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