instruction as defined in section 299A.1, in the district, an approved course in driver education. The receiving district shall be the school district responsible for making driver education available to a student participating in open enrollment under section 282.18. The courses may be offered at sites other than at the public school, including nonpublic school facilities within the public school districts. An approved course offered during the summer months, on Saturdays, after regular school hours during the regular terms or partly in one term or summer vacation period and partly in the succeeding term or summer vacation period, as the case may be, shall satisfy the requirements of this section to the same extent as an approved course offered during the regular school hours of the school term. A student who successfully completes and obtains certification in an approved course in driver education or an approved course in motorcycle education may, upon proof of such fact, be excused from any field test which the student would otherwise be required to take in demonstrating the student’s ability to operate a motor vehicle. A student shall not be excused from any field test if a parent, guardian, or instructor requests that a test be administered. A final field test prior to a student’s completion of an approved course shall be administered by a person qualified as a classroom driver education instructor and certified to provide street and highway driving instruction. A person qualified as a classroom driver education instructor but not certified to provide street and highway driving instruction may administer the final field test if accompanied by another person qualified to provide street and highway driving instruction.
  d.  “Student”, for purposes of this section, means a person between the ages of fourteen years and twenty-one years who satisfies the preliminary licensing requirements of the department.
  e.  Any person who successfully completes an approved driver education course at a private or commercial driver education school licensed by the department shall likewise be eligible for a driver’s license as provided in section 321.180B or 321.194.
  2.  Restricted license.
  a.  (1)  A person between sixteen and eighteen years of age who has completed an approved driver education course and is not in attendance at school and has not met the requirements described in section 299.2, subsection 1, may be issued a restricted license only for travel to and from work or to transport dependents to and from temporary care facilities, if necessary for the person to maintain the person’s present employment. The restricted license shall be issued by the department only upon confirmation of the person’s employment and need for a restricted license to travel to and from work or to transport dependents to and from temporary care facilities if necessary to maintain the person’s employment. The employer shall notify the department if the employment of the person is terminated before the person attains the age of eighteen.
  (2)  (a)  A person issued a restricted license under this section shall not use an electronic communication device or an electronic entertainment device while driving a motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway. This subparagraph division does not apply to the use of electronic equipment which is permanently installed in the motor vehicle or to a portable device which is operated through permanently installed equipment.
  (b)  The department, in cooperation with the department of public safety, shall establish educational programs to foster compliance with the requirements of subparagraph division (a).
  b.  The department may suspend a restricted driver’s license issued under this section upon receiving satisfactory evidence that the licensee has violated the restrictions imposed under paragraph “a”, subparagraph (2), subparagraph division (a). The department may also suspend a restricted license issued under this section upon receiving a record of the person’s conviction for one violation and shall revoke the license upon receiving a record of conviction for two or more violations of a law of this state or a city ordinance regulating the operation of motor vehicles on highways, other than parking violations as defined in section 321.210. After revoking a license under this section the department shall not grant an application for a new license or permit until the expiration of one year or until the person attains the age of eighteen, whichever is the longer period.
  c.  A person who violates the restrictions imposed under paragraph “a”, subparagraph (2), subparagraph division (a), may be issued a citation under this section and shall not be issued a citation under section 321.193. A violation of the restrictions imposed under paragraph “a”, subparagraph (2), subparagraph division (a), shall not be considered a moving violation.
  3.  Driver’s license reciprocity.
  a.  The department may issue a class C or M driver’s license to a person who is sixteen or seventeen years of age and who is a current resident of the state, but who has been driving as a resident of another state for at least one year prior to residency within the state.
  b.  The following criteria must be met prior to issuance of a driver’s license pursuant to this subsection:
  (1)  The minor must reside with a parent or guardian.
  (2)  The minor must have driven under a valid driver’s license for at least one year in the prior state of residence. Six months of the one year computation may include driving with an instruction permit.
  (3)  The minor must have had no moving traffic violations on the minor’s driving record.
  (4)  The minor must pass the written and driving skills tests as required by the department, but is not required to have taken a driver education class.
[C66, §321.177; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.178; 82 Acts, ch 1215, §1, 2, ch 1248, §1]
84 Acts, ch 1022, §3; 86 Acts, ch 1220, §28; 89 Acts, ch 266, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §25; 91 Acts, ch 128, §1, 2; 92 Acts, ch 1163, §75; 92 Acts, ch 1231, §44; 94 Acts, ch 1102, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1112, §2, 14, 16; 99 Acts, ch 13, §11; 2000 Acts, ch 1133, §3; 2001 Acts, ch 33, §1; 2002 Acts, ch 1140, §32, 33; 2003 Acts, ch 108, §55; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §15; 2006 Acts, ch 1021, §1; 2007 Acts, ch 44, §28; 2007 Acts, ch 214, §40; 2010 Acts, ch 1075, §1, 2; 2010 Acts, ch 1105, §1; 2011 Acts, ch 25, §28, 29; 2011 Acts, ch 38, §8; 2013 Acts, ch 121, §99; 2014 Acts, ch 1092, §74; 2019 Acts, ch 77, §1; 2021 Acts, ch 88, §9; 2021 Acts, ch 121, §1
Referred to in §321.177, 321.178A, 321.180B, 321.191, 321.213B, 321.482A, 321A.17, 805.8A(4)(c)
Additional penalties for violations of subsection 2, paragraph a, subparagraph (2), causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 4
Driver education courses to include instruction relating to energy efficiency and safety; 
90 Acts, ch 1252, §54
Department of public health to cooperate to provide materials and information relating to becoming an organ donor; 
94 Acts, ch 1102, §3
Subsection 1, paragraph a, subparagraphs (1) and (4) amended

  
     
321.178A  Driver education — teaching parent.
  1.  Teaching parent.  As an alternative to the driver education requirements under section 321.178, a teaching parent may instruct a student in a driver education course that meets the requirements of this section and provide evidence that the requirements under this section have been met.
  2.  Definitions.  For purposes of this section:
  a.  “Approved course” means driver education curriculum approved by the department pursuant to rules adopted under chapter 17A. An approved course shall, at a minimum, meet the requirements of subsection 3 and be appropriate for teaching-parent-directed driver education and related street or highway instruction. Driver education materials that meet or exceed standards established by the department for an approved course in driver education for a public or private school shall be approved unless otherwise determined by the department. The list of approved courses shall be posted on the department’s internet site.
  b.  “Student” means a person between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one years who is within the custody and control of the teaching parent and who satisfies preliminary licensing requirements of the department.
  c.  “Teaching parent” means a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a student who is meeting the attendance requirement of section 299.1, subsection 1; who has a valid driver’s license, other than a motorized bicycle license or a temporary restricted license, that permits unaccompanied driving; and who has maintained a clear driving record for the previous two years. For purposes of this paragraph, “clear driving record” means the individual has not been identified as a candidate for suspension or revocation of a driver’s license under the habitual violator or habitual offender provisions of the department’s regulations; is not subject to a driver’s license suspension, revocation, denial, cancellation, disqualification, or bar; and has no record of a conviction for a moving traffic violation determined to be the cause of a motor vehicle accident.
  3.  Course of instruction.
  a.  An approved course administered by a teaching parent shall consist of but not be limited to the following:
  (1)  Thirty hours of street or highway driving including three hours of driving after sunset and before sunrise while accompanied by a teaching parent or a person who is qualified to provide street or highway driving instruction pursuant to section 321.178.
  (2)  Instruction concerning substance abuse and distracted driving.
  (3)  Instruction concerning railroad crossing safety.
  (4)  Instruction relating to becoming an organ donor under the revised uniform anatomical gift Act as provided in chapter 142C.
  (5)  Instruction providing an awareness about sharing the road with pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles.
  b.  The content of the course of instruction required under this subsection shall be equivalent to that required under section 321.178. However, reference and study materials, physical classroom requirements, actual classroom hours and minutes, and extra vehicle safety equipment required for instruction under section 321.178 shall not be required for the course of instruction provided under this section.
  4.  Course completion and certification.  Upon application by a student for an intermediate license, the teaching parent shall provide evidence showing the student’s completion of an approved course and substantial compliance with the requirements of subsection 3 by affidavit signed by the teaching parent on a form to be provided by the department. The evidence shall include all of the following:
  a.  Documentation that the instructor is a teaching parent as defined in subsection 2.
  b.  Documentation that the teaching parent is meeting the attendance requirement of section 299.1, subsection 1.
  c.  The name of the approved course completed by the student.
  d.  An affidavit attesting to satisfactory completion of course work and street or highway driving instruction.
  e.  Copies of written tests completed by the student or lesser documentation as may be required by the department.
  f.  A statement of the number of classroom hours of instruction.
  g.  A log of completed street or highway driving instruction including the dates when the lessons were conducted, notes on driving activities including a list of driving deficiencies and improvements, and the duration of the driving time for each session.
  5.  Intermediate license.  Any student who successfully completes an approved course as provided in this section, passes a driving test to be administered by the department, and is otherwise qualified under section 321.180B, subsection 2, shall be eligible for an intermediate license pursuant to section 321.180B. Twenty of the thirty hours of street or highway driving instruction required under subsection 3, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (1), may be used to satisfy the requirement of section 321.180B, subsection 2.
  6.  Full license.  A student must comply with section 321.180B, subsection 4, to be eligible for a full driver’s license pursuant to section 321.180B.
  7.  Applicability.  This section shall not be construed to require a teaching parent to apply for or seek approval of the department separate from the course completion and certification requirements of subsection 4.
2013 Acts, ch 121, §100; 2021 Acts, ch 88, §10 – 15; 2021 Acts, ch 121, §2
Referred to in §321.180B
See Code editor’s note on simple harmonization at the beginning of this Code volume
Subsection 2, paragraph c amended
Subsection 3, paragraph a, subparagraph (1) stricken and former subparagraphs (2) – (6) amended and renumbered as (1) – (5)
Subsection 3, paragraph b amended
Subsection 4, paragraphs b, e, and g amended
Subsection 5 amended
NEW subsection 7

     
321.179  Motorcycle rider education fund.
  The motorcycle rider education fund is established in the office of the treasurer of state. The moneys credited to the fund are appropriated to the state department of transportation to be used to establish new motorcycle rider education courses and reimburse sponsors of motorcycle rider education courses for the costs of providing motorcycle rider education courses approved and established by the department. The department shall adopt rules under chapter 17A providing for the distribution of moneys to sponsors of motorcycle rider education courses based upon the cost of providing the education courses.
2010 Acts, ch 1069, §43
Referred to in §321.34, 321.145, 321.180B

  
     
321.180  Instruction permits, commercial learner’s permits, and chauffeur’s instruction permits.
  1.  a.  (1)  A person who is at least eighteen years of age and who, except for the person’s lack of instruction in operating a motor vehicle, would be qualified to obtain a driver’s license, shall, upon meeting the requirements of section 321.186 other than a driving demonstration, and upon paying the required fee, be issued an instruction permit by the department. Subject to the limitations in this subsection, an instruction permit entitles the permittee, while having the permit in the permittee’s immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle, other than a commercial motor vehicle or as a chauffeur or a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of sixteen thousand one or more pounds, upon the highways for a period not to exceed four years from the licensee’s birthday anniversary in the year of issuance. If the applicant for an instruction permit holds a driver’s license issued in this state valid for the operation of a motorized bicycle or a motorcycle, the instruction permit shall be valid for such operation without the need of an accompanying person.
  (2)  A permittee shall not be penalized for failing to have the instruction permit in immediate possession if the permittee produces in court, within a reasonable time, an instruction permit issued to the permittee and valid at the time of the permittee’s arrest or at the time the permittee was charged with failure to have the permit in the permittee’s immediate possession.
  b.  (1)  Except as otherwise provided, a permittee who is eighteen years of age or older must be accompanied by a person issued a driver’s license valid for the vehicle operated who is a member of the permittee’s immediate family if the family member is at least twenty-one years of age, an approved driver education instructor, a prospective driver education instructor who is enrolled in a practitioner preparation program with a safety education program approved by the state board of education, or a person at least twenty-five years of age, and who is actually occupying a seat beside the driver.
  (2)  However, if the permittee is operating a motorcycle in accordance with this section or section 321.180B, the accompanying person must be within audible and visual communications distance from the permittee and be accompanying the permittee on or in a different motor vehicle. Only one permittee shall be under the immediate supervision of an accompanying qualified person.
  2.  a.  The department shall adopt rules to administer commercial learner’s permits in compliance with the procedures set forth in 
49 C.F.R. §383.73
. An applicant for a commercial learner’s permit must hold a valid class A, B, C, or D driver’s license issued in this state, must be at least eighteen years of age, and must meet the qualifications to obtain a valid commercial driver’s license, including the requirements set forth in section 321.188, except for the required driving skills test.
  b.  A commercial learner’s permit shall be a separate document from a commercial or noncommercial driver’s license. A person operating a vehicle pursuant to a commercial learner’s permit shall have both the commercial learner’s permit and the commercial or noncommercial driver’s license issued to the person within the person’s possession.
  c.  A commercial learner’s permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed the period provided in 
49 C.F.R. §383.25(c)
 and 
49 C.F.R. §383.73(a)(2)(iii)
. 
  d.  A commercial learner’s permit shall be valid for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle only when the permit holder is accompanied by a holder of a valid commercial driver’s license with the proper commercial driver’s license group designation and endorsements necessary to operate the commercial motor vehicle, and who is at all times physically present in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, or in the case of a passenger vehicle, directly behind or in the first row behind the permit holder in a position to directly observe and supervise the permit holder.
  (1)  When a commercial learner’s permit is issued to the holder of a commercial driver’s license, this paragraph “d” only applies to the operation of a commercial motor vehicle for which the permit holder’s commercial driver’s license is not valid.
  (2)  When a commercial learner’s permit is issued to the holder of a noncommercial driver’s license, this paragraph “d” only applies to the operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
  e.  The issuance of a commercial learner’s permit is a precondition to the initial issuance of a commercial driver’s license. The issuance of a commercial learner’s permit is also a precondition to the upgrade of a commercial driver’s license if the upgrade requires a driving skills test. The holder of a commercial learner’s permit is not eligible to take a driving skills test required by section 321.188 for the first fourteen days after the permit holder is issued the permit.
  f.  A commercial learner’s permit is not valid for the operation of a vehicle transporting hazardous materials as defined in 
49 C.F.R. §383.5
.
  3.  A person, upon meeting each of the following requirements, shall be eligible to apply for a chauffeur’s instruction permit valid for the operation of a motor vehicle, other than a commercial motor vehicle, as a chauffeur when the permittee is accompanied by a person, possessing a valid class D driver’s license or commercial driver’s license valid for the operation of the motor vehicle and the accompanying person is actually occupying a seat beside the permittee. An applicant must be at least eighteen years of age, otherwise qualified to obtain a class D driver’s license, and must meet the requirements of section 321.186 other than a driving demonstration. The chauffeur’s instruction permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed two years from the licensee’s birthday anniversary in the year of issuance and shall be returned to the department upon issuance of a class D driver’s license or commercial driver’s license. If the applicant for a chauffeur’s instruction permit holds a driver’s license issued under this chapter, the chauffeur’s instruction permit shall be valid in the same manner as the driver’s license would be for the operation of motor vehicles without the need of an accompanying person.
  4.  The instruction permit, chauffeur’s instruction permit, and commercial learner’s permit are subject to suspension or revocation for the same reasons and in the same manner as suspension or revocation of a driver’s license.
  5.  A motorcycle instruction permit issued under this section is not renewable.
[C31, 35, §4960-d23; C39, §5013.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.180]
88 Acts, ch 1134, §67; 89 Acts, ch 265, §39; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §26; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 98 Acts, ch 1112, §3, 4, 14, 16; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §20, 21; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §50, 51; 2017 Acts, ch 149, §1
Referred to in §321.196, 805.8A(4)(d)
Fee, §321.191 
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 4

  
     
321.180A  Special instruction permit.
  1.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, a person with a physical disability, who is not suffering from a convulsive disorder and who can provide a favorable medical report, whose license renewal has been denied under section 321.177, subsection 6 or 7, or whose driver’s license has been suspended under section 321.210, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (3), upon meeting the requirements of section 321.186, other than a driving demonstration or elimination of the person’s limitations which caused the denial under section 321.177, subsection 6 or 7, or suspension under section 321.210, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (3), and upon paying the fee required in section 321.191, shall be issued a special instruction permit by the department. Upon issuance of the permit the denial or suspension shall be stayed and the stay shall remain in effect as long as the permit is valid.
  2.  a.  A special instruction permit entitles the permittee, while having the permit in the permittee’s immediate possession, to operate a noncommercial motor vehicle upon the highways for a period of six months from the date of issuance. However, the permittee must be accompanied by a person who is at least twenty-one years of age, who has been issued a driver’s license valid for the vehicle being operated, and who is actually occupying a seat beside the permittee.
  b.  A permittee shall not be penalized for failing to have the permit in immediate possession if the permittee produces in court, within a reasonable time, the special instruction permit issued to the permittee which was valid at the time of the permittee’s arrest.
  3.  The permittee may apply for a driver’s license if thirty days have elapsed since issuance of the special instruction permit. The department shall issue a driver’s license if the permittee is qualified, passes all required tests, including a driving test, and pays the required fees. If the person has not obtained a driver’s license before expiration of the person’s special instruction permit, the person’s former denial or suspension under section 321.177, subsection 6 or 7, or section 321.210, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (3), upon service of notice by the department, shall be reinstated. A permit shall be reissued for one additional six-month period if a permittee continues to meet the qualifications of subsection 1 and has incurred no motor vehicle violations.
90 Acts, ch 1230, §27; 96 Acts, ch 1129, §78; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §170; 2014 Acts, ch 1092, §75

  
     
321.180B  Graduated driver’s licenses for persons aged fourteen through seventeen.
  Persons under age eighteen shall not be issued a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle except under the provisions of this section. However, the department may issue restricted and special driver’s licenses to certain minors as provided in sections 321.178 and 321.194, and driver’s licenses restricted to motorized bicycles as provided in section 321.189. A license or permit shall not be issued under this section or section 321.178 or 321.194 without the consent of a parent or guardian or a person having custody of the applicant under chapter 232 or 600A. An additional consent is required each time a license or permit is issued under this section or section 321.178 or 321.194. The consent must be signed by at least one parent, guardian, or custodian on an affidavit form provided by the department.
  1.  Instruction permit.
  a.  The department may issue an instruction permit to an applicant between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years if the applicant meets the requirements of sections 321.184 and 321.186, other than a driving demonstration, and pays the required fee. An instruction permit issued under this section shall be valid for a period not to exceed four years from the licensee’s birthday anniversary in the year of issuance. A motorcycle instruction permit issued under this section is not renewable.
  b.  Subject to the limitations in this subsection, an instruction permit entitles the permittee, while having the permit in the permittee’s immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle other than a commercial motor vehicle or as a chauffeur or a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of sixteen thousand one or more pounds upon the highways.
  c.  (1)  Except as otherwise provided, a permittee who is less than eighteen years of age and who is operating a motor vehicle must be accompanied by a person issued a driver’s license valid for the vehicle operated who is the parent, guardian, or custodian of the permittee, a member of the permittee’s immediate family if the family member is at least twenty-one years of age, an approved driver education instructor, a prospective driver education instructor who is enrolled in a practitioner preparation program with a safety education program approved by the state board of education, or a person at least twenty-five years of age if written permission is granted by the parent, guardian, or custodian, and who is actually occupying a seat beside the driver. A permittee shall not operate a motor vehicle if the number of passengers in the motor vehicle exceeds the number of passenger safety belts in the motor vehicle. If the applicant for an instruction permit holds a driver’s license issued in this state valid for the operation of a motorized bicycle or a motorcycle, the instruction permit shall be valid for such operation without the requirement of an accompanying person.
  (2)   If the permittee is operating a motorcycle in accordance with this section, the accompanying person must be within audible and visual communications distance from the permittee and be accompanying the permittee on or in a different motor vehicle. Only one permittee shall be under the immediate supervision of an accompanying qualified person.
  d.  A permittee shall not be penalized for failing to have the instruction permit in the permittee’s immediate possession if the permittee produces in court, within a reasonable time, an instruction permit issued to the permittee and valid at the time of the permittee’s arrest or at the time the permittee was charged with failure to have the permit in the permittee’s immediate possession.
  2.  Intermediate license.
  a.  The department may issue an intermediate driver’s license to a person sixteen or seventeen years of age who possesses an instruction permit issued under subsection 1 or a comparable instruction permit issued by another state for a minimum of twelve months immediately preceding application, and who presents an affidavit signed by a parent, guardian, or custodian on a form to be provided by the department that the permittee has accumulated a total of twenty hours of street or highway driving of which two hours were conducted after sunset and before sunrise and the street or highway driving was with the permittee’s parent, guardian, custodian, instructor, a person certified by the department, or a person at least twenty-five years of age who had written permission from a parent, guardian, or custodian to accompany the permittee, and whose driving privileges have not been suspended, revoked, or barred under this chapter or chapter 321J during, and who has been accident and violation free continuously for, the six-month period immediately preceding the application for an intermediate license. An applicant for an intermediate license must meet the requirements of section 321.186, including satisfactory completion of driver education as required in section 321.178 or 321.178A, and payment of the required license fee before an intermediate license will be issued. A person issued an intermediate license must limit the number of passengers in the motor vehicle when the intermediate licensee is operating the motor vehicle to the number of passenger safety belts. In addition, unless waived by the person’s parent or guardian at the time the intermediate license is issued, for the first six months following issuance of the license, a person issued an intermediate license must limit the number of unrelated minor passengers in the motor vehicle when the intermediate licensee is operating the motor vehicle to one, except when the intermediate licensee is accompanied in accordance with subsection 1. For purposes of this subsection, “unrelated minor passenger” means a passenger who is under eighteen years of age and who is not a sibling of the driver, a stepsibling of the driver, or a child who resides in the same household as the driver. The department shall prescribe the form for waiver of the six-month restriction on unrelated minor passengers, which may be in an electronic format, and shall designate characteristics for the intermediate license that shall distinguish between an intermediate license that includes the six-month restriction on unrelated minor passengers and an intermediate license that does not include the six-month restriction on unrelated minor passengers. 
  b.  Except as otherwise provided, a person issued an intermediate license under this subsection who is operating a motor vehicle between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. must be accompanied by a person issued a driver’s license valid for the vehicle operated who is the parent, guardian, or custodian of the intermediate licensee, a member of the intermediate licensee’s immediate family if the family member is at least twenty-one years of age, an approved driver education instructor, a prospective driver education instructor who is enrolled in a practitioner preparation program with a safety education program approved by the state board of education, or a person at least twenty-five years of age if written permission is granted by the parent, guardian, or custodian, and who is actually occupying a seat beside the driver. However, a licensee may operate a vehicle to and from school-related extracurricular activities and work without an accompanying driver between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. if the licensee possesses a waiver on a form to be provided by the department. An accompanying driver is not required between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 12:30 a.m.
  3.  Remedial driver improvement action — suspension of permit, intermediate license, or full license.
  a.  A person who has been issued an instruction permit, an intermediate license, or a full driver’s license under this section, upon conviction of a moving traffic violation or involvement in a motor vehicle accident which occurred during the term of the instruction permit or intermediate license, shall be subject to remedial driver improvement action or suspension of the permit or current license. A person possessing an instruction permit who has been convicted of a moving traffic violation or has been involved in an accident shall not be issued an intermediate license until the person has completed the remedial driver improvement action and has been accident and violation free continuously for the six-month period immediately preceding the application for the intermediate license. A person possessing an intermediate license who has been convicted of a moving traffic violation or has been involved in an accident shall not be issued a full driver’s license until the person has completed the remedial driver improvement action and has been accident and violation free continuously for the twelve-month period immediately preceding the application for a full driver’s license.
  b.  The department may suspend an instruction permit, intermediate license, or full license issued under this section upon receiving satisfactory evidence that the person issued the instruction permit, intermediate license, or full license violated the restrictions imposed under subsection 1, 2, or 6 during the term of the instruction permit or intermediate license.
  4.  Full driver’s license.  A full driver’s license may be issued to a person seventeen years of age who possesses an intermediate license issued under subsection 2 or a comparable intermediate license issued by another state for a minimum of twelve months immediately preceding application, and who presents an affidavit signed by a parent, guardian, or custodian on a form to be provided by the department that the intermediate licensee has accumulated a total of ten hours of street or highway driving of which two hours were conducted after sunset and before sunrise and the street or highway driving was with the licensee’s parent, guardian, custodian, instructor, a person certified by the department, or a person at least twenty-five years of age who had written permission from a parent, guardian, or custodian to accompany the licensee, whose driving privileges have not been suspended, revoked, or barred under this chapter or chapter 321J during, and who has been accident and violation free continuously for, the twelve-month period immediately preceding the application for a full driver’s license, and who has paid the required fee.
  5.  Class M license education requirements.  A person under the age of eighteen applying for an intermediate or full driver’s license valid for the operation of a motorcycle shall be required to successfully complete a motorcycle education course either approved and established by the department of transportation or from a private or commercial driver education school licensed by the department of transportation before the class M license will be issued. A public school district shall charge a student a fee which shall not exceed the actual cost of instruction minus moneys received by the school district under  section 321.179.
  6.  Use of electronic devices or equipment.
  a.  A person issued an instruction permit or intermediate driver’s license under this section shall not use an electronic communication device or an electronic entertainment device while driving a motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway. This paragraph does not apply to the use of electronic equipment which is permanently installed in the motor vehicle or to a portable device which is operated through permanently installed equipment.
  b.   The department, in cooperation with the department of public safety, shall establish educational programs to foster compliance with the requirements of paragraph “a”.
  7.  Citations for violation of restrictions.  A person who violates the restrictions imposed under subsection 1, 2, or 6 may be issued a citation under this section and shall not be issued a citation under section 321.193. A violation of the restrictions imposed under subsection 1, 2, or 6 shall not be considered a moving violation.
  8.  Rules.  The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this section.
98 Acts, ch 1112, §5, 14, 16; 99 Acts, ch 13, §12, 13; 99 Acts, ch 128, §1 – 3; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §22 – 24; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §2 – 5; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §44; 2010 Acts, ch 1105, §2; 2011 Acts, ch 38, §9 – 11; 2012 Acts, ch 1021, §66; 2013 Acts, ch 80, §1, 3; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §78; 2013 Acts, ch 121, §101; 2014 Acts, ch 1092, §76
Referred to in §92.11, 321.177, 321.178, 321.178A, 321.180, 321.189, 321.194, 321.196, 321.482A, 321A.17, 805.8A(4)(e)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 4
Additional penalties for violations causing injury or death, see §321.482A

     
321.181  Temporary permit.
  The department may issue a temporary permit to an applicant for a driver’s license permitting the applicant to operate a motor vehicle while the department is completing its investigation and determination of all facts relative to the applicant’s privilege to receive the driver’s license. The permit must be in the applicant’s immediate possession while operating a motor vehicle. The temporary permit shall be invalid and returned to the department when the applicant’s license is issued or when the license is denied.
[C39, §5013.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.181]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §28; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §10; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9
Referred to in §321.190

     
321.182  Application.
  Every applicant for a driver’s license shall do all of the following:
  1.  a.  Make application on a form provided by the department which shall include the applicant’s full name, signature, current mailing address, current residential address, date of birth, social security number, and physical description including sex, height, and eye color. The application may contain other information the department may require by rule. Pursuant to procedures established by the department and for an applicant who is a foreign national temporarily present in this state, the department may waive the requirement that the application include the applicant’s social security number.
  b.  A licensee shall notify the department when the licensee’s mailing address changes and provide the new address within thirty days of obtaining the new address. The application provided by the department shall include a statement for the applicant to sign that acknowledges the applicant’s knowledge of the requirement to notify the department of a mailing address change. The penalty under section 321.482 shall not apply to a licensee’s failure to notify the department of such an address change.
  2.  Surrender all other driver’s licenses and nonoperator’s identification cards.
  3.  Certify that the applicant has no other driver’s license and certify that the applicant is a resident of this state as provided in section 321.1A. However, certification of residency is not required for an applicant for a nonresident commercial driver’s license or nonresident commercial learner’s permit.
  4.  Certify that the applicant is not currently subject to suspension, revocation, or cancellation of any driver’s license and has committed no offense and has not acted in a manner which either alone or with previous actions or offenses could result in suspension, revocation, or cancellation of any driver’s license.
[C31, 35, §4960-d12; C39, §5013.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.182]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §29; 95 Acts, ch 118, §21; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9, 10; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §42; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §23, 55; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §52
Referred to in §321.188, 321.190, 321.196
Voter registration, see §48A.18 

     
321.183  Application for driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card — selective service registration.
  1.  A person who applies for a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card or for renewal of a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card, and who is required by 50 U.S.C. app. §451 et seq. to register with the United States selective service system, shall be registered by the department with the selective service system. The department shall forward to the selective service system in an electronic format the necessary personal information of such applicant, notwithstanding provisions to the contrary in section 321.11, subsection 3.
  2.  An applicant’s submission of an application for a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card or for renewal of a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card shall indicate that the applicant has already registered with the selective service system or that the applicant authorizes the department to forward the applicant’s personal information to the selective service system for registration. The department shall notify the applicant on the application that submission of the application shall serve as consent to registration with the selective service system, if the applicant is required by 50 U.S.C. app. §451 et seq. to register.
  3.  Notwithstanding subsections 1 and 2, an applicant for a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card or for renewal of a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card who is required to register with the United States selective service system shall not be registered by the department if, after being given information on the penalties for failure to register, the applicant declines to be registered. The department shall forward to the selective service system in an electronic format the applicable personal information of such applicant indicating the applicant refused to be registered.
2003 Acts, ch 41, §1
Referred to in §321.190

     
321.184  Applications of unmarried minors.
  1.  Consent required.  The application of an unmarried person under the age of eighteen years for a driver’s license shall contain the verified consent and confirmation of the applicant’s birthday by either parent of the applicant, the guardian of the applicant, or a person having custody of the applicant under chapter 232 or 600A. Officers and employees of the department may administer the oaths without charge.
  2.  Withdrawal of consent.  The person who provided the signed consent under subsection 1 may withdraw that consent at any time. The withdrawal of consent shall be in writing, signed and verified. The department, upon receipt of the withdrawal of consent, shall cancel the applicant’s driver’s license and shall not issue a new license until such time as a new application, duly signed and verified, is made as required in this chapter. This subsection does not apply if the licensee or permittee has attained the age of eighteen years or is married.
[C31, 35, §4960-d13; C39, §5013.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.184; 82 Acts, ch 1248, §2]
84 Acts, ch 1219, §23; 86 Acts, ch 1048, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §30; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §6
Referred to in §321.180B

     
321.185  Death of person signing application — effect.
  The department upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of the death of the persons who signed the application of a minor for a license shall cancel such license and shall not issue a new license until such time as a new application, duly signed and verified, is made as required by this chapter. This provision shall not apply in the event the minor has attained the age of eighteen years.
[C39, §5013.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.185]

  
     
321.186  Examination of new or incompetent operators.
  1.  The department may examine every new applicant for a driver’s license or any person holding a valid driver’s license when the department has reason to believe that the person may be physically or mentally incompetent to operate a motor vehicle, or whose driving record appears to the department to justify the examination. The department shall make every effort to accommodate a functionally illiterate applicant when the applicant is taking a knowledge test. 
  2.  The examination shall include a screening of the applicant’s eyesight, a test of the applicant’s ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic, a test of the applicant’s knowledge of the traffic laws of this state, an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle, and other physical and mental examinations as the department finds necessary to determine the applicant’s fitness to operate a motor vehicle safely upon the highways. However, an applicant for a new driver’s license need not pass a vision test administered by the department if the applicant files with the department a vision report in accordance with section 321.186A which shows that the applicant’s visual acuity level meets or exceeds those required by the department.
  3.  A physician licensed under chapter 148, an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under chapter 152, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 148C, or an optometrist licensed under chapter 154 may report to the department the identity of a person who has been diagnosed as having a physical or mental condition which would render the person physically or mentally incompetent to operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner. The physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or optometrist shall make reasonable efforts to notify the person who is the subject of the report, in writing. The written notification shall state the nature of the disclosure and the reason for the disclosure. A physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or optometrist making a report under this section shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, which might otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result of the report. A physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or optometrist has no duty to make a report or to warn third parties with regard to any knowledge concerning a person’s mental or physical competency to operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner. Any report received by the department from a physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or optometrist under this section shall be kept confidential. Information regulated by chapter 141A shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions and remedies of that chapter.
[C31, 35, §4960-d14; C39, §5013.12; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.186]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §31; 92 Acts, ch 1175, §32; 98 Acts, ch 1029, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 99 Acts, ch 181, §16; 2002 Acts, ch 1032, §1; 2008 Acts, ch 1088, §119; 2011 Acts, ch 5, §1; 2012 Acts, ch 1021, §67; 2015 Acts, ch 56, §23; 2021 Acts, ch 135, §2, 3, 8
Referred to in §321.180, 321.180A, 321.180B
2021 amendments to section effective January 1, 2022; 2021 Acts, ch 135, §8
Subsection 1 amended
Subsection 2 stricken and former subsections 3 and 4 renumbered as 2 and 3

     
321.186A  Vision report in lieu of vision test.
  1.  An applicant for a new or renewed driver’s license need not take a vision test administered by the department if the applicant files with the department a vision report signed by a licensed vision specialist in accordance with this section.
  2.  An applicant for such a new or renewed driver’s license who fails a vision test administered by the department may subsequently be issued the driver’s license without need of passing a department administered vision test, if the applicant files with the department a vision report from a licensed vision specialist in accordance with this section.
  3.  The vision report shall state the visual acuity level of the applicant as measured by the vision specialist and shall be in the form and include other information as required by rule of the department. A vision report is valid only if the visual acuity level of the applicant has been measured by the licensed vision specialist within thirty days before the application for the new or renewed driver’s license.
  4.  As used in this section, a “licensed vision specialist” means a physician licensed under chapter 148 or an optometrist licensed under chapter 154.
90 Acts, ch 1230, §32; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2008 Acts, ch 1088, §120; 2011 Acts, ch 38, §12
Referred to in §321.186, 321.189, 321.196

  
     
321.187  Examiners.
  1.  The department shall examine applicants for driver’s licenses. Examiners of the department shall wear an identifying badge and uniform provided by the department.
  2.  The department may by rule designate community colleges established under chapter 260C and other third-party testers to administer the driving skills test required for a commercial driver’s license, provided that all of the following occur:
  a.  The driving skills test is the same as that which would otherwise be administered by the state. The fees for administering a commercial driver’s license driving skills test as provided in sections 321.187A and 321M.6A shall not apply to a driving skills test administered by a third-party tester under this section.
  b.  The third-party tester contractually agrees to comply with the requirements of 
49 C.F.R. §383.75
 as adopted by rule by the department.
  c.  Any third-party skills test examiner used by the third-party tester shall meet the requirements of 
49 C.F.R. §383.75
 and 
49 C.F.R. §384.228
, as adopted by rule by the department. The department shall adopt rules requiring that a third-party tester, other than a community college established under chapter 260C, either be an Iowa-based motor carrier, or its subsidiary, that has its principal office within this state and operates a permanent commercial driver training facility in this state, or be an Iowa nonprofit corporation that serves as a trade association for Iowa-based motor carriers. The rules may also provide that a third-party tester conduct a number of skills test examinations above the number required under 
49 C.F.R. §383.75
 in order to remain qualified as a third-party tester under this section.
  3.  As used in this section, “third-party tester” and “third-party skills test examiner” mean as defined in 
49 C.F.R. §383.5
.
[C31, 35, §4960-d17; C39, §5013.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.187]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §33; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §10; 99 Acts, ch 96, §29; 2014 Acts, ch 1123, §13, 25; 2019 Acts, ch 41, §1; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §146; 2021 Acts, ch 135, §4, 8
Referred to in §321.1A
2021 amendment to subsection 2, paragraph a effective January 1, 2022; 2021 Acts, ch 135, §8
Subsection 2, paragraph a amended

     
321.187A  Commercial driver’s license driving skills tests — fees.
  1.  The department shall make every effort to accommodate a commercial driver’s license applicant’s need to arrange an appointment for a driving skills test at an established test site other than where the applicant passed the required knowledge test. The department shall report to the governor and the general assembly on any problems, extraordinary costs, and recommendations regarding the appointment scheduling process.
  2.  The department shall make every effort to have an examiner conduct the commercial driver’s license driving skills tests at other locations in this state where skills may be adequately tested when requested by a person representing ten or more drivers requiring driving skills testing.
  3.  a.  The driving skills test for a commercial driver’s license shall consist of three parts that must be completed in the following order:
  (1)  The pre-trip vehicle inspection test.
  (2)  The basic vehicle control skills test.
  (3)  The on-road driving skills test. 
  b.  If the applicant fails one part of the test, the applicant shall not continue to the next part of the test, in accordance with 
49 C.F.R. pt. 383, subpts. E, G, and H
.
  4.  The department may charge a scheduling fee not to exceed twenty-five dollars to a commercial driver’s license applicant for the pre-trip vehicle inspection test. The department shall not charge a fee to schedule or administer the basic vehicle control or on-road driving skills tests. The department shall not charge a fee under this section to an applicant who is an employee or volunteer of a government agency, as defined in section 553.3, and who provides reasonable proof that a commercial driver’s license is necessary for the applicant’s employment or volunteer duties for the government agency.
  5.  Fees authorized under this section are nonrefundable. If the applicant fails to appear for the pre-trip vehicle inspection test, the appointment shall be canceled. This section shall not be construed to prohibit an applicant from scheduling a new test appointment upon payment of a new fee.
  6.  All fees authorized in this section are in addition to any other fees imposed by law.
  7.  The department shall remit all fees collected pursuant to this section monthly to the treasurer of state for deposit in the statutory allocations fund.
  8.  The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this section.
2021 Acts, ch 135, §5, 8
Referred to in §321.145, 321.187
Section effective January 1, 2022; 2021 Acts, ch 135, §8
NEW section

  
     
321.188  Commercial driver’s license requirements.
  1.  The department shall adopt rules to administer commercial driver’s licenses in compliance with the procedures set forth in 
49 C.F.R. §383.73
. Before the department issues, renews, or upgrades a commercial driver’s license and in addition to the requirements of section 321.182, the license applicant shall do all of the following:
  a.  Certify whether the applicant is subject to and meets applicable driver qualifications of 
49 C.F.R. pt. 391
 as adopted by rule by the department.
  b.  Certify the applicant is not subject to any commercial driver’s license disqualification and has committed no offense and has not acted in a manner which either alone or with previous actions or offenses could result in commercial driver’s license disqualification.
  c.  Successfully complete any entry-level driver training if required under 
49 C.F.R. pt. 380, subpt. F
, or 
49 C.F.R. pt. 383, subpt. E
, prior to taking a knowledge test or driving skills test, the passage of which is required under paragraph “d”. 
  d.  Successfully pass knowledge tests and driving skills tests, provide self-certification of type of driving, provide a medical examiner’s certificate prepared by a medical examiner, as defined in 
49 C.F.R. §390.5
, and provide all other required information, proofs, and certificates, as required by rule by the department. The rules adopted shall substantially comply with the federal minimum testing and licensing requirements in 
49 C.F.R. pt. 383, subpts. E, G, and H,
 as adopted by rule by the department. Except as required under subsection 3 or 
49 C.F.R. pt. 383, subpt. E, G, or H
, a commercial driver’s license is renewable without a knowledge test or driving skills test within one year after its expiration date.
  e.  Certify the vehicle to be operated in the driving skills tests is representative of the class of motor vehicle the applicant will operate on the highway.
  f.  Certify that the applicant is a resident of Iowa or a resident of a foreign jurisdiction.
  g.  Identify all states where the applicant has been licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle during the previous ten years.
  2.  An applicant for a commercial driver’s license may substitute for a driving skills test the applicant’s operating record and previous passage of a driving skills test or the applicant’s operating record and previous driving experience if all of the following conditions exist:
  a.  The applicant is currently licensed to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
  b.  The applicant certifies that during the two years immediately preceding application all of the following apply:
  (1)  The applicant has not held driver’s licenses valid for the operation of commercial motor vehicles from more than one state simultaneously.
  (2)  The applicant has not had any convictions which are federal commercial driver’s license disqualifying offenses under 
49 C.F.R. §383.51
 as adopted by rule by the department while operating any type of vehicle.
  (3)  The applicant has not committed a traffic violation, other than a parking violation, arising in connection with a traffic accident.
  (4)  No record of an accident exists for which the applicant was convicted of a moving traffic violation.
  (5)  The applicant has not had any driver’s license suspended, revoked, or canceled.
  c.  The applicant provides evidence of and certifies that the applicant is employed in a job requiring operation of a commercial motor vehicle and the applicant has done one of the following:
  (1)  Has previously passed a driving skills test given by this state or its designee in a motor vehicle representative of the class of motor vehicle the applicant will operate.
  (2)  Has operated during the two-year period immediately preceding the application a motor vehicle representative of the class of motor vehicle the applicant will operate.
  3.  An applicant for a hazardous material endorsement must pass a knowledge test as required under 
49 C.F.R. §383.121
 as adopted by rule by the department to obtain or retain the endorsement. However, an applicant for license issuance who was previously issued a commercial driver’s license from another state may retain the hazardous material endorsement from the previously issued license if the applicant successfully passed the endorsement test within the preceding twenty-four months. Pursuant to procedures established by the department, an applicant for a hazardous material endorsement must also comply with the application and security threat assessment requirements established under 
49 C.F.R. pt. 383
, 
384
, and 
1572
. A hazardous material endorsement shall be revoked or denied if the department determines that the applicant has not complied with or met the security threat assessment standards.
  4.  The department shall check the applicant’s driving record as maintained by the applicant’s current licensing state, the national commercial driver’s license information system, the national drug and alcohol clearinghouse if required under 
49 C.F.R. §383.73
, and the national driver register to determine whether the applicant qualifies for the issuance, renewal, or upgrade of a commercial driver’s license, as applicable. The department shall notify the national commercial driver’s license information system of the issuance, renewal, or upgrade of a commercial driver’s license and shall post the driver’s self-certification of type of driving as required by rule. The department shall also post information from the medical examiner’s certificate required under subsection 1, paragraph “d”, to the national commercial driver’s license information system, if required by rule.
  5.  A resident of this state holding a commercial driver’s license issued by a former state of residence in conformity with the federal commercial driver testing and licensing standards shall not be required to take a knowledge or driving skills test prior to issuance of a commercial driver’s license in this state, except a basic Iowa rules of the road knowledge test and, when applicable, motorcycle operator knowledge and driving skills tests. The commercial driver’s license issued by this state shall be valid for operation of the same class of vehicles with the same endorsements and restrictions as in the former state of licensure. However, a person with a hazardous materials endorsement must comply with subsection 3.
  6.  a.  The department may waive the requirement that an applicant pass a driving skills test specified in this section for an applicant who is on active duty in the military service, or who has separated from such service in the past year, who certifies that during the two-year period immediately preceding application for a commercial driver’s license, all of the following apply:
  (1)  The applicant has not had more than one driver’s license, other than a military license.
  (2)  The applicant has not had any driver’s license suspended, revoked, or canceled.
  (3)  The applicant has not been convicted of an offense committed while operating any type of motor vehicle that is listed as a disqualifying offense in 
49 C.F.R. §383.51(b)
.
  (4)  The applicant has not had more than one conviction for an offense committed while operating any type of motor vehicle that is listed as a serious traffic violation in 
49 C.F.R. §383.51(c)
.
  (5)  The applicant has not had a conviction for a violation of a military, state, or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, arising in connection with any traffic accident and has no record of a traffic accident in which the applicant was at fault.
  b.  An applicant for a waiver of the driving skills test under this subsection shall certify and provide evidence as required by the department that the following apply:
  (1)  The applicant is regularly employed or was regularly employed within the past year in a military position requiring operation of a commercial motor vehicle.
  (2)  The applicant was exempt from commercial driver licensing requirements pursuant to section 321.176A, subsection 3, or a comparable law of another state implementing 
49 C.F.R. §383.3(c)
.
  (3)  The applicant was operating a motor vehicle representative of the class of motor vehicle the applicant operates or expects to operate for at least two years immediately preceding honorable separation from military service as evidenced by the person’s certificate of release or discharge from active duty, commonly referred to as a DD214.
  c.  An applicant who obtains a driving skills test waiver under this subsection shall take and successfully pass the knowledge test required pursuant to subsection 1.
90 Acts, ch 1230, §34; 92 Acts, ch 1175, §21; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9, 10; 99 Acts, ch 96, §30 – 32; 2000 Acts, ch 1133, §4; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §28, 35; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §25; 2011 Acts, ch 25, §30; 2011 Acts, ch 38, §13, 14; 2012 Acts, ch 1058, §1; 2012 Acts, ch 1138, §62; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §79; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §53; 2019 Acts, ch 41, §2, 3, 6, 7; 2021 Acts, ch 31, §1, 3
Referred to in §321.180, 321.196, 321.207
2019 amendment to subsection 1, paragraph c, applies to applicants for which the issuance or upgrade of a commercial driver’s license sought by the applicant is or will be issued by the department of transportation on or after February 7, 2020; 2019 Acts, ch 41, §6
2019 amendment to subsection 4 applies to applicants for which the issuance, renewal, or upgrade of a commercial driver’s license sought by the applicant is or will be issued by the department of transportation on or after January 6, 2020; 2019 Acts, ch 41, §7
Subsection 1, paragraph d amended

  
     
321.189  Driver’s license — content.
  1.  Classification and issuance.
  a.  Upon payment of the required fee, the department shall issue to every qualified applicant a driver’s license. Driver’s licenses shall be classified as follows:
  (1)  Class A — Valid for the operation of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of twenty-six thousand one or more pounds if the towed vehicle or vehicles have a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of ten thousand one or more pounds, and also valid for the operation of vehicles with lower gross combination weight ratings and other vehicles except motorcycles.
  (2)  Class B — Valid for the operation of a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one or more pounds or a combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of twenty-six thousand one or more pounds if the towing vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one or more pounds and the towed vehicle or vehicles have a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of less than ten thousand one pounds, and also valid for the operation of vehicles with lower gross vehicle weight ratings or gross combination weight ratings except motorcycles.
  (3)  Class C — Valid for the operation of a vehicle, other than a motorcycle, or a combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of twenty-six thousand one or more pounds provided the towing vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds and each towed vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than ten thousand one pounds, or a combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds and also valid for the operation of any vehicle, other than a motorcycle, for which the operator is exempt from commercial driver’s license requirements under section 321.176A.
  (4)  Class D — Valid for the operation of a motor vehicle as a chauffeur.
  (5)  Class M — Valid for the operation of a motorcycle.
  b.  A driver’s license may be issued for more than one class. Class A and B driver’s licenses shall only be issued as commercial driver’s licenses. Class C and M driver’s licenses may be issued as commercial driver’s licenses. A driver’s license is not valid for the operation of a vehicle requiring an endorsement unless the driver’s license is endorsed for the vehicle. A class D driver’s license is also valid as a noncommercial class C driver’s license. The holder of a commercial driver’s license is not required to obtain a class D driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle as a chauffeur. When necessary, the department shall by rule create additional classes or modify existing classes of driver’s licenses, however, the rule shall be temporary and if within sixty days after the next regular session of the general assembly convenes the general assembly has not made corresponding changes in this chapter, the temporary classification or modification shall be nullified.
  2.  Content of license.
  a.  Appearing on the driver’s license shall be a distinguishing number assigned to the licensee; the licensee’s full name, date of birth, sex, and residence address; a color photograph; a physical description of the licensee; the name of the state; the dates of issuance and expiration; and the usual signature of the licensee. The license shall identify the class of vehicle the licensee may operate and the applicable endorsements and restrictions which the department shall require by rule.
  b.  A commercial driver’s license shall include the licensee’s address as required under federal regulations, and the words “commercial driver’s license” or “CDL” shall appear prominently on the face of the license. A commercial learner’s permit shall include the permit holder’s address as required under federal regulations, and the words “commercial learner’s permit” or “CLP” with a statement that the permit is invalid unless accompanied by the permit holder’s underlying driver’s license shall appear prominently on the face of the permit. If the applicant is a nonresident, the license must conspicuously display the word “nondomiciled”.
  c.  The department shall assign an applicant for a driver’s license a distinguishing driver’s license number other than the applicant’s social security number.
  d.  The license may contain other information as required under the department’s rules.
  3.  Replacement.  If prior to the renewal date, a person desires to obtain a driver’s license in the form authorized by this section, a license may be issued as a voluntary replacement upon payment of the required fee as set by the department by rule. A person shall return a driver’s license and be issued a new license when the first license contains inaccurate information upon payment of the required fee as set by the department by rule.
  4.  Symbols.  Upon the request of a licensee, the department shall indicate on the license the presence of a medical condition, that the licensee is a donor under the revised uniform anatomical gift Act as provided in chapter 142C, or that the licensee has in effect a medical advance directive. For purposes of this subsection, a medical advance directive includes but is not limited to a valid durable power of attorney for health care as defined in section 144B.1. The license may contain such other information as the department may require by rule.
  5.  Tamperproofing.  The department shall issue a driver’s license by a method or process which prevents as nearly as possible the alteration, reproduction, or superimposition of a photograph on the license without ready detection.
  6.  Licenses or nonoperator’s identification cards issued to persons under age twenty-one.  A driver’s license issued to a person under eighteen years of age shall contain the same information as any other driver’s license except that the words “under eighteen” shall appear prominently on the face of the license. A driver’s license issued to a person eighteen years of age or older but less than twenty-one years of age shall contain the same information as any other driver’s license except that the words “under twenty-one” shall appear prominently on the face of the license. Upon attaining the age of eighteen or upon attaining the age of twenty-one, and upon payment of a ten dollar fee, the person shall be entitled to a new driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card for the unexpired months of the driver’s license or card. Upon attaining the age of twenty-one, a person who is otherwise eligible to be issued a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card shall be eligible to apply electronically for issuance of a replacement license or card for the unexpired months of the license or card, regardless of whether the most recent previous issuance of the license or card occurred electronically. The department shall, within a reasonable time period prior to a person’s twenty-first birthday anniversary, notify the person of the person’s eligibility to apply for a replacement driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card electronically upon attaining the age of twenty-one. The department shall develop educational media to raise awareness of a person’s eligibility to apply for a replacement driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card electronically upon attaining the age of twenty-one. An instruction permit or intermediate license issued under section 321.180B, subsection 1 or 2, shall include a distinctive color bar. An intermediate license issued under section 321.180B, subsection 2, shall include the words “intermediate license” printed prominently on the face of the license.
  7.  Motorized bicycle.
  a.  The department may issue a driver’s license valid only for operation of a motorized bicycle to a person fourteen years of age or older who has passed a vision test or who files a vision report as provided in section 321.186A which shows that the applicant’s visual acuity level meets or exceeds those required by the department and who passes a written examination on the rules of the road. A person under the age of sixteen applying for a driver’s license valid only for operation of a motorized bicycle shall also be required to successfully complete a motorized bicycle education course approved and established by the department or successfully complete an approved motorized bicycle education course at a private or commercial driver education school licensed by the department. A public school district shall charge a student a fee which shall not exceed the actual cost of instruction. A driver’s license valid only for operation of a motorized bicycle entitles the licensee to operate a motorized bicycle upon the highway while having the license in the licensee’s immediate possession. The license is valid for a period not to exceed two years from the licensee’s birthday anniversary in the year of issuance, subject to termination or cancellation as provided in this section.
  b.  A driver’s license valid only for operation of a motorized bicycle shall be canceled upon a conviction for a moving traffic violation and reapplication may be made thirty days after the date of cancellation. The cancellation of the license upon conviction for a moving traffic violation shall not result in requiring the applicant to maintain proof of financial responsibility under section 321A.17, unless the conviction would otherwise result in a suspension or revocation of a person’s driver’s license.
  c.  As used in this section, “moving traffic violation” does not include a parking violation as defined in section 321.210 or a violation of a section of the Code or municipal ordinance pertaining to standards to be maintained for motor vehicle equipment except sections 321.430 and 321.431, or except a municipal ordinance pertaining to motor vehicle brake requirements as applicable to motorized bicycles.
  d.  The holder of any class of driver’s license may operate a motorized bicycle.
  e.  A person who violates this subsection commits a simple misdemeanor.
  8.  Veterans status.  A licensee who is an honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces of the United States may request that the license be marked to reflect the licensee’s veteran status. Upon such a request, the word “VETERAN” shall be marked prominently on the face of the license. Such a license shall be issued upon receipt of satisfactory proof of veteran status pursuant to procedures established by the department in consultation with the department of veterans affairs, or upon presentation of the licensee’s certification of release or discharge from active duty, DD form 214, to the department at the time of the licensee’s request, if the form indicates the licensee was honorably discharged. If the license is issued upon presentation of the licensee’s certification of release or discharge from active duty, DD form 214, the department shall notify the commission of veteran affairs of the county of the licensee’s residence that the licensee was issued a license marked to reflect the licensee’s veteran status. After receiving notification from the department, the commission of veteran affairs shall initiate contact with the licensee. 
  9.  Deaf or hard-of-hearing status.  A licensee who is a deaf person or a hard-of-hearing person, as those terms are defined in section 622B.1, may request that the license be marked to reflect the licensee’s deaf or hard-of-hearing status on the face of the license when the licensee applies for the issuance or renewal of a license. The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A establishing criteria under which a license may be marked, including requiring the licensee to submit medical proof of the licensee’s deaf or hard-of-hearing status. When a driver’s license is so marked, the licensee’s deaf or hard-of-hearing status shall be noted in the electronic database used by the department and law enforcement to access registration, titling, and driver’s license information. The department, in consultation with the commission of deaf services, shall develop educational media to raise awareness of a licensee’s ability to request the license be marked to reflect the licensee’s deaf or hard-of-hearing status.
  10.  Autism spectrum disorder status.  A licensee who has an autism spectrum disorder, as defined in section 514C.28, may request that the license be marked to reflect the licensee’s autism spectrum disorder status on the face of the license when the licensee applies for the issuance or renewal of a license. The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A establishing criteria under which a license may be marked, including requiring the licensee to submit medical proof of the licensee’s autism spectrum disorder status. When a driver’s license is so marked, the licensee’s autism spectrum disorder status shall be noted in the electronic database used by the department and law enforcement to access registration, titling, and driver’s license information. The department, in consultation with the mental health and disability services commission, shall develop educational media to raise awareness of a licensee’s ability to request the license be marked to reflect the licensee’s autism spectrum disorder status.
[C31, 35, §4960-d19, -d20, -d22, -d28; C39, §5013.14; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, §321.189; C77, 79, 81, §321.189; 81 Acts, ch 107, §1, 2]
84 Acts, ch 1022, §4; 84 Acts, ch 1292, §3; 87 Acts, ch 167, §1; 87 Acts, ch 206, §2, 3; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §35; 92 Acts, ch 1175, §22, 23; 93 Acts, ch 164, §1; 94 Acts, ch 1102, §2; 95 Acts, ch 67, §25; 95 Acts, ch 95, §1; 95 Acts, ch 118, §22; 96 Acts, ch 1017, §1 – 3; 97 Acts, ch 74, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 98 Acts, ch 1112, §6, 7, 14, 16; 99 Acts, ch 13, §14; 2001 Acts, ch 90, §2; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §5; 2001 Acts, ch 180, §7; 2003 Acts, ch 108, §56; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §26; 2007 Acts, ch 44, §29; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §5; 2012 Acts, ch 1091, §2; 2013 Acts, ch 82, §1; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §33, 54; 2016 Acts, ch 1011, §48; 2016 Acts, ch 1111, §1; 2017 Acts, ch 29, §94; 2019 Acts, ch 76, §1; 2019 Acts, ch 84, §1; 2020 Acts, ch 1089, §1
Referred to in §49.78, 321.177, 321.180B, 321.189A, 321.190, 321.191, 321.213
Driver’s license fees, see §321.191 
Intermediate driver’s license to indicate applicability of six-month restriction on unrelated minor passengers; see §321.180B, subsection 2

     
321.189A  Driver’s license for undercover law enforcement officers — fee — penalties.
  1.  The department may issue undercover driver’s licenses to certified peace officers employed by a local authority or by the state or federal law enforcement officers for use in the line of duty when a fictitious identity is necessary. The department, in cooperation with the commissioner of public safety, shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A regarding the issuance, use, and cancellation of licenses issued pursuant to this section.
  2.  A license issued pursuant to this section shall only be issued to a certified peace officer or federal law enforcement officer, who is qualified to obtain the class of license sought, at the request of the law enforcement agency employing the officer for official use when the officer is involved in duty in which a fictitious identity is necessary. An officer issued a license pursuant to this section shall surrender the license when the license is no longer needed.
  3.  a.  A license issued pursuant to this section shall only be used in the line of duty when it is necessary for the officer holding the license to assume a fictitious identity. An officer issued a license pursuant to this section shall report as soon as practical to the law enforcement agency employing the officer any traffic citation issued to the officer while using the officer’s fictitious identity.
  b.  An officer using a license issued under this section shall not be prosecuted for a public offense under this chapter if the offense was committed in the line of duty and was necessary to protect the identity of the officer. However, this paragraph shall not apply to a violation of subsection 4, paragraph “a”.
  4.  a.  An officer who provides the department false information for the purposes of obtaining a license under this section commits a class “D” felony.
  b.  An officer who displays or uses a license issued pursuant to this section during the commission or attempted commission of a public offense other than a public offense referred to in subsection 3 or who knowingly permits another person to use the license issued under this section commits a class “D” felony.
  c.  An officer who displays or uses a license issued pursuant to this section in any manner which is not a public offense but which is not authorized under this section or who knowingly fails or refuses to surrender the license upon demand by the department commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
  5.  The fee for issuing a license under this section shall be the same as for licenses issued pursuant to section 321.189.
  6.  The department shall keep as confidential public records under section 22.7, all records regarding licenses issued under this section.
97 Acts, ch 92, §2; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §10
Referred to in §22.7(36)

  
     
321.190  Issuance of nonoperator’s identification cards — fee.
  1.  Application for and contents of card.
  a.  The department shall, upon application and payment of the required fee, issue to an applicant a nonoperator’s identification card. To be valid the card shall bear a distinguishing number other than a social security number assigned to the cardholder, the full name, date of birth, sex, residence address, a physical description and a color photograph of the cardholder, the usual signature of the cardholder, and such other information as the department may require by rule. An applicant for a nonoperator’s identification card shall apply for the card in the manner provided in section 321.182, subsections 1 through 3. The card shall be issued to the applicant at the time of application pursuant to procedures established by rule. An applicant for a nonoperator’s identification card who is required by 50 U.S.C. app. §451 et seq. to register with the United States selective service system shall be registered by the department with the selective service system as provided in section 321.183.
  b.  (1)  The department shall not issue a card to a person holding a driver’s license. However, a card may be issued to a person holding a temporary permit under section 321.181. The card shall be identical in form to a driver’s license issued under section 321.189 except the word “nonoperator” shall appear prominently on the face of the card.
  (2)  A nonoperator’s identification card issued to a person under eighteen years of age shall contain the same information as any other nonoperator’s identification card except that the words “under eighteen” shall appear prominently on the face of the card.
  (3)  A nonoperator’s identification card issued to a person eighteen years of age or older but under twenty-one years of age shall contain the same information as any other nonoperator’s identification card except that the words “under twenty-one” shall appear prominently on the face of the card.
  (4)  A nonoperator’s identification card issued to an honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces of the United States who satisfies the requirements of section 321.189, subsection 8, shall contain the same information as any other nonoperator’s identification card except the word “VETERAN” shall appear prominently on the face of the card.
  (5)  An applicant for a nonoperator’s identification card who is a deaf person or a hard-of-hearing person, as those terms are defined in section 622B.1, may request that the card be marked to reflect the applicant’s deaf or hard-of-hearing status on the face of the card when the applicant applies for the issuance or renewal of a card. The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A establishing criteria under which a card may be marked, including requiring the applicant to submit medical proof of the applicant’s deaf or hard-of-hearing status. The department, in consultation with the commission of deaf services, shall develop educational media to raise awareness of an applicant’s ability to request the card be marked to reflect the applicant’s deaf or hard-of-hearing status.
  (6)  An applicant for a nonoperator’s identification card who has an autism spectrum disorder, as defined in section 514C.28, may request that the card be marked to reflect the applicant’s autism spectrum disorder status on the face of the card when the applicant applies for the issuance or renewal of a card. The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A establishing criteria under which a card may be marked, including requiring the applicant to submit medical proof of the applicant’s autism spectrum disorder status. The department, in consultation with the mental health and disability services commission, shall develop educational media to raise awareness of an applicant’s ability to request the card be marked to reflect the applicant’s autism spectrum disorder status.
  c.  The department shall use a process or processes for issuance of a nonoperator’s identification card that prevent, as nearly as possible, the opportunity for alteration or reproduction of, and the superimposition of a photograph on the nonoperator’s identification card without ready detection.
  d.  The fee for a nonoperator’s identification card shall be eight dollars and the card shall be valid for a period of eight years from the date of issuance. If an applicant for a nonoperator’s identification card is a foreign national who is temporarily present in this state, the nonoperator’s identification card shall be issued only for the length of time the foreign national is authorized to be present as determined by the department, not to exceed two years. An issuance fee shall not be charged for a person whose driver’s license or driving privilege has been suspended under section 321.210, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (3), or voluntarily surrendered by the person in lieu of suspension under section 321.210, subsection 1, paragraph “a”.
  2.  Cancellation.  The department shall cancel a person’s nonoperator’s identification card upon determining the person was not entitled to be issued the card, did not provide correct information, committed fraud in applying for the card, or unlawfully used a nonoperator’s identification card.
[C77, 79, 81, §321.190]
84 Acts, ch 1305, §65; 89 Acts, ch 317, §32; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §36, 37; 96 Acts, ch 1090, §2; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §11; 97 Acts, ch 74, §2; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §6; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §24; 2003 Acts, ch 41, §2; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §27; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §112; 2011 Acts, ch 34, §80; 2012 Acts, ch 1091, §3; 2013 Acts, ch 82, §2, 5; 2016 Acts, ch 1011, §49; 2019 Acts, ch 84, §2; 2020 Acts, ch 1089, §2
Referred to in §49.78, 123.48, 142C.2, 321M.1, 453A.4
Voter registration, see §48A.18 
Replacement of identification cards upon person attaining age twenty-one, see §321.189, subsection 6

  
     
321.191  Fees for driver’s licenses.
  1.  Instruction permits.  The fee for an instruction permit, other than a special instruction permit, chauffeur’s instruction permit, or commercial learner’s permit, is six dollars. The fee for a special instruction permit is ten dollars. The fee for a chauffeur’s instruction permit or commercial learner’s permit is twelve dollars.
  2.  Noncommercial driver’s licenses.  The fee for a noncommercial driver’s license, other than a class D driver’s license or any type of instruction permit, is four dollars per year of license validity.
  3.  Licenses for chauffeurs.  The fee for a noncommercial class D driver’s license is eight dollars per year of license validity.
  4.  Commercial driver’s licenses.  The fee for a commercial driver’s license, other than a commercial learner’s permit, for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle is eight dollars per year of license validity.
  5.  Licenses valid for motorcycles.  An additional fee of two dollars per year of license validity is required to issue a license valid to operate a motorcycle.
  6.  Special minors’ licenses.  Notwithstanding subsection 2, the fee for a driver’s license issued to a minor under section 321.194 or a restricted license issued to a minor under section 321.178, subsection 2, is eight dollars.
  7.  Endorsements and removal of restrictions.  The fee for a double or triple trailer endorsement, tank vehicle endorsement, or hazardous materials endorsement is five dollars for each endorsement. The fee for a passenger endorsement or a school bus endorsement is ten dollars. The fee for removal of an air brake, full air brake, manual transmission, tractor-trailer, or passenger vehicle restriction on a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit is ten dollars. Fees imposed under this subsection for endorsements or removal of restrictions are valid for the period of the license. Upon renewal of a commercial driver’s license, no fee is payable for retaining endorsements or the removal of a restriction for those endorsements or restrictions which do not require the taking of either a knowledge or a driving skills test for renewal.
  8.  Driver’s license reinstatements.  The fee for reinstatement of a driver’s license shall be twenty dollars for a license which is, after notice and opportunity for hearing, canceled, suspended, revoked, or barred. However, reinstatement of the privilege suspended under section 321.210, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (3), shall be without fee. The fee for reinstatement of the privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle after a period of disqualification shall be twenty dollars.
  9.  Upgrading a license class privilege — fee adjustment.
  a.  If an applicant wishes to upgrade a license class privilege, the fee charged shall be prorated on full-year fee increments of the new license in accordance with rules adopted by the department. The expiration date of the new license shall be the expiration date of the currently held driver’s license. The fee for a commercial driver’s license endorsement, the removal of a restriction, or a commercial learner’s permit shall not be prorated.
  b.  As used in this subsection, “to upgrade a license class privilege” means to add any privilege to a valid driver’s license. The addition of a privilege includes converting from a noncommercial to a commercial license, converting from a noncommercial class C to a class D license, converting an instruction or learner’s permit to a class license, adding any privilege to a section 321.189, subsection 7, license, adding an instruction or learner’s permit privilege, adding a section 321.189, subsection 7, license to an instruction or learner’s permit, and adding any privilege relating to a driver’s license issued to a minor under section 321.194 or 321.178.
[C31, 35, §4960-d26; C39, §5013.16; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.191; 82 Acts, ch 1160, §1, ch 1167, §1]
84 Acts, ch 1305, §66; 86 Acts, ch 1220, §29; 87 Acts, ch 167, §2; 87 Acts, ch 206, §4; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §38; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §12; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9, 10; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §25 – 27; 2003 Acts, ch 8, §14, 26; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §16, 17; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §29; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §171; 2015 Acts, ch 30, §102; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §55
Referred to in §321.12, 321.180A, 321.210B, 321.211, 321.212

321.192  Waivers or refunds of fees.  Repealed by 
2009 Acts, ch 130, §17
. 

     
321.193  Restrictions on licenses — penalty.
  1.  a.  As provided by rule, the department may impose restrictions suitable to the licensee’s driving ability with respect to the type of motor vehicle or special mechanical control devices required on a motor vehicle which the licensee may operate or other restrictions applicable to the licensee as the department may determine to be appropriate.
  b.  The department may set forth restrictions upon the driver’s license.
  2.  The department may suspend or revoke the driver’s license upon receiving satisfactory evidence of any violation of the license’s restrictions.
  3.  It is a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 4, for a person to operate a motor vehicle in any manner in violation of the restrictions imposed on a restricted license issued to that person under this section.
[C39, §5013.18; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.193]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §39; 92 Acts, ch 1175, §33; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9, 12; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §51, 59; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §39
Referred to in §321.178, 321.180B, 321.194, 321.213, 805.8A(4)(f)

  
     
321.194  Special minor’s licenses.
  1.  Persons eligible.  The department may issue a class C or M driver’s license to a person between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years if all of the following apply: 
  a.  The person’s driving privileges have not been suspended, revoked, or barred under this chapter or chapter 321J during, and the person has not been convicted of a moving traffic violation or involved in a motor vehicle accident for, the six-month period immediately preceding the application for the special minor’s license. 
  b.  The person has successfully completed an approved driver education course. However, the completion of a course is not required if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that completion of the course would impose a hardship upon the applicant. The department shall adopt rules defining the term “hardship” and establish procedures for the demonstration and determination of when completion of the course would impose a hardship upon an applicant.
  c.  The person’s school has certified to the department that the person has a special need for the license pursuant to subsection 3.
  2.  Driving privileges.
  a.  Permitted operations.  The driver’s license entitles the licensee, while having the license in immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle, other than a commercial motor vehicle, a motor vehicle with more than two axles, a motor vehicle towing another vehicle, or as a chauffeur, during the times and for the purposes set forth in this paragraph.
  (1)  If the licensee attends a public school, the licensee may operate a motor vehicle during the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. as follows:
  (a)  Over the most direct and accessible route between the licensee’s residence and schools of enrollment or the closest school bus stop or public transportation service, and between schools of enrollment, for the purpose of attending duly scheduled courses of instruction and extracurricular activities within the school district of enrollment.
  (b)  Over the most direct and accessible route between the licensee’s residence or school of enrollment and a site, facility, or school that is not the licensee’s school of enrollment, for the purpose of participating in extracurricular activities conducted under a sharing agreement with the licensee’s school of enrollment or conducted at a site, facility, or school designated by the licensee’s school district for the accommodation of the school’s extracurricular activities, provided the site, facility, or school is within the licensee’s school district of enrollment or is within a school district contiguous to the licensee’s school district of enrollment.
  (2)  If the licensee attends an accredited nonpublic school, the licensee may operate a motor vehicle during the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. as follows:
  (a)  Over the most direct and accessible route between the licensee’s residence and schools of enrollment or the closest school bus stop or public transportation service, and between schools of enrollment, for the purpose of attending duly scheduled courses of instruction and extracurricular activities, provided the driving distance between the point of origin and the destination is no more than fifty miles.
  (b)  Over the most direct and accessible route between the licensee’s residence or school of enrollment and a site, facility, or school that is not the licensee’s school of enrollment, for the purpose of participating in extracurricular activities conducted at a site, facility, or school designated by the licensee’s school of enrollment for the accommodation of the school’s extracurricular activities, provided the driving distance between the point of origin and the destination is no more than fifty miles.
  (3)  If the licensee resides on a farm or is employed for compensation on a farm in this state, the licensee may operate a motor vehicle during the hours of 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for the purpose of assisting the person’s parents, guardians, or employers with farm work or in connection with any farm job, employment, or other farm-related work, including traveling to or from the location of the farm work, provided the licensee operates the vehicle over the most direct and accessible route between the point of origin and the destination and the driving distance between the point of origin and the destination is no more than fifty miles. 
  (4)  To a service station for the purpose of refueling, so long as the service station is the station closest to the route on which the licensee is traveling under subparagraph (1), (2), or (3).
  (5)  At any time when the licensee is accompanied in accordance with section 321.180B, subsection 1.
  b.  Restrictions.
  (1)  Passengers.  Unless accompanied in accordance with section 321.180B, subsection 1, a person issued a driver’s license pursuant to this section must limit the number of unrelated minor passengers in the motor vehicle when the licensee is operating the motor vehicle to one. For purposes of this section, “unrelated minor passenger” means a passenger who is under eighteen years of age and who is not a sibling of the driver, a stepsibling of the driver, or a child who resides in the same household as the driver.
  (2)  Electronic communication devices.  A person issued a driver’s license under this section shall not use an electronic communication device or an electronic entertainment device while driving a motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway. This subparagraph does not apply to the use of electronic equipment which is permanently installed in the motor vehicle or to a portable device which is operated through permanently installed equipment. The department, in cooperation with the department of public safety, shall establish educational programs to foster compliance with the requirements of this subparagraph.
  3.  Certification of need and issuance of license.
  a.  Each application shall be accompanied by a statement from the applicant’s school of enrollment. The statement shall be upon a form provided by the department and shall certify that a need exists for the license and that the person signing the statement is not responsible for actions of the applicant which pertain to the use of the driver’s license.
  (1)  If the applicant attends a public school, the certification shall be made by the school board, superintendent of the applicant’s school, or principal, if authorized by the superintendent.
  (2)  If the applicant attends an accredited nonpublic school, the certification shall be made by the authorities in charge of the accredited nonpublic school or a duly authorized representative of the authorities.
  b.  Upon receipt of a statement of necessity, the department shall issue the driver’s license provided the applicant is otherwise eligible for issuance of the license. The fact that the applicant resides at a distance less than one mile from the applicant’s school of enrollment is prima facie evidence of the nonexistence of necessity for the issuance of a license. However, the distance between the applicant’s residence and school of enrollment shall not be considered if the applicant resides on a farm or is employed for compensation on a farm.
  c.  The school shall develop and adopt a policy establishing the criteria that the school shall use to approve or deny certification that a need exists for a license. If the school is a public school, the policy shall be developed and adopted by the school board. If the school is an accredited nonpublic school, the policy shall be developed and adopted according to procedures determined by the authorities in charge of the accredited nonpublic school.
  d.  A student enrolled in a public school may appeal to the school board the decision of a school district administrator to deny certification. A student enrolled in an accredited nonpublic school may appeal the school’s decision to deny certification as permitted by the authorities in charge of the accredited nonpublic school. The decision of the school board or authorities in charge of the accredited nonpublic school is final.
  e.  The driver’s license shall not be issued for purposes of attending a public school in a school district other than either of the following:
  (1)  The district of residence of the parent or guardian of the student.
  (2)  A district which is contiguous to the district of residence of the parent or guardian of the student, if the student is enrolled in the public school which is not the school district of residence because of open enrollment under section 282.18 or as a result of an election by the student’s district of residence to enter into one or more sharing agreements pursuant to the procedures in chapter 282.
  f.  The driver’s license shall not be issued for purposes of attending an accredited nonpublic school if the driving distance between the school and the residence of the parent or guardian of the student is more than fifty miles.
  4.  Suspension and revocation.  A driver’s license issued under this section is subject to suspension or revocation for the same reasons and in the same manner as suspension or revocation of any other driver’s license. The department may also suspend a driver’s license issued under this section upon receiving satisfactory evidence that the licensee has violated the restrictions of the license or has been involved in one or more accidents chargeable to the licensee. The department may suspend a driver’s license issued under this section upon receiving a record of the licensee’s conviction for one violation. The department shall revoke the license upon receiving a record of conviction for two or more violations of a law of this state or a city ordinance regulating the operation of motor vehicles on highways other than parking violations as defined in section 321.210. After a person licensed under this section receives two or more convictions which require revocation of the person’s license under this section, the department shall not grant an application for a new driver’s license until the expiration of thirty days.
  5.  Citations for violation of restrictions.  A person who violates the restrictions imposed under subsection 2 may be issued a citation under this section and shall not be issued a citation under section 321.193. A violation of the restrictions imposed under subsection 2 shall not be considered a moving violation.
[C31, 35, §4960-d5; C39, §5013.19; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.194; 82 Acts, ch 1248, §3]
83 Acts, ch 49, §1, 4; 83 Acts, ch 101, §68; 84 Acts, ch 1022, §5; 84 Acts, ch 1219, §24; 89 Acts, ch 266, §2; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §40; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 98 Acts, ch 1112, §8, 14, 16; 2001 Acts, ch 159, §17; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §18; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §7, 8; 2010 Acts, ch 1105, §3; 2011 Acts, ch 38, §15, 16; 2013 Acts, ch 80, §2, 3; 2014 Acts, ch 1025, §1, 2; 2014 Acts, ch 1092, §77; 2014 Acts, ch 1123, §14; 2016 Acts, ch 1098, §33; 2018 Acts, ch 1170, §5 – 7; 2019 Acts, ch 22, §1, 2; 2021 Acts, ch 6, §1 – 4
Referred to in §321.177, 321.178, 321.180B, 321.191, 321.213, 321.482A, 321A.17, 805.8A(4)(g)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 4
Additional penalties for violations causing injury or death, see §321.482A
Subsection 2, paragraph a, unnumbered paragraph 1 amended
Subsection 2, paragraph a, NEW subparagraph (3) and former subparagraphs (3) and (4) renumbered as (4) and (5)
Subsection 2, paragraph a, subparagraph (4) amended
Subsection 3, paragraph b amended

     
321.195   Replacement of driver’s licenses and nonoperator’s identification cards.
  A fee of ten dollars shall be charged for the replacement of a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card. If a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card issued under this chapter is lost or destroyed, the person to whom the license or card was issued must furnish proof satisfactory to the department that the driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card has been lost or destroyed in order to obtain a replacement. 
[C31, 35, §4960-d27; C39, §5013.20; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.195]
89 Acts, ch 317, §33; 91 Acts, ch 27, §2; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9, 10; 2013 Acts, ch 82, §3
Referred to in §321.208

     
321.196  Expiration of license — renewal.
  1.  Except as otherwise provided, if the licensee is between the ages of seventeen years eleven months and seventy-eight years on the date of issuance of the license, a driver’s license, other than an instruction permit, chauffeur’s instruction permit, or commercial learner’s permit issued under section 321.180, expires eight years from the licensee’s birthday anniversary occurring in the year of issuance, but not to exceed the licensee’s eightieth birthday. If the licensee is under the age of seventeen years eleven months or age seventy-eight or over, the license is effective for a period of two years from the licensee’s birthday anniversary occurring in the year of issuance. A licensee whose license is restricted due to vision or other physical deficiencies may be required to renew the license every two years. If a licensee is a foreign national who is temporarily present in this state, the license shall be issued only for the length of time the foreign national is authorized to be present as verified by the department, not to exceed two years.
  2.  Except as required in section 321.188, and except for a motorcycle instruction permit issued in accordance with section 321.180 or 321.180B, a driver’s license is renewable without a driving test or written examination within a period of one year after its expiration date. A person shall not be considered to be driving with an invalid license during a period of sixty days following the license expiration date. However, for a license renewed within the sixty-day period, the date of issuance shall be considered to be the previous birthday anniversary on which it expired.
  3.  For the purposes of this section, the birthday anniversary of a person born on February 29 shall be deemed to occur on March 1.
  4.  Except as required in section 321.180 or 321.188, the department in its discretion may authorize the renewal of a valid driver’s license upon application without an examination provided that the applicant meets one of the following conditions: 
  a.  The applicant satisfactorily passes a vision test as prescribed by the department. 
  b.  The applicant files a vision report in accordance with section 321.186A which shows that the applicant’s visual acuity level meets or exceeds those required by the department.
  c.  The applicant is eligible for license renewal electronically, pursuant to rules adopted by the department. An applicant shall not be eligible for electronic renewal of a driver’s license if the most recent previous renewal of the applicant’s driver’s license occurred electronically.
  5.  An application for renewal of a driver’s license shall include a statement for the applicant to sign that acknowledges the applicant’s knowledge of the requirement to notify the department of a mailing address change under section 321.182, subsection 1.
  6.  A resident of Iowa holding a valid driver’s license who is temporarily absent from the state or incapacitated, may, at the time for renewal of such license, apply to the department for a temporary extension of the license. The department upon receipt of the application shall, upon a showing of good cause, issue a temporary extension of the driver’s license for a period not to exceed six months.
[C31, 35, §4960-d15, -d30; C39, §5013.21; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.196]
84 Acts, ch 1219, §25; 85 Acts, ch 195, §35; 86 Acts, ch 1220, §30; 87 Acts, ch 167, §3; 89 Acts, ch 296, §31; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §41; 93 Acts, ch 51, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 98 Acts, ch 1112, §9, 14, 16; 2000 Acts, ch 1133, §5; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §43; 2001 Acts, ch 180, §8; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §28; 2008 Acts, ch 1018, §22; 2009 Acts, ch 124, §1; 2013 Acts, ch 82, §4, 5; 2013 Acts, ch 104, §1, 4; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §56; 2020 Acts, ch 1072, §1, 2; 2021 Acts, ch 31, §2, 3
Subsection 4, unnumbered paragraph 1 amended

     
321.197  Emergency contact information.
  1.  The department shall include in the electronic database used by the department and law enforcement to access registration, titling, and driver’s license information a collection of emergency contact information for persons who are issued a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card. Emergency contact information in the database shall be confidential and accessible only by employees of the department or a law enforcement agency in the performance of the employee’s official duties, and shall not be considered a public record under chapter 22.
  2.  a.  At the time a person applies for issuance, replacement, or renewal of a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card, the department shall request that the applicant voluntarily submit emergency contact information for inclusion in the database. A person may provide the emergency contact information along with or separate from an application for issuance, replacement, or renewal of a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card. The department shall not require a person to submit emergency contact information as part of the driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card issuance, replacement, or renewal process. The department shall accept submitted information without payment of a fee.
  b.  The department shall allow a person to provide the name, address, telephone number, and relationship to the person of no more than two emergency contacts whom the person wishes to be contacted if the person is involved in a motor vehicle accident or emergency situation and the person dies or is seriously injured or rendered unconscious and is unable to communicate with the emergency contact. The department shall accept the emergency contact information provided by a person, but has no duty to verify any of the information provided.
  c.  The emergency contact need not be the next of kin of the person, except that if the person is under eighteen years of age and is not emancipated, the person shall include a parent, guardian, or custodian of the person as an emergency contact.
  3.  In the event of a motor vehicle accident or emergency situation in which a person dies or is seriously injured or rendered unconscious and is unable to communicate with the emergency contact specified in the database, an employee of a law enforcement agency shall make a good-faith effort to notify the emergency contact of the situation based on information in the database, but the department, the law enforcement agency, and the employee shall not be liable if the employee is not able to notify the emergency contact.
  4.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A necessary to administer this section, including but not limited to rules relating to all of the following: 
  a.  The methods whereby a person who has submitted the information of an emergency contact for inclusion in the database may make changes to that entry.
  b.  The methods whereby a person may opt out of being listed as an emergency contact in the database.
2021 Acts, ch 122, §1, 2
Section effective January 1, 2022; 2021 Acts, ch 122, §2
NEW section

     
321.198  Military service exception.
  1.  a.  The effective date of a valid driver’s license issued under the laws of this state, held by any person at the time of entering the military service of the United States or of the state of Iowa, notwithstanding the expiration of the license according to its terms, is extended without fee until six months following the initial separation from active duty of the person from the military service, provided the person is not suffering from physical disabilities which impair the person’s competency as an operator, and provided further that the licensee shall furnish, upon demand of any peace officer, satisfactory evidence of the person’s military service. However, a person entitled to the benefits of this section who is charged with operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license shall not be convicted if the person produces in court, within a reasonable time, a valid driver’s license previously issued to that person along with satisfactory evidence of the person’s military service as provided in this paragraph.
  b.  The department is authorized to renew any driver’s license falling within the provisions and limitations of paragraph “a”, without examination, upon application and payment of fee made within six months following separation from the military service.
  c.  For purposes of this subsection, a United States department of defense common access card issued to a person is satisfactory evidence of the person’s current military service, and a certificate of release or discharge from active duty, commonly referred to as a DD214, is satisfactory evidence of a person’s previous military service and separation from active duty. A person who produces a valid driver’s license previously issued to the person along with the person’s common access card or DD214 shall not be required to produce any additional documentation to satisfy the requirements of paragraph “a”.
  2.  The provisions of this section shall also apply to the spouse and children, or ward of military personnel when such spouse, children, or ward are living with the military personnel described in subsection 1 outside of the state of Iowa and provided that such extension of license does not exceed five years.
  3.  A person whose period of validity of the person’s driver’s license is extended under this section may file an application in accordance with rules adopted by the department to have the person’s record of issuance of a driver’s license retained in the department’s record system during the period for which the driver’s license remains valid. If a person has had the record of issuance of the person’s driver’s license removed from the department’s records, the person shall have the person’s record of driver’s license issuance reentered by the department upon request if the request is accompanied by a letter from the applicable person’s commanding officer verifying the military service.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.198]
87 Acts, ch 167, §5; 87 Acts, ch 170, §5
; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §43, 44
; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §19; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §92; 2012 Acts, ch 1070, §1; 2015 Acts, ch 30, §103

     
321.199  Driver’s license records.
  The department shall file every application for a license received by it and shall maintain suitable indexes containing, in alphabetical order, all of the following:
  1.  All applications denied and the reasons for the denial.
  2.  All applications granted.
  3.  The name of every licensee who has been disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle or whose license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled by the department and after each name a note on the reasons for the action.
[C31, 35, §4960-d18; C39, §5013.23; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.199]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §45; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9

     
321.200  Conviction and accident file.
  The department shall also file all accident reports and abstracts of court records of convictions received by it under the laws of this state or any other state or foreign jurisdiction and in connection therewith maintain convenient records or make suitable notations in order that an individual record of each licensee showing the convictions of such licensee and the traffic accidents in which the licensee has been involved shall be readily ascertainable and available for the consideration of the department upon any application for renewal of license and at other suitable times.
[C39, §5013.24; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.200]
2005 Acts, ch 8, §20
Referred to in §321.213, 321.267A

     
321.200A  Convictions based upon fraud.
  1.  If a person discovers a record of conviction for a scheduled violation under this chapter was entered by fraudulent use of the person’s name or by use of other fraudulent identification, the person may, within one year of the date of the discovery of the conviction, submit a written application to the department to investigate the allegation. The department may summarily reject the application as submitted or proceed to investigate the application. If the department investigates the application, the department may either deny the application or, if the department determines the allegation is warranted, approve the application. If the department investigates the application, the department shall also issue a report and findings with the decision of the department. The rejection, approval, or denial of an application is not subject to contested case proceedings or further review as provided in chapter 17A. If the application is investigated, the department shall provide the applicant with a certified copy of the decision of the department. If the department approves the application, the department shall also provide the applicant with a certified copy of the investigative report and findings. The department shall also provide certified copies of the department’s decision approving or denying the application together with the investigative report and findings to the appropriate prosecuting attorney in the city or county that prosecuted the scheduled violation and to the district court in the county that prosecuted the scheduled violation. The department may electronically provide copies of any decision approving or denying the application and the investigative report and findings to the district court.
  2.  A person who discovers that a record of conviction for a scheduled violation under this chapter was entered by fraudulent use of the person’s name or by use of other fraudulent identification may bypass the application process in subsection 1 and move in district court to set aside the judgment of conviction within one year of discovery of the conviction. An applicant with an approved application under subsection 1 shall also move in district court to set aside the judgment of conviction in order to have the department expunge or alter the records of the department or rescind or modify an administrative sanction. If the district court grants the motion to set aside the judgment, the district court shall order the charging agency or official to modify the records of the agency or official to reflect the order setting aside the judgment. The clerk of the district court shall provide the court order setting aside the judgment, either by regular mail or electronic means, to the charging agency or official, and the department of transportation. The clerk of the district court shall also provide the applicant with a certified copy of the court order at no cost to the applicant.
  3.  Notwithstanding the department’s approval of an application pursuant to subsection 1, the department shall not expunge or alter the records of the department or rescind or modify an administrative sanction unless the department receives an order from the district court setting aside the previous judgment of the court as provided in subsection 2. Upon receiving a copy of an order from the district court setting aside the previous judgment of the court, the department shall expunge the record and shall rescind any administrative sanction imposed upon the applicant as a result of the judgment, unless the applicant is subject to sanctions for other reasons. The department may impose a new sanction if expunging the judgment would result in a lesser or different sanction.
  4.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement this section.
2009 Acts, ch 124, §2
Referred to in §811.9
CANCELLATION, SUSPENSION, OR

REVOCATION OF LICENSES

     
321.201  Cancellation and return of license — prohibition from issuance of commercial driver’s license for false information.
  1.  a.  The department may cancel a driver’s license upon determination of any of the following:
  (1)  That the licensee was not entitled to the issuance of the license.
  (2)  That the licensee failed to give required or correct information or committed fraud in making the application.
  b.  Upon cancellation, the licensee shall immediately return the license to the department.
  2.  a.  Upon cancellation of a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit for providing false information or committing fraud in the application, the applicant shall not operate a commercial motor vehicle in this state and shall not be issued a license valid to operate a commercial motor vehicle for a period of sixty days.
  b.  The department shall disqualify the commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit of a person convicted or suspected of fraud related to the testing for or issuance of a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit. The department shall adopt rules to administer this paragraph that substantially comply with 
49 C.F.R. §383.73(k)
.
[C31, 35, §4960-d33; C39, §5014.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.201]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §46; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §57
Referred to in §321.204

321.202  Reserved.

     
321.203  Suspending privileges of nonresidents.
  A nonresident’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle on a highway in this state is subject to suspension or revocation for the same reasons and in the same manner as suspension or revocation of a resident’s driver’s license and is also subject to suspension as provided in section 321.513.
[C31, 35, §4960-d37; C39, §5014.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.203]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §47

  
     
321.204  Certification of conviction — notification of commercial driver’s disqualification.
  1.  The department is authorized, upon receiving a record of the conviction in this state of a nonresident operator of a motor vehicle for any offense under the motor vehicle laws of this state, to forward a certified written or electronic record of the conviction to the motor vehicle administrator in the licensing state.
  2.  The department shall notify the commercial driver’s license information system and the commercial motor vehicle administrator in the licensing state, if applicable, of the disqualification of a commercial driver within ten days of any of the following:
  a.  The disqualification of the commercial driver under section 321.201 or section 321.208 if the disqualification is for sixty days or more.
  b.  The suspension or revocation of a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit if the suspension or revocation is for sixty days or more.
  c.  The cancellation of a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit.
[C31, 35, §4960-d41; C39, §5014.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.204]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §48; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §58
Referred to in §321.208

     
321.205  Conviction or administrative decision in another jurisdiction.
  The department is authorized to suspend or revoke the driver’s license of a resident of this state or disqualify a resident of this state from operating a commercial motor vehicle for any of the following reasons:
  1.  Upon receiving notice of the conviction of the resident in another state for an offense which, if committed in this state, would be grounds for the suspension or revocation of the license or disqualification of the person from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
  2.  Upon receiving notice of a final administrative decision in another state that the resident has acted in a manner which would be grounds for suspension or revocation of the license or disqualification of the person from operating a commercial motor vehicle in this state.
[C31, 35, §4960-d39; C39, §5014.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.205]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §49; 93 Acts, ch 16, §3; 93 Acts, ch 87, §4; 96 Acts, ch 1218, §58; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §21
Referred to in §321.210C

     
321.206  Surrender of license — duty of court.
  If a person is convicted in court of an offense for which this chapter requires mandatory revocation of the person’s driver’s license or, if the person’s license is a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit and the conviction disqualifies the person from operating a commercial motor vehicle, the court shall require the person to surrender the driver’s license held by the person and the court shall destroy the license or forward the license together with a record of the conviction to the department as provided in section 321.491.
[C31, 35, §4960-d32; C39, §5014.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.206]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §50; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2007 Acts, ch 143, §14; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §59
Referred to in §321.210D

  
     
321.207  Downgrade of commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit.
  The department shall adopt rules for downgrading a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit to a noncommercial status upon a driver’s failure to provide a medical examiner’s certificate as required pursuant to section 321.188, subsection 1, paragraph “d”, or upon a driver’s failure to provide a self-certification of type of driving as required pursuant to section 321.188, subsection 1, paragraph “d”. The rules shall substantially comply with 
49 C.F.R. §383.71
 and 
383.73
, as adopted by rule by the department.
2011 Acts, ch 38, §17; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §60
Referred to in §321.174

  
     
321.208  Disqualification from operation of commercial motor vehicles — noncommercial driver’s license — temporary license or permit.
  1.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year upon a conviction or final administrative decision that the person has committed any of the following acts or offenses in any state or foreign jurisdiction while operating a commercial motor vehicle:
  a.  Operating a commercial motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration, as defined in section 321J.1, of 0.04 or more.
  b.  Operating a commercial motor vehicle when, as a result of prior violations committed while operating a commercial motor vehicle, the person’s commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit is revoked, suspended, or canceled or the person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
  c.  Operating a commercial motor vehicle involved in a fatal accident and being convicted of manslaughter under section 707.4 or 707.5 or vehicular homicide under section 707.6A.
  2.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year upon a conviction or final administrative decision that the person has committed any of the following acts or offenses in any state or foreign jurisdiction while operating a commercial motor vehicle or while operating a noncommercial motor vehicle and holding a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit:
  a.  Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, as provided in section 321J.2, subsection 1.
  b.  Refusal to submit to chemical testing required under chapter 321J.
  c.  Leaving the scene or failure to stop or render aid at the scene of an accident involving the person’s vehicle.
  d.  A felony or aggravated misdemeanor involving the use of a motor vehicle, other than a felony or aggravated misdemeanor otherwise provided for in this section.
  3.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for three years if an act or offense described in subsection 1 or 2 occurred while the person was operating a commercial motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials as defined in 
49 C.F.R. §383.5
.
  4.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for life if convicted or found to have committed two or more of the acts or offenses described in subsection 1 or 2 arising out of two or more separate incidents. However, a disqualification for life is subject to a reduction to a ten-year disqualification as provided in 
49 C.F.R. §383.51
 as adopted by rule by the department.
  5.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for life upon a conviction that the person used a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of a felony or aggravated misdemeanor involving the manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing of a controlled substance as defined in section 124.101. A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for life upon a conviction that the person used a noncommercial motor vehicle in the commission of a felony or aggravated misdemeanor involving the manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing of a controlled substance as defined in section 124.101 and held a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit at the time the offense was committed.
  6.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for life upon a conviction that the person used a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of a felony involving an act or practice of human trafficking as defined in section 710A.1.
  7.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle if the person receives convictions for committing within any three-year period two or more of the following offenses while operating a commercial motor vehicle, or while operating a noncommercial motor vehicle and holding a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit if the convictions result in the revocation, cancellation, or suspension of the person’s commercial driver’s license, commercial learner’s permit, or noncommercial motor vehicle driving privileges:
  a.  Operating a commercial motor vehicle upon a highway when not issued a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit.
  b.  Operating a commercial motor vehicle upon a highway when not issued the proper class of commercial driver’s license, commercial learner’s permit, or endorsements for the specific vehicle group being operated or for the passengers or type of cargo being transported.
  c.  Operating a commercial motor vehicle upon a highway without immediate possession of a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit valid for the vehicle operated.
  d.  Speeding fifteen miles per hour or more over the legal speed limit.
  e.  Reckless driving.
  f.  Any violation of the traffic laws, except a parking violation or a vehicle weight violation, which arises in connection with a fatal traffic accident.
  g.  Following another motor vehicle too closely.
  h.  Improper lane changes in violation of section 321.306.
  i.  Violating a state or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic control prohibiting texting while driving a commercial motor vehicle.
  j.  Violating a state or local law or ordinance on motor vehicle traffic control restricting or prohibiting the use of a hand-held mobile telephone while driving a commercial motor vehicle.
  8.  The period of disqualification under subsection 7 shall be sixty days for two offenses within any three-year period and one hundred twenty days for three offenses within any three-year period. Multiple periods of disqualification shall be consecutive.
  9.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle when the person’s driving privilege is suspended or revoked.
  10.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle:
  a.  For no less than one hundred eighty days and no more than one year upon conviction for the first violation of an out-of-service order; for no less than two and not more than five years upon conviction for a second violation of an out-of-service order in separate incidents within a ten-year period; and for not less than three and not more than five years upon conviction for a third or subsequent violation of an out-of-service order in separate incidents within a ten-year period.
  b.  For one year upon conviction for the first violation and for not less than three years and not more than five years upon conviction for a second or subsequent violation of an out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials as defined in 
49 C.F.R. §383.5
, or while operating a commercial motor vehicle designed to transport more than fifteen passengers including the driver.
  11.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle if the person is convicted of a first, second, or third railroad crossing at grade violation as follows:
  a.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for sixty days if the person is convicted of a first railroad crossing at grade violation under section 321.341 or 321.343 and the violation occurred while the person was operating a commercial motor vehicle.
  b.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one hundred twenty days if the person is convicted of a second railroad crossing at grade violation under section 321.341 or 321.343, the violation occurred while the person was operating a commercial motor vehicle, and the violation occurred within three years after a first such violation.
  c.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year if the person is convicted of a third or subsequent railroad crossing at grade violation under section 321.341 or 321.343, the violation occurred while the person was operating a commercial motor vehicle, and the violation occurred within three years after a first such violation.
  12.  Upon receiving a record of a person’s disqualifying conviction, administrative decision, suspension, or revocation, the department shall, by rule, without preliminary hearing and upon thirty days’ advance notice, disqualify the person from operating a commercial motor vehicle upon a highway.
  13.  a.  A person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle if the person either refuses to submit to chemical testing required under chapter 321J or submits to chemical testing and the results show an alcohol concentration as defined in section 321J.1 of 0.04 or more. The department, upon receipt of the peace officer’s certification, subject to penalty for perjury, that the peace officer had reasonable grounds to believe the person to have been operating a commercial motor vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more and that the person refused to submit to the chemical testing or submitted to chemical testing and the results show an alcohol concentration as defined in section 321J.1 of 0.04 or more, shall, without preliminary hearing and upon thirty days’ advance notice, disqualify the person from operating a commercial motor vehicle upon a highway.
  b.  The effective date of disqualification shall be thirty days after notification. Immediate notice of disqualification may be served on a person operating a commercial motor vehicle who refused to submit to a test or whose test results indicate an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more by the peace officer administering the chemical test or, notwithstanding chapter 17A, the department may notify the person by first class mail. If immediate notice is served, the peace officer shall take the commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit of the driver, if issued within the state, and issue a temporary commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit effective for only thirty days. The peace officer shall immediately send the person’s commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit to the department in addition to the officer’s certification required by this subsection.
  14.  Upon notice, the disqualified person shall surrender the person’s commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit to the department and the department may issue a driver’s license valid only to operate a noncommercial motor vehicle upon payment of the fee for a replacement driver’s license under section 321.195. The department shall notify the commercial driver’s license information system of the disqualification if required to do so under section 321.204.
  15.  Notwithstanding the Iowa administrative procedure Act, chapter 17A, the filing of a petition for judicial review shall stay the disqualification pending the determination by the district court.
  16.  The department may reinstate a qualified person’s privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle after a period of disqualification and after payment of required fees.
  17.  As used in this section, the terms “acts”, “actions”, and “offenses” mean acts, actions, or offenses which occur on or after July 1, 1990.
[C39, §5014.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.208]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §51; 92 Acts, ch 1175, §24 – 26; 95 Acts, ch 55, §6; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §13; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 99 Acts, ch 96, §33; 2000 Acts, ch 1133, §6; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §44; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §7; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §29; 2003 Acts, ch 44, §114; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §22 – 25; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §28; 2008 Acts, ch 1021, §5 – 9; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §9, 10; 2013 Acts, ch 103, §11, 12; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §61 – 66; 2020 Acts, ch 1017, §1, 2; 2020 Acts, ch 1062, §43
Referred to in §321.204, 321.218, 321A.17, 321J.8, 321J.13

     
321.208A  Operation in violation of out-of-service order — penalties.
  1.  A person required to hold a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit to operate a commercial motor vehicle shall not operate a commercial motor vehicle on the highways of this state in violation of an out-of-service order issued by a peace officer for a violation of the out-of-service rules adopted by the department. A driver who violates an out-of-service order commits a simple misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars upon conviction for the first violation of an out-of-service order and not less than five thousand dollars for a second or subsequent violation of an out-of-service order in separate incidents within a ten-year period.
  2.  An employer shall not knowingly allow, require, permit, or authorize an employee to drive a commercial motor vehicle in violation of an out-of-service order. An employer who violates this subsection commits a simple misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not less than two thousand seven hundred fifty dollars and not more than twenty-five thousand dollars.
90 Acts, ch 1230, §52; 95 Acts, ch 55, §7; 97 Acts, ch 108, §12; 98 Acts, ch 1178, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2008 Acts, ch 1021, §10; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §6; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §67

     
321.209  Mandatory revocation.
  The department, upon thirty days’ notice and without preliminary hearing, shall revoke the license or operating privilege of an operator upon receiving a record of the operator’s conviction for any of the following offenses, when such conviction has become final:
  1.  Manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
  2.  A felony if during the commission of the felony a motor vehicle is used.
  3.  Failure to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state or to otherwise comply with section 321.261 in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another.
  4.  Perjury or the making of a false affidavit or statement under oath to the department under this chapter or under any other law relating to the ownership or operation of motor vehicles.
  5.  Conviction, or forfeiture of bail not vacated, upon two charges of reckless driving.
  6.  Conviction of drag racing.
  7.  Eluding or attempting to elude a law enforcement vehicle as provided in section 321.279.
[C31, 35, §4960-d33, 5027-d1; C39, §5014.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.209; 82 Acts, ch 1167, §2]
83 Acts, ch 125, §3; 86 Acts, ch 1220, §31; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §53; 93 Acts, ch 16, §4; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §14; 96 Acts, ch 1218, §59; 2021 Acts, ch 180, §1
Referred to in §321.210D, 321.212, 321.213, 321.215
Subsection 3 amended

     
321.210  Suspension.
  1.  a.  The department is authorized to establish rules providing for the suspension of the license of an operator upon thirty days’ notice and without preliminary hearing upon a showing by its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee:
  (1)  Is an habitually reckless or negligent driver of a motor vehicle.
  (2)  Is an habitual violator of the traffic laws.
  (3)  Is physically or mentally incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle.
  (4)  Has permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of the license.
  (5)  Has committed an offense or acted in a manner in another state or foreign jurisdiction which in this state would be grounds for suspension or revocation.
  (6)  Has committed a serious violation of the motor vehicle laws of this state.
  (7)  Is subject to a license suspension under section 321.513.
  b.  Prior to a suspension taking effect under paragraph “a”, subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6), the licensee shall have received thirty days’ advance notice of the effective date of the suspension. Notwithstanding the terms of the Iowa administrative procedure Act, chapter 17A, the filing of a petition for judicial review shall, except for suspensions under paragraph “a”, subparagraph (3), operate to stay the suspension pending the determination by the district court.
  2.  In determining suspension the department shall not consider the following:
  a.  Violation of motor vehicle equipment standards if repairs are made within seventy-two hours of the violation and satisfactory evidence of repair is immediately sent to the department.
  b.  Violations of requirements to install and use safety belts, safety harnesses, and child restraint devices under sections 321.445 and 321.446.
  c.  Parking violations, meaning violation of a local authority parking ordinance or violation of sections 321L.4, 321.366, subsection 1, paragraph “f”, and sections 321.354 through 321.361 except section 321.354, subsection 1, paragraph “a”.
  d.  The first two speeding violations within any twelve-month period of ten miles per hour or less over the legal speed limit in speed zones having a legal speed limit between thirty-four miles per hour and fifty-six miles per hour.
  e.  Violations of section 321.276.
[C31, 35, §4960-d35; C39, §5014.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.210; 82 Acts, ch 1100, §18, 19]
84 Acts, ch 1016, §2; 84 Acts, ch 1022, §1; 86 Acts, ch 1009, §1; 86 Acts, ch 1220, §32; 87 Acts, ch 120, §1; 87 Acts, ch 167, §6; 89 Acts, ch 247, §6; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §54; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §15; 97 Acts, ch 23, §33; 97 Acts, ch 104, §16; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §113, 172; 2010 Acts, ch 1105, §4; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §243
Referred to in §321.12, 321.178, 321.180A, 321.189, 321.190, 321.191, 321.194, 321.210C, 321.212, 321.213, 321.215, 321.218, 321.372, 321.555, 321A.17

  
     
321.210A  Suspension for failure to pay fine, penalty, surcharge, or court costs.
  1.  The department shall suspend the driver’s license of a person who, upon conviction of violating a law regulating the operation of a motor vehicle, has failed to pay the criminal fine or penalty, surcharge, or court costs, as follows:
  a.  Upon the failure of a person to timely pay the fine, penalty, surcharge, or court costs the clerk of the district court shall notify the person by regular mail that if the fine, penalty, surcharge, or court costs remain unpaid after sixty days from the date of mailing, the clerk will notify the department of the failure for purposes of instituting suspension procedures.
  b.  Upon the failure of a person to pay the fine, penalty, surcharge, or court costs within sixty days’ notice by the clerk of the district court as provided in paragraph “b”, the clerk shall report the failure to the department.
  c.  Upon receipt of a report of a failure to pay the fine, penalty, surcharge, or court costs from the clerk of the district court, the department shall in accordance with its rules, suspend the person’s driver’s license until the fine, penalty, surcharge, or court costs are paid.
  2.  If after suspension, the person enters into an installment agreement with the county attorney, the county attorney’s designee, or the department of revenue in accordance with section 321.210B to pay the fine, penalty, court cost, or surcharge, the person’s license shall be reinstated by the department upon receipt of a report of an executed installment agreement.
  3.  If the county attorney or the county attorney’s designee, while collecting delinquent court debt pursuant to section 602.8107, determines that the person has been convicted of an additional violation of a law regulating the operation of a motor vehicle, the county attorney or the county attorney’s designee shall notify the clerk of the district court of the appropriate case numbers, and the clerk of the district court shall notify the department for the purpose of instituting suspension procedures pursuant to this section.
85 Acts, ch 197, §3; 86 Acts, ch 1019, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2007 Acts, ch 196, §1; 2008 Acts, ch 1172, §19, 20; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §11; 2015 Acts, ch 138, §90, 161, 162; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §85, 92
Referred to in §321.12, 321.210B, 321.212, 321.215, 321.218, 321A.17, 602.8102(50A)

  
     
321.210B  Installment agreement.
  1.  a.  If a person’s fine, penalty, surcharge, or court cost is deemed delinquent as provided in section 602.8107, subsection 2, and the person’s driver’s license has been suspended pursuant to section 321.210A, or the clerk of the district court has reported the delinquency to the department as required by section 321.210A, the person may execute an installment agreement as defined in section 602.8107 with the county attorney, the county attorney’s designee, or the department of revenue, to pay the delinquent amount and the civil penalty assessed in subsection 7 in installments. Prior to execution of the installment agreement, the person shall provide the county attorney, the county attorney’s designee, or the department of revenue with a financial statement in order for the parties to the agreement to determine the amount of the installment payments.
  b.  Cases involving court debt assigned to a county attorney, a county attorney’s designee, or the department of revenue shall remain so assigned.
  2.  If the person enters into an installment agreement with the county attorney or the county attorney’s designee, the person shall execute an installment agreement in the county where the fine, penalty, surcharge, or court cost was imposed. If the county where the fine, penalty, surcharge, or court cost was imposed does not have an installment agreement program, the person shall execute an installment agreement in the person’s county of residence. If the county of residence does not have an installment agreement program, the person may execute an installment agreement with any county attorney or county attorney’s designee.
  3.  The county attorney, the county attorney’s designee, or the department of revenue shall file or give notice of the installment agreement with the clerk of the district court in the county where the fine, penalty, surcharge, or court cost was imposed, within five days of execution of the agreement.
  4.  Upon receipt of an executed installment agreement and after the first installment payment, the clerk of the district court shall report the receipt of the executed installment agreement to the department of transportation.
  5.  Upon receipt of the report from the clerk of the district court and payment of the reinstatement fee as provided in section 321.191, the department shall terminate the suspension if the suspension has not yet become effective. If the suspension has become effective, the department shall immediately reinstate the driver’s license of the person unless the driver’s license of the person is otherwise suspended, revoked, denied, or barred under another provision of law.
  6.  If a driver’s license is reinstated upon receipt of a report of an executed installment agreement the driver shall provide proof of financial responsibility pursuant to section 321A.17, if otherwise required by law.
  7.  a.  A civil penalty assessed pursuant to section 321J.17 shall be added to the amount owing under the installment agreement.
  b.  The clerk of the district court shall transmit to the department, from the first moneys collected, an amount equal to the amount of any civil penalty assessed pursuant to section 321J.17 and added to the installment agreement. The department shall transmit the money received from the clerk of the district court pursuant to this paragraph to the treasurer of state who shall deposit one-half of the money in the separate fund established in section 915.94 and one-half of the money in the general fund of the state.
  8.  a.  Except as provided in paragraph “b”, upon determination by the county attorney, the county attorney’s designee, or the department of revenue that the person is in default, the county attorney, the county attorney’s designee, or the department of revenue shall notify the clerk of the district court.
  b.  (1)  If the person is in default and the person provides a new financial statement within fifteen days of the determination made pursuant to paragraph “a” indicating that the person’s financial condition has changed to such an extent that lower installment payments would have been required prior to the execution of the initial installment agreement under subsection 1, the county attorney, the county attorney’s designee, or the department of revenue shall not notify the clerk of the district court, and the person shall not be considered in default. The new installment payments shall be based upon the new financial statement filed in compliance with this subparagraph.
  (2)  A person making new installment payments after complying with the provisions of subparagraph (1) shall not be considered executing a new installment agreement for purposes of calculating the number of installment agreements a person may execute in a person’s lifetime under subsection 12.
  9.  The clerk of the district court, upon receipt of a notification of a default from the county attorney, the county attorney’s designee, or the department of revenue, shall report the default to the department of transportation.
  10.  Upon receipt of a report of a default from the clerk of the district court, the department shall suspend the driver’s license of a person as provided in section 321.210A. For purposes of suspension and reinstatement of the driver’s license of a person in default, the suspension and any subsequent reinstatement shall be considered a suspension pursuant to section 321.210A.
  11.  If a new fine, penalty, surcharge, or court cost is imposed on a person after the person has executed an installment agreement with the county attorney, the county attorney’s designee, or the department of revenue, and the new fine, penalty, surcharge, or court cost is deemed delinquent as provided in section 602.8107, subsection 2, and the person’s driver’s license has been suspended pursuant to section 321.210A, the person may enter into a second installment agreement with the county attorney, county attorney’s designee, or the department of revenue to pay the delinquent amount and the civil penalty, if assessed, in subsection 7 in installments.
  12.  A person is eligible to enter into five installment agreements in the person’s lifetime.
  13.  Except for a civil penalty assessed and collected pursuant to subsection 7, any amount collected under the installment agreement by the county attorney or the county attorney’s designee shall be distributed as provided in section 602.8107, subsection 4, and any amount collected by the department of revenue shall be deposited with the clerk of the district court for distribution under section 602.8108.
2007 Acts, ch 196, §2, 17; 2008 Acts, ch 1018, §23, 31; 2008 Acts, ch 1172, §21; 2015 Acts, ch 138, §91, 161, 162; 2016 Acts, ch 1119, §1 – 4; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §51, 86, 92, 93
Referred to in §321.210A, 321J.17, 331.756(5)(d)

     
321.210C  Probation period.
  1.  A person whose driver’s license or operating privileges have been suspended, revoked, or barred under this chapter for a conviction of a moving traffic violation, or suspended, revoked, or barred under section 321.205 or section 321.210, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (5), must satisfactorily complete a twelve-month probation period beginning immediately after the end of the period of suspension, revocation, or bar. Upon a second conviction of a moving traffic violation which occurred during the probation period, the department may suspend the driver’s license or operating privileges for an additional period equal in duration to the original period of suspension, revocation, or bar, or for one year, whichever is the shorter period.
  2.  A person whose driver’s license or operating privileges have been revoked under chapter 321J, must satisfactorily complete a twelve-month probation period beginning immediately after the end of the period of revocation. Upon conviction of a moving traffic violation which occurs during the probation period, the department may revoke the driver’s license or operating privileges for an additional period equal in duration to the original period of revocation, or for one year, whichever is the shorter period.
  3.  For purposes of determining a conviction under this section, the department shall not consider the first two speeding violations within the probation period that are ten miles per hour or less over the legal speed limit in speed zones having a legal speed limit between thirty-four miles per hour and fifty-six miles per hour.
98 Acts, ch 1112, §10, 14, 16; 2006 Acts, ch 1010, §89; 2007 Acts, ch 196, §4; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §173

     
321.210D  Vehicular homicide suspension — termination upon revocation of license — reopening of suspension.
  1.  If a trial information or indictment is filed charging a person with the offense of homicide by vehicle under section 707.6A, subsection 1 or 2, the clerk of the district court shall, upon the filing of the information or indictment, forward notice to the department including the name and address of the party charged, the registration number of the vehicle involved, if known, the nature of the offense, and the date of the filing of the indictment or information.
  2.  Upon receiving notice from the clerk of the district court that an indictment or information has been filed charging an operator with homicide by vehicle under section 707.6A, subsection 1 or 2, the department shall notify the person that the person’s driver’s license will be suspended effective ten days from the date of issuance of the notice. The department shall adopt rules relating to the suspension of the license of an operator pursuant to this section which shall include, but are not limited to, procedures for the surrender of the person’s license to the department upon the effective date of the suspension.
  3.  If a person whose driver’s license has been suspended pursuant to this section is not convicted of the charge of homicide by vehicle under section 707.6A, subsection 1 or 2, upon record entry of disposition of the charge, the clerk of the district court shall forward a notice including the name and address of the party charged, the registration number of the vehicle involved, the nature of the offense charged by indictment or information, the date of the filing of the indictment or information, and of the disposition of the charge to the department. Upon receipt of the notice from the clerk, the department shall automatically rescind the suspension and reinstate the person’s driver’s license without payment of any charge or penalty.
  4.  Upon receiving a record of conviction under section 321.206, for a violation of section 707.6A, subsection 1 or 2, and upon revocation of the person’s license or operating privileges under section 321.209, the suspension under subsection 2 shall automatically terminate in favor of the revocation.
98 Acts, ch 1073, §12; 98 Acts, ch 1088, §1; 2000 Acts, ch 1133, §7
Referred to in §321A.17

     
321.211  Notice and hearing — appropriation.
  1.  Upon suspending the license of a person as authorized, the department shall immediately notify the licensee in writing and upon the licensee’s request shall afford the licensee an opportunity for a hearing before the department of inspections and appeals as early as practical within thirty days after receipt of the request. The hearing shall be held by telephone conference unless the licensee and the department of inspections and appeals agree to hold the hearing in the county in which the licensee resides or in some other county. Upon the hearing the department of inspections and appeals may administer oaths and issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers and may require a reexamination of the licensee. Upon the hearing and issuance of a recommendation by the department of inspections and appeals, the state department of transportation shall either rescind its order of suspension or for good cause may extend the suspension of the license or revoke the license. This section does not preclude the director from attempting to effect an informal settlement under chapter 17A.
  2.  There is appropriated each year from the road use tax fund to the department of transportation two hundred twenty-five thousand dollars or as much thereof as is necessary to be used to pay the cost of notice and personal delivery of service, as necessary to meet the notice requirement of this section. The department shall adopt rules governing the payment of the cost of personal delivery of service. The reinstatement fees collected under section 321.191 shall be deposited in the road use tax fund in the manner provided in section 321.145, as reimbursement for the costs of notice under this section.
  3.  A peace officer stopping a person for whom a notice of a suspension or revocation has been issued or to whom a notice of a hearing has been sent under the provisions of this section may personally serve such notice upon forms approved by the department to satisfy the notice requirements of this section. The peace officer may confiscate the driver’s license of such person if the license has been revoked or has been suspended subsequent to a hearing and the person has not forwarded the driver’s license to the department as required.
[C31, 35, §4960-d36; C39, §5014.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.211; 81 Acts, ch 14, §24]
83 Acts, ch 198, §21; 86 Acts, ch 1246, §29; 89 Acts, ch 273, §1; 89 Acts, ch 317, §34; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §55; 90 Acts, ch 1267, §37; 92 Acts, ch 1238, §34; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180

     
321.211A  Appeal of extended suspension or revocation.
  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, if a person was not served with notice of a suspension or revocation under section 321.16, or section 321J.9, subsection 4, or section 321J.12, subsection 3, the person may appeal to the department an extension of the period of suspension or revocation based upon a conviction under section 321.218 or 321J.21. At the hearing on the appeal, the sole issue shall be whether the department failed to send notice of the underlying suspension or revocation to the person at the address contained in the department’s records. If the department determines it failed to send such notice, the department shall rescind the extended suspension or revocation resulting from the conviction and send notice of the department’s determination to the court that rendered the conviction. Upon receipt of the notice, the court shall enter an order exonerating the person of the conviction and ordering that the record of the conviction be expunged by the clerk of the district court.
2001 Acts, ch 32, §45

  
     
321.212  Period of suspension or revocation — surrender of license.
  1.  a.  (1)  Except as provided in section 321.210A or 321.513 the department shall not suspend a license for a period of more than one year, except that a license suspended because of incompetency to drive a motor vehicle shall be suspended until the department receives satisfactory evidence that the former holder is competent to operate a motor vehicle and a refusal to reinstate constitutes a denial of license within section 321.215; upon revoking a license the department shall not grant an application for a new license until the expiration of one year after the revocation, unless another period is specified by law.
  (2)  A suspension under section 321.210, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (4), for a violation of section 321.216B shall not exceed six months. As soon as practicable after the period of suspension has expired, but not later than six months after the date of expiration, the department shall expunge information regarding the suspension from the person’s driving record.
  b.  The department shall not revoke a license under the provisions of section 321.209, subsection 5, for more than thirty days nor less than five days as recommended by the trial court.
  c.  The department shall revoke a license for six months for a first offense under the provisions of section 321.209, subsection 6, where the violation charged did not result in a personal injury or damage to property.
  2.  The department upon suspending or revoking a driver’s license shall require that the license be surrendered to and be retained by the department. At the end of the period of suspension the license surrendered shall be reissued to the licensee upon payment of the reinstatement fee under section 321.191. At the end of a period of revocation the licensee must apply for a new driver’s license.
[C31, 35, §4960-d40, -d42, -d45; C39, §5014.12, 5014.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.212, 321.213; 82 Acts, ch 1167, §3]
85 Acts, ch 197, §4; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §56; 93 Acts, ch 16, §5; 93 Acts, ch 164, §2; 96 Acts, ch 1218, §60; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §114; 2018 Acts, ch 1172, §96, 104
2018 amendment takes effect July 1, 2018; Code editor received notice that the governor submitted the written certifications required by 2018 Acts, ch 1172, to the United States secretary of transportation on that date; 
2018 Acts, ch 1172, §104

     
321.213  License suspensions or revocations due to violations by juvenile drivers.
  Upon the entering of a dispositional order suspending or revoking the driver’s license or operating privileges of the juvenile under section 232.52, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, the clerk of the juvenile court shall forward a copy of the adjudication and the dispositional order to the department. Notwithstanding section 232.55, a final adjudication in a juvenile court that the child violated a provision of this chapter or chapter 321A or 321J constitutes a final conviction for purposes of section 321.189, subsection 7, paragraph “b”, and sections 321.193, 321.194, 321.200, 321.209, 321.210, 321.215, 321.555, 321A.17, 321J.2, 321J.3, and 321J.4.
[82 Acts, ch 1070, §1]
C83, §321.213
86 Acts, ch 1220, §33; 89 Acts, ch 296, §32; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §57; 93 Acts, ch 16, §6; 93 Acts, ch 87, §6; 95 Acts, ch 55, §8; 96 Acts, ch 1218, §61; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9
Referred to in §232.147

     
321.213A  License suspension for juveniles adjudicated delinquent for certain drug or alcohol offenses.
  Upon the entering of a dispositional order under section 232.52, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, the clerk of the juvenile court shall forward a copy of the adjudication and the dispositional order suspending or revoking the driver’s license or operating privileges of the juvenile to the department. The department shall suspend the license or operating privilege of the child for one year. The child may receive a temporary restricted license, if eligible, as provided in section 321.215.
94 Acts, ch 1172, §34; 95 Acts, ch 55, §9; 96 Acts, ch 1034, §20; 96 Acts, ch 1218, §62; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §8
Referred to in §232.147, 321A.17

     
321.213B  Suspension for failure to attend.
  The department shall establish procedures by rule for suspending the license of a juvenile who has been issued a driver’s license and is not in compliance with the requirements of section 299.1B or issuing the juvenile a restricted license under section 321.178.
94 Acts, ch 1172, §35; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §16; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §26
Referred to in §321.215, 321A.17

321.214  Reserved.

  
     
321.215  Temporary restricted license.
  1.  a.  The department, on application, may issue a temporary restricted license to a person whose noncommercial driver’s license is suspended or revoked under this chapter, allowing the person to drive to and from the person’s home and specified places at specified times which can be verified by the department and which are required by any of the following:
  (1)  The person’s full-time or part-time employment.
  (2)  The person’s continuing health care or the continuing health care of another who is dependent upon the person.
  (3)  The person’s continuing education while enrolled in an educational institution on a part-time or full-time basis and while pursuing a course of study leading to a diploma, degree, or other certification of successful educational completion.
  (4)  The person’s substance abuse treatment.
  (5)  The person’s court-ordered community service responsibilities.
  (6)  The person’s appointments with the person’s parole or probation officer.
  b.  However, a temporary restricted license shall not be issued to a person whose license is revoked pursuant to a court order issued under section 321.209, subsections 1 through 5 or subsection 7; to a juvenile whose license has been suspended or revoked pursuant to a dispositional order under section 232.52, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, for a violation of chapter 124 or 453B or section 126.3; to a juvenile whose license has been suspended under section 321.213B; or to a person whose license has been suspended pursuant to a court order under section 714.7D. A temporary restricted license may be issued to a person whose license is revoked under section 321.209, subsection 6, only if the person has no previous drag racing convictions. A person holding a temporary restricted license issued by the department under this section shall not operate a motor vehicle for pleasure.
  2.  Upon conviction and the suspension or revocation of a person’s noncommercial driver’s license under section 321.209, subsection 5 or 6, or section 321.210, 321.210A, or 321.513; or upon the denial of issuance of a noncommercial driver’s license under section 321.560, based solely on offenses enumerated in section 321.555, subsection 1, paragraph “c”, or section 321.555, subsection 2; or upon suspension or revocation of a juvenile’s driver’s license pursuant to a dispositional order under section 232.52, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, for a violation of chapter 124 or 453B, or section 126.3; or upon suspension of a driver’s license pursuant to a court order under section 714.7D, the person may apply to the department for a temporary restricted license to operate a motor vehicle for the limited purpose or purposes specified in subsection 1. The application may be granted only if all of the following criteria are satisfied:
  a.  The temporary restricted license is requested only for a case of hardship or circumstances where alternative means of transportation do not exist.
  b.  The temporary restricted license is restricted to the limited purpose or purposes specified in subsection 1 at times specified in the license.
  c.  Proof of financial responsibility is established as defined in chapter 321A. However, such proof is not required if the driver’s license was suspended under section 321.210A or 321.513.
  3.  The temporary restricted license shall be canceled upon conviction of a moving traffic violation or upon a violation of a term of the license. A “moving traffic violation” does not include a parking violation as defined in section 321.210.
  4.  The temporary restricted license is not valid to operate a commercial motor vehicle if a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit is required for the person’s operation of the commercial motor vehicle.
  5.  Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the department may issue a temporary restricted license to a person eligible for a temporary restricted license under this section if the person is also eligible for a temporary restricted license under section 321J.20, provided the requirements of  this section and section 321J.20 are satisfied.
[C31, 35, §4960-d43, -d44; C39, §5014.15; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.215]
84 Acts, ch 1022, §6; 84 Acts, ch 1219, §26; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §58; 93 Acts, ch 16, §7 – 9; 95 Acts, ch 55, §10; 95 Acts, ch 143, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §17; 96 Acts, ch 1218, §63 – 65; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2000 Acts, ch 1133, §8 – 10; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §9; 2002 Acts, ch 1050, §33; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §27; 2005 Acts, ch 141, §1, 2; 2007 Acts, ch 196, §3; 2010 Acts, ch 1097, §1; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §34, 68; 2016 Acts, ch 1011, §50; 2018 Acts, ch 1172, §97 – 99, 104
Referred to in §321.212, 321.213, 321.213A, 321.560, 321.561, 321J.20
2018 amendment takes effect July 1, 2018; Code editor received notice that the governor submitted the written certifications required by 2018 Acts, ch 1172, to the United States secretary of transportation on that date; 
2018 Acts, ch 1172, §104
LICENSES AND NONOPERATOR’S

IDENTIFICATION CARDS — VIOLATIONS

     
321.216  Unlawful use of license or nonoperator’s identification card — penalty.
  It is a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 4, for any person:
  1.  To display or cause or permit to be displayed or have in the person’s possession a canceled, revoked, suspended, fictitious, or fraudulently altered driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card.
  2.  To lend that person’s driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card to another person or knowingly permit the use of the license by another.
  3.  To display or represent as one’s own a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card not issued to that person.
  4.  To fail or refuse to surrender to the department upon its lawful demand a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card which has been suspended, revoked, or canceled.
  5.  To permit an unlawful use of a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card issued to that person.
[C31, 35, §4960-d46, -d52; C39, §5015.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.216]
89 Acts, ch 84, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §59; 96 Acts, ch 1090, §3; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §52, 59; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §40
Referred to in §123.48, 453A.4, 805.8A(4)(h)

     
321.216A  Falsifying driver’s licenses, nonoperator’s identification cards, or forms.
  It is a serious misdemeanor for a person to do any of the following:
  1.  Make a driver’s license, a nonoperator’s vehicle identification card, or a blank driver’s license form if the person has no authority or right to make the license, card, or form.
  2.  Obtain, possess, or have in the person’s control or on the person’s premises, driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card forms.
  3.  Obtain, possess, or have in the person’s control or on the person’s premises, a driver’s license or a nonoperator’s identification card, or blank driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card form, which has been made by a person having no authority or right to make the license, card, or form.
  4.  Use a false or fictitious name in any application for a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card or to knowingly make a false statement or knowingly conceal a material fact or otherwise commit fraud on an application.
89 Acts, ch 84, §2; 96 Acts, ch 1090, §4; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9, 10
Referred to in §123.48, 453A.4

  
     
321.216B  Use of driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card by underage person to obtain alcohol.
  1.  A person who is under the age of twenty-one, who alters or displays or has in the person’s possession a fictitious or fraudulently altered driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card and who uses the license to violate or attempt to violate section 123.47, commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 4. The court shall forward a copy of the conviction to the department.
  2.  A person shall not be charged or prosecuted for a violation of this section if the person is immune from charge or prosecution pursuant to section 701.12.
93 Acts, ch 164, §3; 96 Acts, ch 1090, §5; 97 Acts, ch 126, §40; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 98 Acts, ch 1100, §45; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §53, 59; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §41; 2020 Acts, ch 1080, §5
Referred to in §123.48, 321.212, 321A.17, 701.12, 805.8A(4)(i)
Legislative intent regarding effect on insurance rates; 
93 Acts, ch 164, §6

  
     
321.216C  Use of driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card by underage person to obtain tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, vapor products, or cigarettes.
  A person who is under the age of twenty-one, who alters or displays or has in the person’s possession a fictitious or fraudulently altered driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card and who uses the license or card to violate or attempt to violate section 453A.2, subsection 2, commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 4. The court shall forward a copy of the conviction to the department.
2000 Acts, ch 1105, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §54, 59; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §42; 2020 Acts, ch 1106, §1, 8
Referred to in §453A.4, 805.8A(4)(j)

     
321.217  Perjury.
  Any person who makes any false affidavit, or knowingly swears or affirms falsely to any matter or thing required by the terms of this chapter to be sworn to or affirmed, is guilty of a class “D” felony.
[C31, 35, §4960-d47; C39, §5015.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.217]
Perjury, §720.2 

  
     
321.218  Operating without valid driver’s license or when disqualified — penalties.
  1.  A person whose driver’s license or operating privilege has been denied, canceled, suspended, or revoked as provided in this chapter or as provided in section 252J.8, and who operates a motor vehicle upon the highways of this state while the license or privilege is denied, canceled, suspended, or revoked, commits a simple misdemeanor. In addition to any other penalties, the punishment imposed for a violation of this subsection shall include assessment of a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars.
  2.  The sentence imposed under this section shall not be suspended by the court, notwithstanding section 907.3 or any other statute.
  3.  a.  The department, upon receiving the record of the conviction of a person under this section upon a charge of operating a motor vehicle while the license of the person is suspended or revoked, shall, except for licenses suspended under section 252J.8, section 321.210, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (3), or section 321.210A or 321.513, extend the period of suspension or revocation for an additional like period or for one year, whichever period is shorter.
  b.  If the department receives a record of a conviction of a person under this section but the person’s driving record does not indicate what the original grounds of suspension were, the period of suspension under this subsection shall be for a period not to exceed six months.
  4.  A person who operates a commercial motor vehicle upon the highways of this state when disqualified from operating the commercial motor vehicle under section 321.208 or the imminent hazard provisions of 
49 C.F.R. §383.52
 commits a serious misdemeanor if a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit is required for the person to operate the commercial motor vehicle.
  5.  The department, upon receiving the record of a conviction of a person under this section upon a charge of operating a commercial motor vehicle while the person is disqualified, shall extend the period of disqualification for an additional like period or for the time period specified in section 321.208, whichever is longer.
[C31, 35, §4960-d34, -d51; C39, §5015.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.218; 82 Acts, ch 1167, §4]
84 Acts, ch 1142, §1; 85 Acts, ch 195, §36; 86 Acts, ch 1220, §34; 89 Acts, ch 83, §43; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §60; 93 Acts, ch 164, §4; 95 Acts, ch 48, §4; 96 Acts, ch 1090, §6, 7; 97 Acts, ch 104, §17; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 99 Acts, ch 153, §2; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §28; 2006 Acts, ch 1030, §36; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §12; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §174; 2015 Acts, ch 123, §69; 2018 Acts, ch 1172, §100, 104; 2021 Acts, ch 98, §1
Referred to in §321.211A, 321.241, 321J.4B, 321N.3, 901C.3
2018 amendment takes effect July 1, 2018; Code editor received notice that the governor submitted the written certifications required by 2018 Acts, ch 1172, to the United States secretary of transportation on that date; 
2018 Acts, ch 1172, §104
Subsection 3, paragraph a amended

321.218A  Civil penalty — disposition — reinstatement.  Repealed by 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §54, 93.

  
     
321.219  Permitting unauthorized minor to drive.
  1.  A person shall not cause or knowingly permit the person’s child or ward under the age of eighteen years to drive a motor vehicle upon any highway when the minor is not authorized under this chapter.
  2.  A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 4.
[C31, 35, §4960-d48; C39, §5015.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.219]
2000 Acts, ch 1203, §7; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §152; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §43
Referred to in §805.8A(4)(k)

     
321.220  Permitting unauthorized person to drive.
  1.  A person shall not knowingly authorize or permit a motor vehicle owned by the person or under the person’s control to be driven upon a highway by a person who is not issued a driver’s license valid for the vehicle’s operation.
  2.  A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 4.
[C31, 35, §4960-d50; C39, §5015.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.220]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §61; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2000 Acts, ch 1203, §8; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §44
Referred to in §805.8A(4)(l)

     
321.221  Employing unlicensed chauffeur.
  A person shall not employ as a chauffeur of a motor vehicle a person not then holding a class D driver’s license or a commercial driver’s license as provided in this chapter.
[C31, 35, §4960-d49; C39, §5015.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.221]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §62

     
321.222  Renting motor vehicle to another.
  No person shall rent a motor vehicle to any other person unless the latter person is then duly licensed hereunder or, in the case of a nonresident, then duly licensed under the laws of the state or country of residence except a nonresident whose home state or country does not require that an operator be licensed.
[C39, §5015.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.222]

     
321.223  Driver’s license inspection for motor vehicle rental.
  A person shall not rent a motor vehicle to another person without inspecting the driver’s license of the person to whom the vehicle is to be rented and doing all of the following:
  1.  A comparison and verification of the signature on the driver’s license with the signature of such person written in the inspecting person’s presence.
  2.  A comparison and verification of the person to whom the motor vehicle is to be rented with the photograph and other identification information on the person’s driver’s license.
  3.  A determination that the driver’s license of the person to whom the vehicle is to be rented is valid for operating the vehicle to be rented.
[C39, §5015.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.223]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §63; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9

     
321.224  Record kept.
  Every person renting a motor vehicle to another shall keep a record of the registration number of the motor vehicle so rented, the name and address of the person to whom the vehicle is rented, the number of the license of the latter person and the date and place when and where the license was issued. The record shall be open to inspection by any peace officer as defined in section 801.4, subsection 11, paragraphs “a”, “b”, “c” and “h” or employee of the department.
[C39, §5015.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.224; 81 Acts, ch 103, §3]
321.225 through 321.227Reserved. 
OBEDIENCE TO AND EFFECT OF

TRAFFIC LAWS

  
     
321.228  Provisions refer to highways — exceptions.
  The provisions of this chapter relating to the operation of vehicles refer exclusively to the operation of vehicles upon highways except:
  1.  Where a different place is specifically referred to in a given section.
  2.  The provisions of sections 321.261 through 321.273, and sections 321.277 and 321.280 shall apply upon highways and elsewhere throughout the state.
[C39, §5017.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.228]
86 Acts, ch 1220, §35; 98 Acts, ch 1178, §2; 2019 Acts, ch 59, §91

     
321.229  Obedience to peace officers.
  No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any peace officer invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5064; C39, §5017.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.229]
Referred to in §805.8A(14)(a)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph a 

     
321.230  Public officers not exempt.
  The provisions of this chapter applicable to the drivers of vehicles upon the highways shall apply to the drivers of all vehicles owned or operated by the United States, this state or any county, city, district, or any other political subdivision of the state, subject to such specific exceptions as are set forth in this chapter with reference to authorized emergency vehicles.
[C39, §5017.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.230]

  
     
321.231  Authorized emergency vehicles and police bicycles.
  1.  The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected perpetrator of a felony or in response to an incident dangerous to the public or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section.
  2.  The driver of any authorized emergency vehicle, may:
  a.  Park or stand an authorized emergency vehicle, irrespective of the provisions of this chapter.
  b.  Disregard laws or regulations governing direction of movement for the minimum distance necessary before an alternative route that conforms to the traffic laws and regulations is available.
  3.  The driver of a fire department vehicle, police vehicle, rescue vehicle, or ambulance, or a peace officer riding a police bicycle in the line of duty, may do any of the following:
  a.  Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation.
  b.  Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as the driver does not endanger life or property.
  4.  The exemptions granted to an authorized emergency vehicle under subsection 2 and to a fire department vehicle, police vehicle, rescue vehicle, or ambulance as provided in subsection 3 shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signaling device meeting the requirements of section 321.433 or a visual signaling device, except that use of an audible or visual signaling device shall not be required when exercising the exemption granted under subsection 3, paragraph “b”, when the vehicle is operated by a peace officer pursuing a suspected violator of the speed restrictions imposed by or pursuant to this chapter for the purpose of determining the speed of travel of such suspected violator.
  5.  The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle or the rider of a police bicycle from the duty to drive or ride with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver or rider from the consequences of the driver’s or rider’s reckless disregard for the safety of others.
[C39, §5017.04, 5017.05, 5023.12; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, §321.231, 321.232, 321.296; C77, 79, 81, §321.231]
97 Acts, ch 71, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1080, §2; 98 Acts, ch 1100, §46; 2009 Acts, ch 133, §118; 2018 Acts, ch 1022, §2
Referred to in §613.17, 805.8A(11)(a)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 11

     
321.232   Speed detection jamming devices — penalty.
  1.  A person shall not sell, operate, or possess a speed detection jamming device, except as otherwise provided in this section, when the device is in a vehicle operated on the highways of this state or the device is held for sale in this state.
  2.  This section does not apply to speed measuring devices purchased by, held for purchase for, or operated by peace officers using the devices in performance of their official duties.
  3.  A speed detection jamming device sold, operated, or possessed in violation of subsection 1 may be seized by a peace officer and is subject to forfeiture as provided by chapter 809 or 809A.
  4.  For the purposes of this section:
  a.  “Speed detection jamming device” means any active or passive device, instrument, mechanism, or equipment that is designed or intended to interfere with, disrupt, or scramble the radar or laser that is used by a peace officer to measure the speed of motor vehicles. “Speed detection jamming device” does not include equipment that is legal under federal communications commission regulations, such as a citizens’ band radio, a ham radio, or other similar electronic equipment.
  b.  “Speed measuring device” includes but is not limited to devices commonly known as radar speed meters or laser speed meters.
[81 Acts, ch 109, §1]
96 Acts, ch 1133, §41; 2013 Acts, ch 140, §158
Referred to in §805.8A(14)(g), 809A.3
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph g 

     
321.233  Road workers exempted.
  This chapter, except sections 321.277 and 321.280, does not apply to persons and motor vehicles and other equipment while actually engaged in work upon the surface of a highway officially closed to traffic but does apply to such persons and vehicles when traveling to or from such work. The minimum speed restriction of section 321.285, subsection 5, and the provisions of sections 321.297, 321.298, and 321.323 do not apply to road workers operating maintenance equipment on behalf of any state or local authority while engaged in road maintenance, road blading, snow and ice control and removal, and granular resurfacing work on a highway, whether or not the highway is closed to traffic.
[C39, §5017.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.233; 82 Acts, ch 1154, §1]
85 Acts, ch 167, §1; 86 Acts, ch 1220, §36; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §64; 97 Acts, ch 104, §18; 2009 Acts, ch 133, §239

     
321.234  Bicycles, animals, or animal-drawn vehicles.
  1.  A person riding an animal or driving an animal drawing a vehicle upon a roadway is subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application.
  2.  A person, including a peace officer, riding a bicycle on the highway is subject to the provisions of this chapter and has all the rights and duties under this chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application or those provisions for which specific exceptions have been set forth regarding police bicycles.
  3.  A person propelling a bicycle on the highway shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle.
  4.  A person shall not use a bicycle on the highway to carry more persons at one time than the number of persons for which the bicycle is designed and equipped.
  5.  This section does not apply to the use of a bicycle in a parade authorized by proper permit from local authorities.
[C39, §5017.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.234]
85 Acts, ch 40, §2; 97 Acts, ch 71, §2
Referred to in §321.235B, 321.236, 805.8A(9)(a)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 9 

  
     
321.234A  All-terrain vehicles — highway use.
  1.  All-terrain vehicles shall not be operated on a highway unless one or more of the following conditions apply:
  a.  The operation is between sunrise and sunset and is incidental to the vehicle’s use for agricultural purposes. For purposes of this paragraph, “incidental to the vehicle’s use for agricultural purposes” includes stopping in the course of agricultural use to obtain fuel for the all-terrain vehicle or to obtain food or a nonalcoholic beverage for the operator.
  b.  The operation is incidental to the vehicle’s use for the purpose of surveying by a licensed engineer or land surveyor.
  c.  The all-terrain vehicle is operated by an employee or agent of a political subdivision or public utility for the purpose of construction or maintenance on or adjacent to the highway.
  d.  The all-terrain vehicle is operated by an employee or agent of a public agency as defined in section 34.1 for the purpose of providing emergency services or rescue.
  e.  The all-terrain vehicle is operated for the purpose of mowing, installing approved trail signs, or providing maintenance on a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle trail designated by the department of natural resources.
  f.  The all-terrain vehicle is operated on a county roadway in accordance with section 321I.10, subsection 2, or a city street in accordance with section 321I.10, subsection 3.
  g.  The all-terrain vehicle is crossing the highway pursuant to section 321I.10, subsection 5. 
  2.  A person operating an all-terrain vehicle on a highway shall have a valid driver’s license and the vehicle shall be operated at speeds of thirty-five miles per hour or less.
  3.  An all-terrain vehicle that is owned by the owner of land adjacent to a highway, other than an interstate road, may be operated by the owner of the all-terrain vehicle, or by a member of the owner’s family, on the portion of the highway right-of-way that is between the shoulder of the roadway, or at least five feet from the edge of the roadway, and the owner’s property line. A person operating an all-terrain vehicle within the highway right-of-way under this subsection shall comply with the registration, safety, and age requirements under chapter 321I.
  4.  A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 3.
85 Acts, ch 35, §3; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §65; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 99 Acts, ch 108, §4; 2000 Acts, ch 1203, §9; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2002 Acts, ch 1001, §1; 2004 Acts, ch 1132, §81; 2006 Acts, ch 1036, §1; 2007 Acts, ch 141, §1; 2010 Acts, ch 1186, §4, 5; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §45; 2017 Acts, ch 32, §1
Referred to in §321.1, 321I.1, 321I.9, 321I.10, 805.8A(3)(a)

  
     
321.235  Provisions uniform.
  The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable and uniform throughout this state and in all political subdivisions and municipalities therein and no local authority shall enact or enforce any rule or regulation in conflict with the provisions of this chapter unless expressly authorized herein. Local authorities may, however, adopt additional traffic regulations which are not in conflict with the provisions of this chapter.
[C39, §5017.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.235]

     
321.235A  Electric personal assistive mobility devices.
  An electric personal assistive mobility device, which is a two-wheeled device as defined in section 321.1, subsection 20B, may be operated by a person at least sixteen years of age on sidewalks and bikeways in accordance with this section.
  1.  None of the following are required for operation of an electric personal assistive mobility device:
  a.  Licensure or registration of the electric personal assistive mobility device under this chapter.
  b.  Possession of a driver’s license or permit by the operator of the electric personal assistive mobility device.
  c.  Proof of financial responsibility.
  2.  A person operating an electric personal assistive mobility device on a sidewalk or bikeway shall do all of the following:
  a.  Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and human-powered devices.
  b.  Give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian or human-powered device.
  3.  A person shall not operate an electric personal assistive mobility device at the times specified in section 321.384 unless the person or the electric personal assistive mobility device is equipped with a headlight visible from the front of the electric personal assistive mobility device and at least one red reflector visible from the rear of the electric personal assistive mobility device.
  4.  Violations of this section are punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 9A.
2002 Acts, ch 1063, §30; 2004 Acts, ch 1013, §29, 35; 2004 Acts, ch 1175, §397, 400
Referred to in §321.236, 805.8A(9A)(a)

  
     
321.235B  Low-speed electric bicycles — labels — operation.
  1.  A manufacturer or distributor of low-speed electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed in a prominent location to each of the manufacturer’s or distributor’s low-speed electric bicycles. The label shall contain all of the following information printed in arial font with a font size not less than nine point type:
  a.  A classification number for the low-speed electric bicycle that corresponds with a class defined in section 321.1, subsection 36A.
  b.  The low-speed electric bicycle’s top assisted speed.
  c.  The low-speed electric bicycle’s motor wattage.
  2.  A person shall not knowingly modify the speed capability or engagement of a low-speed electric bicycle such that the low-speed electric bicycle does not qualify for a class defined in section 321.1, subsection 36A. If a person has modified the speed capability or engagement of a low-speed electric bicycle, the person shall affix a new label containing the information listed in subsection 1 to the modified low-speed electric bicycle. 
  3.  A low-speed electric bicycle shall be manufactured and equipped in compliance with 
16 C.F.R. pt. 1512
.
  4.  A low-speed electric bicycle shall be manufactured to operate in such a manner that when the rider stops pedaling, applies the brakes, or the electric motor is disengaged, the electric motor assist ceases to function.
  5.  A class 3 low-speed electric bicycle shall not be operated unless it is equipped with a speedometer that displays its speed in miles per hour.
  6.  A person under the age of sixteen shall not operate a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle. A person under the age of sixteen may ride as a passenger on a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle in compliance with section 321.234, subsection 4.
  7.  A person operating a low-speed electric bicycle on a highway is subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to a rider of a bicycle on a highway and has all the rights and duties under this chapter applicable to a rider of a bicycle, except those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application, or except as otherwise provided in this section.
  8.  Except for provisions of the Code made specifically applicable to low-speed electric bicycles in this section, low-speed electric bicycles are not subject to provisions of the Code applicable to vehicles, including provisions relating to all of the following:
  a.  Licensure, registration, titling, inspection, and proof of financial liability coverage.
  b.  Possession of a driver’s license or permit.
  9.  a.  A low-speed electric bicycle may be operated in any place where a bicycle is allowed to operate, including but not limited to streets, highways, roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes, bikeways, and bicycle or multi-use paths.
  b.  A person shall not operate a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle on a bicycle lane or multi-use path in excess of the posted or applicable speed limit, or if there is no posted or applicable speed limit, twenty miles per hour.
2021 Acts, ch 125, §5, 8, 9
Referred to in §805.8A(9A)(b)
Subsections 1 and 2 apply to low-speed electric bicycles manufactured or distributed on or after January 1, 2022; 
2021 Acts, ch 125, §8
Subsections 3 and 4 apply to low-speed electric bicycles manufactured or distributed on or after July 1, 2021; 
2021 Acts, ch 125, §9
NEW section
POWERS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

  
     
321.236  Powers of local authorities.
  Local authorities shall have no power to enact, enforce, or maintain any ordinance, rule, or regulation in any way in conflict with, contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, and no such ordinance, rule, or regulation of said local authorities heretofore or hereafter enacted shall have any force or effect. However, the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to prevent local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of the police power, from doing any of the following:
  1.  Regulating the standing or parking of vehicles.
  a.  Parking meter, snow route, and overtime parking violations which are contested shall be charged and proceed before a court the same as other traffic violations. Filing fees and court costs shall be assessed as provided in section 602.8106, subsection 1, and section 805.6, subsection 1, paragraph “a” for parking violation cases.
  b.  Parking violations which are uncontested shall be charged and collected upon a simple notice of a fine payable to the city clerk. The fine for each violation charged under a simple notice of a fine shall be established by ordinance. The fine may be increased by five dollars if the parking violation is not paid within thirty days of the date upon which the violation occurred. Violations of section 321L.4, subsection 2, shall be charged and collected upon a simple notice of a one hundred dollar fine payable to the city clerk. Costs or other charges shall not be assessed. All fines collected by a city pursuant to this paragraph shall be retained by the city and all fines collected by a county pursuant to this paragraph shall be retained by the county, except as provided by an agreement between a city and a county treasurer for the collection of fines pursuant to section 331.553, subsection 8.
  c.  If the local authority regulating the standing or parking of vehicles under this subsection is located in a county where the renewal of registration of a vehicle shall be refused for unpaid restitution under section 321.40, the simple notice of fine under paragraph “b” shall contain the following statement:
  Failure to pay restitution owed by you can be grounds for refusing to renew your motor vehicle’s registration.
  d.  If the local authority regulating the standing or parking of vehicles under this subsection is a county or is a city which has an agreement with a county treasurer by which the renewal of registration of a vehicle shall be refused for uncontested and unpaid parking fines under section 321.40, the simple notice of a fine under paragraph “b” shall contain the following statement:
  Failure to pay parking fines owed by you can be grounds for refusing to renew your motor vehicle’s registration.
  e.  Cities that enter into chapter 28E agreements for the collection of delinquent parking fines in conjunction with renewal of motor vehicle registrations pursuant to section 321.40 shall be responsible for computer programming costs incurred by the department to accommodate the collection and dissemination of delinquent parking ticket information to county treasurers, with each such city paying a per capita share of the costs as provided in this paragraph. The department’s programming costs shall be paid by the first city to enter into such an agreement. Thereafter, cities that enter into such agreements on or before June 30, 2010, shall pay a pro rata share of the department’s programming costs on or before September 30, 2010, to the city which first paid the costs, based on the respective populations of each city as of the last decennial census.
  2.  Regulating traffic by means of police officers or traffic-control signals.
  3.  Regulating or prohibiting processions or assemblages on the highways.
  4.  Designating particular highways as one-way highways and requiring that all vehicles thereon be moved in one specific direction.
  5.  Regulating the speed of vehicles in public parks.
  6.  Designating any highway as a through highway and requiring that all vehicles stop or yield the right-of-way before entering or crossing the same or designating any intersection as a stop intersection and requiring all vehicles to stop at one or more entrances to such intersections.
  7.  Licensing and regulating the operation of vehicles offered to the public for hire and used principally in intracity operation, except to the extent such licensure and regulation conflicts with section 321.241, section 321N.11, section 325A.6, or any other provision of the Code.
  8.  Restricting the use of highways as authorized in sections 321.471 through 321.473.
  9.  Regulating or prohibiting the turning of vehicles at and between intersections.
  10.  Regulating the operation of bicycles and requiring the registration and licensing of the same, including the requirement of a registration fee. However, the regulations shall not conflict with the provisions of section 321.234.
  11.  Establishing speed limits in public alleys and providing the penalty for violation thereof.
  12.  Designating highways or portions of highways as snow routes.
  a.  When conditions of snow or ice exist on the traffic surface of a designated snow route, it is unlawful for the driver of a vehicle to impede or block traffic if the driving wheels of the vehicle are not equipped with snow tires, tire chains, or a nonslip differential.
  b.  A person charged with impeding or blocking traffic for lack of snow tires, chains, or nonslip differential shall have the charge dismissed upon a showing to the court that the person’s motor vehicle was equipped with snow tires, chains, or a nonslip differential.
  13.  Establishing a rural residence district.
  a.  The board of supervisors of a county with respect to highways under its jurisdiction may establish, by ordinance or resolution, rural residence districts and may, by ordinance or resolution, regulate the speed and parking of vehicles within the rural residence district consistent with sections 321.239, 321.285, and 321.293.
  b.  Before establishing a rural residence district, the board of supervisors shall hold a public hearing on the proposal, notice of which shall be published in a newspaper having a general circulation in the area where the proposed district is located at least twenty days before the date of hearing. The notice shall state the time and place of the hearing, the proposed location of the district, and other data considered pertinent by the board of supervisors.
  14.  Regulating or prohibiting the operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices authorized pursuant to section 321.235A.
  15.  A violation of a local ordinance, rule, or regulation promulgated under the authority of this section shall be prosecuted under the local ordinance, without reference to this section.
[S13, §1571-m18, -m20; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4992, 4995, 4997; C39, §5018.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.236; 82 Acts, ch 1111, §1]
85 Acts, ch 40, §3; 86 Acts, ch 1056, §2; 86 Acts, ch 1238, §14; 90 Acts, ch 1102, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1151, §2; 90 Acts, ch 1170, §2, 3; 92 Acts, ch 1122, §1; 95 Acts, ch 169, §2; 97 Acts, ch 108, §13; 97 Acts, ch 147, §1; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §31; 2003 Acts, ch 178, §14; 2005 Acts, ch 54, §3, 4, 12; 2009 Acts, ch 21, §1, 2; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §115, 252; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §7; 2016 Acts, ch 1101, §3, 24; 2021 Acts, ch 80, §167, 168
Referred to in §321.40, 321.237, 321.285, 321.449, 325A.13, 331.362, 364.3, 602.8103, 602.8106, 707.6A, 805.6, 805.8A(1)(a), 805.8A(5)(a), 805.8A(6)(a), 805.8A(8)(a), 805.8A(9)(b)
For fines applicable to offenses charged as scheduled violations, see §805.8A 
Subsection 1, paragraphs c and d amended
Subsection 8 amended

  
     
321.237  Signs — requirement — notice.
  1.  A traffic ordinance or regulation enacted under section 321.236, subsection 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, or 13, shall not be effective until signs, giving notice of such local traffic regulations as specified in the department manual on uniform traffic-control devices, are posted upon or at the entrances to the highway or part thereof affected as may be most appropriate and shall be erected at the expense of the local authority.
  2.  When a city has adopted an ordinance as authorized in section 321.236, subsection 12, or an ordinance which prohibits standing or parking of vehicles upon a street or streets during any time when snow-removal operations are in progress and before such operations have resulted in the removal or clearance of snow from such street or streets, signs as specified in the department manual on uniform traffic-control devices, posted as provided in subsection 1, shall be deemed sufficient notice of the existence of such restrictions.
[C39, §5018.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.237]
86 Acts, ch 1056, §3; 2018 Acts, ch 1026, §111
Referred to in §331.362

     
321.238  Use of electronic devices while driving — preemption of local legislation.
  The provisions of this chapter restricting the use of electronic communication devices and electronic entertainment devices by motor vehicle operators shall be implemented uniformly throughout the state. Such provisions shall preempt any county or municipal ordinance regarding the use of an electronic communication device or electronic entertainment device by a motor vehicle operator. In addition, a county or municipality shall not adopt or continue in effect an ordinance regarding the use of an electronic communication device or electronic entertainment device by a motor vehicle operator.
2010 Acts, ch 1105, §5
Referred to in §331.362

     
321.239  Counties may restrict parking of vehicles.
  1.  The county board of supervisors may adopt, amend, or repeal traffic ordinances to regulate or prohibit the standing or parking of vehicles within the right-of-way of any highway under its jurisdiction.
  2.  Any person violating a traffic ordinance adopted under this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be fined not to exceed twenty-five dollars, or be imprisoned not to exceed seven days in the county jail. The form and style of the information shall be in the name of the county and as against the person in violation of the traffic ordinance.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.239]
Referred to in §321.236, 331.362, 602.8103, 602.8106, 805.8A(1)(a)
For fines applicable to offenses charged as scheduled violations, see §805.8A, subsection 1, paragraph a 

321.240  Altering center of gravity of vehicle.  Repealed by 96 Acts, ch 1152, §26. 

  
     
321.241  Regulation of taxicabs by local authorities — limits.
  1.  A local authority shall not enact, enforce, or maintain any ordinance, regulation, or rule that imposes a requirement on a person operating a taxicab having a seating capacity of less than seven passengers and not operating on a regular route or between specified points that is more restrictive than any of the following:
  a.  Requiring the person to have a driver’s license valid for the operation of the motor vehicle used as a taxicab that is not an instruction permit, special instruction permit, or temporary restricted license.
  b.  Prohibiting the person from operating the taxicab if any of the following apply:
  (1)  The person is restricted to operating motor vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device.
  (2)  The person’s driving privileges have been suspended, revoked, barred, canceled, denied, or disqualified in the prior three-year period.
  (3)  The person has been convicted of more than three moving violations in the prior three-year period.
  (4)  The person has been convicted of violating section 321.218, 321.277, or 321J.21, or section 321A.32, subsection 1, in the prior three-year period.
  (5)  The person has been convicted in the prior seven-year period of a felony, of violating section 321J.2 or 321J.2A, or of any crime involving resisting law enforcement, dishonesty, injury to another person, damage to the property of another person, or operating a vehicle in a manner that endangers another person.
  (6)  The person is registered on the national sex offender registry.
  2.  A local authority shall not enact, enforce, or maintain any ordinance, regulation, or rule that requires a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity that sells or offers for sale transportation by taxicabs having a seating capacity of less than seven passengers and not operating on a regular route or between specified points to maintain a physical place of business in the local authority’s jurisdiction as a condition of operating such taxicabs in the local authority’s jurisdiction.
2016 Acts, ch 1101, §4, 24
Referred to in §321.236, 325A.2, 331.362
321.242 through 321.246Reserved.

     
321.247  Golf cart operation on city streets.
  1.  a.  Incorporated areas may, upon approval of their governing body, allow the operation of golf carts on city streets by persons possessing a valid driver’s license. However, a golf cart shall not be operated upon a city street which is a primary road extension through the city but shall be allowed to cross a city street which is a primary road extension through the city.
  b.  The golf carts shall be equipped with a slow moving vehicle sign and a bicycle safety flag and operate on the streets only from sunrise to sunset.
  c.  Golf carts operated on city streets shall be equipped with adequate brakes and shall meet any other safety requirements imposed by the governing body.
  2.  Golf carts are not subject to the registration provisions of this chapter.
  3.  A person who violates subsection 1 commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 3.
[82 Acts, ch 1041, §1]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §66; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2000 Acts, ch 1203, §10; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §45; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §46
Referred to in §331.362, 805.8A(3)(b)

     
321.248  Parks and cemeteries.
  Local authorities may by general rule, ordinance, or regulation exclude vehicles from any cemetery or ground used for the burial of the dead, or exclude vehicles used solely or principally for commercial purposes, from any park or part of a park system where such general rule, ordinance, or regulation is applicable equally and generally to all other vehicles used for the same purpose, if, at the entrance, or at each entrance if there be more than one, to such cemetery or park from which vehicles are so excluded, there shall have been posted a sign plainly legible from the middle of the public highway on which such cemetery or park opens, plainly indicating such exclusion and prohibition.
[S13, §1571-m20; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4994; C39, §5018.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.248]
Referred to in §331.362

     
321.249  School zones.
  Cities and counties shall have the power to establish school zones and provide for the stopping of all motor vehicles approaching the school zones, when movable stop signs have been placed in the streets in the cities and highways in counties at the limits of the zones, notwithstanding the provisions of any statute to the contrary. All traffic-control devices provided for school zones shall conform to specifications included in the manual of traffic-control devices adopted by the department, except the provision prohibiting the use of portable or part-time stop signs.
[C31, 35, §4997-d1; C39, §5018.14; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.249]
97 Acts, ch 108, §14
Referred to in §331.362

     
321.250  Discriminations.
  When the local authorities of other states shall, by the adoption of rules and regulations or otherwise, prohibit motor vehicles registered under the laws of this state from operating upon highways in any subdivision of such other state, the local authorities of this state may, by ordinance or otherwise, require the motor vehicles of the subdivisions of such other state while operating by their own power in this state to be registered under the laws of this state.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4998; C39, §5018.15; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.250]
Referred to in §331.362

     
321.251  Rights of owners of real property — manufactured home communities or mobile home parks.
  1.  This chapter shall not be construed to prevent the owner of real property used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel by permission of the owner and not as matter of right from prohibiting such use, or from requiring other or different or additional conditions than those specified in this chapter, or otherwise regulating such use as may seem best to such owner.
  2.  a.  The owner of real property upon which a manufactured home community or mobile home park is located may elect to have the vehicular traffic provisions of this chapter, or the ordinances, rules, or regulations of the local authority where the real property is located, apply to the real property and any persons located on the real property by granting authority to any peace officer to enforce the vehicular traffic provisions of this chapter, or the ordinances, rules, or regulations of the local authority as well as any regulations or conditions imposed on the real property pursuant to subsection 1. An election made pursuant to this subsection shall not create a higher priority for the enforcement of traffic laws on real property upon which a manufactured or mobile home is located than exists for the enforcement of traffic laws on public property.
  b.  A written notice of election shall be filed with the designated officials of the local authority whose ordinances, rules, or regulations will govern the vehicular traffic. The appropriate officials shall be the city clerk and chief of police of the city in which the real property is located and the county sheriff and the county recorder of the county in which the real property is located. The notice shall include the legal description of the real property, the street address, if any, and the date and time when the owner wishes the election to become effective. The notice shall be signed by every titleholder of the real property and acknowledged by a notary public as provided in chapter 9B.
  c.  An election shall terminate fourteen days following the filing of a written notice of withdrawal with the designated officials of the local authority whose ordinances, rules, or regulations will govern.
  d.  For purposes of this subsection, “titleholder of real property” means the person or entity whose name appears on the documents of title filed in the official county records as the owner of the real property upon which a manufactured home community or mobile home park is located.
  3.  The titleholder of real property under subsection 2 may elect to waive the right to have the vehicular traffic provisions of this chapter, or the ordinances, rules, or regulations of the local authority where the real property is located, apply to the real property and any persons located on the real property, by recording a waiver with the county recorder of each county in which the property is located. The waiver shall include the legal description of the real property and shall bind the titleholder of the real property and any successors in interest. The waiver may only be rescinded if each law enforcement jurisdiction, in which the titleholder of real property wishes to obtain the benefit of this section, consents to the rescission of the waiver through adoption of a resolution.
[C39, §5018.16; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.251]
91 Acts, ch 91, §1; 92 Acts, ch 1068, §1; 93 Acts, ch 109, §2; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §15, 16; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §80; 2012 Acts, ch 1050, §41, 60
TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND MARKINGS

  
     
321.252  Department to adopt sign manual.
  1.  a.  The department shall adopt a manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic-control devices consistent with the provisions of this chapter for use upon highways within this state. Such uniform system shall correlate with and so far as possible conform to the system then current as approved by the American association of state highway and transportation officials.
  b.  The department shall include in its manual of traffic-control devices, specifications for a uniform system of highway signs for the purpose of guiding traffic to organized off-highway permanent camps, and camp areas, operated by recognized and established civic, religious, and nonprofit charitable organizations and to for-profit campgrounds and ski areas. The department shall purchase, install, and maintain the signs upon the prepayment of the costs by the organization or owner.
  2.  The department shall also establish criteria for guiding traffic on all fully controlled-access, divided, multilaned highways including interstate highways to each tourist attraction which is located within thirty miles of the highway and receives fifteen thousand or more visitors annually. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit the department from erecting signs to guide traffic on these highways to tourist attractions which are located more than thirty miles from the highway or which receive fewer than fifteen thousand visitors annually.
  3.  a.  The department shall establish, by rule, in cooperation with a tourist signing committee, the standards for tourist-oriented directional signs and shall annually review the list of attractions for which signing is in place. The rules shall conform to national standards for tourist-oriented directional signs adopted under 23 U.S.C. §131(q) and to the manual of uniform traffic-control devices.
  (1)  The tourist signing committee shall be made up of the directors or their designees of the departments of agriculture and land stewardship, natural resources, cultural affairs, and transportation, the director or the director’s designee of the economic development authority, the chairperson or the chairperson’s designee of the Iowa travel council, and a member of the outdoor advertising association of Iowa. The director or the director’s designee of the economic development authority shall be the chairperson of the committee.
  (2)  The department of transportation shall be responsible for calling and setting the date of the meetings of the committee which meetings shall be based upon the amount of activity relating to signs. However, the committee shall meet at least once a month.
  b.   A tourist attraction is not subject to a minimum number of visitors annually to qualify for tourist-oriented directional signing.
  4.  The rules shall not be applicable to directional signs relating to historic sites on land owned or managed by state agencies, as provided in section 321.253A. The rules shall include but are not limited to the following:
  a.  Criteria for eligibility for signing.
  b.  Criteria for limiting or excluding businesses, activities, services, and sites that maintain signs that do not conform to the requirements of chapter 306B, chapter 306C, subchapter II, or other statutes or administrative rules regulating outdoor advertising.
  c.  Provisions for a fee schedule to cover the direct and indirect costs of sign manufacture, erection, and maintenance, and related administrative costs.
  d.  Provisions specifying maximum distances to eligible businesses, activities, services, and sites. Tourist-oriented directional signs may be placed on highways within the maximum travel distance that have the greatest traffic count per day, if sufficient space is available. If an adjacent landowner complains to the department about the placement of a tourist-oriented directional sign, the department shall attempt to reach an agreement with the landowner for relocating the sign. If possible, the sign shall be relocated from the place of objection. If the sign must be located on an objectionable place, it shall be located on the least objectionable place possible.
  e.  Provisions for trailblazing to facilities that are not on the crossroad. Appropriate trailblazing shall be installed over the most desirable routes on lesser traveled primary highways, secondary roads, and city streets leading to the tourist attraction.
  f.  Criteria for determining when to permit advance signing.
  g.  Provisions specifying conditions under which the time of operation of a business, activity, service, or site is shown.
  h.  Provisions for masking or removing signs during off seasons for businesses, activities, services, and sites operated on a seasonal basis. Faded signs shall be replaced and the commercial vendor charged for the cost of replacement based upon the fee schedule adopted.
  i.  Provisions specifying the maximum number of signs permitted per intersection.
  j.  Provisions for determining what businesses, activities, services, or sites are signed when there are more applicants than the maximum number of signs permitted.
  k.  Provisions for removing signs when businesses, activities, services, or sites cease to meet minimum requirements for participation and related costs.
  5.  Local authorities shall adhere to the specifications for signs as established by the department, and shall purchase, install, and maintain signs in their respective jurisdictions upon prepayment by the organization of the cost of such purchase, installation, and maintenance. The department shall include in its manual of traffic-control devices specifications for a uniform system of traffic-control devices in legally established school zones.
[C24, 27, §4627; C31, 35, §4627, 5079-d7; C39, §5019.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.252]
86 Acts, ch 1060, §1, 2; 90 Acts, ch 1183, §4; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §93; 2011 Acts, ch 118, §85, 89
Referred to in §321.342, 668.10

     
321.253  Department to erect signs.
  1.  The department shall place and maintain such traffic-control devices, conforming to its manual and specifications, upon all primary highways as it deems necessary to indicate and to carry out the provisions of this chapter or to regulate, warn, or guide traffic. Whenever practical, the devices or signs shall be purchased from the director of the Iowa department of corrections.
  2.  The department shall post signs informing motorists of the penalties for speeding in a road work zone and that the scheduled fine for committing any other moving traffic violation in a road work zone is doubled.
[C24, 27, §4627; C31, 35, §4627, 5079-d7; C39, §5019.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.253]
83 Acts, ch 96, §157, 159, 160; 93 Acts, ch 114, §2; 97 Acts, ch 104, §19; 2008 Acts, ch 1124, §8
Analogous provisions, §321.345 

     
321.253A  Directional signs relating to historic sites on land owned or managed by state agencies.
  1.  The department shall place and maintain directional signs upon primary highways which provide information about historic sites which are located on land owned or managed by an agency as defined in section 17A.2. The signs shall conform to the manual of uniform traffic devices. However, the directional signs are not subject to requirements applicable to tourist-oriented directional signs.
  2.  Upon request by a city or county in which a historic site is located on land owned or managed by an agency, the department shall distribute a directional sign as provided in this section to the city or county for erection upon roads or streets within their jurisdictions.
  3.  The location of the historic site shall be memorialized on transportation maps of the state published under the direction of the department and generally made available to the public. However, if it is not reasonable and feasible to display specific historic sites on the state transportation map, the department shall consult with the agency managing the historic site.
  4.  The department shall not erect, maintain, or distribute a directional sign or include on a transportation map information about a historic site located on land owned or managed by an agency if the department receives an objection by the agency.
90 Acts, ch 1183, §5
Referred to in §321.252

     
321.253B  Metric signs restricted.
  The department shall not place a sign relating to a speed limit, distance, or measurement on a highway if the sign establishes the speed limit, distance, or measurement solely by using the metric system, unless specifically required by federal law.
95 Acts, ch 118, §23

     
321.254  Local authorities restricted.
  No local authority shall place or maintain any traffic-control device upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the department except by the latter’s permission.
[C39, §5019.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.254]
Referred to in §331.362

     
321.255  Local traffic-control devices.
  Local authorities in their respective jurisdiction shall place and maintain such traffic-control devices upon highways under their jurisdiction as they may deem necessary to indicate and to carry out the provisions of this chapter or local traffic ordinances or to regulate, warn, or guide traffic. All such traffic-control devices hereafter erected shall conform to the state manual and specifications.
[C39, §5019.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.255]
Referred to in §331.362

     
321.256  Obedience to official traffic-control devices.
  No driver of a vehicle shall disobey the instructions of any official traffic-control device placed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, unless at the time otherwise directed by a peace officer subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle.
[C39, §5019.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.256]
Referred to in §321.482A, 321E.17, 805.8A(8)(b)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 8 
Additional penalties for violations causing injury or death, see §321.482A

  
     
321.257  Official traffic-control signal.
  1.  For the purposes of this section“stop at the official traffic-control signal” means stopping at the first opportunity at either the clearly marked stop line or before entering the crosswalk or before entering the intersection.
  2.  Official traffic-control signals consisting of colored lights or colored lighted arrows shall regulate vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the following manner:
  a.  A “steady circular red” light means vehicular traffic shall stop. Vehicular traffic shall remain standing until a signal to proceed is shown, or vehicular traffic, unless prohibited by a sign, may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn from the right lane of traffic or another lane designated for right turns, or a left turn from a one-way street to a one-way street from the left lane of traffic or another lane designated for left turns. Turns made under this paragraph shall be made in a manner that does not interfere with other vehicular or pedestrian traffic lawfully using the intersection. Pedestrian traffic facing a steady circular red light shall not enter the roadway unless the pedestrian can safely cross the roadway without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
  b.  A “steady circular yellow” or “steady yellow arrow” light means vehicular traffic is warned that the related green movement is being terminated and vehicular traffic shall no longer proceed into the intersection and shall stop. If the stop cannot be made in safety, a vehicle may be driven cautiously through the intersection. Pedestrian traffic is warned that there is insufficient time to cross the intersection and any pedestrian starting to cross the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles.
  c.  A “steady circular green” light means vehicular traffic may proceed straight, turn right or turn left through the intersection unless otherwise specifically prohibited. Vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicular and pedestrian traffic lawfully within the intersection.
  d.  A “steady green arrow” light shown alone or with another official traffic-control signal means vehicular traffic may cautiously enter the intersection and proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow. Vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.
  e.  A “flashing circular red” light means vehicular traffic shall stop and after stopping may proceed cautiously through the intersection yielding to all vehicles not required to stop or yield which are within the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute a hazard, but then may proceed.
  f.  A “flashing yellow” light means vehicular traffic shall proceed through the intersection or past such signal with caution.
  g.  A “flashing yellow arrow” light shown alone or with another official traffic-control signal means vehicular traffic may cautiously enter the intersection and proceed only in the direction indicated by the arrow. Vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection and any vehicle on the opposing approach which is approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving within the intersection.
  h.  A “don’t walk” or “steady upraised hand” light is a pedestrian signal which means that pedestrian traffic facing the illuminated pedestrian signal shall not start to cross the roadway in the direction of the pedestrian signal, and pedestrian traffic in the crossing shall proceed to a safety zone.
  i.  A “flashing upraised hand” or “upraised hand with countdown” light is a pedestrian signal which means that pedestrian traffic facing the illuminated pedestrian signal shall not start to cross the roadway in the direction of the pedestrian signal, and pedestrian traffic in the crossing shall proceed to a safety zone. The “upraised hand with countdown” light is a pedestrian signal that also provides the time remaining for the pedestrian to complete the crossing.
  j.  A “walk” or “walking person” light is a pedestrian signal which means that pedestrian traffic facing the illuminated pedestrian signal may proceed to cross the roadway in the direction of the pedestrian signal and shall be given the right-of-way by drivers of all vehicles.
[C39, §5019.06, 5019.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §321.257, 321.258; C79, 81, §321.257]
2014 Acts, ch 1123, §15, 16; 2017 Acts, ch 15, §1
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(7)(a), 805.8A(9)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsections 7 and 9 
Additional penalties for violations causing injury or death, see §321.482A

  
     
321.258  Arrangement of lights on official traffic-control signals.
  1.  Colored lights placed on a vertical official traffic-control signal face shall be arranged from the top to the bottom in the following order when used:
  a.  Circular red. 
  b.  Steady or flashing left-turn red arrow.
  c.  Steady or flashing right-turn red arrow.
  d.  Circular yellow.
  e.  Circular green.
  f.  Straight-through green arrow.
  g.  Steady left-turn yellow arrow.
  h.  Flashing left-turn yellow arrow.
  i.  Left-turn green arrow.
  j.  Steady right-turn yellow arrow.
  k.  Flashing right-turn yellow arrow.
  l.  Right-turn green arrow.
  2.  Colored lights placed on a horizontal official traffic-control signal face shall be arranged from the left to the right in the following order when used:
  a.  Circular red.
  b.  Steady or flashing left-turn red arrow.
  c.  Steady or flashing right-turn red arrow.
  d.  Circular yellow.
  e.  Steady left-turn yellow arrow.
  f.  Flashing left-turn yellow arrow.
  g.  Left-turn green arrow.
  h.  Circular green.
  i.  Straight-through green arrow.
  j.  Steady right-turn yellow arrow.
  k.  Flashing right-turn yellow arrow.
  l.  Right-turn green arrow.
[C79, 81, §321.258]
2014 Acts, ch 1026, §77; 2014 Acts, ch 1123, §17; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §147, 148

     
321.259  Unauthorized signs, signals, or markings.
  1.  No person shall place, maintain, or display upon or in view of any highway any sign, signal, marking, or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official parking sign, curb or other marking, traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal, if such sign, signal, marking, or device has not been authorized by the department and local authorities with reference to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and no person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising. This shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to highways of signs giving useful directional information of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs.
  2.  Every such prohibited sign, signal, or marking is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and the authority having jurisdiction over the highway is hereby empowered to remove the same or cause it to be removed without notice.
[C39, §5019.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.259]
Nuisances in general, chapter 657 

  
     
321.260  Interference with devices, signs, or signals — unlawful possession — traffic signal preemption devices.
  1.  a.  A person who willfully and intentionally, without lawful authority, attempts to or in fact alters, defaces, injures, knocks down, or removes an official traffic-control device, an authorized warning sign or signal or barricade, whether temporary or permanent, a railroad sign or signal, an inscription, shield, or insignia on any of such devices, signs, signals, or barricades, or any other part thereof, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a simple misdemeanor and shall be required to make restitution to the affected jurisdiction. In addition to any other penalties, the punishment imposed for a violation of this subsection shall include assessment of a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars.
  b.  A person who is convicted under paragraph “a” of an act relating to a stop sign or a yield sign may be required to complete community service in addition to making restitution to the affected jurisdiction.
  2.  It shall be unlawful for any person to have in the person’s possession any official traffic-control device except by legal right or authority. Any person convicted of unauthorized possession of any official traffic-control device shall upon conviction be guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 8, paragraph “c”. 
  3.  a.  A person shall not sell, own, possess, or use a traffic signal preemption device except as permitted in connection with the lawful operation of an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in section 321.1 or as otherwise authorized by the jurisdiction owning and operating an official traffic control signal. A person who is convicted of the unauthorized sale, ownership, possession, or use of a traffic signal preemption device is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. In addition to any other penalties, the punishment imposed for a violation under this subsection shall include assessment of a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars, and if the violation involves the unauthorized use of a traffic signal preemption device, the person may also be required to complete community service.
  b.  For purposes of this subsection, “traffic signal preemption device” means a device that, when activated, is capable of changing an official traffic control signal to green out of sequence.
[C39, §5019.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.260]
90 Acts, ch 1064, §1; 91 Acts, ch 131, §1; 99 Acts, ch 153, §3, 4; 2005 Acts, ch 63, §1; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §32, 93
Referred to in §805.8A(8)(c)
ACCIDENTS

  
     
321.261  Death or personal injuries.
  1.  a.  The driver of any vehicle who knows or has reason to believe that the driver’s vehicle was involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close as possible and if able, shall then return to and remain at the scene of the accident in accordance with section 321.263. Every such stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
  b.  If the driver of a vehicle leaves the scene of an accident resulting in injury to or death of a person without knowledge or reason to believe that the driver’s vehicle was involved in the accident, and later discovers that the driver’s vehicle may have been involved in an accident that resulted in injury to or death of a person, the driver shall, as soon as reasonably possible, make a good-faith effort to immediately contact emergency services or make a 911 call and provide the dispatcher with any requested information described in section 321.263 and the location and possible time of the accident.
  2.  Any person failing to stop or to comply with the requirements in subsection 1 of this section, in the event of an accident resulting in an injury to any person is guilty upon conviction of a serious misdemeanor.
  3.  a.  Notwithstanding subsection 2, any person failing to stop or to comply with the requirements in subsection 1, in the event of an accident resulting in a serious injury to any person, is guilty upon conviction of an aggravated misdemeanor.
  b.  Notwithstanding paragraph “a”, the driver of a vehicle who knows or has reason to believe that the driver’s vehicle caused an accident resulting in a serious injury to one or more persons, and who fails to stop or comply with the requirements of subsection 1, is guilty upon conviction of a class “D” felony.
  c.  For purposes of this subsection, “serious injury” means as defined in section 702.18.
  4.  a.  A person failing to stop or to comply with the requirements in subsection 1, in the event of an accident resulting in the death of a person, is guilty upon conviction of a class “D” felony.
  b.  Notwithstanding paragraph “a”, the driver of a vehicle who knows or has reason to believe that the driver’s vehicle caused an accident resulting in the death of one or more persons, and who fails to stop or comply with the requirements of subsection 1, is guilty upon conviction of a class “C” felony.
  5.  The director shall revoke the driver’s license of a person convicted of a violation of this section.
  6.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any person who has suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as the result of a motor vehicle accident from which another person who caused the accident failed to stop or to comply with the requirements of subsection 1, as described in subsection 3, paragraph “b”, and subsection 4, paragraph “b”, shall be considered a victim pursuant to chapter 915, subchapter II, for purposes of any related proceedings against the other person.
[S13, §1571-m23; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5072, 5074; C39, §5020.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.261; 81 Acts, ch 103, §4]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §67; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2006 Acts, ch 1082, §1, 2; 2021 Acts, ch 180, §2 – 4
Referred to in §321.209, 321.228, 321.484, 321.517, 321.555, 515D.4, 902.12, 915.80
Subsections 1, 3, and 4 amended
NEW subsection 6

  
     
321.262  Leaving scene of traffic accident prohibited — vehicle damage only — removal of vehicles.
  1.  a.  The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle which is driven or attended by any person shall immediately remove the driver’s vehicle from the traveled portion of the roadway if the vehicle is operable and the removal can be achieved in a safe manner. The driver shall remove the vehicle to the shoulder, emergency lane, or median nearest to the scene of the accident such that the vehicle is completely off the traveled portion of the roadway, and shall then stop the vehicle. The driver shall remove the vehicle without obstructing traffic more than is necessary.
  b.  Another person at the scene of the accident may remove a vehicle involved in the accident in accordance with this subsection to reduce the risk of a subsequent accident or to ensure the safety of persons at the scene of the accident.
  2.  The driver shall remain at the scene of the accident until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of section 321.263. Any person failing to remain at the scene of the accident or fulfill the requirements of section 321.263 under such circumstances shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “m”.
[S13, §1571-m23; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5079; C39, §5020.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.262]
2017 Acts, ch 146, §1; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §33, 93
Referred to in §321.228, 321.484, 321.517, 805.8A(14)(m)

     
321.263  Information and aid — leaving scene of personal injury accident.
  1.  The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of a person or damage to a vehicle which is driven or attended by a person shall give the driver’s name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle the driver is driving and shall upon request and if available exhibit the driver’s driver’s license to the person struck, the driver or occupant of, or the person attending the vehicle involved in the accident and shall render to a person injured in the accident reasonable assistance, including the transporting or arranging for the transporting of the person for medical treatment if it is apparent that medical treatment is necessary or if transportation for medical treatment is requested by the injured person.
  2.  If the accident causes the death of a person, all surviving drivers shall remain at the scene of the accident except to seek necessary aid or to report the accident to law enforcement authorities. Before leaving the scene of the fatal accident, each surviving driver shall leave the surviving driver’s driver’s license, automobile registration receipt, or other identification data at the scene of the accident. After leaving the scene of the accident, a surviving driver shall promptly report the accident to law enforcement authorities, and shall immediately return to the scene of the accident or inform the law enforcement authorities where the surviving driver can be located.
[S13, §1571-m23; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5072, 5079; C39, §5020.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.263]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §68; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9
Referred to in §321.228, 321.261, 321.262, 321.517, 321.555

  
     
321.264  Striking unattended vehicle.
  The driver of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle which is unattended shall immediately stop and shall then and there either locate and notify the operator or owner of such vehicle of the name and address of the driver and owner of the vehicle striking the unattended vehicle or shall leave in a conspicuous place in the vehicle struck a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and of the owner of the vehicle doing the striking and a statement of the circumstances thereof. A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “n”.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5079; C39, §5020.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.264]
2020 Acts, ch 1074, §34, 93
Referred to in §321.228, 321.484, 321.517, 805.8A(14)(n)

  
     
321.265  Striking fixtures upon a highway.
  The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to property legally upon or adjacent to a highway shall take reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner, a peace officer, or person in charge of the damaged property of the damage and shall inform the person of the driver’s name and address and the registration number of the vehicle causing the damage and shall, upon request and if available, exhibit the driver’s license of the driver of the vehicle and shall report the accident when and as required in section 321.266. A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “o”.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5079; C39, §5020.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.265]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §69; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §6; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §35, 93
Referred to in §321.228, 321.517, 805.8A(14)(o)

  
     
321.266  Reporting accidents.
  1.  The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person shall immediately by the quickest means of communication give notice of such accident to the sheriff of the county in which said accident occurred, or the nearest office of the state patrol, or to any other peace officer as near as practicable to the place where the accident occurred.
  2.  The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person, or total property damage to an apparent extent of one thousand five hundred dollars or more shall, within seventy-two hours after the accident, forward a written report of the accident to the department. However, such report is not required when the accident is investigated by a law enforcement agency.
  3.  Every law enforcement officer who, in the regular course of duty, investigates a motor vehicle accident of which report must be made as required in subsections 1 and 2, either at the time of and at the scene of the accident or thereafter by interviewing participants or witnesses shall, within twenty-four hours after completing such investigation, forward a written report of such accident to the department.
  4.  Notwithstanding section 455B.386, a carrier transporting hazardous material upon a public highway in this state, in the case of an accident involving the transportation of the hazardous material, shall immediately notify the police radio broadcasting system established pursuant to section 693.1 or shall notify a peace officer of the county or city in which the accident occurs. When a local law enforcement agency is informed of the accident, the agency shall notify the state patrol and the state department of transportation office of motor vehicle enforcement. A person who violates a provision of this subsection is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.
[S13, §1571-m23; C24, §5073, 5075, 5104; C27, 31, 35, §5073, 5075, 5105-a35, 5105-c21; C39, §5020.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.266; 81 Acts, ch 103, §5]
87 Acts, ch 170, §6; 97 Acts, ch 72, §1
; 97 Acts, ch 108, §15
; 98 Acts, ch 1074, §23; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §32; 2005 Acts, ch 35, §31; 2010 Acts, ch 1157, §1; 2021 Acts, ch 80, §169
Referred to in §321.228, 321.265, 321.267, 321.271, 321.517, 321G.10, 321I.11
Subsection 3 amended

     
321.267  Supplemental reports.
  The department may require any driver of a vehicle involved in an accident of which report must be made as provided in section 321.266 to file supplemental reports whenever the original report is insufficient in the opinion of the department and may require witnesses of accidents to render reports to the department.
[C39, §5020.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.267]
Referred to in §321.228, 321.517

     
321.267A  Traffic accidents involving certified law enforcement officers or other emergency responders — reports.
  1.  Any traffic accident involving the operation of a motor vehicle by a certified law enforcement officer or other emergency responder shall be reported to the department by the officer’s or responder’s employer. The officer’s or responder’s employer shall certify to the department whether or not the accident occurred in the line of duty while operating an official government vehicle or during the responder’s deployment on an emergency call. Such a certification is effective only for the purposes of this section.
  2.  Notwithstanding section 321.200, upon receiving a certification pursuant to subsection 1, the department shall not include a notation of the accident described in the certification on the officer’s or responder’s driving record.
  3.  The provisions of this section shall not relieve a certified law enforcement officer or other emergency responder operating a motor vehicle of the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons.
  4.  For the purposes of this section, “certified law enforcement officer” includes a law enforcement officer who is certified through the Iowa law enforcement academy as provided in section 80B.13, subsection 3, or a reserve peace officer certified through the Iowa law enforcement academy as provided in section 80D.4A.
  5.  For the purposes of this section, “other emergency responder” means a fire fighter certified as a fire fighter I pursuant to rules adopted under chapter 100B and trained in emergency driving or an emergency medical care provider certified under chapter 147A and trained in emergency driving.
2006 Acts, ch 1137, §1; 2010 Acts, ch 1084, §1; 2010 Acts, ch 1149, §17
Referred to in §321.228, 321.517

     
321.268  Driver unable to report.
  Whenever the driver of a vehicle is physically incapable of making a required accident report and there was another occupant in the vehicle at the time of the accident capable of making a report, such occupant shall make or cause to be made said report.
[C39, §5020.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.268]
Referred to in §321.228, 321.517

     
321.269  Accident report forms.
  1.  The department shall prepare and upon request supply to police departments, coroners, sheriffs, and other suitable agencies or individuals, forms for accident reports required hereunder, which reports shall call for sufficiently detailed information to disclose with reference to a traffic accident the cause, condition then existing, and the persons and vehicles involved.
  2.  Every required accident report shall be made on a form approved by the department if said form is available.
[C39, §5020.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.269]
Referred to in §321.228, 321.517

321.270  Reserved.

     
321.271  Reports confidential — without prejudice — exceptions.
  1.  All accident reports filed by a driver of a vehicle involved in an accident as required under section 321.266 shall be in writing. The report shall be without prejudice to the individual so reporting and shall be for the confidential use of the department, except that upon the request of any person involved in the accident, the person’s insurance company or its agent, or the attorney for such person, the department shall disclose the identity and address of other persons involved in the accident and may disclose the name of the insurance companies with whom the other persons have liability insurance. The department, upon written request of the person making the report, shall provide the person with a copy of that person’s report. The written report filed with the department shall not be admissible in or used in evidence in any civil or criminal case arising out of the facts on which the report is based.
  2.  All written reports filed by a law enforcement officer as required under section 321.266 shall be made available to any party to an accident, the party’s insurance company or its agent, the party’s attorney, the federal motor carrier safety administration, or the attorney general, on written request to the department and the payment of a fee of four dollars for each copy. If a copy of an investigating officer’s report of a motor vehicle accident filed with the department is retained by the law enforcement agency of the officer who filed the report, a copy shall be made available to any party to the accident, the party’s insurance company or its agent, the party’s attorney, the federal motor carrier safety administration, or the attorney general, on written request and the payment of a fee. However, the attorney general and the federal motor carrier safety administration shall not be required by the department or the law enforcement agency to pay a fee for a copy of a report filed by a law enforcement or investigating officer.
  3.  Notwithstanding subsections 1 and 2, the date, time, specific location, and immediate facts and circumstances surrounding a crime or incident shall not be kept confidential under this section, except in those unusual circumstances where disclosure would plainly and seriously jeopardize an investigation or pose a clear and present danger to the safety of an individual.
[C39, §5020.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.271; 81 Acts, ch 14, §25]
83 Acts, ch 72, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1054, §1, 2; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §7; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §18; 2003 Acts, ch 8, §16
Referred to in §321.228, 321.273, 321.517

     
321.272  Tabulation of reports.
  The department shall tabulate and may analyze all accident reports and shall publish annually or at more frequent intervals statistical information based thereon as to the number and circumstances of traffic accidents.
[C39, §5020.12; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.272]
Referred to in §321.228, 321.517

     
321.273  City may require reports.
  Any incorporated city or other municipality may by ordinance require that the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident shall also file with a designated city department a report of such accident or a copy of any report herein required to be filed with the department. All such reports shall be for the confidential use of the city department and subject to the provisions of section 321.271.
[C39, §5020.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.273]
Referred to in §321.228, 321.517

  
     
321.274  Accidents in cities over 15,000.  Repealed by 98 Acts, ch 1178, §16. 
OPERATION OF MOTORCYCLES AND

MOTORIZED BICYCLES

     
321.275  Operation of motorcycles and motorized bicycles.
  1.  General.  The motor vehicle laws apply to the operators of motorcycles and motorized bicycles to the extent practically applicable.
  2.  Riders.
  a.  Motorized bicycles.  A person operating a motorized bicycle on the highways shall not carry any other person on the vehicle.
  b.  Motorcycles.  A person shall not operate or ride a motorcycle on the highways with another person on the motorcycle unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person. The additional passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear of the operator. The motorcycle shall be equipped with footrests for the passenger unless the passenger is riding in a sidecar or enclosed cab. The motorcycle operator shall not carry any person nor shall any other person ride in a position that will interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of the operator.
  3.  Sitting position.  A person operating a motorcycle or motorized bicycle shall ride only upon the vehicle’s permanent and regular attached seat. Every person riding upon the vehicle shall be sitting astride the seat, facing forward with one leg on either side of the vehicle.
  4.  Use of traffic lanes.  Persons shall not operate motorcycles or motorized bicycles more than two abreast in a single lane. Except for persons operating such vehicles two abreast, a motor vehicle shall not be operated in a manner depriving a motorcycle or motorized bicycle operator of the full use of a lane. A motorcycle or motorized bicycle shall not be operated between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. The operator of a motorcycle or motorized bicycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken unless the vehicle being overtaken is a motorcycle or motorized bicycle.
  5.  Headlights on.  A person shall not operate a 1977 or later model year motorcycle or any model year motorized bicycle upon the highways without displaying at least one lighted headlamp of the type described in section 321.409. However, this subsection is subject to the exceptions with respect to parked vehicles as provided in this chapter.
  6.  Packages.  The operator of a motorcycle or motorized bicycle shall not carry any package, bundle, or other article which prevents the operator from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
  7.  Parades.  The provisions of this section do not apply to motorcycles or motorized bicycles when used in a parade authorized by proper permit from local authorities.
  8.  Bicycle safety flags required on motorized bicycles.  When operated on a highway, a motorized bicycle shall have a bicycle safety flag which extends not less than five feet above the ground attached to the rear of the motorized bicycle. The bicycle safety flag shall be triangular in shape with an area of not less than thirty square inches, and be Day-Glo in color.
[C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.275]
89 Acts, ch 184, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1075, §22; 98 Acts, ch 1178, §3
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(6)(b), 805.8A(9)(d)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsections 6 and 9 
Additional penalties for violations of subsection 4 causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 
CRIMINAL OFFENSES

  
     
321.276  Use of electronic communication device while driving.
  1.  For purposes of this section:
  a.  “Electronic message” includes images visible on the screen of a hand-held electronic communication device including a text-based message, an instant message, a portion of electronic mail, an internet site, a social media application, or a game.
  b.  “Engage in a call” means talking or listening on a mobile telephone or other portable electronic communication device.
  c.  “Hand-held electronic communication device” means a mobile telephone or other portable electronic communication device capable of being used to write, send, or view an electronic message. “Hand-held electronic communication device” does not include a voice-operated or hands-free device which allows the user to write, send, or view an electronic message without the use of either hand except to activate or deactivate a feature or function. “Hand-held electronic communication device” does not include a wireless communication device used to transmit or receive data as part of a digital dispatch system. “Hand-held electronic communication device” includes a device which is temporarily mounted inside the motor vehicle, unless the device is a voice-operated or hands-free device.
  d.  The terms “write”, “send”, and “view”, with respect to an electronic message, mean the manual entry, transmission, or retrieval of an electronic message, and include playing, browsing, or accessing an electronic message.
  2.  A person shall not use a hand-held electronic communication device to write, send, or view an electronic message while driving a motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway.
  a.  A person does not violate this section by using a global positioning system or navigation system or when, for the purpose of engaging in a call, the person selects or enters a telephone number or name in a hand-held mobile telephone or activates, deactivates, or initiates a function of a hand-held mobile telephone.
  b.  The provisions of this subsection relating to writing, sending, or viewing an electronic message do not apply to the following persons:
  (1)  A member of a public safety agency, as defined in section 34.1, performing official duties.
  (2)  A health care professional in the course of an emergency situation.
  (3)  A person receiving safety-related information including emergency, traffic, or weather alerts.
  3.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize a peace officer to confiscate a hand-held electronic communication device from the driver or occupant of a motor vehicle.
  4.  a.  A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “l”.
  b.  A violation of this section shall not be considered a moving violation for purposes of this chapter or rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
  5.  The department, in cooperation with the department of public safety, shall establish educational programs to foster compliance with the requirements of this section.
2010 Acts, ch 1105, §6; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §80; 2017 Acts, ch 75, §1 – 5
Referred to in §321.210, 321.449B, 321.482A, 321.555, 805.8A(14)(l)
Additional penalties for violations causing injury or death, see §321.482A
For homicide or serious injury by vehicle involving use of electronic communication device while driving, see §707.6A

  
     
321.277  Reckless driving.
  1.  A person who drives any vehicle in such manner as to indicate either a willful or a wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.
  2.  A person who is convicted of reckless driving shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
[C73, §4071; C97, §5039; S13, §1571-m19; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5028; C39, §5022.04, 5022.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §321.283, 321.284; C66, 71, 73, §321.283; C75, 77, 79, 81, §321.277]
2019 Acts, ch 59, §92
Referred to in §321.228, 321.233, 321.241, 321N.3, 707.6A, 915.80

     
321.277A  Careless driving.
  A person commits careless driving if the person intentionally operates a motor vehicle on a public road or highway in any one of the following ways:
  1.  Creates or causes unnecessary tire squealing, skidding, or sliding upon acceleration or stopping.
  2.  Simulates a temporary race.
  3.  Causes any wheel or wheels to unnecessarily lose contact with the ground.
  4.  Causes the vehicle to unnecessarily turn abruptly or sway.
97 Acts, ch 147, §2
Referred to in §805.8A(6)(c)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6 

  
     
321.278  Drag racing prohibited.
  1.  a.  A person shall not do any of the following:
  (1)  Engage in any motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition of speed on any street or highway of this state.
  (2)  Aid or abet any motor vehicle speed contest or exhibition of speed on any street or highway of this state.
  b.  A passenger shall not be considered as aiding and abetting. 
  c.  As used in this section, “motor vehicle speed contest” or “exhibition of speed” means one or more persons competing in speed in excess of the applicable speed limit in vehicles on the public streets or highways.
  2.  Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
[C66, 71, 73, §321.284; C75, 77, 79, 81, §321.278]
2018 Acts, ch 1026, §112
Referred to in §707.6A, 707.8, 805.8A(5)(c)

  
     
321.279  Eluding or attempting to elude pursuing law enforcement vehicle.
  1.  a.  The driver of a motor vehicle commits a serious misdemeanor if the driver willfully fails to bring the motor vehicle to a stop or otherwise eludes or attempts to elude a marked or unmarked official law enforcement vehicle driven by a peace officer after being given a visual and audible signal to stop. The signal given by the peace officer shall be by flashing red light, or by flashing red and blue lights, and siren. For purposes of this section, “peace officer” means those officers designated under section 801.4, subsection 11, paragraphs “a”, “b”, “c”, “f”, “g”, and “h”.
  b.  The driver of a motor vehicle who commits a second or subsequent violation under this subsection is, upon conviction, guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor.
  2.  a.  The driver of a motor vehicle commits an aggravated misdemeanor if the driver willfully fails to bring the motor vehicle to a stop or otherwise eludes or attempts to elude a marked or unmarked official law enforcement vehicle that is driven by a peace officer after being given a visual and audible signal as provided in this section and in doing so exceeds the speed limit by twenty-five miles per hour or more.
  b.  The driver of a motor vehicle who commits a violation under this subsection and who has previously committed a violation under this subsection or subsection 3 is, upon conviction, guilty of a class “D” felony.
  3.  a.  The driver of a motor vehicle commits a class “D” felony if the driver willfully fails to bring the motor vehicle to a stop or otherwise eludes or attempts to elude a marked or unmarked official law enforcement vehicle that is driven by a peace officer after being given a visual and audible signal as provided in this section, and in doing so exceeds the speed limit by twenty-five miles per hour or more, and if any of the following occurs:
  (1)  The driver is participating in a public offense, as defined in section 702.13, that is a felony.
  (2)  The driver is in violation of section 321J.2.
  (3)  The driver is in violation of section 124.401.
  (4)  The offense results in bodily injury to a person other than the driver.
  b.  The driver of a motor vehicle who commits a second or subsequent violation under this subsection is, upon conviction, guilty of a class “C” felony.
[C81, §321.279]
94 Acts, ch 1069, §1; 99 Acts, ch 31, §1; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §153; 2008 Acts, ch 1147, §3; 2020 Acts, ch 1028, §1; 2020 Acts, ch 1121, §65, 70; 2021 Acts, ch 183, §49, 52
Referred to in §321.209, 321.555, 321J.2, 707.6A, 907.3
Section amended

     
321.280  Assaults and homicide.
  A conviction of the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall not be a bar to a prosecution for an assault or for a homicide committed by any person in operating motor vehicles.
[S13, §1571-m30; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5091; C39, §5022.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.280]
Referred to in §321.228, 321.233

     
321.281  Actions against bicyclists.
  1.  A person operating a motor vehicle shall not steer the motor vehicle unreasonably close to or toward a person riding a bicycle on a highway, including the roadway or the shoulder adjacent to the roadway.
  2.  A person shall not knowingly project any object or substance at or against a person riding a bicycle on a highway.
  3.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “k”.
2010 Acts, ch 1193, §143
Referred to in §805.8A(14)(k)
321.282 and 321.283Reserved.

     
321.284  Open containers in motor vehicles — drivers.
  1.  A driver of a motor vehicle upon a public street or highway shall not possess in the passenger area of the motor vehicle an open or unsealed bottle, can, jar, or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage. “Passenger area” means the area designed to seat the driver and passengers while the motor vehicle is in operation and any area that is readily accessible to the driver or a passenger while in their seating positions, including the glove compartment. An open or unsealed receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage may be transported in the trunk of the motor vehicle. An unsealed receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage may be transported behind the last upright seat of the motor vehicle if the motor vehicle does not have a trunk. A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “e”.
  2.  A person under the age of twenty-one who violates this section is guilty of a violation of section 123.47.
95 Acts, ch 48, §5; 98 Acts, ch 1100, §47; 98 Acts, ch 1204, §3; 99 Acts, ch 77, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1128, §5
Referred to in §123.30, 123.49, 123.131, 123.132, 123.178, 123.178A, 123.178B, 805.8A(14)(e)

     
321.284A  Open containers in motor vehicles — passengers.
  1.  A passenger in a motor vehicle upon a public street or highway shall not possess in the passenger area of the motor vehicle an open or unsealed bottle, can, jar, or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage. “Passenger area” means the area of a motor vehicle designed to seat the driver and passengers while the motor vehicle is in operation and any area that is readily accessible to the driver or a passenger while in their seating positions, including the glove compartment. An open or unsealed receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage may be transported in the trunk of the motor vehicle. An unsealed receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage may be transported behind the last upright seat of the motor vehicle if the motor vehicle does not have a trunk.
  2.  This section does not apply to a passenger being transported in a motor vehicle designed, maintained, or used primarily for the transportation of persons for compensation, or a passenger being transported in the living quarters of a motor home, motorsports recreational vehicle, manufactured or mobile home, travel trailer, or fifth-wheel travel trailer.
  3.  A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “e”.
  4.  A person under the age of twenty-one years who violates this section is guilty of a violation of section 123.47.
  5.  The department shall not include a conviction for a violation of this section on the individual driving record of the person committing the violation and the conviction shall not be considered by the department in any proceeding for suspension, revocation, barring, or denying of the person’s driver’s license or upon any application for renewal of driving privileges.
99 Acts, ch 77, §2; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §15; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §80; 2010 Acts, ch 1128, §6; 2014 Acts, ch 1127, §9
Referred to in §123.30, 123.49, 123.131, 123.132, 123.178, 123.178A, 123.178B, 805.8A(14)(e)
SPEED RESTRICTIONS

  
     
321.285  Speed restrictions.
  1.  Any person driving a motor vehicle on a highway shall drive the same at a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the highway and of any other conditions then existing, and no person shall drive any vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than will permit the person to bring it to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead, such driver having the right to assume, however, that all persons using said highway will observe the law.
  2.  a.  Unless otherwise provided by this section, or except as posted pursuant to sections 262.68, 321.236, subsection 5, section 321.288, subsection 2, paragraph “f”, sections 321.289, 321.290, 321.293, 321.295, and 461A.36, the following shall be the lawful speed and any speed in excess thereof shall be unlawful:
  (1)  Twenty miles per hour in any business district.
  (2)  Twenty-five miles per hour in any residence or school district.
  (3)  Forty-five miles per hour in any suburban district.
  b.  Each school district as defined in section 321.1, subsection 70, shall be marked by distinctive signs as provided by the current manual of uniform traffic control devices adopted by the department and placed on the highway at the limits of such school district.
  3.  Unless otherwise provided in this section or by other speed restrictions, the speed limit for all vehicular traffic shall be fifty-five miles per hour.
  4.  A reasonable and proper speed is required, but not greater than fifty-five miles per hour at any time between sunrise and sunset, and not greater than fifty miles per hour at any time between sunset and sunrise, on secondary roads unless such roads are surfaced with concrete or asphalt or a combination of both, in which case the speed limits shall be the same as provided in subsection 3. When the board of supervisors of any county shall determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the speed limit on any secondary road is greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any part of a secondary road, the board shall determine and declare a reasonable and proper speed limit at the intersection or other part of the secondary road. The speed limits as determined by the board of supervisors shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice of the speed limits are erected by the board of supervisors at the intersection or other place or part of the highway.
  5.  a.  Notwithstanding any other speed restrictions, the speed limit for all vehicular traffic on fully controlled-access, divided, multilaned highways is sixty-five miles per hour. However, the speed limit for all vehicular traffic on highways that are part of the interstate road system, as defined in section 306.3, is seventy miles per hour. The department may establish a speed limit of sixty-five miles per hour on certain divided, multilaned highways not otherwise described in this paragraph.
  b.  The department, on its own motion or in response to a recommendation of a metropolitan or regional planning commission or council of governments, may establish a lower speed limit on a highway described in this subsection.
  c.  For the purposes of this subsection, “fully controlled-access highway” means a highway that gives preference to through traffic by providing access connections with selected public roads only and by prohibiting crossings at grade or direct private driveway connections.
  d.  A minimum speed may be established by the department on the highways referred to in this subsection if warranted by engineering and traffic investigations.
  e.  Any kind of vehicle, implement, or conveyance incapable of attaining and maintaining a speed of forty miles per hour shall be prohibited from using the interstate road system.
  6.  Notwithstanding any other speed restrictions, a self-propelled implement of husbandry equipped with flotation tires that is designed to be loaded and operated in the field and used exclusively for the application of organic or inorganic plant food materials, agricultural limestone, or agricultural chemicals shall not be operated on a highway at a speed in excess of thirty-five miles per hour.
  7.  Notwithstanding any other speed restrictions, the speed limit for all vehicular traffic on a street or highway on which a cattle guard is installed pursuant to section 314.30 is fifteen miles per hour between the point at which the cattle guard is installed and the point at which the street or highway terminates in a dead end.
  8.  A person who violates this section for excessive speed in violation of a speed limit commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 5. A person who operates a school bus at a speed which exceeds a limit established under this section by ten miles per hour or less commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 10. A person who violates any other provision of this section commits a simple misdemeanor.
[S13, §1571-m19, -m20; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5029, 5030; C39, §5023.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.285]
87 Acts, ch 120, §2; 93 Acts, ch 47, §3 – 7; 94 Acts, ch 1173, §15; 96 Acts, ch 1126, §5; 96 Acts, ch 1191, §1; 2005 Acts, ch 165, §1; 2007 Acts, ch 143, §15; 2009 Acts, ch 133, §119; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §8; 2012 Acts, ch 1083, §1; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §81; 2017 Acts, ch 29, §95; 2018 Acts, ch 1041, §82; 2018 Acts, ch 1118, §2, 3
Referred to in §321.233, 321.236, 321.291, 321.292, 321.293, 331.362, 707.6A, 723.4, 805.8A(5)(a), 805.8A(10)
Speed limits at regents institutions, see §262.68 
Speeding violations by implements of husbandry, see §321.383
Speed limits in state parks and preserves, see §461A.36
321.286 and 321.287Repealed by 93 Acts, ch 47, §14. 

     
321.288  Control of vehicle — reduced speed.
  1.  A person operating a motor vehicle shall have the vehicle under control at all times.
  2.  A person operating a motor vehicle shall reduce the speed to a reasonable and proper rate:
  a.  When approaching and passing a person walking in the traveled portion of the public highway.
  b.  When approaching and passing an animal which is being led, ridden, or driven upon a public highway.
  c.  When approaching and traversing a crossing or intersection of public highways, or a sharp turn, curve, or steep descent in a public highway.
  d.  When approaching and passing an emergency warning device displayed in accordance with rules adopted under section 321.449, or an emergency vehicle displaying a revolving or flashing light.
  e.  When approaching and passing a slow moving vehicle displaying a reflective device or alternative reflective device as provided by section 321.383.
  f.  When approaching and passing through a road work zone.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5031; C39, §5023.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.288]
85 Acts, ch 167, §2; 87 Acts, ch 170, §7; 89 Acts, ch 296, §33; 97 Acts, ch 104, §20; 99 Acts, ch 102, §1; 2012 Acts, ch 1083, §2
Referred to in §321.285, 707.6A, 805.8A(6)(d)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6

     
321.289  Speed signs — duty to install.
  The department shall furnish and place on primary roads or on extensions of primary roads within any city suitable standard signs showing the points at which the rate of speed changes and the maximum rate of speed in the district which the vehicle is entering. On all other main highways the city shall furnish and erect suitable signs giving similar information to traffic on such highways.
[S13, §1571-m20; C24, §5030; C27, 31, 35, §5030-b2; C39, §5023.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.289]
Referred to in §321.285, 707.6A

  
     
321.290  Special restrictions.
  1.  Whenever the department shall determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any speed limit set forth in this chapter is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any part of the primary road system or upon any part of a primary road extension, the department shall determine and declare a reasonable and safe speed limit which shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice of the speed limit are erected at such intersection or other place or part of the highway.
  2.  Whenever the council in any city shall determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any speed limit set forth in this chapter is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any part of the city street system, except primary road extensions, said council shall determine and adopt by ordinance such higher or lower speed limit as it deems reasonable and safe. Such speed limit shall be effective when proper and appropriate signs giving notice of the speed limit are erected at such intersections or other place or part of the street.
[C39, §5023.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.290]
2018 Acts, ch 1026, §113
Referred to in §321.285, 707.6A

  
     
321.291  Information or notice.
  In every charge of violation of section 321.285 the citation or complaint, and also the notice to appear, shall specify the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven and the speed limit applicable within the district or at the location.
[C39, §5023.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.291]
93 Acts, ch 47, §8; 94 Acts, ch 1023, §104; 2021 Acts, ch 80, §170
Section amended

     
321.292  Civil action unaffected.
  The provisions of section 321.285 shall not be construed to relieve the plaintiff in any civil action from the burden of proving negligence upon the part of the defendant as the proximate cause of an accident.
[C39, §5023.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.292]
93 Acts, ch 47, §9; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §116

     
321.293  Local authorities may alter limits.
  Local authorities in their respective jurisdiction may in their discretion subject to the approval of the department authorize by ordinance higher speeds than those stated in section 321.285 upon through highways or upon highways or portions thereof where stop or yield signs have been erected at the entrances thereto provided signs are erected giving notice of the authorized speed, but local authorities shall not have authority to authorize by ordinance a speed in excess of fifty-five miles per hour. If local authorities fail to authorize by ordinance higher speeds than those stated in section 321.285 upon through highways or upon highways or portions thereof where stop signs have been erected at the entrances thereto, the department may recommend, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, to the local authorities that the speed limit be increased. If local authorities fail to increase the speed limit upon said recommendation of the department, said department shall declare a reasonable and safe speed limit which shall be effective when appropriate signs are erected giving notice thereof.
[C39, §5023.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.293]
Referred to in §321.236, 321.285, 707.6A

     
321.294  Minimum speed regulation.
  A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law. Peace officers are hereby authorized to enforce this provision by directions to drivers, and in the event of apparent willful disobedience to this provision and refusal to comply with direction of an officer in accordance herewith the continued slow operation by a driver shall be a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 8.
[C31, 35, §5021-c1; C39, §5023.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.294]
2000 Acts, ch 1203, §11; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5
Referred to in §805.8A(8)(d)
See also §321.382 

  
     
321.295  Limitation on bridge or elevated structures.
  1.  A person shall not drive a vehicle on any public bridge or elevated structure at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed permitted under this chapter on the street or highway at a point where said street or highway joins said bridge or elevated structure. However, if the maximum speed permitted on said street or highway differs from the maximum speed on any other street or highway joining said bridge or elevated structure, then the lowest of those maximum speeds shall be the maximum speed limit on said bridge or elevated structure unless the department, upon request from any local authority or upon its own initiative, has conducted an investigation of the bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of the highway, and has found that the structure cannot with safety to itself withstand vehicles traveling at the speed otherwise permissible under this chapter. Under those circumstances, the department shall determine and declare the maximum speed of vehicles which the structure can withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating such maximum speed to be erected and maintained at a distance of two hundred feet before each end of such structure.
  2.  A person shall not drive a vehicle over any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a highway at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure, when the structure is signposted as provided in this section.
  3.  Upon the trial of any person charged with driving a vehicle at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure, proof of such determination of the maximum speed by said department and the existence of said signs shall constitute conclusive evidence of the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure.
[C39, §5023.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.295]
2010 Acts, ch 1069, §46
Referred to in §321.285, 707.6A, 805.8A(5)(d)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 5, paragraph d

321.296  Reserved.
DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY —

OVERTAKING AND PASSING — TOWING

     
321.297  Driving on right-hand side of roadway — exceptions.
  1.  A vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway upon all roadways of sufficient width, except as follows:
  a.  When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement.
  b.  When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the roadway, provided, any person so doing shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the roadway within such distance as to constitute an immediate hazard.
  c.  Upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon.
  d.  Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.
  2.  Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic upon all roadways, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection, an alley, private road or driveway.
  3.  A vehicle shall not be driven upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, to the left of the center line of the roadway, except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted under subsection 1, paragraph “b”. This subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road, or driveway.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5019; C39, §5024.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.297]
Referred to in §321.233, 321.298, 321.482A, 805.8A(6)(e)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.298  Meeting and turning to right.
  Except as otherwise provided in section 321.297, vehicles or persons on horseback meeting each other on any roadway shall yield one-half of the roadway by turning to the right.
[R60, §908; C73, §1000; C97, §1569; S13, §1569; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5020; C39, §5024.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.298]
Referred to in §321.233, 321.482A, 805.8A(7)(b)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 7 
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.299  Overtaking a vehicle.
  The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules hereinafter stated:
  1.  The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the other vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
  2.  Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and shall not increase the speed of the overtaken vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
[S13, §1569, 1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5021, 5022; C39, §5024.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.299]
89 Acts, ch 296, §34; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §115
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(6)(f)
Passing on right, §321.302 
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6 
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 
321.300 and 321.301Reserved.

     
321.302  Overtaking and passing.
  1.  Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the driver of a vehicle on a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of traffic moving in the same direction as the vehicle being passed may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle which is making or about to make a left turn when such movement can be made in safety.
  2.  Unless otherwise prohibited by law, the driver of a vehicle may overtake and, allowing sufficient clearance, pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction either upon the left or upon the right on a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for four or more lines of moving traffic when such movement can be made in safety.
  3.  The driver of a vehicle shall not drive off the pavement or upon the shoulder of the roadway or upon the apron or roadway of an intersecting roadway in overtaking or passing on the right or the left.
  4.  A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 6.
[C39, §5024.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.302]
2000 Acts, ch 1203, §12; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2003 Acts, ch 6, §2; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §47
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(6)(g)
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.303  Limitations on overtaking on the left.
  A vehicle shall not be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit the overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or a vehicle overtaken. The overtaking vehicle shall return to the right-hand side of the roadway before coming within three hundred feet of a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction when traveling on a roadway having a legal speed limit in excess of thirty miles per hour, and the overtaking vehicle shall return to the right-hand side of the roadway before coming within one hundred feet of a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction when traveling on a roadway having a legal speed limit of thirty miles per hour or less.
[C39, §5024.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.303]
83 Acts, ch 125, §4
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(6)(h)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6 
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.304  Prohibited passing.
  No vehicle shall, in overtaking and passing another vehicle or at any other time, be driven to the left side of the roadway under the following conditions:
  1.  When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway where the driver’s view along the highway is obstructed for a distance of approximately seven hundred feet.
  2.  When approaching within one hundred feet of any narrow bridge, viaduct, or tunnel, when so signposted, or when approaching within one hundred feet of or traversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing.
  3.  Where official signs are in place directing that traffic keep to the right or a distinctive center line or off-center line is marked, which distinctive line also so directs traffic as declared in the sign manual adopted by the department of transportation.
[C35, §5024-e1; C39, §5024.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.304]
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(6)(i), 805.8A(8)(e)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsections 6 and 8 
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.305  One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands.
  1.  Upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic a vehicle shall be driven only in the direction designated.
  2.  A vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island shall be driven only to the right of such island.
[C39, §5024.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.305]
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(6)(j)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.306  Roadways laned for traffic.
  Whenever any roadway has been divided into three or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following rules in addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply:
  1.  A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.
  2.  If a roadway is divided into three lanes, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except as follows: 
  a.  When overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance. 
  b.  In preparation for a left turn or where such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is signposted to give notice of such allocation.
  3.  Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving traffic to use a designated lane or allocating specified lanes to traffic moving in the same direction and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such sign.
  4.  Vehicles moving in a lane designated for slow-moving traffic shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles moving in the same direction in a lane not so designated when such lanes merge to form a single lane.
  5.  A portion of a highway provided with a lane for slow-moving vehicles does not become a roadway marked for three lanes of traffic.
[C39, §5024.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.306]
2010 Acts, ch 1069, §94
Referred to in §321.208, 321.482A, 805.8A(6)(k)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.307  Following too closely.
  The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
[C39, §5024.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.307]
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(7)(c)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 7
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

  
     
321.308  Motor trucks and towed vehicles — distance requirements.  Repealed by 2019 Acts, ch 79, §4.

  
     
321.309  Towing.
  A person shall not pull or tow by motor vehicle, for hire, another motor vehicle over any highway outside the limits of any incorporated city, except in case of temporary movement of a disabled motor vehicle to the place where repairs will be made, unless the person has complied with the provisions of sections 321.57 and 321.58. Provided, however, if the person is a nonresident of the state of Iowa and has complied with the laws of the state of that person’s residence governing licensing and registration as a transporter of motor vehicles, the person shall not be required to pay the fee provided in section 321.58 but only to submit proof of the person’s status as a bona fide manufacturer or transporter as may reasonably be required by the department.
[C31, 35, §5067-d9; C39, §5024.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.309]
83 Acts, ch 101, §69; 97 Acts, ch 108, §16; 2019 Acts, ch 79, §1
Referred to in §805.8A(12)(a)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph a 

     
321.310  Towing four-wheeled trailers.
  1.  A motor vehicle shall not tow a four-wheeled trailer with a steering axle, or more than one trailer or semitrailer, or both in combination. However, this section does not apply to a motor home, motorsports recreational vehicle, multipurpose vehicle, motor truck, truck tractor or road tractor nor to a farm tractor towing a four-wheeled trailer, nor to a farm tractor or motor vehicle towing implements of husbandry, nor to a wagon box trailer used by a farmer in transporting produce, farm products, or supplies hauled to and from market.
  2.  Any four-wheeled trailer towed by a truck tractor or road tractor shall be registered under the semitrailer provisions of section 321.123; provided that the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to motor vehicles drawing wagon box trailers used by a farmer in transporting produce, farm products, or supplies hauled to and from market, or to a four-wheeled trailer towed by a motorsports recreational vehicle.
[C39, §5024.14; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.310]
84 Acts, ch 1226, §1; 2014 Acts, ch 1127, §10
Referred to in §805.8A(12)(a)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph a 
TURNING AND STARTING AND SIGNALS

ON STOPPING AND TURNING

     
321.311  Turning at intersections.
  1.  The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:
  a.  Both the approach for a right turn and right turn shall be made as close as practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
  b.  Approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line thereof and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to depart from the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered.
  c.  Approach for a left turn from a two-way street into a one-way street shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line thereof and by passing to the right of such center line where it enters the intersection. A left turn from a one-way street into two-way street shall be made by passing to the right of the center line of the street being entered upon leaving the intersection.
  2.  Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause markers, buttons, or signs to be placed within or adjacent to intersections and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by vehicles turning at an intersection, and when markers, buttons, or signs are so placed no driver of a vehicle shall turn a vehicle at an intersection other than as directed and required by such markers, buttons, or signs.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5033; C39, §5025.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.311]
Referred to in §321.354, 321.482A, 805.8A(6)(l)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.312  Turning on curve or crest of grade.
  No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to, or near the crest of a grade or hill, where such vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within five hundred feet.
[C39, §5025.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.312]
Referred to in §805.8A(6)(m)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6 

     
321.313  Starting parked vehicle.
  No person shall start a vehicle which is stopped, standing, or parked unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.
[C39, §5025.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.313]
Referred to in §805.8A(7)(d)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 7

  
     
321.314  When signal required.
  No person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course upon a highway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving a clearly audible signal by sounding the horn if any pedestrian may be affected by such movement or after giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in sections 321.315 through 321.318 in the event any other vehicle may be affected by such movement.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5032; C39, §5025.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.314]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §171
Referred to in §321.316, 805.8A(6)(n)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6
Section amended

     
321.315  Signal continuous.
  A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the vehicle before turning when the speed limit is forty-five miles per hour or less and a continuous signal during not less than the last three hundred feet when the speed limit is in excess of forty-five miles per hour.
[C39, §5025.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.315]
Referred to in §321.314, 321.316, 805.8A(6)(o)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6

  
     
321.316  Stopping.
  A person shall not stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in sections 321.314, 321.315, 321.317, and 321.318 to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5032; C39, §5025.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.316]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §172
Referred to in §321.314, 805.8A(6)(p)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6 
Section amended

     
321.317  Signals by hand and arm or signal device.
  1.  The signals required under the provisions of this chapter may be given either by means of the hand and arm as provided in section 321.318, or by a mechanical or electrical directional signal device or light conforming to the provisions of this chapter.
  2.  Directional signal devices shall be designed with a white, yellow or amber lamp or lamps to be displayed on the front of vehicles and with a lamp or lamps of red, yellow or amber to be displayed on the rear of vehicles. Such devices shall be capable of clearly indicating any intention to turn either to the right or to the left and shall be visible and understandable during both daylight and darkness from a distance of at least one hundred feet from the front and rear of a vehicle equipped therewith.
  3.  It is unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale or operate on the highways of the state any vehicle subject to registration under the provisions of this chapter which has never been registered in this or any other state prior to January 1, 1954, unless the vehicle is equipped with a directional signal device of a type in compliance with the provisions of subsection 2. Motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and semitrailers and trailers less than forty inches in width are exempt from the provisions of this section.
  4.  When a vehicle is equipped with a directional signal device, such device shall at all times be maintained in good working condition. No directional signal device shall project a glaring or dazzling light. All directional signal devices shall be self-illuminated when in use while other lamps on the vehicle are lighted.
  5.  Whenever any vehicle or combination of vehicles is disabled or for other reason may present a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing, the operator then may display on the vehicle or combination of vehicles four directional signals of a type complying with the provisions of this section relating to directional signal devices in simultaneous operation.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5032; C39, §5025.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.317]
87 Acts, ch 170, §8; 97 Acts, ch 108, §17, 18
Referred to in §321.314, 321.316, 321.404A, 805.8A(3)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 3

  
     
321.318  Method of giving hand and arm signals.
  All signals required under this chapter which may be given by hand and arm shall when so given be given from the left side of the vehicle and the following manner and interpretation thereof is suggested:
  1.  Left turn — Hand and arm extended horizontally.
  2.  Right turn — Hand and arm extended upward.
  3.  Stop or decrease of speed — Hand and arm extended downward.
[C39, §5025.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.318]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §173
Referred to in §321.314, 321.316, 321.317, 805.8A(6)(q)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6
Unnumbered paragraph 1 amended
RIGHT-OF-WAY

  
     
321.319  Entering intersections from different highways.
  1.  When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways or public streets at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
  2.  The rule contained in subsection 1 is modified at through highways and as otherwise stated in this chapter.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5035; C39, §5026.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.319]
2019 Acts, ch 59, §93
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(7)(e)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 7 
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.320  Left turns — yielding.
  The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard, then said driver, having so yielded and having given a signal when and as required by this chapter, may make such left turn.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5035; C39, §5026.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.320]
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(7)(f)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 7
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.321  Entering through highways.
  The driver of a vehicle shall stop or yield as required by this chapter at the entrance to a through highway and shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles which have entered the intersection from said through highway or which are approaching so closely on said through highway as to constitute a hazard, but said driver having so yielded may proceed cautiously and with due care enter said through highway.
[C27, §5079-b2, -b3; C31, 35, §5079-b2, -b3, -d2, -d3; C39, §5026.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.321]
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(7)(g)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 7 
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.322  Vehicles entering stop or yield intersection.
  1.  The driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop at the first opportunity at either the clearly marked stop line or before entering the crosswalk or before entering the intersection or at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection. Before proceeding, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle on the intersecting roadway which has entered the intersection or which is approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection.
  2.  The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall slow to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and, if required for safety, shall stop at the first opportunity at either the clearly marked stop line or before entering the crosswalk or before entering the intersection or at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. After slowing or stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle on the intersecting roadway which has entered the intersection or which is approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection.
[C27, §5079-b2, -b3; C31, 35, §5079-b2, -b3, -d2, -d3; C39, §5026.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.322]
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(8)(f)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 8 
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.323  Moving vehicle backward on highway.
  A person shall not cause a vehicle to be moved in a backward direction on a highway unless and until the vehicle can be backed with reasonable safety, and shall yield the right-of-way to any approaching vehicle on the highway or an intersecting highway which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.323]
89 Acts, ch 296, §35
Referred to in §321.233, 321.482A, 805.8A(6)(r)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6 
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

  
     
321.323A  Approaching certain stationary vehicles.
  1.  The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing lights, as permitted under section 321.423, shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall proceed in one of the following manners, absent any other direction by a peace officer:
  a.  Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions.
  b.  If a lane change under paragraph “a” would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
  2.  The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary towing or recovery vehicle, a stationary utility maintenance vehicle, a stationary municipal maintenance vehicle, a stationary highway maintenance vehicle, a stationary construction vehicle, or a stationary solid waste or recycling collection service vehicle, that is displaying flashing lights, as permitted under section 321.423, shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall proceed in one of the following manners, absent any other direction by a peace officer:
  a.  Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary motor vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions.
  b.  If a lane change under paragraph “a” would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
  3.  The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary motor vehicle that is continually displaying its emergency signal lamps flashing simultaneously shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall proceed in one of the following manners, absent any other direction by a peace officer:
  a.  Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary motor vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions.
  b.  If a lane change under paragraph “a” would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.
  4.  a.  A person convicted of a violation of this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 11.
  b.  A person convicted of a violation of this section which resulted in an accident causing bodily injury to or the death of another person may be subject to the following penalties in addition to the penalty provided for a scheduled violation in section 805.8A, subsection 11, or any other penalty provided by law:
  (1)  For a violation causing bodily injury to another person, a fine of five hundred dollars.
  (2)  For a violation causing death, a fine of one thousand dollars.
  c.  Upon receiving a record of a person’s conviction for a violation under paragraph “a” which resulted in an accident causing damage to the property of another person or bodily injury to or death of another person, the department shall suspend the person’s driver’s license or operating privileges, upon thirty days’ notice and without preliminary hearing, as follows:
  (1)  For a violation causing damage to the property of another person, but not resulting in bodily injury to or death of another person, the department shall suspend the violator’s driver’s license or operating privileges for ninety days.
  (2)  For a violation causing bodily injury to another person, the department shall suspend the violator’s driver’s license or operating privileges for one hundred eighty days.
  (3)  For a violation causing death, the department shall suspend the violator’s driver’s license or operating privileges for one year.
2002 Acts, ch 1013, §1; 2003 Acts, ch 2, §1; 2012 Acts, ch 1083, §3; 2012 Acts, ch 1138, §63; 2015 Acts, ch 81, §1; 2017 Acts, ch 84, §2; 2018 Acts, ch 1079, §1 – 4
Referred to in §805.8A(11)(a), 805.8A(11)(b)

     
321.324  Operation on approach of emergency vehicles.
  1.  For the purposes of this section, “red light” or “blue light” means a light or lighting device that, when illuminated, will exhibit a solid flashing or strobing red or blue light.
  2.  Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle with any lamp or device displaying a red light or red and blue lights, or an authorized emergency vehicle of a fire department displaying a blue light, or when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
  3.  Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle, as described in subsection 2, the driver of every streetcar shall immediately stop such car clear of any intersection and keep it in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
  4.  This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
[C39, §5026.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.324]
2000 Acts, ch 1045, §1; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §95
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(11)(a)
See also §321.231 
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 11
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

  
     
321.324A  Funeral processions.
  1.  For purposes of this section, “funeral procession” means a procession of motor vehicles accompanying the body of a deceased person during daylight hours which is being escorted by a vehicle continually displaying its emergency signal lamps flashing simultaneously and using lighted headlamps and identifying flags, or an escort vehicle displaying a flashing or revolving red and amber light visible to pedestrians in all directions, and keeping all other motor vehicles with lighted headlamps in close formation.
  2.  Upon the immediate approach of a funeral procession, the driver of every other vehicle, except an authorized emergency vehicle, shall yield the right-of-way. An operator of a motor vehicle which is part of a funeral procession shall not be charged with violating traffic rules and regulations relating to traffic signals and devices while participating in the procession unless the operation is reckless.
  3.  The funeral establishment in charge of the funeral procession is liable only in connection with the procession for any negligent, reckless, or intentional act by the funeral establishment or any employee or agent of the funeral establishment that results in any death, personal injury or property damage suffered during a funeral procession.
  4.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 6, paragraph “s”.
94 Acts, ch 1139, §1; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §13; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §36, 93
Referred to in §321.423, 321.482A, 805.8A(6)(s)
Flashing lights, see §321.423 
Penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 
PEDESTRIANS’ RIGHTS AND DUTIES

  
     
321.325  Pedestrians subject to signals.
  Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic-control signals at intersections as provided in this chapter, but at all other places pedestrians shall be accorded the privileges and shall be subject to the restrictions stated in sections 321.327 through 321.331.
[C39, §5027.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.325]
2019 Acts, ch 59, §94
Referred to in §805.8A(9)(e)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 9 

     
321.326  Pedestrians on left.
  Pedestrians shall at all times when walking on or along a highway, walk on the left side of such highway.
[C39, §5027.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.326]
Referred to in §321O.4, 805.8A(9)(f)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 9 

     
321.327  Pedestrians’ right-of-way.
  1.  Where traffic-control signals are not in place or in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
  2.  A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 7.
[C39, §5027.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.327]
2000 Acts, ch 1203, §13; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §48
Referred to in §321.325, 321.482A, 805.8A(7)(h)
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.328  Crossing at other than crosswalk.
  1.  Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway except that cities may restrict such a crossing by ordinance.
  2.  Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
  3.  Where traffic-control signals are in operation at any place not an intersection pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.
[C39, §5027.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.328]
Referred to in §321.325, 321.329, 805.8A(9)(g)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 9 

     
321.329  Duty of driver — pedestrians crossing or working on highways.
  1.  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 321.328 every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise due care upon observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway.
  2.  Every driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrian workers engaged in maintenance or construction work on a highway whenever the driver is notified of the presence of such workers by a flagman or a warning sign.
[C39, §5027.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.329]
Referred to in §321.325, 321.482A, 805.8A(7)(i)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 7
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

     
321.330  Use of crosswalks.
  Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of crosswalks.
[C39, §5027.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.330]
Referred to in §321.325

     
321.331  Pedestrians soliciting rides.
  1.  No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the driver of any private vehicle.
  2.  Nothing in this section or this chapter shall be construed so as to prevent any pedestrian from standing on that portion of the highway or roadway, not ordinarily used for vehicular traffic, for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the driver of any vehicle.
[C39, §5027.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.331]
Referred to in §321.325, 805.8A(9)(h)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 9 

     
321.332  White canes restricted to blind persons.
  For the purpose of guarding against accidents in traffic on the public thoroughfares, it shall be unlawful for any person except persons wholly or partially blind to carry or use on the streets, highways, and public places of the state any white canes or walking sticks which are white in color or white tipped with red.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.332]
Referred to in §216C.8, 321.334, 805.8A(9)(i)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 9; see also §321.334 

     
321.333  Duty of drivers.
  Any driver of a vehicle or operator of a motor-driven vehicle who approaches or comes in contact with a person wholly or partially blind carrying a cane or walking stick white in color or white tipped with red, or being led by a guide dog wearing a harness and walking on either side of or slightly in front of said blind person, shall immediately come to a complete stop, and take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid accident or injury to the person carrying a cane or walking stick white in color or white tipped with red or being led by a guide dog.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.333]
Referred to in §216C.8, 321.482A, 805.8A(7)(j)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 7 
Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A 

  
     
321.334  Penalties.
  A person shall be fined not less than one dollar nor more than one hundred dollars for each offense, if the person does any of the following:
  1.  Carries a cane or walking stick such as is prescribed in section 321.332, but contrary to the provisions of this chapter.
  2.  Fails to heed the approach of a person lawfully carrying a cane or walking stick that is white in color or white tipped with red, or who is being led by a guide dog.
  3.  Fails to immediately come to a complete stop and take such precautions against accident or injury to a person described in subsection 2.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.334]
2019 Acts, ch 59, §95
For scheduled fine applicable to §321.332 violations, see §805.8A, subsection 9 
321.335 through 321.339Reserved.

     
321.340  Driving through safety zone.
  No vehicle shall at any time be driven through or within a safety zone.
[C39, §5028.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.340]
Referred to in §805.8A(6)(t)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6 
SPECIAL STOPS REQUIRED

     
321.341  Obedience to signal indicating approach of railroad train or railroad track equipment.
  1.  When a person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing and warning is given by automatic signal, crossing gates, a flag person, or otherwise of the immediate approach of a railroad train or railroad track equipment, the driver of the vehicle shall stop the vehicle within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail and shall not proceed until the driver can do so safely.
  2.  The driver of a vehicle shall stop the vehicle and the vehicle shall remain standing and not traverse such a grade crossing when a crossing gate is lowered or when a human flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train or railroad track equipment.
[C39, §5029.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.341]
87 Acts, ch 170, §9; 2012 Acts, ch 1044, §1; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §82
Referred to in §321.208, 321.343A, 321.344A, 321.344B, 321.484, 805.8A(14)(h)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph h 

     
321.342  Stop at certain railroad crossings — posting warning.
  1.  The driver of any vehicle approaching a railroad grade crossing across which traffic is regulated by a stop sign, a railroad sign directing traffic to stop, or an official traffic control signal displaying a flashing red or steady circular red colored light shall stop prior to driving across the railroad grade crossing at the first opportunity at either the clearly marked stop line or at a point near the crossing where the driver has a clear view of the approaching railroad train or railroad track equipment.
  2.  The department, city or county shall be required to post the standard sign as prescribed by the manual on uniform traffic-control devices adopted by the department pursuant to section 321.252 in advance of each railroad grade crossing to warn the motorist that the motorist is approaching a railroad grade crossing. Upon properly posting all railroad grade crossings within its jurisdiction and upon implementing the standards established in accordance with section 307.26, the department, city, or county shall not have any other affirmative duty to warn a motor vehicle operator approaching or at the railroad grade crossing.
[C39, §5029.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.342]
2012 Acts, ch 1044, §2
Referred to in §321.344A, 321.344B, 321.484, 805.8A(14)(h)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph h 

  
     
321.343  Certain vehicles must stop.
  1.  The driver of a motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire, a school bus, or a vehicle carrying hazardous material and required to stop before driving across a railroad track by motor carrier safety rules adopted under section 321.449, before driving across at grade any track of a railroad, shall stop the vehicle within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail. While stopped, the driver shall listen and look in both directions for an approaching railroad train or railroad track equipment, and for signals indicating the approach of a railroad train or railroad track equipment, and shall not proceed until the driver can do so safely.
  2.  The driver of a commercial motor vehicle shall comply with all of the following provisions that apply to the driver:
  a.  If the driver is not always required to stop at a railroad crossing, slow down when approaching the crossing and check that the railroad tracks are clear of an approaching railroad train or railroad track equipment before proceeding.
  b.  If the driver is not always required to stop at a railroad crossing, stop before reaching the crossing if the railroad tracks are not clear.
  c.  Refrain from proceeding through a railroad crossing if sufficient space is not available to drive completely through the crossing without stopping.
  d.  Obey a traffic-control device or the directions of an enforcement official at a railroad crossing.
  e.  Have sufficient undercarriage clearance before negotiating a railroad crossing.
  3.  No stop need be made at a crossing where a peace officer or a traffic-control device directs traffic to proceed. No stop need be made at a crossing designated by an “exempt” sign. An “exempt” sign shall be posted only where the tracks have been partially removed on either side of the roadway.
[C27, 31, 35, §5105-a33; C39, §5029.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.343; 82 Acts, ch 1200, §1]
87 Acts, ch 170, §10; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §10; 2012 Acts, ch 1044, §3, 4
Referred to in §321.208, 321.343A, 321.344A, 321.344B, 321.484, 805.8A(14)(h)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph h 

     
321.343A  Employer violations — penalty.
  An employer shall not knowingly allow, require, permit, or authorize a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle in violation of section 321.341 or 321.343 or any other federal or local law or regulation pertaining to railroad grade crossings. An employer who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars.
2008 Acts, ch 1021, §11

     
321.344  Heavy equipment at crossing.
  1.  No person shall operate or move any caterpillar tractor, steam shovel, derrick, roller, or any equipment or structure having a normal operating speed of six or less miles per hour or a vertical body or load clearance of less than nine inches above the level surface of a roadway upon or across any tracks at a railroad grade crossing without first complying with this section.
  2.  Notice of the intended crossing shall be given to a superintendent of the railroad, and a reasonable time shall be given to the railroad to provide proper protection at the crossing.
  3.  Before making the crossing, the person operating or moving the vehicle or equipment shall first stop the vehicle or equipment not less than ten feet nor more than fifty feet from the nearest rail of the railroad and, while stopped, shall listen and look in both directions along the track for any approaching railroad train or railroad track equipment and for signals indicating the approach of a railroad train or railroad track equipment, and shall not proceed until the crossing can be made safely.
  4.  No such crossing shall be made when warning is given by automatic signal or crossing gates or a flagman or otherwise of the immediate approach of a railroad train or railroad track equipment.
[C39, §5029.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.344]
2012 Acts, ch 1044, §5
Referred to in §321.344A, 321.344B, 321.484, 805.8A(14)(h)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph h 

     
321.344A  Reported violations for failure to stop at a railroad crossing — citations.
  1.  The employee of a railroad who observes a violation of section 321.341, 321.342, 321.343, or 321.344 may prepare a written report on a form provided by the department of public safety indicating that a violation has occurred. The railroad employee may deliver the report not more than seventy-two hours after the violation occurred to a peace officer of the state or a peace officer of the county or municipality in which the violation occurred. The report shall state the time and the location at which the violation occurred and shall include the registration plate number and a description of the vehicle involved in the violation.
  2.  A peace officer may initiate an investigation not more than seven calendar days after receiving a report of a violation pursuant to this section. The peace officer may request that the owner of the vehicle supply information identifying the driver of the vehicle in accordance with section 321.484, or in the case of a commercial motor vehicle, the peace officer may request that the employer of the driver provide information identifying the driver of the vehicle.
  a.  If from the investigation, the peace officer is able to identify the driver of the vehicle and has reasonable cause to believe a violation has occurred, the peace officer shall prepare a uniform traffic citation for the violation and shall serve it personally or by certified mail on the driver of the vehicle.
  b.  If, from the investigation, the peace officer has reasonable cause to believe that a violation occurred but is unable to identify the driver, the peace officer shall serve a uniform traffic citation for the violation on the owner of the motor vehicle or, in the case of a commercial motor vehicle, on the employer of the driver. Notwithstanding section 321.484, in a proceeding where the peace officer who conducted the investigation was not able to identify the driver of the motor vehicle, proof that the motor vehicle described in the uniform traffic citation was used to commit the violation of section 321.341, 321.342, 321.343, or 321.344, together with proof that the defendant named in the citation was the owner of the motor vehicle or, in the case of a commercial motor vehicle, the employer of the driver, at the time the violation occurred, constitutes a permissible inference that the owner or employer was the person who committed the violation.
  c.  For purposes of this subsection, “owner” means a person who holds the legal title to a motor vehicle; however, if the motor vehicle is the subject of a security agreement with a right of possession in the debtor, the debtor shall be deemed the owner for purposes of this subsection, or if the motor vehicle is leased as defined in section 321.493, the lessee shall be deemed the owner for purposes of this subsection.
92 Acts, ch 1152, §1; 2005 Acts, ch 92, §1; 2008 Acts, ch 1021, §12

     
321.344B  Immediate safety threat — penalty.
  A violation of section 321.341, 321.342, 321.343, or 321.344 which creates an immediate threat to the safety of a person or property is a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “h”.
2000 Acts, ch 1134, §2; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5
Referred to in §805.8A(14)(h)

     
321.345  Stop or yield at highways.
  The department, based on an engineering study, with reference to primary highways, and local authorities with reference to other highways under their jurisdiction may designate through highways and erect stop signs or yield signs, in accordance with specifications established by the department at specified entrances to the highway or may designate any intersection as a stop intersection or as a yield intersection and erect like signs at one or more entrances to such intersection.
[C27, §5079-b3, -b4; C31, 35, §5079-b3, -b4, -d3, -d4; C39, §5029.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.345]
Referred to in §321.347
Analogous provision, §321.253 

     
321.346  Cost of signs.
  The cost of the signs on primary highways shall be paid out of the primary road fund. The cost of the signs on secondary roads shall be paid by the county.
[C27, §5079-b4; C31, 35, §5079-b4, -d4; C39, §5029.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.346]
83 Acts, ch 123, §128, 209

  
     
321.347  Exceptions.
  Notwithstanding section 321.345, at intersections of through highways with boulevards or heavy traffic streets in cities, the city council, subject to the approval of the department, may determine that the through highway traffic shall come to a stop, may erect traffic-control signals, or may adopt such other means of handling the traffic as may be deemed practical and proper.
[C31, 35, §5079-c1; C39, §5029.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.347]
2019 Acts, ch 59, §96
Referred to in §321.349

     
321.348  Limitations on cities.
  It shall be unlawful for any city to close or obstruct any street or highway which is used as the extension of a primary road within such city, except at times of fires or for the purpose of doing construction or repair work on such street or highway, or for other reasons with the consent of the department, and it shall also be unlawful for any city to erect or cause to be erected or maintained any traffic sign or signal inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.
[C31, 35, §5079-c2; C39, §5029.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.348]
Referred to in §321.349

     
321.349  Exceptions.
  The provisions of sections 321.347 and 321.348 as concerns the erection and maintenance of “stop” and “go” signals shall not apply to cities with a population of four thousand or over where said signals are situated within business districts of said city.
[C31, 35, §5079-c3; C39, §5029.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.349]

     
321.350  Primary roads as through highways.
  Primary roads, and extensions of primary roads within cities are hereby designated as through highways.
[C27, 31, 35, §5079-b1; C39, §5029.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.350]

321.351  Reserved.

     
321.352  Additional signs — cost.
  The county board of supervisors shall, at places deemed by them unusually dangerous on the local county roads, furnish and erect suitable warning signs. The cost of the signs shall be paid by the county.
[C31, 35, §5079-d5; C39, §5029.12; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.352]
83 Acts, ch 123, §129, 209
Referred to in §331.362

     
321.353  Stop before crossing sidewalk — right-of-way.
  1.  The driver of a vehicle emerging from a private roadway, alley, driveway, or building shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto the sidewalk area and thereafter the driver shall proceed into the sidewalk area only when the driver can do so without danger to pedestrian traffic and the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicular traffic on the street into which the driver’s vehicle is entering.
  2.  The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from a private road or driveway shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving on said highway and shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on said highway.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5035; C39, §5026.05, 5029.13; C46, §321.323, 321.353; C50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.353]
Referred to in §805.8A(6)(u)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6
STOPPING, STANDING, AND PARKING

     
321.354  Stopping on traveled way.
  1.   A person shall not stop, park, or leave standing an attended or unattended vehicle upon any highway outside of a business district, rural residence district, or residence district as follows:
  a.  Upon the paved part of the highway when it is practical to stop, park, or leave the vehicle off that part of the highway, however, a clear and unobstructed width of at least twenty feet of the paved part of the highway opposite the standing vehicle shall be left for the free passage of other vehicles. As used in this subsection, “paved highway” includes an asphalt surfaced highway.
  b.  Upon the main traveled part of a highway other than a paved highway when it is practical to stop, park, or leave the vehicle off that part of the highway. However, a clear and unobstructed width of that part of the highway opposite the standing vehicle shall be left to allow for the free passage of other vehicles.
  2.  A clear view of the stopped vehicle shall be available from a distance of two hundred feet in each direction upon the highway. However, school buses may stop on the highway for receiving and discharging pupils and all other vehicles shall stop for school buses which are stopped to receive or discharge pupils, as provided in section 321.372. This section does not apply to a vehicle making a turn as provided in section 321.311. This section also does not apply to the stopping or parking of a maintenance vehicle operated by a highway authority on the main traveled way of any roadway when necessary to the function being performed and when early warning devices are properly displayed.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5066; C39, §5030.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.354]
84 Acts, ch 1022, §2; 86 Acts, ch 1056, §4; 98 Acts, ch 1075, §23; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §83
Referred to in §321.210, 321.355, 321.356, 805.8A(6)(v)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6 

     
321.355  Disabled vehicle.
  Section 321.354 shall not apply to the driver of any vehicle which is disabled while on the paved or improved or main traveled portion of a highway in such manner and to such extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving such disabled vehicle in such position.
[C39, §5030.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.355]
Referred to in §321.210, 321.356

     
321.356  Officers authorized to remove.
  Whenever any peace officer finds a vehicle standing upon a highway in violation of any of the provisions of sections 321.354 and 321.355, such officer is hereby authorized to move such vehicle, or require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to move the same, to a position off the paved or improved or main traveled part of such highway.
[C39, §5030.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.356]
2009 Acts, ch 41, §117
Referred to in §321.210

     
321.357  Removed from bridge.
  Whenever any peace officer finds a vehicle unattended upon any bridge or causeway or in any tunnel where such vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic, such officer is hereby authorized to provide for the removal of such vehicle to the nearest garage or other place of safety.
[C39, §5030.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.357]
Referred to in §321.210

  
     
321.358  Stopping, standing, or parking.
  No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following places:
  1.  On a sidewalk, except a bicycle may stop, stand, or park on a sidewalk if not prohibited by a local jurisdiction.
  2.  In front of a public or private driveway.
  3.  Within an intersection.
  4.  Within five feet of a fire hydrant.
  5.  On a crosswalk.
  6.  Within ten feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic-control signal located at the side of a roadway.
  7.  Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within ten feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless any city indicates a different length by signs or markings.
  8.  Within fifty feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing, except when parked parallel with such rail and not exhibiting a red light.
  9.  Within twenty feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within seventy-five feet of said entrance when properly signposted.
  10.  Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when such stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic.
  11.  On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street.
  12.  Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway outside of cities or within a highway tunnel.
  13.  At any place where official signs prohibit stopping or parking.
  14.  Upon any street within the corporate limits of a city when the same is prohibited by a general ordinance of uniform application relating to removal of snow or ice from the streets.
  15.  In front of a curb cut or ramp which is located on public or private property in a manner which blocks access to the curb cut or ramp.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5057, 5058, 5060; C39, §5030.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.358]
85 Acts, ch 40, §4; 89 Acts, ch 247, §7
Referred to in §321.210, 321.359, 602.8103, 602.8106, 805.8A(1)(a)
For fines applicable to offenses charged as scheduled violations, see §805.8A, subsection 1, paragraph a 

  
     
321.359  Moving other vehicle.
  A person shall not move a vehicle not owned by that person into any prohibited area described in section 321.358 or to a place that is an unlawful distance from a curb.
[C39, §5030.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.359]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §174
Referred to in §321.210
Section amended

  
     
321.360  Theaters, hotels, and auditoriums.
  A space of not to exceed fifty feet is hereby reserved at the side of the street in front of any theater, auditorium, hotel having more than twenty-five sleeping rooms, or other buildings where large assemblages of people are being held, within which space, when clearly marked as such, no motor vehicle shall be left standing, parked, or stopped except in taking on or discharging passengers or freight, and then only for such length of time as is necessary for such purpose.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5059; C39, §5030.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.360]
Referred to in §321.210, 602.8103, 602.8106, 805.8A(1)(a)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 1, paragraph a 

     
321.361  Additional parking regulations.
  1.  Except as otherwise provided in this section every vehicle stopped or parked upon a roadway where there are adjacent curbs shall be so stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels of such vehicle parallel to and within eighteen inches of the right-hand curb.
  2.  Local authorities may by ordinance permit parking of vehicles with the left-hand wheels adjacent to and within eighteen inches of the left-hand curb of a one-way roadway.
  3.  Local authorities may by ordinance permit angle or center parking on any roadway under their jurisdiction.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4997, 5056; C39, §5030.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.361]
Referred to in §321.210, 602.8103, 602.8106, 805.8A(1)(a)
For fines applicable to offenses charged as scheduled violations, see §805.8A, subsection 1, paragraph a 
MISCELLANEOUS RULES

     
321.362  Unattended motor vehicle.
  A person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall not permit the vehicle to stand unattended upon any perceptible grade without effectively setting the brake and turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5038; C39, §5031.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.362]
2017 Acts, ch 8, §1
Referred to in §805.8A(1)(a)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 1, paragraph a 

     
321.363  Obstruction to driver’s view.
  1.  No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded, or when there are in the front seat such number of persons, exceeding three, as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or as to interfere with the driver’s control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.
  2.  No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in such position as to interfere with the driver’s view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere with the driver’s control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.
[C39, §5031.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.363]
Referred to in §805.8A(6)(w)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6 

     
321.364  Preventing contamination of food by hazardous material.
  Food intended for human consumption shall not be shipped in a vehicle or container which has been used to transport a hazardous material unless the vehicle or container has been purged of any hazardous material or the transportation is made in a manner that prevents any contact between the food and the hazardous material.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5031, 5043; C39, §5031.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.364]
87 Acts, ch 170, §11
Referred to in §805.8A(13)(c)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 13, paragraph c 

     
321.365  Coasting prohibited.
  The driver of a motor vehicle shall not drive with the source of motive power disengaged from the driving wheels except when disengagement is necessary to stop or to shift gears.
[C39, §5031.04, 5031.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §321.365, 321.366; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.365]
87 Acts, ch 170, §12
Referred to in §805.8A(6)(x)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6 

  
     
321.366  Acts prohibited on fully controlled-access facilities.
  1.  It is unlawful for a person, except a person operating highway maintenance equipment or an authorized emergency vehicle, to do any of the following on a fully controlled-access facility:
  a.  Drive a vehicle over, upon, or across a curb, central dividing section, or other separation or dividing line.
  b.  Make a left turn or a semicircular or U-turn at a maintenance cross-over where an official sign prohibits the turn.
  c.  Drive a vehicle except in the proper lane provided for that purpose and in the proper direction and to the right of the central dividing curb, separation, section, or line.
  d.  Drive a vehicle into the facility from a local service road.
  e.  Stop, park, or leave standing a vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon the paved portion.
  f.  Stop, park, or leave standing a vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon the shoulders, or the right-of-way except at designated rest areas or in case of an emergency or other dire necessity.
  g.  Operate a bicycle, skateboard, or other pedestrian conveyance or be a pedestrian anywhere on a fully controlled-access facility. For purposes of this paragraph, “pedestrian conveyance” means any human-powered device by which a pedestrian may move other than by walking or by which a walking person may move another pedestrian, including but not limited to strollers and wheelchairs.
  2.  For the purpose of this section, “fully controlled-access facility” is a highway which gives preference to through traffic by providing access connections at interchanges with selected public roads only and by prohibiting crossings at grade or direct access at driveway connections.
  3.  Violations of this section are punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 6.
[C58, 62, §306A.9; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.366]
84 Acts, ch 1022, §8; 84 Acts, ch 1219, §27; 2000 Acts, ch 1203, §14; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §116; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §49; 2021 Acts, ch 183, §50, 52
Referred to in §321.210, 805.8A(6)(y)
Subsection 1, NEW paragraph g

     
321.366A  Immunity from civil liability for certain vehicle operators.
  1.  The driver of a vehicle who is exercising due care and who injures another person who is participating in a protest, demonstration, riot, or unlawful assembly or who is engaging in disorderly conduct and is blocking traffic in a public street or highway shall be immune from civil liability for the injury caused by the driver of the vehicle.
  2.  The driver of a vehicle who injures another person who is participating in a protest, demonstration, riot, or unlawful assembly or who is engaging in disorderly conduct and is blocking traffic in a public street or highway shall not be immune from civil liability if the actions leading to the injury caused by the driver of a vehicle constitute reckless or willful misconduct.
  3.  Subsection 1 shall not apply if the injured person participating in a protest or demonstration was doing so with a valid permit allowing persons to protest or demonstrate on the public street or highway where the injury occurred.
2021 Acts, ch 183, §51, 52
NEW section

     
321.367  Following fire apparatus.
  The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred feet or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
[C39, §5031.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.367]
Referred to in §805.8A(11)(a)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 11

     
321.368  Crossing fire hose.
  No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a fire department when laid down on any street, private driveway, or streetcar track, to be used at any fire or alarm of fire, without the consent of the fire department official in command.
[C39, §5031.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.368]
Referred to in §805.8A(11)(a)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 11 

     
321.369  Putting debris on highway.
  A person shall not throw or deposit upon a highway any glass bottle, glass, nails, tacks, wire, cans, trash, garbage, rubbish, litter, offal, or any other debris. A person shall not throw or deposit upon a highway a substance likely to injure any person, animal, or vehicle upon the highway. A person who violates this section or section 321.370 commits a misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “d”.
[S13, §4808-a, -b; C24, 27, 31, 35, §13118; C39, §5031.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.369]
97 Acts, ch 147, §3; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5
Referred to in §321.370, 602.8108, 805.8A(14)(d)
See §455B.363 

     
321.370  Removing injurious material.
  Any person who drops, or permits to be dropped or thrown, upon any highway any destructive or injurious material and other material as defined in section 321.369 shall immediately remove the same or cause it to be removed.
[C39, §5031.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.370]
Referred to in §321.369, 602.8108, 805.8A(14)(d)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph d 

  
     
321.371  Clearing up wrecks.
  1.  Any person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a highway shall remove any glass or other injurious substance dropped upon the highway from such vehicle.
  2.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “p”.
[C39, §5031.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.371]
2010 Acts, ch 1140, §9; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §37, 93
Referred to in §805.8A(14)(p)
SCHOOL BUSES

  
     
321.372  Discharging pupils — stopping requirements — penalties.
  This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Keep Aware Driving — Youth Need School Safety Act”.
  1.  a.  The driver of a school bus used to transport children to and from a public or private school shall, when stopping to receive or discharge pupils, turn on flashing warning lamps at a distance of not less than three hundred feet nor more than five hundred feet from the point where the pupils are to be received or discharged from the bus if the speed limit at that point is forty-five miles per hour or greater and shall turn on flashing warning lamps at a distance of not less than one hundred fifty feet from the point where the pupils are to be received or discharged from the bus if the speed limit at that point is less than forty-five miles per hour. At the point of receiving or discharging pupils the driver of the bus shall bring the bus to a stop, turn off the amber flashing warning lamps, turn on the red flashing warning lamps, and extend the stop arm. After receiving or discharging pupils, the bus driver shall turn off all flashing warning lamps, retract the stop arm and proceed on the route. Except to the extent that reduced visibility is caused by fog, snow, or other weather conditions, a school bus shall not stop to receive or discharge pupils unless there is at least three hundred feet of unobstructed vision in each direction. However, the driver of a school bus is not required to use flashing warning lamps and the stop arm when receiving or discharging pupils at a designated loading and unloading zone at a school attendance center or at extracurricular or educational activity locations where students exiting the bus do not have to cross the street or highway.
  b.  If a school district contracts with an urban transit system to transport children to and from a public or private school, the school bus which is provided by the urban transit system shall not be required to be equipped with flashing warning lights and a stop arm. If the school bus provided by an urban transit system is equipped with flashing warning lights and a stop arm, the driver of the school bus shall use the flashing warning light and stop arm as required by law.
  c.  A school bus, when operating on a highway with four or more lanes shall not stop to load or unload pupils who must cross the highway, except at designated stops where pupils who must cross the highway may do so at points where there are official traffic control devices or police officers.
  d.  A school bus shall, while carrying passengers, have its headlights turned on.
  2.  All pupils shall be received and discharged from the right front entrance of every school bus and if said pupils must cross the highway, they shall be required to pass in front of the bus, look in both directions, and proceed to cross the highway only on signal from the bus driver.
  3.  a.  The driver of a vehicle, including the driver of a vehicle operating on a private road or driveway, when meeting a school bus with flashing amber warning lamps shall reduce the vehicle’s speed to not more than twenty miles per hour, and shall bring the vehicle to a complete stop when the school bus stops and the stop signal arm is extended. The vehicle shall remain stopped until the stop signal arm is retracted after which time the driver may proceed with due caution.
  b.  The driver of a vehicle, including the driver of a vehicle operating on a private road or driveway, overtaking a school bus shall not pass a school bus when red or amber warning signal lights are flashing. The driver shall bring the vehicle to a complete stop no closer than fifteen feet from the school bus when it is stopped and the stop arm is extended, and the vehicle shall remain stopped until the stop arm is retracted and the school bus resumes motion.
  4.  The driver of a vehicle upon a highway providing two or more lanes in each direction need not stop upon meeting a school bus which is traveling in the opposite direction even though the school bus is stopped.
  5.  a.  The driver of a school bus who commits a violation of subsection 1 or 2 is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 10.
  b.  A person convicted of a violation of subsection 3 is subject to the following:
  (1)  For a first offense under subsection 3, the person is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable by a fine of at least three hundred forty-five dollars but not more than nine hundred thirty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or by both. The department may require the person to attend and successfully complete, at the person’s own expense, a driver improvement program approved by the department in lieu of driver’s license suspension for the offense pursuant to section 321.210.
  (2)  For a second or subsequent offense under subsection 3, the person is guilty of a serious misdemeanor. 
[C31, 35, §5079-c8, -c10, -c11; C39, §5032.01, 5032.03; C46, §321.372, 321.374; C50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.372; 81 Acts, ch 108, §2, 3]
91 Acts, ch 70, §1; 95 Acts, ch 118, §24; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2012 Acts, ch 1015, §1, 2; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §38, 93
Referred to in §321.354, 321.372A, 321.373, 321.378, 321.380, 321.423, 321.482A, 321.484, 331.653, 805.8A(10)

     
321.372A  Prompt investigation of reported violation of failing to obey school bus warning devices — citation issued to driver or owner.
  1.  The driver of a school bus who observes a violation of section 321.372, subsection 3, may prepare a written report on a form provided by the department of public safety indicating that a violation has occurred. The school bus driver or a school official may deliver the report not more than seventy-two hours after the violation occurred to a peace officer of the state or a peace officer of the county or municipality in which the violation occurred. The report shall state the time and the location at which the violation occurred and shall include the registration plate number and a description of the vehicle involved in the violation.
  2.  Not more than seven calendar days after receiving a report of a violation of section 321.372, subsection 3, from a school bus driver or a school official, the peace officer shall initiate an investigation of the reported violation and contact the owner of the motor vehicle involved in the reported violation and request that the owner supply information identifying the driver in accordance with section 321.484.
  a.  If, from the investigation, the peace officer is able to identify the driver and has reasonable cause to believe a violation of section 321.372, subsection 3, has occurred, the peace officer shall prepare a uniform traffic citation for the violation and shall serve it personally or by certified mail to the driver of the vehicle.
  b.  If, from the investigation, the peace officer has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of section 321.372, subsection 3, occurred but is unable to identify the driver, the peace officer shall serve a uniform traffic citation for the violation to the owner of the motor vehicle. Notwithstanding section 321.484, in a proceeding where the peace officer who conducted the investigation was not able to identify the driver of the motor vehicle, proof that the motor vehicle described in the uniform traffic citation was used to commit the violation of section 321.372, subsection 3, together with proof that the defendant named in the citation was the owner of the motor vehicle at the time the violation occurred, constitutes a permissible inference that the owner was the driver who committed the violation.
  c.  For purposes of this subsection, “owner” means a person who holds the legal title to a motor vehicle; however, if the motor vehicle is the subject of a security agreement with a right of possession in the debtor, the debtor shall be deemed the owner for purposes of this subsection, or if the motor vehicle is leased as defined in section 321.493, the lessee shall be deemed the owner for purposes of this subsection.
88 Acts, ch 1203, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1101, §1; 2004 Acts, ch 1164, §1; 2005 Acts, ch 92, §2, 3
Referred to in §321.378, 321.380, 331.653

  
     
321.373  Required construction — rules adopted.
  1.  Every school bus except private passenger vehicles used as school buses shall be constructed and equipped to meet safety standards prescribed in rules adopted by the state board of education. Such rules shall conform to safety standards set forth in federal laws and regulations and shall conform, insofar as practicable, to the minimum standards for school buses recommended by the national conference on school transportation administered by the national commission on safety education and published by the national education association.
  2.  Rules prescribed for school buses shall provide standards for structural strength, materials, and insulation of the school bus body; color; seat and aisle arrangement; dimension and construction of service door; control of the front door or doors; emergency door and its location and construction; windows; roof ventilators; heaters; location, filling, and draining of the fuel tank; bumpers and how they shall be attached to the bus; lettering and identification of the bus; stop signal arm; warning lights and flashing lights.
  3.  a.  The rules prescribed for school buses shall include special rules for passenger automobiles, and other vehicles designed to carry ten or fewer persons, including the driver, when used as school buses.
  b.  The rules shall allow pickups designed to carry nine passengers or less, including the driver, and weighing ten thousand pounds or less, to be used as school buses if the pickup does not carry more passengers than there are safety belts or safety harnesses in the pickup as installed by the manufacturer and if the pickup is not operated while any passenger is present in the bed of the pickup. The operator of the pickup shall comply with the qualification, licensing, and instruction requirements set forth in sections 321.375 and 321.376, other than the requirement to obtain a commercial driver’s license. However, the rules shall allow the board of directors of a school district to prohibit the use of pickups as school buses by the school district.
  c.  The rules shall allow used passenger vans designed to carry twelve or fewer passengers, including the driver, and weighing ten thousand pounds or less, to be used as school buses if the van does not carry more passengers than there are safety belts or safety harnesses in the van as installed by the manufacturer. The operator of the van shall comply with the qualification, licensing, and instruction requirements set forth in sections 321.375 and 321.376.
  d.  A pickup or passenger van operated pursuant to rules described in paragraph “b” or “c” is subject to the limitations set forth in section 321.1, subsection 69, paragraph “d”.
  4.  Every school bus shall be equipped with a comfortable seat for each child.
  5.  Vehicles owned by private parties and used as school buses shall have reversed or covered the words “school bus” wherever they appear on the vehicle when the vehicle is not in use as a school bus. It shall be unlawful to operate flashing stop warning signals on such privately owned vehicles except as provided in section 321.372.
  6.  No vehicle except a school bus shall be operated on a public highway if the vehicle is painted the color known as national school bus glossy yellow. A school bus which has been permanently converted for a purpose other than transporting pupils to or from school shall be painted a color other than national school bus glossy yellow, and shall have the “school bus” signs, stop arm, and the special signal lamps removed.
  7.  A school bus may be equipped with a white flashing strobe light mounted on the roof of the bus to afford optimum visibility during periods of inclement weather. The light shall be installed and operated in accordance with rules promulgated by the department of education. Each new school bus put into initial service after January 1, 1977, shall be equipped with such a light.
  8.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor.
[C31, 35, §5079-c9, -c10, -c11; C39, §5032.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.373]
97 Acts, ch 108, §19; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §10; 2019 Acts, ch 146, §2
Referred to in §282.8, 321.378, 321.379, 321.380, 321.423, 331.653

     
321.374  Inspection — seal of approval.
  No vehicle shall be put into service as a school bus until it is given an original inspection to determine if it meets all legal and established uniform standards of construction for the protection of the health and safety of children to be transported. Vehicles which are approved shall be issued a seal of approval by the director of the department of education. All vehicles used as school buses shall be given a safety inspection at least once a year. Buses passing the inspection shall be issued an inspection seal of approval by the director of the department of education. The seal of original inspection and the annual seal of inspection shall be affixed to the lower right hand corner of the windshield.
[C50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.374]
92 Acts, ch 1082, §1, 2
Referred to in §321.378, 321.380, 331.653

  
     
321.375  School bus drivers — qualifications — grounds for suspension.
  1.  A driver of a school bus must meet all of the following requirements:
  a.  Be at least eighteen years of age.
  b.  Be physically and mentally competent.
  c.  Not possess personal or moral habits which would be detrimental to the best interests of the safety and welfare of the children transported.
  d.  Possess a current certificate of qualification for operation of a commercial motor vehicle issued by a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 148, physician assistant, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or chiropractor or any other person identified by federal and state law as authorized to perform physical examinations.
  2.  Prior to hiring an applicant for a school bus driver position, including a contract position, an employer shall have access to and shall review the information in the Iowa court information system available to the general public, the sex offender registry information under section 692A.121 available to the general public, the central registry for child abuse information established under section 235A.14, and the central registry for dependent adult abuse information established under section 235B.5 for information regarding the applicant. An employer shall follow the same procedure upon the renewal of an employee’s or contract employee’s school bus driver’s license issued by the department of transportation valid for the operation of a school bus. An employer shall pay for the cost of the registry checks conducted pursuant to this subsection. An employer shall maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this subsection.
  3.  Any of the following shall constitute grounds for the immediate suspension from duties of a school bus driver, including a part-time or substitute bus driver, pending a termination hearing by the board of directors of a public school district or the authorities in charge in a nonpublic school, or pending confirmation of the grounds by the employer of the school bus driver if the employer is not a school district or accredited nonpublic school:
  a.  Use of nonprescription controlled substances or alcoholic beverages during working hours.
  b.  Operating a school bus while under the influence of nonprescription controlled substances or alcoholic beverages.
  c.  Fraud in the procurement or renewal of a school bus driver’s authorization to operate a school bus.
  d.  The commission of or conviction for a public offense as defined by the Iowa criminal code, if the offense is relevant to and affects driving ability, or if the offense includes sexual involvement with a minor student with the intent to commit acts and practices proscribed under sections 709.2 through 709.4, section 709.8, and sections 725.1 through 725.3, or is a violation of the rules of the department of education adopted to implement section 280.17.
  e.  The school bus driver is listed in the sex offender registry established under chapter 692A, the central registry for child abuse information established under section 235A.14, or the central registry for dependent adult abuse information established under section 235B.5. A termination hearing conducted pursuant to this paragraph shall be limited to the question of whether the school bus driver was incorrectly listed in the registry.
  f.  A change in circumstances indicating that the driver is no longer physically or mentally competent. For the purpose of an insulin-dependent diabetic, a change in circumstances includes the following:
  (1)  Results of a glycosylated hemoglobin test indicating values less than 6.0 percent or greater than 9.5 percent unless accompanied by the required medical opinion that the event was incidental and not an indication of failure to control glucose levels.
  (2)  Results of self-monitoring indicate glucose levels less than one hundred milligrams per deciliter or greater than three hundred milligrams per deciliter, until self-monitoring indicates compliance with specifications.
  (3)  Experiencing a loss of consciousness or control relating to diabetes.
  (4)  Failing to maintain or falsifying the required reports.
  4.  a.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, an insulin-dependent diabetic may qualify under subsection 1, paragraph “d”, for purposes of operating a school bus under this section if a person identified by federal or state law as authorized to perform physical examinations annually provides a signed statement indicating that based upon an annual physical examination the individual is physically able to perform the required functions despite insulin dependency. The insulin-dependent diabetic shall not qualify to operate a school bus if, at minimum, the individual results of a glycosylated hemoglobin test indicate values less than 6.0 percent or greater than 9.5 percent on other than an incidental basis and not as a result of failure to control glucose levels. The statement shall also indicate that within the past three years the insulin-dependent diabetic has completed instruction to address diabetes management and driving safety, signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and what procedures must be followed if complications arise.
  b.  A school district or authorities in charge of the nonpublic school that employs or otherwise secures the services of an individual with an authorization who is an insulin-dependent diabetic shall monitor the insulin-dependent diabetic to determine that they are in compliance with all of the following:
  (1)  Self-monitoring blood glucose and demonstrating conformance with requirements, more than one hundred milligrams per deciliter and less than three hundred milligrams per deciliter, within one hour before driving a school bus and approximately every four hours while on duty using a United States food and drug administration approved device.
  (2)  Reporting immediately to the school district or school any failure to comply with specific glucose level requirements as listed in subparagraph (1) or loss of consciousness or control.
  (3)  Carrying a source of readily absorbable, fast-acting glucose while on duty.
  (4)  Maintaining a daily log of all glucose test results for the previous six-month period and providing copies to the school district or school, the examining physician, and the department of education upon request.
  (5)  Submitting all required department of education forms within the prescribed timelines.
[C31, 35, §4960-d10; C39, §5032.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.375]
89 Acts, ch 210, §13; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §70; 93 Acts, ch 127, §8; 2002 Acts, ch 1140, §34, 35, 48; 2003 Acts, ch 180, §57 – 59; 2006 Acts, ch 1152, §50; 2008 Acts, ch 1088, §121; 2012 Acts, ch 1047, §3, 4; 2013 Acts, ch 88, §35; 2015 Acts, ch 29, §114
Referred to in §279.69, 321.373, 321.376, 321.378, 321.380, 331.653

  
     
321.376  License — authorization — instruction requirement.
  1.  The driver of a school bus shall hold a driver’s license issued by the department of transportation valid for the operation of the school bus and a certificate of qualification for operation of a commercial motor vehicle issued by a physician or osteopathic physician licensed pursuant to chapter 148, physician assistant, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or chiropractor or any other person identified by federal and state law as authorized to perform physical examinations, and shall successfully complete an approved course of instruction in accordance with subsection 3. A person holding a temporary restricted license issued under chapter 321J shall be prohibited from operating a school bus.
  2.  The department of education shall refuse to issue an authorization to operate a school bus to any person who, after notice and opportunity for hearing, is determined to have met any of the grounds listed under section 321.375, subsection 3. The department of education shall take adverse action against any person who, after notice and opportunity for hearing, is determined to have met any of the grounds listed under section 321.375, subsection 3. Such action may include a reprimand or warning of the person or the suspension or revocation of the person’s authorization to operate a school bus. A hearing pursuant to section 321.375, subsection 3, paragraph “e”, shall be limited to the question of whether the person was incorrectly listed in the registry. The department of education shall recommend, and the state board of education shall adopt under chapter 17A, rules and procedures for issuing and suspending or revoking authorization to operate a school bus in this state. Rules and procedures adopted shall include but are not limited to provisions for the revocation or suspension of, or refusal to issue, authorization to persons who are determined to have met any of the grounds listed under section 321.375, subsection 3.
  3.  A person applying for employment or employed as a school bus driver shall successfully complete a department of education approved course of instruction for school bus drivers before or within the first six months of employment and at least every twenty-four months thereafter. If an employee fails to provide an employer with a certificate of completion of the required school bus driver’s course, the driver’s employer shall report the failure to the department of education and the employee’s authorization to operate a school bus shall be revoked. The department of education shall send notice of the revocation to both the employee and the employer. A person whose school bus authorization has been revoked under this section shall not be issued another authorization until certification of the completion of an approved school bus driver’s course is received by the department of education.
  4.  As used in this section and section 321.375, “driver of a school bus” or “school bus driver” does not include a mechanic, delivery driver, or other person operating an empty school bus for purposes other than the transportation of passengers. Such persons must still hold a commercial driver’s license valid for the operation of a vehicle of the size and type operated, including a passenger endorsement, but are not required to hold a driver’s license with a school bus endorsement.
[C39, §5032.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.376]
89 Acts, ch 222, §1; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §71; 91 Acts, ch 201, §1; 92 Acts, ch 1163, §76; 93 Acts, ch 127, §9; 2002 Acts, ch 1140, §36; 2006 Acts, ch 1152, §51; 2009 Acts, ch 133, §120; 2011 Acts, ch 38, §18; 2012 Acts, ch 1047, §5; 2015 Acts, ch 29, §114
Referred to in §285.8, 321.373, 321.378, 321.380, 331.653

     
321.377  Regional transit system transportation.
  A vehicle operated by a regional transit system as defined in section 324A.1 may only provide school transportation services pursuant to rules adopted by the state department of transportation in consultation with the department of education.
99 Acts, ch 13, §15
Referred to in §321.378, 321.380, 331.653

  
     
321.378  Applicability.
  The provisions of sections 321.372 through 321.377, this section, and sections 321.379 and 321.380, shall apply to all public and nonpublic schools where children are transported to and from school.
[C39, §5032.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.378]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §149
Referred to in §321.380, 331.653

     
321.379  Violations.
  A school board, individual, or organization shall not purchase, construct, or contract for use, to transport pupils to or from school, any school bus which does not comply with the minimum requirements of section 321.373 and any individual, or any member or officer of such board or organization who authorizes, the purchase, construction, or contract for any such bus not complying with these minimum requirements commits a simple misdemeanor.
[C31, 35, §5079-c9, -c10, -c11; C39, §5032.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.379]
2010 Acts, ch 1140, §11
Referred to in §321.378, 321.380, 331.653

  
     
321.380  Enforcement.
  It shall be the duty of all peace officers and of the state patrol to enforce the provisions of sections 321.372 through 321.379.
[C39, §5032.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.380]
98 Acts, ch 1074, §24; 2005 Acts, ch 35, §31; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §150
Referred to in §321.378
SAFETY STANDARDS

     
321.381  Movement of unsafe or improperly equipped vehicles.
  It is a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 3, for any person to drive or move or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such unsafe condition as to endanger any person, or which does not contain those parts or is not at all times equipped with such lamps and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as required in this chapter, or which is equipped with one or more unsafe tires or which is equipped in any manner in violation of this chapter.
[C39, §5033.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.381]
2000 Acts, ch 1203, §15; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §50
Referred to in §805.8A(3)(d)

     
321.381A  Operation of low-speed vehicles.
  A low-speed vehicle shall not be operated on a street with a posted speed limit greater than thirty-five miles per hour. This section shall not prohibit a low-speed vehicle from crossing a street with a posted speed limit greater than thirty-five miles per hour.
2000 Acts, ch 1005, §4
Referred to in §805.8A(3)(e)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3

     
321.382  Upgrade pulls — minimum speed.
  A motor vehicle or combination of vehicles, which cannot proceed up a three percent grade, on dry concrete pavement, at a minimum speed of twenty miles per hour, shall not be operated upon the highways of this state.
[C39, §5033.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.382]
83 Acts, ch 101, §70
Referred to in §321.23, 805.8A(3)(f)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

  
     
321.383  Exceptions — slow vehicles identified.
  1.  This chapter with respect to equipment on vehicles does not apply to implements of husbandry, road machinery, or bulk spreaders and other fertilizer and chemical equipment defined as special mobile equipment, except as made applicable in this section. However, the movement of implements of husbandry on a roadway is subject to safety rules adopted by the department. The safety rules shall prohibit the movement of any power unit towing more than one implement of husbandry, except implements of husbandry that are not self-propelled and are capable of being towed in tandem, from the manufacturer to the retail seller, from the retail seller to the farm purchaser, or from the manufacturer to the farm purchaser.
  2.  When operated on a highway in this state at a speed of thirty-five miles per hour or less, every farm tractor, or tractor with towed equipment, self-propelled implement of husbandry, road construction or maintenance vehicle, road grader, horse-drawn vehicle, or any other vehicle principally designed for use off the highway and any such tractor, implement, vehicle, or grader when manufactured for sale or sold at retail after December 31, 1971, shall be identified with a reflective device in accordance with the standards of the American society of agricultural engineers; however, this provision shall not apply to such vehicles when traveling in an escorted parade. If a person operating a vehicle drawn by a horse or mule objects to using a reflective device that complies with the standards of the American society of agricultural engineers for religious reasons, the vehicle may be identified by an alternative reflective device that is in compliance with rules adopted by the department. The reflective device or alternative reflective device shall be visible from the rear. A vehicle other than those specified in this section shall not display a reflective device or an alternative reflective device. On vehicles operating at speeds above thirty-five miles per hour, the reflective device or alternative reflective device shall be removed or hidden from view.
  3.  Garbage collection vehicles, when operated on the streets or highways of this state at speeds of thirty-five miles per hour or less, may display a reflective device that complies with the standards of the American society of agricultural engineers. At speeds in excess of thirty-five miles per hour the device shall not be visible.
  4.  Except as provided in subsection 5, any person who violates any provision of this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 3.
  5.  A person who operates a self-propelled implement of husbandry at a speed which exceeds the limit of thirty-five miles per hour commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 5.
[C39, §5033.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.383; 82 Acts, ch 1254, §2]
87 Acts, ch 186, §3; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §18; 97 Acts, ch 108, §20; 98 Acts, ch 1080, §3; 99 Acts, ch 102, §2; 99 Acts, ch 108, §5; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §117; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §96; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §51; 2016 Acts, ch 1023, §1; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §39, 40, 93
Referred to in §321.1, 321.288, 321.398, 321.438, 805.8A(3)(g), 805.8A(5)(a)
See also §321.423, subsection 6 
LIGHTING EQUIPMENT

  
     
321.384  When lighted lamps required.
  1.  Every motor vehicle upon a highway within the state, at any time from sunset to sunrise, and at such other times when conditions such as fog, snow, sleet, or rain provide insufficient lighting to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of five hundred feet ahead, shall display lighted headlamps as provided in section 321.415, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles as provided in this chapter.
  2.  Whenever a requirement is established in this chapter as to the distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, that requirement shall apply during the times stated in subsection 1 of this section upon a straight level unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.
[S13, §1571-m17; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5044; C39, §5033.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.384]
2019 Acts, ch 59, §97
Referred to in §321.1, 321.235A, 321.392, 321.394, 321.395, 321.397, 321.398, 321.405, 321.415, 321.418, 321.419, 321O.6, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(h)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

     
321.385  Headlamps on motor vehicles.
  Every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or motorized bicycle shall be equipped with at least two headlamps with at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which headlamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in this chapter.
[S13, §1571-m17; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5044; C39, §5033.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.385]
Referred to in §321.1, 321.385A, 321.404A, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(i)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

     
321.385A  Citation for unlighted headlamp, rear lamp, or rear registration plate light.
  1.  a.  A citation issued for failure to have headlamps as required under section 321.385 shall first provide for a seventy-two hour period within which the person charged with the violation shall replace or repair the headlamp. 
  b.  A citation issued for failure to have rear lamps as required under section 321.387 or a rear registration plate light as required under section 321.388 shall first provide for a seventy-two hour period within which the person charged with the violation shall replace or repair the lamps or light.
  2.  If the person complies with the directive to replace or repair the headlamp, rear lamps, or rear registration plate light within the allotted time period, the citation shall be expunged. If the person fails to comply within the allotted time period, the citation shall be processed in the same manner as other citations.
  3.  A citation issued under this section shall include a written notice of replacement or repair which shall indicate the date of replacement or repair and the manner in which the replacement or repair occurred and which shall be returned to the issuing authority within the seventy-two hour time period.
92 Acts, ch 1175, §34; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §47
Referred to in §321.1, 321O.6, 456A.12

     
321.386  Headlamps on motorcycles and motorized bicycles.
  Every motorcycle and motorized bicycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two headlamps which shall comply with the requirements and limitations of this chapter.
[S13, §1571-m17; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5047; C39, §5033.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.386]
Referred to in §321.1, 321.404A, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(j)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

     
321.387  Rear lamps.
  Every motor vehicle and every vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles shall be equipped with a lighted rear lamp or lamps, exhibiting a red light plainly visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear. All lamps and lighting equipment originally manufactured on a motor vehicle shall be kept in working condition or shall be replaced with equivalent equipment.
[S13, §1571-m17; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5045, 5046; C39, §5033.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.387]
92 Acts, ch 1175, §35
Referred to in §321.1, 321.385A, 321.404A, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(k)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3

     
321.388  Illuminating plates.
  Either the rear lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of fifty feet to the rear. When the rear registration plate is illuminated by an electric lamp other than the required rear lamp, the two lamps shall be turned on or off only by the same control switch at all times when headlamps are lighted. This section does not apply to commercial vehicles engaged exclusively in intrastate commerce that are dump trucks or that are used exclusively for the movement of construction materials and equipment to and from construction projects.
[S13, §1571-m17; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5045; C39, §5033.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.388]
85 Acts, ch 195, §38; 2015 Acts, ch 35, §1
Referred to in §321.1, 321.385A, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(l)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

  
     
321.389  Reflector required.
  Every new motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer hereafter sold and every commercial vehicle hereafter operated on a highway shall also carry at the rear, either as a part of the rear lamp or separately, a red reflector meeting the requirements of this chapter.
[C39, §5033.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.389]
Referred to in §321.1, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(m)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

     
321.390  Reflector requirements.
  Whenever a red reflector is required or permitted to be used in substitution of lamps upon a vehicle under any one of the provisions of this chapter, such reflector shall be mounted upon the vehicle at a height not to exceed forty-two inches nor less than twenty inches above the ground upon which the vehicle stands, and every such reflector shall be so designed and maintained as to be visible at night from all distances within three hundred feet to fifty feet from such vehicle, except that on a commercial vehicle the reflector shall be visible from all distances within five hundred feet to fifty feet from such vehicle when directly in front of a motor vehicle displaying lawfully lighted headlamps as provided in section 321.409.
[C31, 35, §4863; C39, §5033.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.390]
Referred to in §321.1, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(n)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

321.391  Approval of reflectors.  Repealed by 97 Acts, ch 108, §49. 

     
321.392  Clearance and identification lights.
  Every motor truck, and every trailer or semitrailer of over three thousand pounds gross weight, shall be equipped with the following lighting devices and reflectors in addition to other requirements of this chapter, and such devices shall be lighted at the times mentioned in section 321.384.
  1.  Every motor truck, whatever its size shall have the following:
  a.  On each side, one reflector, at or near the rear; and
  b.  On the rear, two reflectors, one at each side.
  2.  Every motor truck, eighty inches or more in width shall have the following in addition to the requirements of subsection 1:
  a.  If thirty feet or less in overall length:
  (1)  On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side; and
  (2)  On the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side.
  b.  If more than thirty feet in overall length:
  (1)  On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side;
  (2)  On each side, two side-marker lamps, one at or near the front, and one at or near the rear, and an additional reflector at or near the front; and
  (3)  On the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side.
  3.  Every truck tractor or road tractor shall have the following:
  a.  On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side if the tractor cab is as wide as, or wider than, the widest part of the vehicle or vehicles towed;
  b.  On each side, one side-marker lamp at or near the front; and
  c.  On the rear, one tail lamp.
  4.  Every trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight in excess of three thousand pounds shall have the following:
  a.  On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side, if the trailer is wider in its widest part than the cab of the vehicle towing it;
  b.  On each side, one side-marker lamp at or near the rear; two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear; and
  c.  On the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side; one stop light; one tail lamp; and two reflectors, one at each side.
  5.  Every motor truck or combination of motor truck and trailer having a length in excess of thirty feet or a width in excess of eighty inches shall be equipped with three identification lights on both front and rear. Each such group shall be evenly spaced not less than six nor more than twelve inches apart along a horizontal line near the top of the vehicle.
[C31, 35, §5044-d1, -d2, 5105-c19; C39, §5034.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.392]
Referred to in §321.1, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(o)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

  
     
321.393  Color and mounting.
  1.  A lighting device or reflector, when mounted on or near the front of a motor truck or trailer, except a school bus, shall not display any other color than white, yellow, or amber.
  2.  No lighting device or reflector, when mounted on or near the rear of any motor truck or trailer, shall display any other color than red, except that the stop light may be red, yellow, or amber.
  3.  Clearance lamps shall be mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle in such manner as to indicate the extreme width of the vehicle or its load.
  4.  The provisions of this section shall not prohibit the use of a lighting device or reflector displaying an amber light when such lighting device or reflector is mounted on a motor truck, trailer, tractor, or motor grader owned by the state, or any political subdivision of the state, including any local authority, while such equipment is being used for snow removal, sanding, maintenance, or repair of the public streets or highways.
  5.  The provisions of this section shall not prohibit the use of a lighting device or reflector displaying an amber, white, or blue light when the lighting device or reflector is rear-facing and mounted on a motor truck, trailer, tractor, truck-mounted snow blower, or motor grader owned by the state or any political subdivision of the state, including any local authority, while the equipment is being used for snow and ice treatment or removal on the public streets or highways.
[C39, §5034.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.393]
89 Acts, ch 83, §44; 2015 Acts, ch 81, §2; 2018 Acts, ch 1002, §1; 2021 Acts, ch 97, §1, 9
Referred to in §321.1, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(p)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 3 
Subsections 4 and 5 amended

     
321.394  Lamp or flag on projecting load.
  Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear four feet or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, at the times specified in section 321.384, a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the sides and rear. The red light or lantern required under this section shall be in addition to the red rear light required upon every vehicle. At any other time there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of such load a red flag or cloth not less than sixteen inches square.
[C39, §5034.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.394]
Referred to in §321.1, 456A.12, 805.8A(12)(a)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph a 

     
321.395  Lamps on parked vehicles.
  Whenever a vehicle is parked or stopped upon a roadway or shoulder adjacent to the roadway, outside of a business district whether attended or unattended during the times mentioned in section 321.384, such vehicle shall be equipped with one or more lamps which shall exhibit a white or amber light on the roadway side visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of such vehicle and a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear, except that local authorities may provide by ordinance or resolution that no lights need be displayed upon any such vehicle when stopped or parked in accordance with local parking regulations upon a highway where there is sufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of five hundred feet upon such highway. Any lighted headlamps upon a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5054; C39, §5034.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.395]
98 Acts, ch 1178, §4
Referred to in §321.1, 321.396, 456A.12, 805.8A(6)(z)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 6

     
321.396  Exception.
  Section 321.395 shall not apply when an accident extinguishes said light and renders a vehicle incapable of use, and when the person in control of the vehicle erects, at the earliest opportunity after the accident, such proper light at or near the vehicle as will give warning of the presence of said vehicle.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5055; C39, §5034.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.396]
Referred to in §321.1, 456A.12

     
321.397  Lamps on bicycles.
  Every bicycle shall be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light, at the times specified in section 321.384, visible from a distance of at least three hundred feet to the front and with a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of three hundred feet to the rear; except that a red reflector may be used in lieu of a rear light. A peace officer riding a police bicycle is not required to use either front or rear lamps if duty so requires.
[C31, 35, §5045-d1; C39, §5034.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.397]
97 Acts, ch 71, §3; 97 Acts, ch 108, §21
Referred to in §321.1, 456A.12, 805.8A(9)(j)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 9 

  
     
321.398  Lamps on other vehicles and equipment.
  All vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles and including those referred to in section 321.383 not specifically required to be equipped with lamps, shall at the times specified in section 321.384 be equipped with at least one lighted lamp or lantern exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of such vehicle and, except for animal-drawn vehicles, with a lamp or lantern exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear. Animal-drawn vehicles shall be equipped with a flashing amber light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear of the vehicle during the time specified in section 321.384.
[C31, 35, §5045-d1; C39, §5034.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.398]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §175
Referred to in §321.1, 321.423, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(q)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 3
Section amended
321.399 through 321.401Reserved.

     
321.402  Spot lamps.
  Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one spot lamp and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle nor more than one hundred feet ahead of the vehicle.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5051; C39, §5034.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.402]
Referred to in §321.1, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(r)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

     
321.403  Auxiliary driving lamps.
  Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed three auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than twelve inches nor more than forty-two inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands, and every such auxiliary driving lamp or lamps shall meet the requirements and limitations set forth in this chapter.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5050; C39, §5034.12; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.403]
Referred to in §321.1, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(s)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

     
321.404  Signal lamps and signal devices.
  Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a signal lamp or signal device which is so constructed and located on the vehicle as to give a signal of intention to stop, which shall be red or yellow in color, which signal shall be plainly visible and understandable in normal sunlight and at night from a distance of one hundred feet to the rear but shall not project a glaring or dazzling light.
[C39, §5034.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.404]
Referred to in §321.1, 321.404A, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(t)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

     
321.404A  Light-restricting devices prohibited.
  1.  A person shall not operate a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or motorized bicycle on the highways of this state if it is equipped with a device that restricts the light output of a headlamp required under section 321.385 or 321.386, a rear lamp required under section 321.387, a signal lamp or signal device required under section 321.404, or a directional signal device as described in section 321.317.
  2.  A person who violates this section shall be subject to a scheduled fine under section 805.8A, subsection 3.
99 Acts, ch 13, §16; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §52
Referred to in §321.1, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(u)

     
321.405  Self-illumination.
  All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminated when in use at the times mentioned in section 321.384.
[C39, §5034.14; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.405]
Referred to in §321.1, 456A.12

     
321.406  Cowl lamps.  Repealed by 2010 Acts, ch 1045, §1.

     
321.407  Reserved.

     
321.408  Back-up lamps.
  1.  A motor vehicle may be equipped with a back-up lamp either separately or in combination with another lamp.
  2.  A back-up lamp shall not be continuously lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
  3.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5050; C39, §5034.17; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.408]
2010 Acts, ch 1140, §13
Referred to in §321.1, 456A.12

  
     
321.409  Mandatory lighting equipment.
  1.  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the headlamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the auxiliary passing lamp or combination thereof on motor vehicles other than motorcycles or motorized bicycles shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of light projected to different elevations and the lamps may, in addition, be so arranged that selection can be made automatically, subject to the following limitations:
  a.  There shall be an uppermost distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least three hundred fifty feet ahead for all conditions.
  b.  There shall be a lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least one hundred feet ahead. On a straight level road under any condition of loading none of the high-intensity portion of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.
  2.  Every new motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motorized bicycle which has multiple-beam road-lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlamps is in use, and shall not otherwise be lighted. The indicator shall be so designed and located that when lighted it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5049, 5052; C39, §5034.18 – 5034.22; C46, 50, 54, §321.409 – 321.413; C58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.409]
2010 Acts, ch 1061, §118; 2021 Acts, ch 80, §176
Referred to in §321.1, 321.275, 321.390, 321.415, 321.417, 321.418, 321O.6, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(v)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 
Subsection 1, unnumbered paragraph 1 amended
321.410 through 321.414Reserved.

     
321.415  Required usage of lighting devices.
  1.  Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or shoulder during the times specified in section 321.384, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations:
  a.  Whenever a driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within one thousand feet, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, specified in section 321.409, subsection 1, paragraph “b”, shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.
  b.  Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within four hundred feet to the rear, except when engaged in the act of overtaking and passing, the driver shall use a distribution of light permissible under this chapter other than the uppermost distribution of light specified in section 321.409, subsection 1, paragraph “a”.
  2.  The provisions of subsection 1, paragraphs “a” and “b”, do not apply to motorcycles or motorized bicycles being operated between sunrise and sunset.
[C39, §5034.23 – 5034.25; C46, 50, 54, §321.414 – 321.416; C58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.415]
92 Acts, ch 1175, §36; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §175
Referred to in §321.1, 321.384, 321.418, 456A.12, 805.8A(3)(w)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 3

321.416  Reserved.

     
321.417  Single-beam road-lighting equipment.
  Headlamps arranged to provide a single distribution of light not supplemented by auxiliary driving lamps shall be permitted on motor vehicles manufactured and sold prior to July 1, 1938, in lieu of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment specified in section 321.409 if the single distribution of light complies with the following requirements and limitations:
  1.  The headlamps shall be so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high-intensity portion of the light shall at a distance of twenty-five feet ahead project higher than a level of five inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes, and in no case higher than forty-two inches above the level on which the vehicle stands at a distance of seventy-five feet ahead.
  2.  The intensity of the light shall be sufficient to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least two hundred feet.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5049; C39, §5034.26; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.417]
2010 Acts, ch 1069, §97
Referred to in §321.1, 321.418

     
321.418  Alternate road-lighting equipment.
  Any motor vehicle may be operated under the conditions specified in section 321.384 when equipped with two lighted lamps upon the front thereof capable of revealing persons and objects seventy-five feet ahead in lieu of lamps required in sections 321.409 and 321.415, or section 321.417, provided, however, that at no time shall it be operated at a speed in excess of twenty miles per hour.
[C39, §5034.27; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.418]
Referred to in §321.1

     
321.419  Number of driving lamps required or permitted.
  At all times specified in section 321.384 at least two lighted lamps, except where one only is permitted, shall be displayed, one on each side at the front of every motor vehicle except when such vehicle is parked subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles.
[C39, §5034.28; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.419]
Referred to in §321.1, 805.8A(3)(x)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

  
     
321.420  Number of lamps lighted.
  Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with headlamps as required in this chapter is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of an intensity greater than three hundred candlepower, not more than a total of four of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway.
[C39, §5034.29; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.420]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §177
Referred to in §321.1, 805.8A(3)(y)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 
Section amended

     
321.421  Special restrictions on lamps.
  1.  Any lighted lamp or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle other than headlamps, spot lamps, or auxiliary driving lamps which projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than three hundred candlepower shall be so directed that no part of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than seventy-five feet from the vehicle.
  2.  A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 3.
[C39, §5034.30; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.421]
2000 Acts, ch 1203, §16; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §53
Referred to in §321.1, 805.8A(3)(z)

     
321.422  Red light in front — rear lights.
  1.  No person shall drive or move any vehicle or equipment upon any highway with any lamp or device thereon displaying or reflecting a red light visible from directly in front thereof. No person shall display any color of light other than red on the rear of any vehicle, except that stop lights and directional signals may be red, yellow, or amber.
  2.  This section shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles, or school buses and vehicles as provided in section 321.423, subsection 6.
[C39, §5034.31; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.422]
2010 Acts, ch 1069, §98
Referred to in §321.1, 805.8A(3)(aa)
See also §321.383 
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3

  
     
321.423  Flashing lights.
  1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
  a.  “Emergency medical care provider” means as defined in section 147A.1.
  b.  “Fire department” means a paid or volunteer fire protection service provided by a benefited fire district under chapter 357B or by a county, municipality or township, or a private corporate organization that has a valid contract to provide fire protection service for a benefited fire district, county, municipality, township or governmental agency.
  c.  “Member” means a person who is a member in good standing of a fire department or a person who is an emergency medical care provider employed by an ambulance, rescue, or first response service.
  2.  Prohibited lights.  A flashing light on or in a motor vehicle is prohibited except as follows:
  a.  On an authorized emergency vehicle.
  b.  On a vehicle as a means of indicating a right or left turn, a mechanical failure, or an emergency stop or intent to stop.
  c.  On a motor vehicle used by a rural mail carrier when stopping or stopped on or near a highway in the process of delivering mail, if such a light is any shade of color between white and amber and if it is mounted as a dome light on the roof of the vehicle.
  d.  On a vehicle being operated under an excess size permit issued under chapter 321E.
  e.  A flashing blue light on a vehicle upon which a blue light is permitted pursuant to subsection 3 of this section.
  f.  A flashing white light, including a flashing headlamp, is permitted on a vehicle pursuant to subsection 7.
  g.  Flashing red and amber warning lights on a school bus as described in section 321.372, and a white flashing strobe light mounted on a school bus as permitted under section 321.373, subsection 7.
  h.  A flashing amber light is permitted on a towing or recovery vehicle, a utility maintenance vehicle, a municipal maintenance vehicle, a highway maintenance vehicle, a construction vehicle, a solid waste or recycling collection service vehicle, or a vehicle operated in accordance with subsection 6 or section 321.398 or 321.453.
  i.  Modulating headlamps in conformance with 
49 C.F.R. §571.108 S7.9.4.
 are permitted on a motorcycle.
  j.  On a vehicle being operated as an escort vehicle for a funeral procession as provided in section 321.324A.
  3.  Blue light.
  a.  A blue light shall not be used on any vehicle except for the following:
  (1)  A vehicle owned or exclusively operated by a fire department.
  (2)  A vehicle authorized by the chief of the fire department if the vehicle is owned by a member of the fire department, the request for authorization is made by the member on forms provided by the department, and necessity for authorization is demonstrated in the request.
  (3)  An authorized emergency vehicle, other than a vehicle described in paragraph “a”, subparagraph (1) or (2).
  (4)  A motor truck, trailer, tractor, truck-mounted snow blower, or motor grader owned by the state or any political subdivision of the state, including any local authority, if the blue light is rear-facing and used in conjunction with amber and white lighting devices or reflectors while the equipment is being used for snow and ice treatment or removal on the public streets or highways.
  b.  A person shall not use only a blue light on a vehicle unless the vehicle meets the requirements of paragraph “a”, subparagraph (1) or (2).
  4.  Expiration of authority.  The authorization shall expire at midnight on the thirty-first day of December five years from the year in which it was issued, or when the vehicle is no longer owned by the member, or when the member has ceased to be an active member of the fire department or of an ambulance, rescue, or first response service, or when the member has used the blue or white light beyond the scope of its authorized use. A person issued an authorization under subsection 3, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (2), shall return the authorization to the fire chief upon expiration or upon a determination by the fire chief or the department that the authorization should be revoked.
  5.  When used.  The certificate of authorization shall be carried at all times with the certificate of registration of the authorized vehicle and the operator of the vehicle shall not illuminate the blue or white light except in any of the following circumstances:
  a.  When the member is en route to the scene of a fire or is responding to an emergency in the line of duty requiring the services of the member.
  b.  When the authorized vehicle is transporting a person requiring emergency care.
  c.  When the authorized vehicle is at the scene of an emergency.
  d.  The use of the blue or white light in or on a private motor vehicle shall be for identification purposes only.
  6.  Amber flashing light.  A farm tractor, farm tractor with towed equipment, self-propelled implement of husbandry, road construction or maintenance vehicle, road grader, or other vehicle principally designed for use off the highway which, when operated on a primary or secondary road, is operated at a speed of thirty-five miles per hour or less, shall be equipped with and display an amber flashing light visible from the rear at any time from sunset to sunrise. If the amber flashing light is obstructed by the towed equipment, the towed equipment shall also be equipped with and display an amber flashing light as required under this subsection. All vehicles specified in this subsection which are manufactured for sale or sold in this state shall be equipped with an amber flashing light in accordance with the standards of the American society of agricultural engineers.
  7.  Flashing white light.
  a.  Except as provided in section 321.373, subsection 7, and subsection 2, paragraphs “c” and “i” of this section, a flashing white light shall only be used on a vehicle in the following circumstances:
  (1)  On a vehicle owned or exclusively operated by an ambulance, rescue, or first response service.
  (2)  On a vehicle authorized by the director of public health when all of the following apply:
  (a)  The vehicle is owned by a member of an ambulance, rescue, or first response service.
  (b)  The request for authorization is made by the member on forms provided by the Iowa department of public health.
  (c)  Necessity for authorization is demonstrated in the request.
  (d)  The head of an ambulance, rescue, or first response service certifies that the member is in good standing and recommends that the authorization be granted.
  (3)  On an authorized emergency vehicle.
  (4)  On a motor truck, trailer, tractor, truck-mounted snow blower, or motor grader owned by the state or any political subdivision of the state, including any local authority, if the white light is rear-facing and used in conjunction with amber and blue lighting devices or reflectors while the equipment is being used for snow and ice treatment or removal on the public streets or highways.
  (5)  On a motor truck or trailer owned and operated by the department equipped with an impact attenuator and audible warning system, if the flashing white light is rear-facing on the audible warning system and used in conjunction with amber lighting devices or reflectors while the motor truck or trailer is being used for slow-moving maintenance operations.
  (6)  On a vehicle or other equipment not owned and operated by the department when used in road work zones on state or local highways as authorized by the department. The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A regarding the vehicles or equipment eligible to use a flashing white light under this subparagraph.
  b.  The Iowa department of public health shall adopt rules to establish issuance standards, including allowing local emergency medical service providers to issue certificates of authorization, and shall adopt rules to establish certificate of authorization revocation procedures.
[C39, §5034.32; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.423]
85 Acts, ch 37, §2; 90 Acts, ch 1225, §1 – 7; 91 Acts, ch 131, §2 – 4; 94 Acts, ch 1087, §2; 95 Acts, ch 41, §25; 95 Acts, ch 118, §25; 96 Acts, ch 1034, §21 – 23; 97 Acts, ch 108, §22; 2000 Acts, ch 1045, §2, 3; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §19; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §29 – 31; 2006 Acts, ch 1070, §14; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §99; 2015 Acts, ch 81, §3, 4; 2017 Acts, ch 84, §3; 2018 Acts, ch 1002, §2, 3; 2018 Acts, ch 1079, §5; 2019 Acts, ch 24, §44; 2021 Acts, ch 97, §2 – 5, 9
Referred to in §321.1, 321.323A, 321.422, 805.8A(3)(ab)
See also §321.383 
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 3
Subsection 2, paragraph f amended
Subsection 3, paragraph a, subparagraphs (3) and (4) amended
Subsection 7, paragraph a, subparagraph (4) amended
Subsection 7, paragraph a, NEW subparagraphs (5) and (6)

     
321.424  Authorized emergency vehicle lights.
  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary:
  1.  An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a combination of interior and exterior lights, flashing headlamps, and flashing tail lamps as provided in this section and in this chapter.
  2.  An official law enforcement, fire department, emergency medical services, or emergency management vehicle owned by the state or a municipality, as defined in section 670.1, may be equipped with flashing headlamps.
  3.  An authorized emergency vehicle owned by the state, a municipality, as defined in section 670.1, or a private emergency medical services company delivering services to the state, a municipality, or a hospital pursuant to a written contract, or a privately owned vehicle designated as an authorized emergency vehicle pursuant to section 321.451, shall be equipped with a combination of operational red and blue lights. 
  4.  An authorized emergency vehicle equipped with an interior or exterior light bar must have the light bar positioned such that front and rear facing red lights are on the driver’s side of the vehicle and front and rear facing blue lights are on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
  5.  An authorized emergency vehicle equipped with an interior or exterior light bar with red and blue flashing lights may be equipped with flashing or solid white lights scattered among or between a clear or colored lens that displays a red or blue flashing light.
  6.  An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with one or more lights capable of emitting a split red and blue steady or flashing light, which may be mounted on or in the vehicle.
  7.  An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with one or more lights on the side of the vehicle capable of emitting red and blue light, red and white light, or blue and white light.
  8.  An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with one or more lights with a clear or colored lens.
  9.  An official law enforcement, fire, rescue, emergency medical services, or emergency management vehicle may be equipped with lights or light bars containing one or more rear zone amber lights or amber directional arrows, which shall be in addition to any other required lighting equipment. An authorized emergency vehicle shall not be equipped with an amber light positioned on the front or side of the vehicle. However, an aerial fire apparatus may be equipped with amber flashing lights on the outriggers of the apparatus.
  10.  An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with one or more steady, oscillating, or flashing white lights, flashing headlamps, or flashing reverse lamps, which shall be in addition to any other required lighting equipment. A light bar shall not be equipped or used to display flashing white lights visible from the rear of the vehicle. This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit an authorized emergency vehicle owned by the state or a municipality, as defined in section 670.1, from being equipped with or using a spotlight or exterior light bar capable of displaying a steady white light for use as a work light, alley light, search light, or take down light.
  11.  An authorized emergency vehicle owned by a state or a municipality, as defined in section 670.1, that is primarily used as an incident command vehicle may be equipped with one or more steady or flashing green lights, which shall be in addition to any other required lighting equipment. A steady or flashing green light equipped pursuant to this subsection shall not be activated unless the vehicle is being used as a stationary incident command post at the location of an emergency incident, an official training exercise, or for maintenance or demonstration purposes.
  12.  An official fire department or emergency medical services vehicle purchased, delivered, or refurbished on or after July 1, 2021, shall be equipped with a master warning switch to activate all emergency lights on the vehicle, in addition to one or more switches to separately activate or isolate the front, side, and rear warning lights.
2021 Acts, ch 97, §6, 9
Referred to in §805.8A(3)(ac)
NEW section
321.425 through 321.429Reserved.
BRAKES, HITCHES, AND SWAY CONTROL

     
321.430  Brake, hitch, and control requirements.
  1.  Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, or motorized bicycle, when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such vehicle, including two separate means of applying the brakes, each of which means shall be effective to apply the brakes to at least two wheels. If these two separate means of applying the brakes are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part of the operating mechanism shall not leave the motor vehicle without brakes on at least two wheels.
  2.  Every motorcycle and motorized bicycle, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with at least one brake, which may be operated by hand or foot.
  3.  Every trailer, semitrailer, or travel trailer of a gross weight of three thousand pounds or more shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such vehicle when operated on the highways of this state. Every trailer, semitrailer, or travel trailer with a gross weight of three thousand pounds or more shall be equipped with a separate, auxiliary means of applying the brakes on the trailer, semitrailer, or travel trailer from the cab of the towing vehicle, or with self-actuating brakes, and shall also be equipped with a weight equalizing hitch with a sway control. Trailers or semitrailers with a truck or truck tractor need only comply with the brake requirements.
  4.  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, every new motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer hereafter sold in this state and operated upon the highways shall be equipped with service brakes upon all wheels of every such vehicle with the following exceptions:
  a.  Any motorcycle or motorized bicycle.
  b.  Any trailer or semitrailer of less than three thousand pounds gross weight need not be equipped with brakes.
  c.  Trucks and truck tractors equipped with three or more axles and manufactured before July 25, 1980, need not have brakes on the front wheels, except that such vehicles equipped with two or more front axles shall be equipped with brakes on at least one of the axles; however, the service brakes of the vehicle shall comply with the performance requirements of section 321.431.
  d.  Only such brakes on the vehicle or vehicles being towed in a driveaway-towaway operation need be operative as may be necessary to insure compliance by the combination of vehicles with the performance requirements of section 321.431. The term “driveaway-towaway” operation as used in this subsection means any operation in which any motor vehicle or motor vehicles, new or used, constitute the commodity being transported, when one set or more of wheels of any such motor vehicle or motor vehicles are on the roadway during the course of transportation, whether or not any such motor vehicle furnishes the motive power.
[S13, §1571-m17; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5039; C39, §5034.39; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.430]
88 Acts, ch 1044, §1; 97 Acts, ch 108, §24; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §29
Referred to in §321.189, 321.464, 805.8A(3)(ad)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3

  
     
321.431  Performance ability.
  1.  The service brakes upon any motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles, when upon dry asphalt or concrete pavement surface free from loose material where the grade does not exceed one percent, when traveling twenty miles per hour shall be adequate:
  a.  To stop such vehicle or vehicles having a gross weight of less than five thousand pounds within a distance of thirty feet.
  b.  To stop such vehicle or vehicles having a gross weight in excess of five thousand pounds within a distance of forty-five feet.
  2.  Under the conditions specified in subsection 1, the hand brake shall be adequate to hold the vehicle or vehicles stationary on any grade upon which operated.
  3.  Under the conditions specified in subsection 1, the service brakes upon a motor vehicle equipped with two-wheel brakes only, and when permitted under this section, shall be adequate to stop the vehicle within a distance of forty-five feet and the hand brake adequate to stop the vehicle within a distance of fifty-five feet.
  4.  All braking distances specified in this section shall apply to all vehicles mentioned, whether such vehicles are not loaded or are loaded to the maximum capacity permitted under this chapter.
  5.  All brakes shall be maintained in good working order and shall be so adjusted as to operate as equally as practicable with respect to the wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle.
  6.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 3, paragraph “ae”.
[S13, §1571-m17; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5039; C39, §5034.40; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.431]
2010 Acts, ch 1140, §14; 2019 Acts, ch 24, §45; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §151; 2020 Acts, ch 1074, §41, 93
Referred to in §321.189, 321.430, 321.464, 805.8A(3)(ae)
Section not amended; internal reference change applied
MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT AND DRIVER SAFETY PROVISIONS

     
321.432  Horns and warning devices.
  Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation give audible warning with the horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.
[S13, §1571-m17; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5040, 5041; C39, §5034.41; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.432]
Referred to in §805.8A(3)(af)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

  
     
321.433  Sirens, whistles, and bells prohibited.
  1.  A vehicle shall not be equipped with and a person shall not use upon a vehicle any siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section. It is permissible but not required that any commercial vehicle be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which is so arranged that it cannot be used by the driver as an ordinary warning signal. Any authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred feet, but the siren, whistle, or bell shall not be used except when the vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call, an incident dangerous to the public, an official training exercise, for maintenance or demonstration purposes, or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, and the driver of the vehicle shall sound the siren, whistle, or bell when necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach of the vehicle.
  2.  A towing or recovery vehicle, unless owned by the state or a municipality, as defined in section 670.1, shall not be equipped with a siren.
[C39, §5034.42; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.433]
98 Acts, ch 1080, §4; 2021 Acts, ch 97, §7, 9
Referred to in §321.231, 805.8A(3)(ag)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 
Section amended

     
321.434  Bicycle sirens or whistles.
  A bicycle shall not be equipped with and a person shall not use upon a bicycle any siren or whistle. This section shall not apply to bicycles ridden by peace officers in the line of duty.
[C39, §5034.43; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.434]
97 Acts, ch 71, §4
Referred to in §805.8A(9)(k)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 9 

     
321.435  Motorcycles equipped with detachable stabilizing wheels.
  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a motor vehicle that is originally designed as a two-wheeled motorcycle and is modified using conversion hardware which allows for the attachment and detachment of two stabilizing rear wheels may be operated on a highway with the stabilizing wheels attached in accordance with the provisions of this chapter applicable to motorcycles. A motorcycle shall not be determined to be reconstructed based on the sole fact that two stabilizing wheels have been added as described in this section.
2011 Acts, ch 15, §1

     
321.436  Mufflers, prevention of noise.
  Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke, and no person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway.
[S13, §1571-m18; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5061 – 5063; C39, §5034.45; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.436]
Referred to in §805.8A(3)(ah)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

  
     
321.437  Mirrors.
  1.  Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of such vehicle. Any motor vehicle so loaded, or towing another vehicle in such manner, as to obstruct the view in a rear view mirror located in the driver’s compartment shall be equipped with a side mirror so located that the view to the rear will not be obstructed; however, when such vehicle is not loaded or towing another vehicle the side mirrors shall be retracted or removed. All van or van type motor vehicles shall be equipped with outside mirrors of unit magnification, each with not less than nineteen point five square inches of reflective surface, installed with stable supports on both sides of the vehicle, located so as to provide the driver a view to the rear along both sides of the vehicle, and adjustable in both the horizontal and vertical directions to view the rearward scene.
  2.  Notwithstanding this chapter or chapter 321E, a combination of vehicles coupled together which is used exclusively for the transportation of passenger vehicles, light delivery trucks, panel delivery trucks, pickups, boats, and recreational chassis, may permanently attach a convex-type mirror on either or both of the vertical supports, forward of the steering axle of the power unit, provided that the mirror shall not extend beyond the limit of any other rearview mirror on the vehicle.
[C31, 35, §5105-c20; C39, §5034.46; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.437]
86 Acts, ch 1210, §5
Referred to in §805.8A(12)(b)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph b 

  
     
321.438  Windshields and windows.
  1.  A person shall not drive a motor vehicle equipped with a windshield, sidewings, or side or rear windows which do not permit clear vision.
  2.  A person shall not operate on the highway a motor vehicle equipped with a front windshield, a side window to the immediate right or left of the driver, or a sidewing forward of and to the left or right of the driver which is excessively dark or reflective so that it is difficult for a person outside the motor vehicle to see into the motor vehicle through the windshield, window, or sidewing.
  a.  The department shall adopt rules establishing a minimum measurable standard of transparency which shall apply to violations of this subsection.
  b.  This subsection does not apply to a person who operates a motor vehicle owned or leased by a federal, state, or local law enforcement agency if the operation is part of the person’s official duties.
  3.  Every motor vehicle except a motorcycle, or a vehicle included in the provisions of section 321.383 or section 321.115 shall be equipped with a windshield in accordance with section 321.444.
[C39, §5034.47; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.438]
83 Acts, ch 125, §5; 2021 Acts, ch 183, §53
Referred to in §805.8A(3)(ai)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3
Subsection 2 amended

     
321.439  Windshield wipers.
  The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle.
[C39, §5034.48; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.439]
Referred to in §805.8A(3)(aj)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

     
321.440  Restrictions as to tire equipment.
  1.  Every solid rubber tire on a vehicle shall have rubber on its entire traction surface at least one inch thick above the edge of the flange of the entire periphery. Any pneumatic tire on a vehicle shall be considered unsafe if it has:
  a.  Any part of the ply or cord exposed.
  b.  Any bump, bulge or separation.
  c.  A tread design depth of less than one-sixteenth of an inch measured in any two or more adjacent tread grooves, exclusive of tie bars or, for those tires with tread wear indicators, worn to the level of the tread wear indicators in any two tread grooves.
  d.  A marking “not for highway use”, “for racing purposes only”, “unsafe for highway use”.
  e.  Tread or sidewall cracks, cuts or snags deep enough to expose the body cord.
  f.  Such other conditions as may be reasonably demonstrated to render it unsafe.
  g.  Been regrooved or recut below the original tread design depth, excepting special tires which have extra under tread rubber and are identified as such, or if a pneumatic tire was originally designed without grooves or tread.
  2.  A vehicle, except an implement of husbandry, equipped with either solid rubber or pneumatic tires shall not be operated where the weight per inch of tire width is greater than five hundred seventy-five pounds per inch of tire width based on the tire width rating, except on a steering axle, in which case six hundred pounds per inch of tire width is permitted based on the tire width rating.
[C31, 35, §5065-c1; C39, §5034.49; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.440]
97 Acts, ch 100, §2, 3, 12; 2014 Acts, ch 1026, §78
Referred to in §805.8A(3)(ak)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3

     
321.441  Metal tires prohibited.
  No person shall operate or move on a paved highway any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer having any metal tire or metal track in contact with the roadway.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4918, 4919; C39, §5034.50; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.441]
Referred to in §805.8A(3)(al)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3 

     
321.442  Projections on wheels.
  No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or any other protuberances of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire except that it shall be permissible to use:
  1.  Farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway.
  2.  Tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.
  3.  Pneumatic tires with inserted ice grips or tire studs projecting not more than one-sixteenth inch beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire upon any vehicle from November 1 of each year to April 1 of the following year, except that a school bus and fire department emergency apparatus may use such tires at any time.
[S13, §1571-1a; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5068, 5070; C39, §5034.51; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.442]
Referred to in §805.8A(3)(am)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3

     
321.443  Exceptions.
  The department and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions shall review any application for a special permit and may, with good cause being shown, issue special permits authorizing the operation upon a highway of traction engines or tractors having movable tracks with transverse corrugations upon the periphery of such movable tracks or farm tractors or other farm machinery, the operation of which upon a highway would otherwise be prohibited under this chapter.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5069; C39, §5034.52; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.443]

     
321.444  Safety glass.
  1.  No person shall sell any new motor vehicle nor shall any motor vehicle, manufactured since July 1, 1935, be registered, or operated unless such vehicle is equipped with safety glass wherever glass is used in doors, windows, and windshields. Replacements of glass in doors, windows, or windshields shall be of safety glass.
  2.  “Safety glass” means any product composed of glass, so manufactured, fabricated, or treated as substantially to prevent shattering and flying of the glass when struck or broken. Safety glass and glazing materials shall comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard number 205 as published in 
49 C.F.R. §571.205
.
[C35, §4991-f1, -f4; C39, §5034.53, 5034.54, 5034.55; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §321.444, 321.445, 321.446; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.444]
97 Acts, ch 108, §25; 98 Acts, ch 1080, §5
Referred to in §321.438, 805.8A(3)(an)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 3

  
     
321.445  Safety belts and safety harnesses — use required.
  1.  Except for motorcycles or motorized bicycles, 1966 model year or newer motor vehicles subject to registration in Iowa shall be equipped with safety belts and safety harnesses which conform with federal motor vehicle safety standard numbers 209 and 210 as published in 
49 C.F.R. §571.209 – 571.210
 and with prior federal motor vehicle safety standards for seat belt assemblies and seat belt assembly anchorages applicable for the motor vehicle’s model year.
  2.  a.  The driver and front seat occupants of a type of motor vehicle that is subject to registration in Iowa, except a motorcycle or a motorized bicycle, shall each wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt or safety harness any time the vehicle is in forward motion on a street or highway in this state except that a child under eighteen years of age shall be secured as required under section 321.446.
  b.  This subsection does not apply to:
  (1)  The driver or front seat occupants of a motor vehicle which is not required to be equipped with safety belts or safety harnesses.
  (2)  The driver and front seat occupants of a motor vehicle who are actively engaged in work which requires them to alight from and reenter the vehicle at frequent intervals, providing the vehicle does not exceed twenty-five miles per hour between stops.
  (3)  The driver of a motor vehicle while performing duties as a rural letter carrier for the United States postal service. This exemption applies only between the first delivery point after leaving the post office and the last delivery point before returning to the post office.
  (4)  Passengers on a bus.
  (5)  A person possessing a written certification from a health care provider licensed under chapter 148 or 151 on a form provided by the department that the person is unable to wear a safety belt or safety harness due to physical or medical reasons. The certification shall specify the time period for which the exemption applies. The time period shall not exceed twelve months, at which time a new certification may be issued unless the certifying health care provider is from a United States military facility, in which case the certificate may specify a longer period of time or a permanent exemption.
  (6)  Front seat occupants of an authorized emergency vehicle while they are being transported in an emergency. However, this exemption does not apply to the driver of the authorized emergency vehicle.
  c.  The department, in cooperation with the department of public safety and the department of education, shall establish educational programs to foster compliance with the safety belt and safety harness usage requirements of this subsection.
  3.  The driver and front seat passengers may be each charged separately for improperly used or nonused equipment under subsection 2. However, the driver shall not be charged for a violation committed by a passenger who is fourteen years of age or older unless the passenger is unable to properly fasten a seat belt due to a temporary or permanent disability. The owner of the motor vehicle may be charged for equipment violations under subsection 1.
  4.  a.  The nonuse of a safety belt or safety harness by a person is not admissible or material as evidence in a civil action brought for damages in a cause of action arising prior to July 1, 1986.
  b.  In a cause of action arising on or after July 1, 1986, brought to recover damages arising out of the ownership or operation of a motor vehicle, the failure to wear a safety belt or safety harness in violation of this section shall not be considered evidence of comparative fault under section 668.3, subsection 1. However, except as provided in section 321.446, subsection 6, the failure to wear a safety belt or safety harness in violation of this section may be admitted to mitigate damages, but only under the following circumstances:
  (1)  Parties seeking to introduce evidence of the failure to wear a safety belt or safety harness in violation of this section must first introduce substantial evidence that the failure to wear a safety belt or safety harness contributed to the injury or injuries claimed by the plaintiff.
  (2)  If the evidence supports such a finding, the trier of fact may find that the plaintiff’s failure to wear a safety belt or safety harness in violation of this section contributed to the plaintiff’s claimed injury or injuries, and may reduce the amount of the plaintiff’s recovery by an amount not to exceed twenty-five percent of the damages awarded after any reductions for comparative fault.
  5.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A providing exceptions from application of subsections 1 and 2 for front seats and front seat passengers of motor vehicles owned, leased, rented, or primarily used by persons with disabilities who use collapsible wheelchairs.
[C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.445]
84 Acts, ch 1016, §3; 86 Acts, ch 1009, §2; 86 Acts, ch 1211, §43; 87 Acts, ch 120, §5; 92 Acts, ch 1175, §37; 96 Acts, ch 1129, §79; 97 Acts, ch 104, §21; 97 Acts, ch 108, §26; 98 Acts, ch 1080, §6, 7; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §50; 2004 Acts, ch 1113, §1; 2008 Acts, ch 1088, §122; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2010 Acts, ch 1079, §10; 2010 Acts, ch 1186, §6, 7; 2018 Acts, ch 1009, §1
Referred to in §321.210, 321.446, 321.555, 805.8A(14)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph c 

  
     
321.446  Child restraint devices.
  1.  a.  A child under one year of age and weighing less than twenty pounds who is being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration, except a school bus or motorcycle, shall be secured during transit in a rear-facing child restraint system that is used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  b.  A child under six years of age who does not meet the description in paragraph “a” and who is being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration, except a school bus or motorcycle, shall be secured during transit by a child restraint system that is used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  2.  A child at least six years of age but under eighteen years of age who is being transported in a motor vehicle subject to registration, except a school bus or motorcycle, shall be secured during transit by a child restraint system that is used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or by a safety belt or safety harness of a type approved under section 321.445.
  3.  This section does not apply to the following:
  a.  Peace officers acting on official duty. 
  b.  The transportation of children in 1965 model year or older vehicles, authorized emergency vehicles, buses, or motor homes or motorsports recreational vehicles, except when a child is transported in a motor home’s or motorsports recreational vehicle’s passenger seat situated directly to the driver’s right. 
  c.  The transportation of a child who has been certified by a physician licensed under chapter 148 as having a medical, physical, or mental condition that prevents or makes inadvisable securing the child in a child restraint system, safety belt, or safety harness.
  d.  A back seat occupant of a motor vehicle for whom no safety belt is available because all safety belts are being used by other occupants or cannot be used due to the use of a child restraint system in the seating position for which a belt is provided.
  4.  A person who violates this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph “c”. Violations shall be charged as follows:
  a.  An operator who transports a passenger under fourteen years of age in violation of subsection 1 or 2 may be charged with a violation of this section.
  b.  If a passenger fourteen years of age or older is unable to properly fasten a seatbelt due to a temporary or permanent disability, an operator who transports such a person in violation of subsection 2 may be charged with a violation of this section. Otherwise, a passenger fourteen years of age or older who violates subsection 2 shall be charged in lieu of the operator.
  c.  If a child under fourteen years of age, or a child fourteen years of age or older who is unable to fasten a seatbelt due to a temporary or permanent disability, is being transported in a taxicab or in a personal vehicle operated by a transportation network company driver, as defined in section 321N.1, in a manner that is not in compliance with subsection 1 or 2, the parent, legal guardian, or other responsible adult traveling with the child shall be served with a citation for a violation of this section in lieu of the taxicab operator or transportation network company driver. Otherwise, if a passenger being transported in the taxicab or in a personal vehicle operated by a transportation network company driver is fourteen years of age or older, the citation shall be served on the passenger in lieu of the taxicab operator or transportation network company driver.
  5.  A person who is first charged for a violation of subsection 1 and who has not purchased or otherwise acquired a child restraint system shall not be convicted if the person produces in court, within a reasonable time, proof that the person has purchased or otherwise acquired a child restraint system which meets federal motor vehicle safety standards.
  6.  Failure to use a child restraint system, safety belts, or safety harnesses as required by this section does not constitute negligence nor is the failure admissible as evidence in a civil action.
  7.  For purposes of this section, “child restraint system” means a specially designed seating system, including a belt-positioning seat or a booster seat, that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards set forth in 
49 C.F.R. §571.213
.
84 Acts, ch 1016, §1; 86 Acts, ch 1069, §1; 2000 Acts, ch 1133, §11; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §11; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2004 Acts, ch 1113, §2, 3; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §32; 2008 Acts, ch 1088, §123; 2010 Acts, ch 1186, §8, 9; 2014 Acts, ch 1127, §11; 2016 Acts, ch 1101, §5, 24
Referred to in §321.210, 321.445, 321.555, 805.8A(14)(c)
321.447 and 321.448Reserved. 

     
321.449  Motor carrier safety rules.
  1.  a.  A person shall not operate a commercial vehicle on the highways of this state except in compliance with rules adopted by the department under chapter 17A. The rules shall be consistent with the federal motor carrier safety regulations promulgated under United States Code, Tit. 49, and found in 
49 C.F.R. pts. 385, 390 – 399
 and adopted under chapter 17A.
  b.  The department shall also adopt rules concerning hours of service for drivers of vehicles operated for hire and designed to transport seven or more persons, including the driver. The rules shall not apply to vehicles offered to the public for hire that are used principally in intracity operation and that are regulated by local authorities pursuant to section 321.236.
  c.  The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A authorizing a person who is at least eighteen years of age or over, but under twenty-one years of age, to be licensed to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce if the person holds a valid commercial driver’s license and is authorized under federal law to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.
  2.  Rules adopted under this section concerning driver qualifications, hours of service, and recordkeeping requirements do not apply to the operators of public utility trucks, trucks hauling gravel, construction trucks and equipment, trucks moving implements of husbandry, and special trucks, other than a truck tractor, operating intrastate. Except as otherwise provided in this section, trucks for hire on construction projects are not exempt from this section.
  3.  Rules adopted under this section concerning driver age qualifications do not apply to drivers for private and for-hire motor carriers which operate solely intrastate except when the vehicle being driven is transporting a hazardous material in a quantity which requires placarding. The minimum age for the exempted intrastate operations is eighteen years of age.
  4.  a.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, rules adopted under this section for drivers of commercial vehicles shall not apply to a driver of a commercial vehicle who is engaged exclusively in intrastate commerce, when the commercial vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating is twenty-six thousand pounds or less, unless the vehicle is used to transport hazardous materials requiring a placard or if the vehicle is designed to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver. For the purpose of complying with the hours of service recordkeeping requirements under 
49 C.F.R. §395.1(e)(1)(v)(A – D)
, a driver’s report of daily beginning and ending on-duty time submitted to the motor carrier at the end of each workweek shall be considered acceptable motor carrier time records.
  b.  In addition, rules adopted under this section shall not apply to a driver operating intrastate for a farm operation as defined in section 352.2, or for an agricultural interest when the commercial vehicle is operated between the farm as defined in section 352.2 and another farm, between the farm and a market for farm products, or between the farm and an agribusiness location.
  c.  A driver or a driver-salesperson for a private carrier, who is not for hire and who is engaged exclusively in intrastate commerce, may drive twelve hours, be on duty sixteen hours in a twenty-four-hour period, and be on duty seventy hours in seven consecutive days or eighty hours in eight consecutive days. A “driver-salesperson” means as defined in 
49 C.F.R. §395.2
, as adopted by the department by rule. 
  d.  For-hire drivers who are engaged exclusively in intrastate commerce and who operate trucks and truck tractors exclusively for the movement of construction materials and equipment to and from construction projects may also drive twelve hours, be on duty sixteen hours in a twenty-four-hour period, and be on duty seventy hours in seven consecutive days or eighty hours in eight consecutive days. 
  5.  a.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, rules adopted under this section concerning physical and medical qualifications for drivers of commercial vehicles engaged in intrastate commerce shall not be construed as disqualifying any individual who was employed as a driver of commercial vehicles engaged in intrastate commerce whose physical or medical condition existed prior to July 29, 1996.
  b.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, rules adopted under this section concerning physical and medical qualifications for a driver shall not apply to a farmer or a farmer’s hired help when operating a vehicle owned by the farmer while it is being used in connection with the intrastate transportation of fertilizers and chemicals used in the farmer’s crop production.
  c.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, rules adopted under this section concerning physical and medical qualifications for a driver shall not apply to a farmer or a farmer’s hired help when operating a vehicle owned by the farmer while it is being used in connection with the intrastate transportation of agricultural commodities or feed.
  6.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, rules adopted under this section shall not impose any requirements which impose any restrictions upon a person operating an implement of husbandry or pickup to transport fertilizers and pesticides in that person’s agricultural operations.
  7.  Rules adopted under this section shall not apply to vehicles engaged in intrastate commerce and used in combination, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the towing unit is ten thousand pounds or less and the gross combination weight rating is twenty-six thousand pounds or less.
  8.  In the course of enforcing the motor carrier safety rules adopted by the department under chapter 17A, the department’s peace officers are authorized, at reasonable times and places and with reasonable notice, to enter a motor carrier’s place of business for the purpose of performing a motor carrier safety audit or compliance review. Nothing in this subsection by itself permits the seizure of the property of a motor carrier. Any audit or review shall be conducted in compliance with the federal motor carrier safety regulations in 
49 C.F.R. pts. 105 – 185, 382, 383, 385, and 390 – 399
. A peace officer of the department is authorized to inspect and copy motor carrier records required by 
49 C.F.R. pts. 105 – 185, 382, 383, 385, and 390 – 399
.
[C39, §5034.58; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.449]
87 Acts, ch 170, §13; 88 Acts, ch 1083, §3 – 7; 88 Acts, ch 1278, §50; 92 Acts, ch 1175, §38; 93 Acts, ch 47, §15; 95 Acts, ch 171, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1063, §1; 99 Acts, ch 13, §17, 29; 99 Acts, ch 96, §34; 2000 Acts, ch 1134, §3; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §12; 2003 Acts, ch 8, §17, 18; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §33; 2009 Acts, ch 130, §40, 41; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §48; 2019 Acts, ch 41, §4
Referred to in §321.288, 321.343, 321.449B, 321.450, 325A.2, 805.8A(13)(b)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 13, paragraph b 

     
321.449A  Rail crew transport drivers.
  1.  A driver of a motor vehicle operated for hire which is designed to transport seven or more persons but fewer than sixteen persons including the driver and is used to transport railroad workers to or from their places of employment or during the course of their employment is subject to the following limitations:
  a.  The driver shall not drive such a vehicle more than ten hours following eight consecutive hours of uninterrupted rest.
  b.  The driver shall not drive such a vehicle for any period after having been on duty for fifteen hours following eight consecutive hours of uninterrupted rest.
  c.  The driver shall not accept a call for service from the driver’s employer during a period of uninterrupted rest.
  2.  For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
  a.  “Employer” means a railroad worker transportation company, as defined in section 327F.39, for whom the driver performs a service, either for wages or as an independent contractor.
  b.  “On duty” means all time from the time a driver begins work or is required to be ready to work until the time the driver is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work, whether or not the driver is compensated for all of the time. A driver may drive more than one assigned trip, as long as the trip falls within the on-duty period. A driver “begins work” when the driver enters a transport vehicle to begin a trip assignment and is not “relieved from work” until the driver has exited the transport vehicle for the final time.
  c.  “Uninterrupted rest” means that the employer shall not communicate with the driver by telephone, pager, or in any other manner that could reasonably be expected to disrupt the driver’s rest.
  3.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 13, paragraph “b”.
2013 Acts, ch 47, §1
Referred to in §327F.39, 805.8A(13)(b)

  
     
321.449B  Texting or using a mobile telephone while operating a commercial motor vehicle.
  1.  a.  A person subject to rules adopted by the department pursuant to section 321.449 shall not operate a commercial motor vehicle while engaged in texting as prohibited by 
49 C.F.R. §392.80
, except in an emergency or as otherwise permitted under 
49 C.F.R. §392.80
.
  b.  A person subject to rules adopted by the department pursuant to section 321.449 shall not operate a commercial motor vehicle while using a hand-held mobile telephone as prohibited by 
49 C.F.R. §392.82
, except in an emergency or as otherwise permitted under 
49 C.F.R. §392.82
.
  2.  a.  A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 13, paragraph “b”.
  b.  A violation of this section shall be considered a moving violation for the purposes of this chapter and rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.
  c.  A conviction for a violation of this section shall be in lieu of a conviction for a violation of section 321.276 if the violations are based on the same facts and circumstances.
2018 Acts, ch 1017, §2
Referred to in §321.482A, 805.8A(13)(b)
Additional penalties for violations causing injury or death, see §321.482A

  
     
321.450  Hazardous materials transportation regulations.
  1.  A person shall not transport or have transported or shipped within this state any hazardous material except in compliance with rules adopted by the department under chapter 17A. The rules shall be consistent with the federal hazardous materials regulations adopted under United States Code, Tit. 49, and found in 
49 C.F.R. pts. 107, 171 to 173, 177, 178, and 180
.
  2.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, rules adopted under this section concerning physical and medical qualifications for drivers of commercial vehicles engaged in intrastate commerce shall not be construed as disqualifying any individual who was employed as a driver of commercial vehicles engaged in intrastate commerce, and whose physical or medical condition existed, prior to July 29, 1996.
  3.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, or the age requirements under section 321.449, the age requirements under section 321.449 and the rules adopted under this section pertaining to compliance with regulations adopted under United States Code, Tit. 49, and found in 
49 C.F.R. §177.804
, shall not apply to retail dealers of fertilizers, petroleum products, and pesticides and their employees while delivering fertilizers, petroleum products, and pesticides to farm customers within a one-hundred-mile radius of their retail place of business.
  4.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, rules adopted under this section shall not apply to a farmer or employees of a farmer when transporting an agricultural hazardous material, except class 2 material, between the sites in the farmer’s agricultural operations unless the material is being transported on the interstate highway system. As used in this subsection, “farmer” means a person engaged in the production or raising of crops, poultry, or livestock; “farmer” does not include a person who is a commercial applicator of agricultural chemicals or fertilizers.
  5.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section to the contrary, a driver who is engaged exclusively in intrastate commerce and who operates a truck or truck tractor exclusively for the movement of refined oil products may drive twelve hours, be on duty sixteen hours in a twenty-four-hour period, and be on duty seventy hours in seven consecutive days, or eighty hours in eight consecutive days.
  6.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, rules adopted under this section applicable to the transportation of any fuel used in race car engines shall not apply to the transportation of such fuel if the fuel is contained in the fuel cells of a race car being transported in a trailer and the fuel cells are certified by SFI foundation, inc.
[C39, §5034.59; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.450]
87 Acts, ch 170, §14; 88 Acts, ch 1083, §8; 89 Acts, ch 70, §1, 2; 89 Acts, ch 186, §1; 91 Acts, ch 127, §1; 97 Acts, ch 108, §27, 28; 98 Acts, ch 1178, §5, 17; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §20; 2003 Acts, ch 8, §19; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2014 Acts, ch 1092, §177; 2014 Acts, ch 1127, §12
Referred to in §321O.4, 325A.2, 805.8A(13)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 13, paragraph c 

     
321.451  Emergency vehicles — certificate of designation.
  1.  The director or the director’s designee may designate a privately owned vehicle as an authorized emergency vehicle and issue a certificate of designation for the vehicle, upon written request being made on forms provided by the department and showing necessity for the designation. A certificate of designation may be issued for the following privately owned vehicles:
  a.  An ambulance or fire or rescue vehicle.
  b.  A state or county medical examiner vehicle.
  c.  A vehicle owned by a sheriff or full-time paid deputy sheriff if the authorized emergency vehicle designation is requested by the sheriff.
  d.  A vehicle owned by a chief of police or any officer of the police department if the authorized emergency vehicle designation is requested by the chief of police.
  e.  A vehicle owned by a chief of a full-time paid fire department if the authorized emergency vehicle designation is requested by the chief of the fire department.
  f.  A towing or recovery vehicle, subject to rules adopted by the department.
  2.  The application for a certificate of designation must include the name of the owner of the vehicle, vehicle identification information, a description of the vehicle’s equipment, and a description of how the vehicle will be used as an authorized emergency vehicle.
  3.  The certificate of designation shall at all times be carried with the registration receipt for the vehicle to which the certificate refers. The certificate may be revoked by the director upon a showing of abuse.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.451]
85 Acts, ch 37, §3; 2000 Acts, ch 1133, §12; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §34, 35
Referred to in §321.1, 321.424
SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD

     
321.452  Scope and effect.
  1.  A person shall not drive or move, and the owner of such vehicle shall not cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved, on any highway any vehicle or vehicles of a size or weight exceeding the limitations stated in this chapter, and the maximum size and weight of vehicles herein specified shall be lawful throughout this state, and local authorities shall have no power or authority to alter said limitations except as express authority is granted in this chapter.
  2.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor.
[C39, §5035.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.452]
2010 Acts, ch 1140, §15
Referred to in §321E.2

  
     
321.453  Exceptions.
  1.   Except as provided in sections 321.463, 321.471, and 321.474, the provisions of this chapter governing size, weight, and load and the permit requirements of chapter 321E do not apply to any of the following:
  a.  Fire apparatus.
  b.  Road maintenance equipment owned by, under lease to, or used in the performance of a contract with any state or local authority.
  c.  Implements of husbandry when moved or moving upon a highway that is not a portion of the interstate.
  d.  Equipment used primarily for construction of permanent conservation practices on agricultural land when moved or moving upon a highway that is not a portion of the interstate, so long as the equipment is without payload and the movement does not violate posted weight limitations on bridges.
  2.  A vehicle that is carrying an implement of husbandry or equipment used primarily for construction of permanent conservation practices and is exempted from the permit requirements under this section shall be equipped with an amber flashing light visible from the rear. If the amber flashing light is obstructed by the loaded implement or equipment, the loaded implement or equipment shall also be equipped with and display an amber flashing light. The vehicle shall also be equipped with warning flags on that portion of the vehicle which protrudes into oncoming traffic, and shall only operate from thirty minutes prior to sunrise to thirty minutes following sunset.
  3.  A motor vehicle that is operated by a farmer and that is carrying an implement of husbandry between fields, locations for repair, or locations for storage of the implement of husbandry shall be exempt from any requirement to obtain a permit under section 321.463, 321.471, or 321.474. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to exempt such a vehicle from any requirement or restriction other than a requirement to obtain a permit, including but not limited to requirements or restrictions relating to size, weight, load, lighting, flags, equipment, or manner of operation. For the purposes of this subsection, “farmer” means as defined in section 142D.2.
[C39, §5035.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.453; 82 Acts, ch 1154, §3, ch 1254, §3]
86 Acts, ch 1210, §6; 87 Acts, ch 186, §4; 94 Acts, ch 1087, §3; 94 Acts, ch 1198, §45; 98 Acts, ch 1003, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1223, §26; 99 Acts, ch 13, §18; 99 Acts, ch 108, §6; 2014 Acts, ch 1087, §1, 2; 2015 Acts, ch 30, §104; 2017 Acts, ch 81, §1
Referred to in §321.423, 321E.2

     
321.454  Width of vehicles.
  1.  The total outside width of a vehicle or the load on the vehicle shall not exceed eight feet six inches.
  2.  Notwithstanding subsection 1, the total outside width of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting a divisible load of hay, straw, stover, or bagged livestock bedding shall not exceed twelve feet five inches. However, if hay, straw, stover, or bagged livestock bedding is moved on an implement of husbandry and the total width of load of the implement of husbandry exceeds twelve feet five inches, the implement of husbandry is not subject to the permit requirements of chapter 321E. If a divisible load of hay, straw, stover, or bagged livestock bedding is moved on any other vehicle or combination of vehicles subject to registration, the moves are subject to the permit requirements for transporting loads exceeding twelve feet five inches in width as required under chapter 321E.
  3.  The limitations on the total outside width of a vehicle, the load on the vehicle, or a combination of vehicles set forth in this section do not include safety equipment on a vehicle or incidental appurtenances or retracted awnings on motor homes, motorsports recreational vehicles, travel trailers, or fifth-wheel travel trailers if the incidental appurtenance or retracted awning is less than six inches in width.
[C24, §5067, 5104; C27, §5067, 5105-a32; C31, 35, §5067, 5105-a32, 5105-c18; C39, §5035.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.454]
83 Acts, ch 9, §5, 8; 87 Acts, ch 186, §5; 87 Acts, ch 189, §2; 94 Acts, ch 1087, §4, 5; 95 Acts, ch 67, §26; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §15; 2014 Acts, ch 1127, §13; 2020 Acts, ch 1054, §1
Referred to in §321E.2, 321E.9, 321E.10, 321E.17, 321E.26, 321E.29B, 805.8A(12)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph c 

     
321.455  Projecting loads on passenger vehicles.
  No passenger-type vehicle shall be operated on any highway with any load carried thereon extending beyond the line of the fenders on the left side of such vehicle nor extending more than six inches beyond the line of the fenders on the right side thereof. Passengers shall not ride on any part of any vehicle unless it is expressly designed either for passenger use or designed for carrying livestock, merchandise, or freight.
[C31, 35, §5067-d1; C39, §5035.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.455]
Referred to in §321E.2, 321E.9, 321E.26, 321E.29B, 805.8A(12)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph c 

     
321.456  Height of vehicles.
  1.  A vehicle unladen or with load shall not exceed a height of thirteen feet six inches.
  2.  Notwithstanding subsection 1, a vehicle or combination of vehicles coupled together and used exclusively for the transportation of passenger vehicles, light delivery trucks, panel delivery trucks, pickup trucks, or recreational vehicle chassis may operate with a height not to exceed fourteen feet.
  3.  Notwithstanding subsection 1, a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting a divisible load of hay, straw, stover, or bagged livestock bedding may operate with a height not to exceed fourteen feet six inches.
  4.  This section shall not be construed to require any railroad or public authorities to provide sufficient vertical clearance to permit the operation of such vehicle upon the highways of this state. Any damage to highways, highway or railroad structures, or underpasses caused by the height of any vehicle provided for by this section shall be borne by the operator or owner of the vehicle.
[C31, 35, §5067-d2; C39, §5035.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.456]
86 Acts, ch 1182, §4; 97 Acts, ch 100, §4; 2005 Acts, ch 8, §36; 2020 Acts, ch 1054, §2
Referred to in §321E.2, 321E.9, 321E.17, 321E.26, 321E.29B, 805.8A(12)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph c 

  
     
321.457  Maximum length.
  1.  A combination of four vehicles is not allowed on the highways of this state, except for power units saddle mounted on other power units which shall be restricted to a maximum overall length of ninety-seven feet.
  2.  The maximum length of any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles operated on the highways of this state is as follows:
  a.  A single truck, unladen or with load, shall not have an overall length, inclusive of front and rear bumpers, in excess of forty-five feet. When determining the overall length of a single truck, the following shall be excluded:
  (1)  Cargo extending not more than three feet beyond the front bumper and not more than four feet beyond the rear bumper when transporting motor vehicles, boats, and chassis.
  (2)  An unladen cargo carrying device extending no greater than twenty-four inches from the rear of the bed of the truck.
  (3)  A cargo carrying device with load.
  b.  A single bus shall not have an overall length, inclusive of front and rear bumpers, in excess of forty-five feet, except that buses constructed so as to contain a flexible part allowing articulation shall not exceed sixty-one feet.
  c.  A manufactured or mobile home not in excess of forty-eight feet in length may be drawn by any motor vehicle, except a motor truck, provided that the manufactured or mobile home and its towing unit are not in excess of an overall length of sixty feet. For the purposes of this subsection, a light delivery truck, panel delivery truck, or “pickup” is not a “motor truck”. A portable livestock loading chute not in excess of a length of thirteen feet including its hitch or tongue may be drawn by any vehicle or combination of vehicles, provided that the vehicle or combination of vehicles drawing the loading chute is not in excess of the legal length provided for such vehicles or combinations.
  d.  A combination of three vehicles coupled together one of which is a motor vehicle, unladen or with load, other than a truck tractor, shall not have an overall length, inclusive of front and rear bumpers, in excess of seventy feet.
  e.  A motor vehicle or combination of vehicles may be operated upon the highways of this state, irrespective of the length and weight limitations imposed by the laws of this state, if the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles is operated within the corporate limits of a city abutting a border of this state and such operations have been approved by ordinance of the city council and if the length and weight of the motor vehicle or combination of vehicles is in conformity with the laws relating to length and weight of the abutting state. If a city council has authorized such operation upon highways within the corporate limits, then the limit of travel for such motor vehicles or combination of vehicles within the state is extended to the commercial zones as described by federal regulations concerning interstate commerce, 
49 C.F.R. §1048.101
, and to the interstate system as provided in 23 U.S.C. §127 and 49 U.S.C. §31112(c), as amended by Pub. L. No. 104-59.
  f.  A trailer or semitrailer, laden or unladen, shall not have an overall length in excess of fifty-three feet when operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination exclusive of retractable extensions used to support the load. However, when a trailer or semitrailer is used exclusively for the transportation of passenger vehicles, light delivery trucks, panel delivery trucks, pickup trucks, recreational vehicle chassis, or boats, the load carried on the trailer or semitrailer may extend up to three feet beyond the front bumper and up to four feet beyond the rear bumper of the trailer or semitrailer. A lowboy semitrailer, laden or unladen, which is designed and exclusively used for the transportation of construction equipment shall not have an overall length in excess of fifty-seven feet when used in a truck tractor-semitrailer combination.
  g.  A trailer or semitrailer, laden or unladen, shall not have an overall length in excess of twenty-eight feet six inches when operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination or truck tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination. When the semitrailers in a truck tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination are connected by a rigid frame extension including a fifth-wheel connection point attached to the rear frame of the first semitrailer, the length of the frame extension shall not be included when determining the overall length of the first semitrailer.
  h.  Power units designed to carry cargo, when used in combination with a trailer or semitrailer shall not exceed sixty-five feet in overall length for the combination exclusive of retractable extensions used to support the load. However, if a combination of vehicles is used exclusively for the transportation of passenger vehicles, light delivery trucks, panel delivery trucks, pickup trucks, recreational vehicle chassis, or boats, the load may extend up to three feet beyond the front bumper of the power unit and up to four feet beyond the rear bumper of the trailer or semitrailer.
  i.  A stinger-steered automobile transporter shall not have an overall length exceeding eighty feet, exclusive of retractable extensions used to support the load and all other devices or appurtenances related to the safe and efficient operation of the vehicle, except that the load may extend up to four feet beyond the front bumper and up to six feet beyond the rear bumper.
  j.  A motor home or motorsports recreational vehicle shall not have an overall length, excluding front and rear bumpers and safety equipment, in excess of forty-five feet.
  k.  A combination of two vehicles coupled together, one of which is a motor home, shall not have an overall length in excess of sixty-five feet.
  l.  A combination of two vehicles coupled together, one of which is a travel trailer or fifth-wheel travel trailer, shall not have an overall length in excess of sixty-five feet.
  m.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and to the extent allowed under federal law, the maximum length of a towaway trailer transporter combination operated on the highways of this state is eighty-five feet. For purposes of this paragraph, “towaway trailer transporter combination” means a combination of vehicles consisting of a towing vehicle and two unladen trailers or unladen semitrailers in which the trailers or semitrailers constitute inventory property of the manufacturer intended for sale and which are being transported from a trailer manufacturer to a trailer distributor or authorized trailer dealer.
  n.  (1)  Notwithstanding paragraph “g” or any other provision of this chapter, the department is authorized to adopt rules providing for economic export corridors for the transportation of goods or products manufactured in Iowa to or through the state of South Dakota and for the return of unladen semitrailers or unladen full trailers used for the transportation of those goods or products. The rules may authorize the operation of the following combinations of vehicles on an economic export corridor:
  (a)  A truck tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer converted to a full trailer by use of a dolly equipped with a fifth wheel which is considered a part of the trailer for all purposes, and not a separate unit.
  (b)  A truck tractor-semitrailer-full trailer.
  (c)  A truck tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination, where the semitrailers are connected by a rigid frame extension including a fifth wheel connection point attached to the rear frame of the first semitrailer. The length of the frame extension shall not be included when determining the overall length of the first semitrailer.
  (2)  Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph “n” shall provide that combinations of vehicles authorized to operate on an economic export corridor shall meet all of the following requirements:
  (a)  The length of the combination of vehicles, excluding the length of the truck tractor, shall not exceed eighty-one and one-half feet.
  (b)  The length of either semitrailer or full trailer shall not exceed forty-five feet.
  (c)  The weight of the second semitrailer or full trailer shall not exceed the weight of the first semitrailer by more than three thousand pounds.
  (d)  The gross weight of the combination of vehicles shall not exceed eighty thousand pounds and the combination of vehicles shall not exceed the gross axle weight limits of section 321.463, subsection 2.
  (e)  The load on each semitrailer or full trailer in the combination shall be an indivisible load. For the purpose of issuing permits for height or width under chapter 321E, the combination of vehicles shall be considered an indivisible load so long as the load on each semitrailer or full trailer in the combination remains an indivisible load.
  (3)  An economic export corridor established by the department shall not include any segment of the interstate system or any part of the national network of highways identified pursuant to 
23 C.F.R. pt. 658
. This subparagraph does not prohibit operation on any segment of the interstate system or part of the national network of highways that is permitted under paragraph “e”.
  (4)  For purposes of this paragraph “n”, “full trailer” means as defined in 
49 C.F.R. §390.5
.
  o.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and to the extent allowed under federal law, a combination of two vehicles coupled together, one of which is a motorsports recreational vehicle, shall not have an overall length in excess of eighty-five feet.
  p.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and to the extent allowed under federal law, a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting a divisible load of hay, straw, stover, or bagged livestock bedding shall not have an overall length in excess of seventy-five feet.
  3.  Fire fighting apparatus and vehicles operated during daylight hours when transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature which cannot be readily disassembled when required for emergency repair of public service facilities or properties are not subject to the limitations on overall length of vehicles and combinations of vehicles imposed under this section. However, for operation during nighttime hours, these vehicles and the load being transported shall be equipped with a sufficient number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps at the extreme ends of the projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of the load. A member of the state patrol shall also be notified prior to the operation of the vehicle.
[C31, 35, §5067-d4; C39, §5035.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.457; 82 Acts, ch 1056, §2, 3]
83 Acts, ch 9, §6 – 8; 83 Acts, ch 116, §2; 84 Acts, ch 1077, §1; 87 Acts, ch 186, §6 – 10; 88 Acts, ch 1208, §1; 89 Acts, ch 34, §2 – 5; 91 Acts, ch 31, §1, 2; 93 Acts, ch 87, §7; 94 Acts, ch 1087, §6, 7; 94 Acts, ch 1199, §78; 96 Acts, ch 1004, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1089, §2, 3; 96 Acts, ch 1219, §26; 98 Acts, ch 1074, §25; 98 Acts, ch 1075, §24; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §16, 29; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §21, 22; 2001 Acts, ch 153, §15; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §80; 2005 Acts, ch 35, §31; 2006 Acts, ch 1068, §30, 31; 2007 Acts, ch 143, §16, 35; 2012 Acts, ch 1090, §1; 2012 Acts, ch 1138, §64; 2014 Acts, ch 1127, §14, 15; 2017 Acts, ch 46, §1; 2019 Acts, ch 23, §1; 2020 Acts, ch 1054, §3
Referred to in §321E.2, 321E.9, 321E.10, 321E.11, 321E.17, 321E.26, 321E.29B, 805.8A(12)(c)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph c 

     
321.458  Loading beyond front.
  The load upon any vehicle operated alone, or the load upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles, shall not extend more than three feet beyond the front wheels of such vehicle or the front bumper of such vehicle if it is equipped with such a bumper.
[C39, §5035.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.458]
Referred to in §321E.2, 805.8A(12)(c)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph c 

     
321.459  Dual axle requirement.
  Axles of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer which are less than forty inches apart center to center shall be considered as a single axle for the purpose of determining permissible gross weight under section 321.463.
[C31, 35, §5067-d3; C39, §5035.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.459]
Referred to in §321E.2

     
321.460  Spilling loads on highways.
  A vehicle shall not be driven or moved on any highway by any person unless such vehicle is so constructed or loaded or the load securely covered as to prevent any of its load from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping or its load covering from dropping from the vehicle, except that sand may be dropped for the purpose of securing traction, or water or other substance may be sprinkled on a roadway in cleaning or maintaining such roadway. The provisions of this section shall not apply to vehicles loaded with hay or stover or the products listed in section 321.466, subsections 4 and 5.
[C39, §5035.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.460]
Referred to in §321E.2, 805.8A(13)(c)
For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 13, paragraph c 

     
321.461  Trailers and towed vehicles.
  1.  When one vehicle is towing another the drawbar or other connection shall not exceed fifteen feet from one vehicle to the other except the connection between any two vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered.
  2.  If the towing vehicle is a motor truck and the towed vehicle is a single trailer with a single point of articulation at the hitch connection, the drawbar or other connection shall not exceed twenty-one feet. The length of the drawbar or other connection shall be measured from the centerline of the hitch assembly on the towing vehicle to the front of the body of the towed vehicle. A vehicle which has a drawbar or other connection which measures between fifteen and twenty-one feet in length shall have at least one yellow reflector visible on each vertical face of the drawbar or other connection, located near the midpoint between the towing and the towed vehicle. A vehicle which has a drawbar or other connection which measures between fifteen and twenty-one feet in length shall have affixed to the rear of the towed vehicle a sign indicating that the vehicle is a towed vehicle.
[C39, §5035.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.461]
91 Acts, ch 31, §3
Referred to in §321E.2, 805.8A(12)(a)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph a 

     
321.462  Drawbars and safety chains.
  When one vehicle is towing or pulling another vehicle the drawbar or other connection shall be of sufficient strength to pull all weight towed thereby and shall be fastened to the frame of the towing vehicle in such manner as to prevent sidesway, and in addition to such principal connection there shall be a safety chain which shall be so fastened as to be capable of holding the towed vehicle should the principal connection for any reason fail.
[C39, §5035.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.462]
88 Acts, ch 1278, §33; 97 Acts, ch 108, §29
Referred to in §321E.2, 805.8A(12)(a)
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph a 

  
     
321.463  Maximum gross weight — exceptions — penalties.
  1.  An axle may be divided into two or more parts, except that all parts in the same vertical transverse plane shall be considered as one axle.
  2.  The gross weight on any one axle of a vehicle, or of a combination of vehicles, operated on the highways of this state, shall not exceed twenty thousand pounds on an axle equipped with pneumatic tires, and shall not exceed fourteen thousand pounds on an axle equipped with solid rubber tires. The gross weight on any tandem axle of a vehicle, or any combination of vehicles, shall not exceed thirty-four thousand pounds on an axle equipped with pneumatic tires. This subsection does not apply to implements of husbandry.
  3.  Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter to the contrary, indivisible loads operating under the permit requirements of sections 321E.7, 321E.8, 321E.9, 321E.29A, and 321E.29B, and divisible loads operating under the permit requirements of section 321E.26, shall be allowed a maximum of twenty thousand pounds per axle.
  4.  a.  (1)  Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the weight on any one axle of a self-propelled implement of husbandry used exclusively for the application of organic or inorganic plant food materials, agricultural limestone, or agricultural chemicals operated on the highways of this state shall not exceed twenty-five thousand pounds.
  (2)  A self-propelled implement of husbandry used exclusively for the application of organic or inorganic plant food materials, agricultural limestone, or agricultural chemicals shall comply with the other provisions of this section and chapter when operated over a bridge in this state, other than any provision limiting the weight on any one axle to less than twenty-five thousand pounds. A local authority may issue a special permit, based on a statewide standard developed by the department, allowing the operation over a bridge within its jurisdiction of such a self-propelled implement of husbandry with a weight in excess of the weights allowed under this chapter.
  b.  (1)  Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the weight on any one axle of a fence-line feeder, grain cart, or tank wagon operated on the highways of this state shall not exceed twenty-four thousand pounds from February 1 through May 31 or twenty-eight thousand pounds from June 1 through January 31, provided, however, that the maximum gross vehicle weight of the fence-line feeder, grain cart, or tank wagon shall not exceed ninety-six thousand pounds.
  (2)  Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, a tracked implement of husbandry operated on the highways of this state shall not have a maximum gross weight in excess of ninety-six thousand pounds.
  (3)  A fence-line feeder, grain cart, tank wagon, or tracked implement of husbandry shall comply with the other provisions of this section and chapter when operated over a bridge in this state. A local authority may issue a special permit, based on a statewide standard developed by the department, allowing the operation over a bridge within its jurisdiction of a fence-line feeder, grain cart, tank wagon, or tracked implement of husbandry with a weight in excess of the weights allowed under this chapter.
  (4)  For purposes of this paragraph “b”:
  (a)   “Highway” does not include a bridge.
  (b)  “Fence-line feeder, grain cart, or tank wagon” means any fence-line feeder, grain cart, or tank wagon.
  5.  a.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a motor vehicle equipped with an engine fueled primarily by natural gas may exceed any applicable maximum gross weight limit under this chapter, up to a maximum gross weight of eighty-two thousand pounds, by an amount equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system installed in the vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel fuel tank and fueling system.
  b.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a motor vehicle described in paragraph “a” equipped with an auxiliary power or idle reduction technology unit that reduces fuel use and emissions during engine idling may exceed any applicable maximum gross weight limit under this chapter by five hundred fifty pounds or the weight of the auxiliary power or idle reduction technology unit, whichever is less. This paragraph “b” shall not apply unless the operator of the vehicle provides to the department a written certification of the weight of the auxiliary power or idle reduction technology unit, demonstrates or certifies to the department that the idle reduction technology unit is fully functional at all times, and carries with the operator the written certification of the weight of the auxiliary power or idle reduction technology unit in the vehicle at all times to present to law enforcement in the event the vehicle is suspected of violating any applicable weight restrictions.
  6.  a.  The maximum gross weight allowed to be carried on a vehicle or combination of vehicles on highways which are part of the primary road system is as follows:
MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT TABLE — PRIMARY HIGHWAYS
Distance

  in feet      2 Axles            3 Axles                   4 Axles                          5 Axles                                 6 Axles7 Axles

    4      34,000

    5      34,000

    6      34,000

    7      34,000            34,000

    8      34,000            34,000

    8’1”      38,000            42,000

    9      39,000            42,500

  10      40,000            43,500                   48,500

  11            44,000                   49,500

  12            45,000                   50,000

  13            45,500                   50,500                          56,000

  14            46,500                   51,500                          57,000

  15            47,000                   52,000                          57,500

  16            48,000                   52,500                          58,000

  17            48,500                   53,500                          58,500                                 64,000

  18            49,500                   54,000                          59,000                                 65,000

  19            50,000                   54,500                          60,000                                 65,500

  20            51,000                   55,500                          60,500                                 66,00071,500

  21            51,500                   56,000                          61,000                                 66,50072,500

  22            52,500                   56,500                          61,500                                 67,00073,000

  23            53,000                   57,500                          62,500                                 68,00073,500

  24            54,000                   58,000                          63,000                                 68,50074,000

  25            54,500                   58,500                          63,500                                 69,00074,500

  26            55,500                   59,500                          64,000                                 69,50075,000

  27            56,000                   60,000                          65,000                                 70,00076,000

  28            57,000                   60,500                          65,500                                 71,00076,500

  29            57,500                   61,500                          66,000                                 71,50077,000

  30            58,500                   62,000                          66,500                                 72,00077,500

  31            59,000                   62,500                          67,500                                 72,50078,000

  32            60,000                   63,500                          68,000                                 73,00078,500

  33                   64,000                          68,500                                 74,00079,500

  34                   64,500                          69,500                                 74,50080,000

  35                   65,500                          70,000                                 75,000

  36                   68,000                          70,500                                 75,500

  37                   68,000                          71,000                                 76,000

  38                   68,000                          72,000                                 77,000

  39                   68,000                          72,500                                 77,500

  40                   68,500                          73,000                                 78,000

  41                   69,500                          73,500                                 78,500

  42                   70,000                          74,000                                 79,000

  43                   70,500                          75,000                                 80,000

  44                   71,500                          75,500

  45                   72,000                          76,000

  46                   72,500                          76,500

  47                   73,500                          77,500

  48                   74,000                          78,000

  49                   74,500                          78,500

  50                   75,500                          79,000

  51                   76,000                          80,000

  52                   76,500

  53                   77,500

  54                   78,000

  55                   78,500

  56                   79,500

  57                   80,000
  b.  The maximum gross weight allowed to be carried on a vehicle or combination of vehicles on nonprimary highways is as follows:
NONPRIMARY HIGHWAYS — MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT TABLE
Distance

  in feet      2 Axles            3 Axles                   4 Axles                          5 Axles                                 6 Axles7 Axles

    4      34,000

    5      34,000

    6      34,000

    7      34,000            34,000

    8      34,000            34,000

    8’1”      38,000            42,000

    9      39,000            42,500

  10      40,000            43,500                   45,000

  11            44,000                   46,000

  12            45,000                   47,000

  13            45,500                   48,000                          48,500

  14            46,500                   49,000                          49,500

  15            47,000                   50,000                          50,500

  16            48,000                   51,000                          51,500

  17            48,500                   52,000                          52,500                                 54,000

  18            49,500                   53,000                          53,500                                 55,000

  19            50,000                   54,500                          54,500                                 56,000

  20            51,000                   55,500                          55,500                                 57,000

  21            51,500                   56,000                          56,500                                 58,000

  22            52,500                   56,500                          57,500                                 59,000

  23            53,000                   57,500                          58,500                                 60,000

  24            54,000                   58,000                          59,500                                 61,000

  25            54,500                   58,500                          60,500                                 62,000

  26            55,500                   59,500                          61,500                                 63,000

  27            56,000                   60,000                          62,500                                 64,000

  28            57,000                   60,500                          63,500                                 65,000

  29            57,500                   61,500                          64,500                                 66,000

  30            58,500                   62,000                          65,500                                 67,000

  31            59,000                   62,500                          66,500                                 68,000

  32            60,000                   63,500                          67,500                                 69,000

  33                   64,000                          68,500                                 70,000

  34                   64,500                          69,500                                 71,000

  35                   65,500                          70,000                                 72,000

  36                   68,000                          70,500                                 73,000

  37                   68,000                          71,000                                 74,000

  38                   68,000                          72,000                                 75,000

  39                   68,000                          72,500                                 76,000

  40                   68,500                          73,000                                 77,000

  41                   69,500                          73,500                                 78,00078,000

  42                   70,000                          74,000                                 79,00079,000

  43                   70,500                          75,000                                 80,00080,000

  44                   71,500                          75,500

  45                   72,000                          76,000

  46                   72,500                          76,500

  47                   73,500                          77,500

  48                   74,000                          78,000

  49                   74,500                          78,500

  50                   75,500                          79,000

  51                   76,000                          80,000

  52                   76,500

  53                   77,500

  54                   78,000

  55                   78,500

  56                   79,500

  57                   80,000
  c.  (1)  The maximum gross weight allowed to be carried on a commercial motor vehicle on noninterstate highways, provided the vehicle is operated by a person with a commercial driver’s license valid for the vehicle operated unless section 321.176A applies, is as follows:
NONINTERSTATE HIGHWAYS

MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT TABLE

COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE

Distance in feet                6 Axles                              7 Axles

   44                80,500                              80,500

   45                81,000                              81,500

   46                81,500                              82,500

   47                82,000                              83,500

   48                83,000                              84,000

   49                83,500                              85,000

   50                84,000                              86,000

   51                84,500                              87,000

   52                85,000                              88,000

   53                86,000                              88,500

   54                86,500                              89,500

   55                87,000                              90,500

   56                87,500                              91,500

   57                88,000                              92,000

   58                89,000                              93,000

   59                89,500                              94,000

   60                90,000                              95,000

   61                              95,500

   62                              96,000
  (2)  Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, the maximum gross weight allowed to be carried on a noninterstate highway by a livestock vehicle with five axles, a minimum distance in feet between the centers of the first and fifth axles of sixty-one feet, and a minimum distance between the two rear axles of at least eight feet and one inch is eighty-six thousand pounds.
  d.  For the purposes of the maximum gross weight tables in paragraphs “a”, “b”, and “c”, distance in feet is the measured distance in feet between the centers of the extreme axles of any group of axles, rounded to the nearest whole foot.
  e.  (1)  The maximum gross weight allowed to be carried on a tracked implement of husbandry when operated on a noninterstate highway bridge is as follows:
NONINTERSTATE HIGHWAY BRIDGES

MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT TABLE

TRACKED IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY

Length of Track in Feet                         Weight in Pounds

     4                           34,000

     5                           34,000

     6                           34,000

     7                           34,000

     8                           42,000

     9                           42,500

   10                           45,000

   11                           46,000

   12                           47,000

   13                           48,500

   14                           49,500

   15                           50,500

   16                           51,500

   17                           54,000

   18                           55,000

   19                           56,000

   20                           57,000

   21                           58,000

   22                           59,000

   23                           60,000

   24                           61,000

   25                           62,000

   26                           63,000

   27                           64,000

   28                           65,000

   29                           66,000

   30                           67,000

   31                           68,000

   32                           69,000

   33                           70,000

   34                           71,000

   35                           72,000

   36                           73,000

   37                           74,000

   38                           75,000

   39                           76,000

   40                           77,000

   41                           78,000

   42                           79,000

   43                           80,000
  (2)  “Length of track in feet” means the length of track on one side of the tracked implement of husbandry which is in contact with the ground or roadway surface.
  7.  The weight on any one axle, including a tandem axle, of a vehicle which is transporting livestock on highways not part of the interstate system may exceed the legal maximum weight given in this chapter providing that the gross weight on any particular group of axles on such vehicle does not exceed the gross weight allowable under this chapter for such groups of axles.
  8.  The weight on any one axle, including a tandem axle, of a vehicle which is transporting raw materials from a designated borrow site to a construction project or transporting raw materials from a construction project, and which is operating on a highway that is not part of the interstate system and along a route of travel approved by the department or the appropriate local authority, may exceed the legal maximum weight otherwise allowed under this chapter by ten percent if the gross weight on any particular group of axles on the vehicle does not exceed the gross weight allowed under this chapter for that group of axles. If the vehicle exceeds the ten percent tolerance allowed under this subsection, the fine shall be computed on the difference between the actual weight and the ten percent tolerance weight allowed for the axle or tandem axle.
  9.  A vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting materials or equipment on nonprimary highways to or from a construction project or commercial plant site may operate under the maximum gross weight table for primary highways in subsection 6, paragraph “a”, or the maximum gross weight table for noninterstate highways in subsection 6, paragraph “c”. When crossing a bridge, such a vehicle or combination of vehicles shall comply with any weight restriction imposed for the bridge pursuant to section 321.471 or 321.474, provided signs that conform to the manual of uniform traffic-control devices adopted by the department that give notice of the restriction are posted as required under section 321.472 or 321.474, as applicable.
  10.  A vehicle designed to tow wrecked or disabled vehicles shall be exempt from the weight limitations in this section while the vehicle is towing a wrecked or disabled vehicle.
  11.  a.  A person who operates a vehicle in violation of this section, and an owner, or any other person, employing or otherwise directing the operator of a vehicle, who requires or knowingly permits the operation of a vehicle in violation of this section shall be fined according to the following schedule:
AXLE, TANDEM AXLE, AND GROUP OF AXLES

WEIGHT VIOLATIONS

Pounds Overloaded                        Amount of Fine

Up to and including 1,000 pounds                              $12

Over 1,000 pounds up to and 

  including 2,000 pounds                              $22

Over 2,000 pounds up to and 

  including 3,000 pounds                            $155

Over 3,000 pounds up to and 

  including 4,000 pounds                            $240

Over 4,000 pounds up to and 

  including 5,000 pounds                            $375

Over 5,000 pounds up to and 

  including 6,000 pounds                            $585

Over 6,000 pounds up to and 

  including 7,000 pounds                            $850

Over 7,000 pounds up to and 

  including 8,000 pounds                            $950

Over 8,000 pounds up to and 

  including 9,000 pounds                          $1,050

Over 9,000 pounds up to and 

  including 10,000 pounds                          $1,150

Over 10,000 pounds up to and 

  including 11,000 pounds                          $1,300

Over 11,000 pounds up to and 

  including 12,000 pounds                          $1,400

Over 12,000 pounds up to and 

  including 13,000 pounds                          $1,500

Over 13,000 pounds up to and 

  including 14,000 pounds                          $1,600

Over 14,000 pounds up to and 

  including 15,000 pounds                          $1,700

Over 15,000 pounds up to and 

  including 16,000 pounds                          $1,800

Over 16,000 pounds up to and 

  including 17,000 pounds                          $1,900

Over 17,000 pounds up to and 

  including 18,000 pounds                          $2,000

Over 18,000 pounds up to and 

  including 19,000 pounds                          $2,100

Over 19,000 pounds up to and 

  including 20,000 pounds                          $2,200

Over 20,000 pounds                      $2,200 plus ten cents 

                      per pound in excess

                      of 20,000 pounds
  b.  Fines for gross weight violations for vehicles or combinations of vehicles shall be assessed at one-half of the fine rate schedule for axle, tandem axle, and groups of axles weight violations.
  c.  Except as otherwise provided, the amount of the fine to be assessed shall be computed on the difference between the actual weight and the maximum legal weight specified in this section.
  d.  The schedule of fines may be assessed in addition to any other penalties provided for in this chapter.
  12.  Overloads on axles and tandem axles and overloads on groups of axles or on an entire vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be considered as separate violations of the provisions of this section.
  13.  A person shall not issue or execute, or cause to be issued or executed, a bill of lading, manifest, or shipping document of any kind which states a false weight of the cargo set forth on such bill, manifest, or document, which is less than the actual weight of the cargo.
  14.  a.  A person operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with a retractable axle may raise the axle when necessary to negotiate a turn, provided that the retractable axle is lowered within one thousand feet following completion of the turn. This paragraph does not apply to a vehicle or combination of vehicles operated on an interstate highway, including a ramp to or from an interstate highway, or on a bridge.
  b.  A vehicle or combination of vehicles operated with a retractable axle raised as permitted under paragraph “a” is exempt from the weight limitations of this section as long as the vehicle or combination of vehicles is in compliance with the weight limitations of this section when the retractable axle is lowered.
  c.  This subsection does not prohibit the operation of a vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with a retractable axle with the retractable axle raised when the vehicle or combination of vehicles is in compliance with the weight limitations of this section with the retractable axle raised.
  15.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5065; C39, §5035.12; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.463; 81 Acts, ch 110, §1, ch 111]
89 Acts, ch 200, §1, 2; 92 Acts, ch 1238, §35; 94 Acts, ch 1199, §79; 95 Acts, ch 118, §26; 96 Acts, ch 1089, §4; 97 Acts, ch 100, §5, 12; 97 Acts, ch 104, §22; 98 Acts, ch 1103, §2; 98 Acts, ch 1178, §6, 7; 99 Acts, ch 108, §7; 2000 Acts, ch 1016, §17; 2000 Acts, ch 1040, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §23 – 25; 2002 Acts, ch 1063, §33, 55; 2005 Acts, ch 20, §5 – 7, 12, 13; 2007 Acts, ch 143, §17; 2009 Acts, ch 133, §121; 2010 Acts, ch 1139, §1; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §16, 17; 2013 Acts, ch 27, §1; 2013 Acts, ch 140, §62; 2017 Acts, ch 29, §96; 2017 Acts, ch 149, §2; 2018 Acts, ch 1172, §73; 2019 Acts, ch 15, §1; 2019 Acts, ch 138, §3; 2019 Acts, ch 158, §1; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §152; 2021 Acts, ch 140, §1, 4
Referred to in §312.2, 321.453, 321.457, 321.459, 321.466, 321.473, 321E.2, 321E.7, 321E.8, 321E.9, 321E.9A, 321E.16, 321E.17, 321E.26, 321E.27, 321E.29, 321E.29A, 321E.29B, 321E.30, 805.8A(12)(e)
For scheduled fines listed in subsection 11, violations are charged and fines are applied pursuant to §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph e 
2021 amendment to subsection 3 effective January 1, 2022; 2021 Acts, ch 140, §4
Subsection 3 amended

     
321.464  Investigation as to safety.
  The director upon registering any vehicle under the laws of this state which vehicle is designed and used primarily for the transportation of property or for the transportation of ten or more persons, may require such information and may make such investigation or test as necessary to enable the director to determine whether such vehicle may safely be operated upon the highways in compliance with all the provisions of this chapter. The director shall register every such vehicle for a permissible gross weight not exceeding the limitations set forth in this chapter. Every such vehicle shall meet the following requirements:
  1.  It shall be equipped with brakes as required in sections 321.430 and 321.431.
  2.  Every motor vehicle to be operated outside of business and residence districts shall have motive power adequate to propel at a reasonable speed such vehicle and any load thereon or to be drawn thereby.
[C39, §5035.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.464]
Referred to in §321E.2

  
     
321.465  Weighing vehicles and removal of excess.
  1.  Any peace officer having reason to believe that the weight of a vehicle and load is unlawful is authorized to require the driver to stop and submit to a weighing of the same either by means of portable or stationary scales and may require that such vehicle be driven to the nearest public scales.
  2.  If an officer upon weighing a vehicle and load determines that the weight is unlawful, the officer may require the driver to stop the vehicle in a suitable place until such portion of the load is removed as may be necessary to reduce the gross weight of the vehicle to the limit as permitted under this chapter. All material so unloaded shall be cared for by the owner or operator of the vehicle at the risk of the owner or operator. The owner or operator of an overweight vehicle, designed to transport solid waste and domiciled within the state, which is transporting solid waste, shall not be required to unload any portion of the load, if the load is indivisible, in a place other than a facility which is permitted to handle solid waste disposal, processing, or recycling. For purposes of this section, “solid waste” means waste which is acceptable at a local sanitary landfill and the solid waste shall be considered to be an indivisible load.
  3.  A driver of a vehicle who fails or refuses to stop and submit the vehicle and load to a weighing, or who fails or refuses when directed by an officer upon a weighing of the vehicle to stop the vehicle and otherwise comply with this section, is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
  4.  Upon weighing a vehicle and load, as above provided, if such load is a sealed load, the weight officer shall issue a certificate setting forth the weights as determined by the weight officer and the seal number or numbers, if requested by the operator.
[C31, 35, §4921-d1; C39, §5035.14; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.465]
83 Acts, ch 101, §71; 92 Acts, ch 1170, §1; 94 Acts, ch 1087, §8; 2017 Acts, ch 54, §76
Referred to in §321E.2

  
     
321.466  Increased loading capacity — reregistration.
  1.   The owner of a motor truck, truck tractor, or road tractor, if the owner’s operation has not resulted in a conviction or action pending under this section, may increase the gross weight registration of the vehicle to a higher gross weight registration by payment of one-twelfth of the difference between the annual fee for the higher gross weight and the amount of the fee for the gross weight at which the vehicle is registered, multiplied by the number of unexpired months of the registration year. If the owner’s operation has resulted in a conviction or action pending under this section, any increase in the gross weight registration shall be obtained by payment of the difference between the annual fee for the higher gross weight and the amount of the fee for the gross weight at which the vehicle is registered.
  2.  Upon conversion of a truck to a truck tractor or a truck tractor to a truck, an increased gross weight registration of the proper type may be obtained for the vehicle by payment, except as provided in section 321.106, of one-twelfth of the difference between the annual fee for the higher gross weight and the amount of the annual fee for the gross weight at which the vehicle is registered, multiplied by the number of unexpired months of the registration year from the date of the conversion.
  3.  The registered gross weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles may also be increased by installing and using an auxiliary axle or axles, and the combined registered gross weight of the vehicle and auxiliary axle or axles shall determine the total registered gross weight. An auxiliary axle shall not be used to convert a single axle to a tandem axle unless equipped with a device to equalize the load carried by the single axle and the auxiliary axle when in tandem and when in motion or when standing, and the load transmitted to the highway by either the single axle or the auxiliary axle shall not exceed that permitted for a single axle, nor shall the load transmitted to the highway when in tandem and when in motion or when standing, exceed that permitted for a tandem axle.
  4.  A person shall not operate a motor truck, trailer, truck tractor, road tractor, semitrailer, or combination thereof, or any such vehicle equipped with a transferable auxiliary axle or axles, on the public highways with a gross weight exceeding the gross weight for which it is registered by more than five percent; provided, however, that any vehicle or vehicle combination referred to in this subsection, while carrying a load of raw farm products, soil fertilizers including ground limestone, raw dairy products, livestock, live poultry, or eggs, or a special truck, while carrying a load of distillers grains, may be operated with a gross weight of twenty-five percent in excess of the gross weight for which it is registered. However, this subsection shall not be construed to allow the operation of a special truck on the public highways with a gross weight exceeding the maximum gross weight allowed under section 321.463, subsection 6.
  5.  For the purposes of this section cracked or ground soybeans, sorgo, corn, wheat, rye, oats, or other grain shall be deemed to be raw farm products, provided that such products are being directly delivered to a farm, from the place where the whole grain had been delivered from a farm for the purpose of cracking or grinding and immediate delivery to the farm to which such cracked or ground products are being delivered.
  6.  The truck operator shall have in the truck operator’s possession a receipt showing place of processing on the return trip.
[C24, 27, §4921; C31, 35, §4921-c1, -c2; C39, §5035.15; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.466; 81 Acts, ch 110, §2]
82 Acts, ch 1062, §31, 32, 38; 90 Acts, ch 1233, §18; 2009 Acts, ch 113, §1; 2012 Acts, ch 1093, §14; 2013 Acts, ch 103, §13, 14; 2019 Acts, ch 138, §4
Referred to in §321.123, 321.460, 321E.2, 805.8A(12)(d)
Vehicles carrying farm products, see also §321.460 
For applicable scheduled fines, see §805.8A, subsection 12, paragraph d 

     
321.467  Retractable axles.
  1.  A vehicle which is a model year 1999 or later vehicle shall not operate on a highway of this state with a retractable axle unless the weight on the retractable axle can only be adjusted by means of a manual device located on the vehicle that is not accessible to the operator of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle. However, the controls for raising and lowering the retractable axle may be accessible to the operator of the vehicle while the vehicle is in operation.
  2.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor.
97 Acts, ch 100, §6; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §18
321.468 through 321.470Reserved.

     
321.471  Local authorities may restrict.
  1.  a.  Local authorities with respect to a highway under their jurisdiction may by ordinance or resolution prohibit the operation of vehicles upon the highway or impose restrictions as to the weight of vehicles to be operated upon the highway for a total period of not to exceed ninety days in any one calendar year, whenever the highway by reason of deterioration, rain, snow, or other climatic conditions will be seriously damaged or destroyed unless the use of vehicles on the highway is prohibited or the permissible weights reduced. The ordinance or resolution shall not apply to implements of husbandry as defined in section 321.1, implements of husbandry loaded on hauling units for transporting the implements to locations for repair, or fire apparatus and road maintenance equipment owned by, under lease to, or used in the performance of a contract with a state or local authority.
  b.  A person who violates the provisions of the ordinance or resolution shall, upon conviction or a plea of guilty, be subject to a fine determined by dividing the difference between the actual weight and the maximum weight established by the ordinance or resolution by one hundred, and multiplying the quotient by two dollars.
  c.  Local authorities may issue special permits during periods the restrictions are in effect to permit limited operation of vehicles upon specified routes with loads in excess of any restrictions imposed under this subsection, but not in excess of load restrictions imposed by any other provision of this chapter, and the authorities shall issue the permits upon a showing that there is a need to move to market farm produce of the type subject to rapid spoilage or loss of value or to move to any farm feeds or fuel for home heating purposes.
  2.  a.  Upon a finding that a bridge or culvert does not meet established standards set forth by state and federal authorities, local authorities may by ordinance or resolution impose limitations for an indefinite period of time on the weight of vehicles upon bridges or culverts located on highways under their sole jurisdiction. The limitations shall be effective when signs giving notice of the limitations are erected. The ordinance or resolution shall not apply to implements of husbandry loaded on hauling units for transporting the implements to locations for purposes of repair or to fire apparatus or road maintenance equipment owned by, under lease to, or used in the performance of a contract with a state or local authority.
  b.  A person who violates the ordinance or resolution shall, upon conviction or a guilty plea, be subject to a fine determined by dividing the difference between the actual weight of the vehicle and the maximum weight allowed by the ordinance or resolution by one hundred and multiplying the quotient by two dollars.
  c.  Local authorities may issue or approve special permits allowing the operation over a bridge or culvert of vehicles with weights in excess of restrictions imposed under the ordinance or resolution, but not in excess of load restrictions imposed by any other provision of this chapter. The local authority shall issue such a permit for not to exceed eight weeks upon a showing of agricultural hardship. The operator of a vehicle which is the subject of a permit issued under this paragraph shall carry the permit while operating the vehicle and shall show the permit to any peace officer upon request.
[C24, 27, §4996; C31, 35, §4686-c1, 4996; C39, §5035.20; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.471]
87 Acts, ch 162, §1; 99 Acts, ch 108, §8; 99 Acts, ch 208, §52, 53; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §100
Referred to in §321.236, 321.453, 321.463, 321.472, 321E.17, 331.362

     
321.472  Signs posted.
  The local authority enacting any ordinance or resolution authorized under section 321.471 shall erect and maintain signs designating the ordinance or resolution at each end of that portion of any highway or at the location of any bridge or culvert affected thereby, and the ordinance or resolution shall not be effective unless and until the signs are erected and maintained.
[C31, 35, §4686-c1; C39, §5035.21; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.472]
87 Acts, ch 162, §2
Referred to in §321.236, 321.463, 331.362

     
321.473   Limitations on trucks by local authorities.
  1.  Local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may also, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit the operation of trucks or other commercial vehicles, or may impose limitations as to the weight thereof, on designated highways, which prohibitions and limitations shall be designated by appropriate signs placed on such highways.
  2.  Local authorities may issue special permits, during periods such restrictions are in effect, to permit limited operation of vehicles upon specified routes with loads in excess of any restrictions imposed under this section, but not in excess of load restrictions imposed by any other provision of this chapter, and such authorities shall issue such permits upon a showing that there is a need to move to market farm produce or to move to any farm, feeds or fuel for home heating purposes.
  3.  a.  A person who violates the provisions of an ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to subsection 1 shall, upon conviction or a plea of guilty, be subject to a fine determined by dividing the difference between the actual weight and the maximum weight established by the ordinance or resolution by one hundred, and multiplying the quotient by two dollars.
  b.  The fine for violation of a special permit issued pursuant to subsection 2 shall be based upon the difference between the actual weight of the vehicle and load and the maximum weight allowed by the permit in accordance with section 321.463.
[C39, §5035.22; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.473]
83 Acts, ch 131, §1; 98 Acts, ch 1178, §8; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2013 Acts, ch 49, §1
Referred to in §321.236, 331.362

     
321.474  Department may restrict.
  1.  The department shall have authority, as granted to local authorities, to determine by resolution and to impose restrictions as to the weight of vehicles, except implements of husbandry as defined in section 321.1, implements of husbandry loaded on hauling units for transporting the implements to locations for repair, and fire apparatus and road maintenance equipment owned by, under lease to, or used in the performance of a contract with a state or local authority, operated upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the department for a definite period of time not to exceed twelve months. The restrictions shall be effective when signs giving notice of the restrictions and the expiration date of the restrictions are erected upon the affected highway or portion of highway.
  2.  Upon a finding that a bridge or culvert does not meet established standards set forth by state and federal authorities, the department may impose, by resolution, restrictions for an indefinite period of time on the weight of vehicles operated upon bridges or culverts located on highways under its jurisdiction. The restrictions shall be effective when signs giving notice of the restrictions are erected. The restrictions shall not apply to implements of husbandry loaded on hauling units for transporting the implements to locations for purposes of repair or to fire apparatus or road maintenance equipment owned by, under lease to, or used in the performance of a contract with a state or local authority.
  3.  For the purposes of restrictions imposed under this section, a triple axle is any group of three or more consecutive axles where the centers of any consecutive axles are more than forty inches apart and where the centers of the extreme axles are more than eighty-four inches apart but not more than one hundred sixty-eight inches apart. Where triple axle restrictions are imposed, the signs erected by the department shall give notice of the restrictions.
  4.  Any person who violates a restriction imposed by resolution pursuant to this section, upon conviction or a plea of guilty, is subject to a fine determined by dividing the difference between the actual weight of the vehicle and the maximum weight allowed by the restriction by one hundred and multiplying the quotient by two dollars.
  5.  The department may issue special permits, during periods the restrictions are in effect, to permit limited operation of vehicles upon specified routes with loads in excess of any restrictions imposed under this section, but not in excess of load restrictions imposed by this chapter. The department shall issue a special permit for not to exceed eight weeks upon a showing of agricultural hardship. The department shall issue special permits to trucks moving farm produce, which decays or loses its value if not speedily put to its intended use, to market upon a showing to the department that there is a requirement for trucking the produce, or to trucks moving any farm feeds or fuel necessary for home heating purposes. The operator of a vehicle which is the subject of a permit issued under this subsection shall carry the permit while operating the vehicle and shall show the permit to any peace officer upon request.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5066; C39, §5035.23; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.474; 81 Acts, ch 110, §3]
99 Acts, ch 108, §9, 10; 99 Acts, ch 208, §54, 55; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §119
Referred to in §321.453, 321.463, 321E.17

     
321.475  Liability for damage — rules.
  1.  a.  Any person driving any vehicle, object, or contrivance upon any highway or highway structure shall be liable for all damage which said highway or structure may sustain as a result of any illegal operation, driving, or moving of such vehicle, object, or contrivance, or as a result of operation, driving, or moving any vehicle, object, or contrivance weighing in excess of the maximum weight in this chapter but authorized by a special permit issued as provided in this chapter.
  b.  Whenever such driver is not the owner of such vehicle, object, or contrivance, but is so operating, driving, or moving the same with the express or implied permission of said owner, then said owner and driver shall be jointly and severally liable for any such damage. Such damage may be recovered in a civil action brought by the authorities in control of such highway or highway structure.
  2.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A, stating the department’s policy for recovery of damages to highways or highway structures pursuant to this section. The policy shall exclude from recoverable damages the costs of traffic control at the scene of an accident.
[C39, §5035.24; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.475]
91 Acts, ch 67, §1; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180

     
321.476  Weighing vehicles by department.
  1.  a.  Authority is hereby given to the department to stop any motor vehicle or trailer on the highways for the purposes of weighing and inspection, to weigh and inspect the same and to enforce the provisions of the motor vehicle laws relating to the registration, size, weight, and load of motor vehicles and trailers.
  b.  Authority is also hereby granted to subject to weighing and inspection, vehicles which have moved from a highway onto private property under circumstances which indicate that the load of the vehicle, if any, is substantially the same as the load which the vehicle carried before moving onto the private property.
  2.  Any person who prevents or in any manner obstructs an officer attempting to carry out the provisions of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.476]
2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180
Referred to in §321.480, 321.481

  
     
321.477  Employees as peace officers — maximum age.
  1.  The department may designate by resolution certain of its employees upon each of whom there is conferred the authority of a peace officer to enforce all laws of the state including but not limited to the rules and regulations of the department. Employees designated as peace officers pursuant to this section shall have the same powers conferred by law on peace officers for the enforcement of all laws of this state and the apprehension of violators.
  2.  Employees designated as peace officers pursuant to this section who are assigned to the supervision of the highways of this state shall spend the preponderance of their time conducting enforcement activities that assure the safe and lawful movement and operation of commercial motor vehicles and vehicles transporting loads, including but not limited to the enforcement of motor vehicle laws relating to the operating authority, registration, size, weight, and load of motor vehicles and trailers, and registration of a motor carrier’s interstate transportation service with the department.
  3.  Employees designated as peace officers pursuant to this section shall not exercise the general powers of a peace officer within the limits of any city, except as follows:
  a.  When so ordered by the direction of the governor.
  b.  When request is made by the mayor of any city, with the approval of the director.
  c.  When request is made by the sheriff or county attorney of any county, with the approval of the director.
  d.  While in the pursuit of law violators or in investigating law violations.
  e.  While making any inspection provided by this chapter, or any additional inspection ordered by the director.
  f.  When engaged in the investigation and enforcement of laws relating to narcotic, counterfeit, stimulant, and depressant drugs.
  4.  The limitations specified in subsection 3 shall in no way be construed as a limitation on the power of employees designated as peace officers pursuant to this section when a public offense is being committed in their presence.
  5.  The department shall submit a report to the general assembly on or before December 1 of each year that details the nature and scope of enforcement activities conducted in the previous fiscal year by employees designated as peace officers pursuant to this section who are assigned to the supervision of the highways of this state. The report shall include a comparison of commercial and noncommercial motor vehicle enforcement activities conducted by such employees.
  6.  The maximum age for a person employed as a peace officer pursuant to this section is sixty-five years of age.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.477]
98 Acts, ch 1183, §110; 2017 Acts, ch 149, §3, 5
Referred to in §20.3, 97B.49B, 152C.5B, 157.4A, 321.480, 321.481, 801.4
For future repeal of 2017 amendments to this section, effective July 1, 2022, see 2017 Acts, ch 149, §4; 2018 Acts, ch 1170, §3, 4; 2019 Acts, ch 7, §1, 2

     
321.478  Bond.
  Prior to entering upon the discharge of the employee’s duties as such peace officer, each of said designated employees shall furnish to the department a surety bond to the state in the sum of five hundred dollars, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of the peace officer’s duties.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.478]
Referred to in §321.480, 321.481

     
321.479  Badge of authority.
  The department shall supply each of said employees so designated with a badge of authority, bearing a serial number, which shall be conspicuously displayed by the employee while in the performance of the employee’s duties as such peace officer.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.479]
Referred to in §321.480, 321.481

  
     
321.480  Limitation on expense.
  For the purposes of sections 321.476 through 321.479, this section, and section 321.481 and the enforcement of the provisions of the motor vehicle laws relating to the size, weight, and load of motor vehicles and trailers the department is hereby authorized to expend from the primary road fund only the amount appropriated for each biennium.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.480]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §153
Referred to in §321.481

  
     
321.481  No impairment of other authority.
  Nothing in sections 321.476 through 321.480 shall be so construed as to limit or impair the authority or duties of other peace officers in the enforcement of the motor vehicle laws or any portion thereof.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.481]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §154
Referred to in §321.480

CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY

     
321.482  Violations — simple misdemeanors unless otherwise provided.
  It is a simple misdemeanor for a person to do an act forbidden or to fail to perform an act required by this chapter unless the violation is by this chapter or other law of this state declared to be a serious or aggravated misdemeanor or a felony. Chapter 232 has no application in the prosecution of offenses committed in violation of this chapter which are simple misdemeanors.
[S13, §1569, 1571-2a, -m21, -m22, -m26, -m27, -m29, 4808-b; SS15, §1571-m12a; C24, §4903, 5081, 5089, 13119; C27, §4903, 5055-b4, 5081, 5089, 13119; C31, §4686-c2, 4903, 5055-b4, 5079-d6, 5081, 5089, 13119; C35, §4686-c2, 4903, 4991-f5, 5024-e3, 5055-b4, 5067-e2, 5079-d6, 5081, 5089, 13119; C39, §5036.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.482]
84 Acts, ch 1067, §33
Referred to in §321.182, 321.482A

  
     
321.482A  Violations resulting in injury or death — additional penalties.
  Notwithstanding section 321.482, a person who is convicted of operating a motor vehicle in violation of section 321.178, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (2), section 321.180B, subsection 6, section 321.194, subsection 2, paragraph “b”, subparagraph (2), section 321.256, 321.257, section 321.275, subsection 4, section 321.276, 321.297, 321.298, 321.299, 321.302, 321.303, 321.304, 321.305, 321.306, 321.307,  321.311, 321.319, 321.320, 321.321, 321.322, 321.323, 321.324, 321.324A, 321.327, 321.329, 321.333,  section 321.372, subsection 3, or section 321.449B, causing serious injury to or the death of another person may be subject to the following penalties in addition to the penalty provided for a scheduled violation in section 805.8A or any other penalty provided by law:
  1.  For a violation causing serious injury, a fine of five hundred dollars or suspension of the violator’s driver’s license or operating privileges for not more than ninety days, or both. For purposes of this subsection, “serious injury” means the same as defined in section 702.18.
  2.  For a violation causing death, a fine of one thousand dollars or suspension of the violator’s driver’s license or operating privileges for not more than one hundred eighty days, or both.
2006 Acts, ch 1021, §2; 2010 Acts, ch 1105, §7; 2010 Acts, ch 1193, §123; 2012 Acts, ch 1015, §3; 2012 Acts, ch 1083, §4; 2016 Acts, ch 1098, §34; 2018 Acts, ch 1017, §1; 2019 Acts, ch 79, §2

     
321.483  Felony penalty — class “D” felony.
  Any person who is convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter herein declared to constitute a felony, and for which another punishment is not otherwise provided, shall be guilty of a class “D” felony.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5081; C39, §5036.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.483]
Referred to in §321.92

     
321.484  Offenses by owners.
  1.  It is unlawful for the owner, or any other person, employing or otherwise directing the driver of any vehicle to require or knowingly to permit the operation of such vehicle upon a highway in any manner contrary to law.
  2.  The owner of a vehicle shall not be held responsible for a violation of a provision regulating the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle, whether the provision is contained in this chapter, or chapter 321L, or an ordinance or other regulation or rule, if the owner establishes that at the time of the violation the vehicle was in the custody of an identified person other than the owner pursuant to a lease as defined in chapter 321F or pursuant to a rental agreement as defined in section 516D.3. The furnishing to the county attorney where the charge is pending of a copy of the lease prescribed by section 321F.6 or rental agreement that was in effect for the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation shall be prima facie evidence that the vehicle was in the custody of an identified person other than the owner within the meaning of this subsection. Upon receipt of such evidence, the appropriate authority shall dismiss as against the owner of the vehicle any citation issued for a violation within the meaning of this subsection that occurred while the vehicle was in the custody of the identified person.
  3.  If a peace officer as defined in section 801.4 has reasonable cause to believe the driver of a motor vehicle has violated section 321.261, 321.262, 321.264, 321.341, 321.342, 321.343, 321.344, or 321.372, the officer may request any owner of the motor vehicle to supply information identifying the driver. When requested, the owner of the vehicle shall identify the driver to the best of the owner’s ability. However, the owner of the vehicle is not required to supply identification information to the officer if the owner believes the information is self-incriminating.
  4.  A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5085; C39, §5037.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.484; 81 Acts, ch 49, §3; 82 Acts, ch 1144, §1]
89 Acts, ch 247, §8; 92 Acts, ch 1152, §2; 95 Acts, ch 118, §27; 96 Acts, ch 1034, §24; 2000 Acts, ch 1061, §1; 2003 Acts, ch 151, §26; 2005 Acts, ch 54, §5, 12; 2010 Acts, ch 1140, §19
Referred to in §321.40, 321.344A, 321.372A

     
321.485  Notice to appear — promise to appear.
  1.  Whenever a peace officer has reasonable cause to believe that a person has violated any provision of this chapter punishable as a simple, serious, or aggravated misdemeanor, such officer may:
  a.  Immediately arrest such person and take the person before a magistrate; or
  b.  Without arresting the person, either
  (1)  Prepare a written citation to appear in court containing the name and address of such person, the driver’s license number, if any, the registration number, if any, of the person’s vehicle, the offense charged, and the time and place the person shall appear in court; or
  (2)  Prepare a memorandum of the alleged traffic violation containing the name and address of such person, the registration number, if any, of the person’s vehicle, the offense alleged to have been committed, and such other information as may be prescribed by the commissioner of public safety with the concurrence of the director of transportation.
  2.  If the officer prepares either a citation or a memorandum as provided in this section, the alleged offender shall be requested to sign it. If the person signs, the person may be released without arrest. In case a citation is issued, the signing shall constitute a written promise to appear as stated in the citation. A copy of the citation shall be presented to the person named therein. If a memorandum is prepared, the original shall be retained by the officer, and a copy shall be sent to the department, and a copy shall be presented to the person named therein.
  3.  For preparing the summons or memorandum referred to in this section, there shall be charged to the person named in the summons or memorandum, upon conviction, a fee of two dollars. The fee shall be assessed as part of the court costs.
  4.  The number of copies and the form of the citations and memorandums authorized by this section shall be as prescribed by the commissioner of public safety with the concurrence of the director of transportation.
  5.  This section shall not apply to a traffic offense which must be charged upon a uniform citation and complaint as provided in section 805.6.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §5082; C39, §5037.02, 5037.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, §321.485, 321.486; C79, 81, §321.485]
83 Acts, ch 123, §130, 209; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §72; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9
Referred to in §805.15

     
321.486  Authorized bond forms.
  When bond or bail is required under section 811.2 to guarantee appearance for any offense charged under this chapter, the following nonexclusive forms shall be permitted subject to the following limitations:
  1.  A current guaranteed arrest bond certificate as defined in section 321.1, subsection 30, shall be considered sufficient surety if the defendant is charged with an offense where the penalty does not exceed one thousand dollars.
  2.  A valid credit card, as defined in section 537.1301, subsection 17, may be used and is sufficient surety when the defendant is charged with a scheduled offense under section 805.8A, 805.8B, or 805.8C. The defendant may use a credit card for bail purposes only in accordance with rules of the department of public safety adopted pursuant to chapter 17A.
[C39, §5037.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.486]
83 Acts, ch 101, §72; 2001 Acts, ch 137, §5; 2003 Acts, ch 6, §3
Referred to in §805.15

     
321.487  Violation of promise to appear.
  1.  Any person willfully violating a citation to appear in court given as provided in this chapter, is guilty of a simple misdemeanor, regardless of the disposition of the charge upon which the person was cited. Venue shall be in the county where the defendant was to appear or in the county where the person resides.
  2.  An appearance in response to such citation may be made either in person or by counsel.
[C39, §5037.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.487]
2010 Acts, ch 1140, §20
Referred to in §805.9, 805.15

  
     
321.488  Procedure not exclusive.
  The provisions of this chapter shall govern all peace officers in making arrests without a warrant for violations of this chapter for offenses committed in their presence, but the procedure prescribed in this chapter shall not be exclusive of any other method prescribed by law for the arrest and prosecution of a person.
[C39, §5037.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.488]
2009 Acts, ch 133, §122; 2020 Acts, ch 1063, §155

     
321.489  Record inadmissible in a civil action.
  No record of the conviction of any person for any violation of this chapter shall be admissible as evidence in any court in any civil action.
[C39, §5037.06; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.489]

     
321.490  Conviction not to affect credibility.
  The conviction of a person upon a charge of violating any provision of this chapter or other traffic regulation less than a felony shall not affect or impair the credibility of such person as a witness in any civil or criminal proceeding.
[C39, §5037.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.490]

     
321.491  Convictions and recommendations for suspension to be reported.
  1.  Every district judge, district associate judge, and judicial magistrate shall keep a full record of every case in which a person is charged with any violation of this chapter or of any other law regulating the operation of vehicles on highways.
  2.  a.  Within ten days after the conviction or forfeiture of bail of a person upon a charge of violating any provision of this chapter or other law regulating the operation of vehicles on highways every magistrate of the court or clerk of the district court of record in which the conviction occurred or bail was forfeited shall prepare and immediately forward to the department an abstract of the record of the case. The abstract of the record of the case must be certified by the person preparing it to be true and correct.
  b.  A certified abstract of the record of the case prepared for the department shall only be available to the public from the department. A noncertified record of conviction or forfeiture of bail shall be available to the public from the judicial branch. The clerk of the district court shall collect a fee of fifty cents for each noncertified copy of any record of conviction or forfeiture of bail furnished to any requester except the department or other local, state, or federal government entity. Moneys collected under this section shall be transferred to the department as a repayment receipt, as defined in section 8.2, to enhance the efficiency of the department to process records and information between the department and the Iowa court information system.
  c.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this section or chapter 22, the judicial branch shall be the provider of public electronic access to the clerk’s records of convictions and forfeitures of bail through the Iowa court information system and shall, if all such records are provided monthly to a vendor, collect a fee from such vendor for the period beginning on July 1, 1997, and ending on June 30, 1999, which is the greater of three thousand dollars per month or the actual direct cost of providing the records. On and after July 1, 1999, if all such records are provided monthly to a vendor, the judicial branch shall collect a fee from such vendor which is the greater of ten thousand dollars per month or the actual direct cost of providing the records.
  3.  The abstract must be made upon a form furnished by the department or by copying a uniform citation and complaint or by using an electronic process which accurately reproduces or forms a durable medium for accurately and legibly reproducing an unaltered image or reproduction of the citation, and must include the name and address of the party charged, the registration number of the vehicle involved, the nature of the offense, the date of hearing, the plea, the judgment, or whether the bail was forfeited, the amount of the fine or forfeiture, and any court recommendation, if any, that the person’s driver’s license be suspended. The department shall consider and act upon the recommendation.
  4.  Every clerk of a court of record shall also forward a like report to the department upon the conviction of any person of manslaughter or other felony in the commission of which a vehicle was used.
  5.  The failure, refusal, or neglect of an officer to comply with the requirements of this section shall constitute misconduct in office and shall be grounds for removal from office.
  6.  All abstracts received by the department under this section shall be open to public inspection during reasonable business hours.
[S13, §1571-m23; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5076 – 5078; C39, §5037.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.491]
90 Acts, ch 1230, §73; 93 Acts, ch 16, §10; 94 Acts, ch 1074, §2; 96 Acts, ch 1218, §66; 97 Acts, ch 104, §23; 98 Acts, ch 1047, §68; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 98 Acts, ch 1178, §9; 99 Acts, ch 96, §35; 99 Acts, ch 207, §13; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §120
Referred to in §321.206, 321.555, 602.8102(51), 805.6, 805.9

LAW ENFORCEMENT

  
     
321.492  Peace officers’ authority.
  1.  A peace officer is authorized to stop a vehicle to require exhibition of the driver’s license of the driver, to serve a summons or memorandum of traffic violation, to inspect the condition of the vehicle, to inspect the vehicle with reference to size, weight, cargo, log book, bills of lading or other manifest of employment, tires, and safety equipment, or to inspect the registration certificate, the compensation certificate, travel order, or permit of the vehicle.
  2.  A peace officer having probable cause to stop a vehicle may require exhibition of the proof of financial liability coverage card issued for the vehicle if the vehicle is a motor vehicle registered in this state.
  3.  a.  All peace officers as defined in section 801.4, subsection 11, paragraphs “a”, “b”, “c”, and “h” may, having reasonable grounds that equipment violations exist, conduct spot inspections.
  b.  The department may designate employees under the supervision of the department’s administrator of motor vehicles to conduct spot inspections.
[C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.492]
84 Acts, ch 1305, §69; 86 Acts, ch 1245, §1936; 97 Acts, ch 139, §6, 7, 17, 18; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §8, 9; 98 Acts, ch 1100, §48; 98 Acts, ch 1121, §8; 2016 Acts, ch 1011, §51

     
321.492A  Quotas on citations prohibited.
  A political subdivision or agency of the state shall not order, mandate, require, or in any other manner, directly or indirectly, suggest to a peace officer employed by the political subdivision or agency that the peace officer shall issue a certain number of traffic citations, police citations, memorandums of traffic violations, or memorandums of faulty equipment on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis.
85 Acts, ch 226, §1; 96 Acts, ch 1034, §25

  
     
321.492B  Use of unmanned aerial vehicle for traffic law enforcement prohibited.
  The state or a political subdivision of the state shall not use an unmanned aerial vehicle for traffic law enforcement.
2014 Acts, ch 1111, §1
CIVIL LIABILITY

     
321.493  Liability for damages.
  1.  For purposes of this section:
  a.  “Owner” means the person to whom the certificate of title for the vehicle has been issued or assigned or to whom a manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate of origin for the vehicle has been delivered or assigned. However, if the vehicle is leased, “owner” means the person to whom the vehicle is leased, not the person to whom the certificate of title for the vehicle has been issued or assigned or to whom the manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate of origin for the vehicle has been delivered or assigned.
  b.  “Leased” means the transfer of the possession or right to possession of a vehicle to a lessee for a valuable consideration for a continuous period of twelve months or more, pursuant to a written agreement.
  2.  a.  Subject to paragraph “b”, in all cases where damage is done by any motor vehicle by reason of negligence of the driver, and driven with the consent of the owner, the owner of the motor vehicle shall be liable for such damage.
  b.  The owner of a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of seven thousand five hundred pounds or more who rents the vehicle for less than a year under an agreement which requires an insurance policy covering at least the minimum levels of financial responsibility prescribed by law, shall not be deemed to be the owner of the vehicle for the purpose of determining financial responsibility for the operation of the vehicle or for the acts of the operator in connection with the vehicle’s operation.
  3.  A person who has made a bona fide sale or transfer of the person’s right, title, or interest in or to a motor vehicle and who has delivered possession of the motor vehicle to the purchaser or transferee shall not be liable for any damage thereafter resulting from negligent operation of the motor vehicle by another, but the purchaser or transferee to whom possession was delivered shall be deemed the owner. The provisions of section 321.45, subsection 2, shall not apply in determining, for the purpose of fixing liability under this subsection, whether such sale or transfer was made.
[C24, 27, 31, 35, §4964, 5026; C39, §5002.07, 5037.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, §321.51, 321.493; C66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.493]
95 Acts, ch 136, §1; 97 Acts, ch 108, §30; 2010 Acts, ch 1069, §101
Referred to in §321.45, 321.344A, 321.372A, 321A.1
Exemption from execution denied, §627.7 
321.494 through 321.497Reserved.
ACTIONS AGAINST NONRESIDENTS

     
321.498  Legal effect of use and operation.
  1.  The acceptance by any nonresident of this state of the privileges extended by the laws of this state to nonresident operators or owners of operating a motor vehicle, or having the same operated, within this state shall be deemed to be all of the following:
  a.  An agreement by the nonresident that the nonresident shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the district court of this state over all civil actions and proceedings against the nonresident for damages to person or property growing or arising out of such use and operation.
  b.  An appointment by such nonresident of the director of this state as the nonresident’s lawful attorney upon whom may be served all original notices of suit pertaining to such actions and proceedings.
  c.  An agreement by such nonresident that any original notice of suit so served shall be of the same legal force and validity as if personally served on the nonresident in this state.
  2.  a.   “Nonresident” shall include any person who was, at the time of the accident or event, a resident of the state of Iowa but who removed from the state before the commencement of such action or proceedings.
  b.  “Person” shall mean:
  (1)  The owner of the vehicle whether it is being used and operated personally by the owner, or by the owner’s agent.
  (2)  An agent using and operating the vehicle for the agent’s principal.
  (3)  Any person who is in charge of the vehicle and of the use and operation thereof with the express or implied consent of the owner.
[C31, 35, §5079-d11; C39, §5038.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.498]
2010 Acts, ch 1069, §102; 2013 Acts, ch 90, §84; 2014 Acts, ch 1092, §78
Referred to in §321.507, 321.511, 321.556

     
321.499  “Person” defined.  Repealed by 2013 Acts, ch 90, §216. See §321.498.

  
     
321.500  Original notice — form.
  The original notice of suit filed with the director of transportation against a nonresident shall be in form and substance the same as provided in 
rule of civil procedure 1.1901
, form 2, Iowa court rules.
[C31, 35, §5079-d13; C39, §5038.03; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.500]
83 Acts, ch 101, §73; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §106
Referred to in §321.507, 321.511, 321.556

  
     
321.501  Manner of service.
  The plaintiff in any action against a nonresident shall cause the original notice of suit to be served as follows:
  1.  By filing a copy of said original notice of suit with said director, together with a fee of two dollars, and
  2.  By mailing to the defendant, and to each of the defendants if more than one, within ten days after said filing with the director, by restricted certified mail addressed to the defendant at the defendant’s last known residence or place of abode, a notification of the said filing with the director.
[C31, 35, §5079-d14; C39, §5038.04; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.501]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §178
Referred to in §321.502, 321.507, 321.511, 321.556
Unnumbered paragraph 1 amended

     
321.502  Notification to nonresident — form.
  The notification, provided for in section 321.501, shall be in substantially the following form, to wit:
  To ........................ (Here insert the name of each defendant and the defendant’s residence or last known place of abode as definitely as known.)

  You will take notice that an original notice of suit against you, a copy of which is hereto attached, was duly served upon you at Des Moines, Iowa, by filing a copy of said notice on the ............ day of ................, ............, with the director of transportation of the state of Iowa.

Dated at ........................, Iowa, this ............ day of ................, ............

....................................

Plaintiff.

By............................

Attorney for plaintiff.
[C31, 35, §5079-d15; C39, §5038.05; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.502]
2001 Acts, ch 24, §46
Referred to in §321.504, 321.507, 321.511, 321.556

321.503  Reserved.

  
     
321.504  Optional notification.
  In lieu of mailing the notification described in section 321.502 to the defendant in a foreign state, the plaintiff may cause the notification to be personally served in the foreign state on the defendant by any adult person not a party to the suit, by delivering the notification to the defendant or by offering to make such delivery in case the defendant refuses to accept delivery.
[C31, 35, §5079-d17; C39, §5038.07; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.504]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §156; 2021 Acts, ch 76, §59
Referred to in §321.507, 321.511, 321.556
Section amended

     
321.505  Proof of service.
  Proof of the filing of a copy of said original notice of suit with the director, and proof of the mailing or personal delivery of said notification to said nonresident shall be made by affidavit of the party doing said acts. All affidavits of service shall be endorsed upon or attached to the originals of the papers to which they relate. All proofs of service, including the restricted certified mail return receipt, shall be forthwith filed with the clerk of the district court.
[C31, 35, §5079-d18; C39, §5038.08; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.505]
Referred to in §321.507, 321.511, 321.556

     
321.506  Actual service within this state.
  The provisions of this chapter relative to service of original notice of suit on nonresidents shall not be deemed to prevent actual personal service in this state upon the nonresident in the time, manner, form, and under the conditions provided for service on residents.
[C31, 35, §5079-d19; C39, §5038.09; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.506]
2009 Acts, ch 133, §123
Referred to in §321.507, 321.511, 321.556

  
     
321.507  Venue of actions.
  Actions against nonresidents as contemplated by sections 321.498, 321.500 through 321.502, 321.504 through 321.506, and 321.508 through 321.512 may be brought in the county of which plaintiff is a resident, or in the county in which the injury was received, or damage done.
[C31, 35, §5079-d20; C39, §5038.10; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.507]
2021 Acts, ch 80, §179
Referred to in §321.511
Section amended

     
321.508  Continuances.
  The court in which such action is pending shall grant such continuances to a nonresident defendant as may be necessary to afford the nonresident defendant reasonable opportunity to defend said action.
[C31, 35, §5079-d21; C39, §5038.11; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.508]
Referred to in §321.507, 321.511

     
321.509  Duty of director.
  The director shall keep a record of all notices of suit filed with the director, shall not permit said filed notices to be taken from the director’s office except on an order of court, and shall, on request, and without fee, furnish any defendant with a certified copy of the notice in which the person is defendant.
[C31, 35, §5079-d22; C39, §5038.12; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.509]
Referred to in §321.507, 321.511

     
321.510  Expenses and attorney fees.
  If judgment is rendered against the plaintiff, upon the trial of said action, said judgment shall include the reasonable expenses incurred by the defendant and the defendant’s attorney in appearing to and defending against said action, provided that in the judgment of the trial court said action was commenced maliciously or without probable cause.
[C31, 35, §5079-d23; C39, §5038.13; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.510]
Referred to in §321.507, 321.511

  
     
321.511  Dismissal — effect.
  The dismissal of an action after the nonresident has entered a general appearance under the substituted service authorized in section 321.498, sections 321.500 through 321.502, and sections 321.504 through 321.510, shall bar the recommencement of the same action against the same defendant unless the recommenced action is accompanied by actual personal service of the original notice of suit on the defendant in this state.
[C31, 35, §5079-d24; C39, §5038.14; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.511]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §157
Referred to in §321.507

     
321.512  Action against insurance.
  Any contract insuring the liability of a nonresident motorist in Iowa shall, in the event of the death of said nonresident, be considered an asset of the nonresident’s estate having a situs in Iowa in any civil action arising out of a motor vehicle accident in which said nonresident may be liable.
[C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.512]
Referred to in §321.507

     
321.513  Nonresident traffic violator compact.
  1.  Authority to compact.  The director may enter into nonresident violator compacts with other jurisdictions. The compacts shall contain in substantially the same form the following provisions:
  a.  Definitions.  For purposes of the nonresident violator compact, unless the context requires otherwise:
  (1)  “Citation” means a summons, ticket, or other official document issued by a police officer for a traffic violation containing an order which requires the motorist to respond.
  (2)  “Collateral” means cash or other security deposited to secure an appearance for trial, following the issuance by a police officer of a citation for a traffic violation.
  (3)  “Court” means a court of law or traffic tribunal.
  (4)  “Driver’s license” means a license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle issued under the laws of the home jurisdiction.
  (5)  “Home jurisdiction” means the jurisdiction that issued the driver’s license of the traffic violator.
  (6)  “Issuing jurisdiction” means the jurisdiction in which the traffic citation was issued to the motorist.
  (7)  “Jurisdiction” means a state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  (8)  “Motorist” means a driver of a motor vehicle operating in a party jurisdiction other than the home jurisdiction.
  (9)  “Personal recognizance” means an agreement by a motorist made at the time of issuance of the traffic citation that the motorist will comply with the terms of that traffic citation.
  (10)  “Police officer” means a peace officer as defined in section 801.4 authorized by the party jurisdiction to issue a citation for a traffic violation.
  (11)  “Terms of the citation” means those options expressly stated upon the citation.
  b.  Procedure for issuing jurisdiction.
  (1)  When issuing a citation for a traffic violation, a police officer shall issue the citation to a motorist who possesses a driver’s license issued by a party jurisdiction and shall not, except as provided in subparagraph (2) of this paragraph, require the motorist to post collateral to secure appearance, if the officer receives the motorist’s signed personal recognizance that the motorist will comply with the terms of the citation.
  (2)  Unless prohibited by law, personal recognizance is acceptable. If mandatory appearance is required by law, the appearance must take place immediately following issuance of the citation.
  (3)  Upon failure of a motorist to comply with the terms of a traffic citation, the appropriate official shall report the failure to comply to the licensing authority of the jurisdiction in which the traffic citation was issued, and that licensing authority shall transmit the information contained in the report to the licensing authority in the home jurisdiction of the motorist.
  (4)  The licensing authority of the issuing jurisdiction shall not suspend for failure to comply with the terms of a traffic citation the driving privilege of a motorist for whom a report has been transmitted.
  (5)  The licensing authority of the issuing jurisdiction shall not transmit a report on a violation if the date of transmission is more than six months after the date the traffic citation was issued.
  (6)  The licensing authority of the issuing jurisdiction shall not transmit a report on a violation where the date of issuance of the citation predates the most recent effective date of entry for the two jurisdictions.
  c.  Procedure for home jurisdiction.  Upon receipt of a report of a failure to comply, the licensing authority of the home jurisdiction shall notify the motorist and initiate a suspension action, in accordance with the home jurisdiction’s procedures, to suspend the motorist’s driver’s license until satisfactory evidence of compliance with the terms of the traffic citation has been furnished to the home jurisdiction licensing authority. Due process safeguards shall be accorded.
  d.  Exceptions.  The provisions of the nonresident violator compact do not apply to parking or standing violations, highway weight limit violations, and violations of law governing the transportation of hazardous materials.
  e.  Additional provisions.  The nonresident violator compact may contain other provisions the director reasonably determines are necessary or appropriate for inclusion in the compact.
  2.  Rules.  The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
  3.  Enforcement.  The agencies and officers of this state and its political subdivisions shall enforce the nonresident violator compacts and shall do all things appropriate to accomplish their purpose and intent.
[C81, §321.513]
86 Acts, ch 1245, §1937
Referred to in §321.203, 321.210, 321.212, 321.215, 321.218, 321A.17
AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEMS

     
321.514  Definitions.
  As used in this section and sections 321.515 through 321.519, unless the context otherwise requires:
  1.  “Automated driving system” means the hardware and software collectively capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis, regardless of whether the system is limited to a specific operational design domain, if any.
  2.  “Conventional human driver” means a natural person who manually controls the in-vehicle accelerating, braking, steering, and transmission gear selection input devices in order to operate a motor vehicle.
  3.  “Driverless-capable vehicle” means a system-equipped vehicle capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task within the automated driving system’s operational design domain, if any, including but not limited to achievement of a minimal risk condition without intervention or supervision by a conventional human driver.
  4.  “Dynamic driving task” means all real-time operational and tactical functions required to operate a motor vehicle on a highway in traffic within an automated driving system’s specific operational design domain, if any. “Dynamic driving task” does not include any strategic function such as trip scheduling or the selection of destinations and waypoints.
  5.  “Minimal risk condition” means a reasonably safe state to which an automated driving system brings a system-equipped vehicle upon experiencing a performance-relevant failure of the system that renders the system unable to perform the entire dynamic driving task, including but not limited to removing the vehicle to the nearest shoulder if the vehicle is capable of doing so, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop, and activating the vehicle’s emergency signal lamps.
  6.  “On-demand driverless-capable vehicle network” means a transportation service network that uses a software application or other digital means to dispatch driverless-capable vehicles for the purposes of transporting persons or goods, including transportation for hire as defined in section 325A.1, and public transportation.
  7.  “Operational design domain” means a set of constraints used to define the domain under which an automated driving system is designed to properly operate, including but not limited to types of highways, speed ranges, environmental conditions such as weather or time of day, and other constraints.
  8.  “System-equipped vehicle” means a motor vehicle equipped with an automated driving system.
2019 Acts, ch 75, §1
Referred to in §321.519

     
321.515  Operation.
  1.  A driverless-capable vehicle may operate on the public highways of this state without a conventional human driver physically present in the vehicle, if the vehicle meets all of the following conditions:
  a.  The vehicle is capable of achieving a minimal risk condition if a malfunction of the automated driving system occurs that renders the system unable to perform the entire dynamic driving task within the system’s intended operational design domain, if any.
  b.  While in driverless operation, the vehicle is capable of operating in compliance with the applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws and regulations of this state that govern the performance of the dynamic driving task, unless an exemption has been granted to the vehicle by the department.
  c.  The vehicle has been certified by the vehicle’s manufacturer to be in compliance with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards, except to the extent an exemption has been granted for the vehicle under applicable federal law or by the national highway traffic safety administration.
  2.  a.  The operation of a system-equipped vehicle capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task within the automated driving system’s operational design domain on the public highways of this state while a conventional human driver is present in the vehicle shall be lawful. During such operation, the conventional human driver shall possess a valid driver’s license pursuant to section 321.174 and shall be subject to the financial liability coverage requirements and penalties set forth under section 321.20B. The conventional human driver shall operate the system-equipped vehicle according to the manufacturer’s requirements and specifications, and shall regain manual control of the vehicle when prompted by the automated driving system.
  b.  An automated driving system, while engaged, shall be designed to operate within the system’s operational design domain in compliance with the applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws and regulations of this state that govern the performance of the dynamic driving task, unless an exemption has been granted to the vehicle by the department.
  3.  Except as provided in this section, the motor vehicle laws of this state shall not be construed to require a conventional human driver to operate a driverless-capable vehicle that is being operated by an automated driving system. The automated driving system, while engaged, shall be deemed to fulfill any physical acts required of a conventional human driver to perform the dynamic driving task.
2019 Acts, ch 75, §2
Referred to in §321.514, 321.519

     
321.516  Insurance.
  Before a system-equipped vehicle is allowed to operate on the public highways of this state, the owner shall obtain financial liability coverage for the vehicle. A system-equipped vehicle shall not operate on the highways of this state unless financial liability coverage is in effect for the vehicle and unless proof of financial liability coverage is carried in the vehicle pursuant to section 321.20B.
2019 Acts, ch 75, §3
Referred to in §321.514, 321.519

     
321.517  Accidents.
  In the event of an accident in which a system-equipped vehicle is involved, the vehicle shall remain at the scene of the accident and the operation of the vehicle shall otherwise comply with sections 321.261 through 321.273 where applicable and to the extent possible, and the vehicle’s owner or a person on behalf of the vehicle’s owner shall promptly report the accident to law enforcement authorities. If a system-equipped vehicle fails to remain at the scene of an accident or the operation of the vehicle fails to otherwise comply with sections 321.261 through 321.273 where applicable and to the extent possible as required by this section, the vehicle’s failure shall be imputed to the vehicle’s owner, and the vehicle’s owner may be charged and convicted of a violation of sections 321.261 through 321.273, as applicable.
2019 Acts, ch 75, §4
Referred to in §321.514, 321.519

     
321.518  On-demand driverless-capable vehicle network.
  A person may operate an on-demand driverless-capable vehicle network. An on-demand driverless-capable vehicle network may be used to facilitate the transportation of persons or goods, including transportation for hire as defined in section 325A.1, and public transportation. An on-demand driverless-capable vehicle network may connect passengers to driverless-capable vehicles either exclusively or as part of a digital network that also connects passengers to conventional human drivers who provide transportation services, consistent with chapter 321N or any other applicable laws, in vehicles that are not driverless-capable vehicles.
2019 Acts, ch 75, §5
Referred to in §321.514, 321.519

  
     
321.519  Authority.
  1.  Automated driving systems and system-equipped vehicles shall be governed by sections 321.514 through 321.518, this section, and all applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws and regulations of this state. Automated driving systems and system-equipped vehicles shall be regulated exclusively by the department. The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer sections 321.514 through 321.518, and this section.
  2.  A political subdivision of the state shall not impose requirements, including but not limited to performance standards, specific to the operation of system-equipped vehicles, automated driving systems, or on-demand driverless-capable vehicle networks that are in addition to the requirements set forth under sections 321.514 through 321.518. A political subdivision of the state shall not impose a tax on system-equipped vehicles, automated driving systems, or on-demand driverless-capable vehicle networks where such tax relates specifically to the operation of system-equipped vehicles, automated driving systems, or on-demand driverless-capable vehicle networks.
  3.  Sections 321.514 through 321.518 and this section do not apply to personal delivery devices operated pursuant to chapter 321O.
2019 Acts, ch 75, §6; 2021 Acts, ch 119, §2
Referred to in §321.514
NEW subsection 3
321.520 through 321.554Reserved.
HABITUAL OFFENDER

     
321.555  Habitual offender defined.
  As used in this section and sections 321.556 through 321.562, “habitual offender” means any person who has accumulated convictions for separate and distinct offenses described in subsection 1, 2, or 3, committed after July 1, 1974, for which final convictions have been rendered, as follows:
  1.  Three or more of the following offenses, either singularly or in combination, within a six-year period:
  a.  Manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
  b.  Operating a motor vehicle in violation of section 321J.2 or its predecessor statute.
  c.  Driving a motor vehicle while the person’s driver’s license is suspended, denied, revoked, or barred.
  d.  Perjury or the making of a false affidavit or statement under oath to the department of public safety.
  e.  An offense punishable as a felony under the motor vehicle laws of Iowa or any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used.
  f.  Failure to stop and leave information, to render aid, or to otherwise comply with sections 321.261 and 321.263.
  g.  Eluding or attempting to elude a pursuing law enforcement vehicle in violation of section 321.279.
  h.  Serious injury by a vehicle in violation of section 707.6A, subsection 4.
  2.  Six or more of any separate and distinct offenses within a two-year period in the operation of a motor vehicle, which are required to be reported to the department by section 321.491 or chapter 321C, except equipment violations, parking violations as defined in section 321.210, violations of registration laws, violations of sections 321.445 and 321.446, violations of section 321.276, operating a vehicle with an expired license or permit, failure to appear, weights and measures violations and speeding violations of less than fifteen miles per hour over the legal speed limit.
  3.  The offenses included in subsections 1 and 2 shall be deemed to include offenses under any valid town, city or county ordinance paralleling and substantially conforming to the provisions of the Code concerning such offenses.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §321.555; 82 Acts, ch 1167, §10]
84 Acts, ch 1016, §4; 84 Acts, ch 1022, §9; 86 Acts, ch 1009, §3; 86 Acts, ch 1220, §37; 89 Acts, ch 296, §36; 90 Acts, ch 1230, §74 – 76; 93 Acts, ch 87, §8; 97 Acts, ch 104, §24; 97 Acts, ch 177, §2; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2010 Acts, ch 1105, §8; 2014 Acts, ch 1092, §79; 2021 Acts, ch 180, §5
Referred to in §321.213, 321.215, 321.556, 321.560, 321.562
Subsection 1, paragraph f amended

     
321.556  Notice and hearing — findings and order.
  1.  If, upon review of the record of convictions of any person, the department determines that the person appears to be a habitual offender, the department shall immediately notify the person in writing and afford the licensee an opportunity for a hearing. Notwithstanding chapter 17A, the notice shall meet the requirements of section 321.16 and shall be served in the manner provided in that section. Service of notice on any nonresident of this state may be made in the same manner as provided in sections 321.498 through 321.506. A peace officer stopping a person for whom a notice has been issued under this section may personally serve the notice upon forms approved by the department to satisfy the notice requirements of this section. A peace officer may confiscate the driver’s license of a person if the license has been revoked or has been suspended subsequent to a hearing and the person has not forwarded the driver’s license to the department as required.
  2.  The hearing shall be conducted as provided in section 17A.12 before the department in the county where the alleged events occurred, unless the director and the person agree that the hearing may be held in some other county, or the hearing may be held by telephone conference at the discretion of the agency conducting the hearing. The hearing shall be recorded and its scope shall be limited to the issue of whether the person notified is a habitual offender.
  3.  An abstract certified by the director of transportation may be admitted as evidence as provided in section 622.43, at the hearing, and shall be prima facie evidence that the person named in the abstract was duly convicted by the court in which the conviction or holding was made of each offense shown by the abstract. If the person named in the abstract denies conviction of any of the relevant convictions contained in the abstract, the person shall have the burden of proving that the conviction is untrue. For purposes of this subsection, a conviction is relevant if it is for one of the offenses listed in section 321.555.
  4.  If the department finds that the person is not the same person named in the abstract, or otherwise concludes that the person is not a habitual offender as provided in section 321.555, the department shall issue a decision dismissing the proceedings. If the department’s findings and conclusions are that the person is a habitual offender, the department shall issue an order prohibiting the person from operating a motor vehicle on the highways of this state for the period specified in section 321.560. If a person is found to be a habitual offender, the person shall surrender all licenses or permits to operate a motor vehicle in this state to the department. A person who is found to be a habitual offender may be assessed a fee by the department to cover the costs of the habitual offender proceedings. Fees assessed shall be paid before the person may be issued a license or permit to operate a motor vehicle in this state.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §321.556]
95 Acts, ch 143, §2; 98 Acts, ch 1073, §9; 2000 Acts, ch 1133, §13; 2001 Acts, ch 32, §46
Referred to in §321.555, 321.562
321.557 through 321.559Repealed by 95 Acts, ch 143, §13.  See §321.556. 

  
     
321.560  Period of revocation — temporary restricted licenses.
  1.  A license to operate a motor vehicle in this state shall not be issued to any person declared to be a habitual offender under section 321.555, subsection 1, for a period of not less than two years nor more than six years from the date of the final decision of the department under section 17A.19 or the date on which the district court upholds the final decision of the department, whichever occurs later.
  a.  A temporary restricted license may be issued pursuant to section 321.215, subsection 2, to a person declared to be a habitual offender under section 321.555, subsection 1, paragraph “c”.
  b.  A temporary restricted license may be issued pursuant to section 321J.20 to a person declared to be a habitual offender due to a combination of the offenses listed under section 321.555, subsection 1, paragraphs “b” and “c”.
  2.  A license to operate a motor vehicle in this state shall not be issued to any person declared to be a habitual offender under section 321.555, subsection 2, for a period of one year from the date of the final decision of the department under section 17A.19 or the date on which the district court upholds the final decision of the department, whichever occurs later.
  3.  The department shall adopt rules under chapter 17A that establish a point system which shall be used to determine the period for which a person who is declared to be a habitual offender under section 321.555, subsection 1, shall not be issued a license.
  4.  A person who is determined to be a habitual offender while the person’s license is already revoked for being a habitual offender under section 321.555 shall not be issued a license to operate a motor vehicle in this state for a period of not less than two years nor more than six years. The revocation period may commence either on the date of the final decision of the department under section 17A.19 or the date on which the district court upholds the final decision of the department, whichever occurs later, or on the date the previous revocation expires.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §321.560]
95 Acts, ch 143, §3; 96 Acts, ch 1034, §26; 97 Acts, ch 108, §31; 2000 Acts, ch 1138, §2; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §13; 2002 Acts, ch 1119, §154; 2010 Acts, ch 1097, §2; 2018 Acts, ch 1110, §1, 9
Referred to in §321.215, 321.555, 321.556, 321.561, 321.562, 321J.20
2018 amendment applies to all persons who apply for or are issued a temporary restricted license under chapter 321J on or after July 1, 2018; 
2018 Acts, ch 1110, §9

     
321.561  Punishment for violation.
  It shall be unlawful for any person found to be a habitual offender to operate any motor vehicle in this state during the period of time specified in section 321.560 except for a habitual offender who has been granted a temporary restricted license pursuant to section 321.215, subsection 2. A person violating this section commits an aggravated misdemeanor.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §321.561]
87 Acts, ch 34, §1; 95 Acts, ch 143, §4; 96 Acts, ch 1034, §27; 2001 Acts, ch 132, §14
Referred to in §321.555, 321.562, 321J.4B

     
321.562  Rule of construction.
  Nothing in sections 321.555 through 321.561 or this section shall be construed as amending, modifying, or repealing any existing law of this state or any ordinance of any political subdivision relating to the operation of motor vehicles, the licensing of persons to operate motor vehicles, or providing penalties for the violation thereof.
[C75, 77, 79, 81, §321.562]
2014 Acts, ch 1092, §80
Referred to in §321.555