Pro tip: When driving through Iowa's countryside and urban centers, proficient driving is paramount. Benefit from our guides on operating a manual transmission and parallel parking. Skills in reverse parking and three-point turns are also invaluable. Properly adjust your mirrors for optimal visibility. Our Online Driving Simulator can enhance your driving capabilities, and if you're an international visitor, ensure you're aware of Iowa's international driver's license requirements.
You will have to provide documents to verify your
Use this interactive guide to collect your documents quickly.
You should consider getting a minor school license only if you have to drive yourself to school. This license allows you to drive without supervision between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. only for the following:
You must drive supervised by an adult for all other reasons.
Your driving record must stay clean.
The course includes 30 hours of classroom instruction and minimum 3 hours of behind the wheel practice.
Your parent or guardian and your school principal, superintendent, or school board chair are required to sign your Affidavit for School License (form 430021). The form is available at a licensing office.
You must apply on a walk-in basis at a driver’s license station convenient to you. Check this map to find a license station near you.
It will be valid for 2 years.
Intermediate license is the second stage of Iowa graduated driver’s license (GDL) system for 16 year olds. This license allows you to drive without supervision between 5 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. If you have to drive after hours for school or work purposes, your parent or guardian may complete form 431170 to waive this restriction. You must carry this form in the vehicle. For the first six months, passengers are limited to only one unrelated minor passenger unless, again, this restriction is waived by the parent/guardian.
The course must include 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 laboratory hours with minimum 3 hours of behind the wheel practice. If you are home-schooled, your parent may teach this course at home.
You must drive without accidents and violations for 6 consecutive months immediately prior to applying for an intermediate license.
You are required to log 20 hours of supervised driving, at least 2 of them must be between sunset and sunrise.
You must apply on a walk-in basis at a driver’s license station convenient to you. Check this map to find a license station near you.
Your parent or guardian can either visit a driver’s license station with you or complete the consent form in advance if you are younger than 18.
You will have to provide documents to verify your
Use this interactive guide to collect your documents quickly.
Driving tests are administered mostly by appointment. Call a driver’s license station to make an appointment. You will have to provide a vehicle for the test.
Your new license will be valid for 2 years. Intermediate license will have the words “intermediate license” on it.
You may apply for your full (adult) driver’s license at the age of 17 if you:
Once you turn 18, you can obtain a full license without meeting the requirements above.
You can get your full driver’s license at the age of 17 if you meet all the licensing conditions.
First timer? Start with Step 1.
Instruction permit holder? You must meet all conditions of intermediate license.
Intermediate license holder? You may apply for your full license at the age of 17 if you have held your intermediate license for 12 months, logged 10 hours of supervised driving; minimum of 2 hours must be between sunset and sunrise and had a clean driving record for the last 12 months. Once you turn 18, you can obtain a full license without meeting the requirements above.
You will have to provide documents to verify your
Use this interactive guide to collect your documents quickly.
The test is administered by automated testing equipment using a touch screen. You will answer 35 multiple choice questions about road signs, traffic laws, and safe-driving practices. Practice online before you go.
This exam will test your ability to drive safely and accurately and will last 15- 20 minutes.
Most offices require an appointment. Please call a driver licensing office near you to secure a spot. Choose a location from this list.
You and your testing vehicle must be brought to the test site by a licensed driver unless you can legally drive in Iowa. He or she will not be able to stay in the vehicle when you are taking the driving test, though.
Your vehicle must have:
Your examiner will inspect your vehicle’s safety equipment including but not limited to
During the test, the examiner will sit in the front seat with you. The examiner will give you directions and score your driving ability. You will not be asked to do anything unlawful. Just follow directions and show your ability to drive safely.
Make sure you do the following:
You are considered an Iowa resident if you have
Good news! If either of the following applies to you, you do not require an Iowa driver’s license.
You must transfer your driver’s license on a walk-in basis at a driver’s license station convenient to you. Check this map to find a license station near you. You won’t have to take a knowledge or driving test if your current license issued by another state is valid or expired less than a year ago.
Use this interactive guide to collect your documents quickly.
The procedure for transferring your foreign driver’s license is similar to applying for a new driver’s license in Iowa. It means that you will have to take a vision, knowledge and driving test to obtain a license. Follow the full procedure here.
However, if you hold a valid driver’s license from Germany, France or South Korea, the procedure of getting an Iowa driver’s license is similar to transferring an out-of-state driver’s license and doesn’t require knowledge and driving tests. Follow the procedure here.
