Iowa driver license and ID card: first license, renewal, replacement and REAL ID

How to get a first Iowa driver's license or teen permit, transfer an out-of-state license, renew or replace your card, and what a REAL ID or non-driver ID card requires, based on the Iowa DOT's own pages.

Guide · Iowa · REAL ID · Driver licenses · Renewals · ID cards · updated October 29, 2026

Iowa driver's licenses, instruction permits and non-driver ID cards are issued by the Motor Vehicle Division of the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT). This guide covers first licenses (including Iowa's three-step system for teens), moving to Iowa, renewals, replacements, REAL ID and ID cards. For booking a visit and the general document list, see the Iowa DMV visit guide.

Your first Iowa license

The standard license is the Class C operator license, which covers cars, pickups and trucks up to 26,000 pounds. If you have never been licensed, you pass a vision screening, a knowledge test and a driving test. The DOT's fee table lists the Class C license at $4 per year of validity and an instruction permit at $6. The online practice test draws 25 questions from a pool that includes real test questions; a passing score is 80% or higher.

Teens: Iowa's three steps

Iowa uses a graduated driver's license system for drivers under 18.

1. Instruction permit (from age 14). You pass the knowledge and vision tests, bring identity, residency and Social Security documents, and have a parent or guardian's written consent. You may drive at any time with a licensed supervising adult. That can be your parent, guardian or custodian, an immediate family member aged 21 or older, a driver education instructor, or a person aged 25 or older with your parent's written permission. You may not use a phone or other electronic device while driving, or carry more passengers than there are seat belts.

2. Intermediate license (from age 16). You must:

• Complete an Iowa-approved driver education course
• Have held a permit for a total of 12 months
• Keep a clean driving record for the 6 months right before you apply
• Bring parental consent and book an appointment

A drive test is needed if your driver education instructor asks for one, or if you used the parent-taught program. You may drive alone between 5 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. A parent can sign a waiver (form 431170) for driving outside those hours for school or work. If your license shows a passenger restriction, for the first six months you may carry only one unrelated minor passenger when driving without adult supervision.

3. Full license (from age 17). You must have held the intermediate license for 12 consecutive months and completed 10 hours of supervised driving, at least two of them at night. If you are under 18, you also need parental consent.

Under each step, a moving violation, crash or restriction violation brings a warning letter or suspension and delays your next step.

Iowa also issues a special minor's restricted license for driving to school or work. The DOT's eligibility list starts with six months on an instruction permit and an approved driver education course.

Moving to Iowa with another state's license

To transfer, you make an appointment and present proof of identity, residence and Social Security number. Your driving privileges must not be canceled, suspended or revoked in any state. You also pass a vision test and pay the fee. If you hold a valid license from a U.S. state, D.C., a U.S. territory or Canada, the DOT says the knowledge and driving tests may be waived. If your old license has been expired or invalid for a year or more, you take both tests. Iowa also has reciprocity agreements with France, Germany, South Korea and Taiwan, so holders of a valid license from those countries may not need the tests either.

A REAL ID does not carry over: even if your old card had the gold star, you bring all the documents again.

Renewing your license

You can renew up to 180 days before the expiration date, or up to a year early if you show good cause. Foreign nationals can renew only within 30 days of expiration. The DOT says a license stays valid for driving for 60 days after it expires, but warns that some businesses may not recognize this grace period. A year after expiration, you must retake the knowledge and drive tests. Every renewal includes a vision screening.

Licenses are issued for eight years for drivers from 17 years and 11 months through age 72. The term then shortens step by step to two years from age 78. Licenses for drivers under 18 are shorter.

Online renewal is possible if you:

• Are at least 18 and under 70
• Are an Iowa resident and U.S. citizen according to DOT records
• Hold a valid non-commercial license expiring within 180 days, or expired less than a year
• Renewed your current license in person (online renewal is allowed every other time)
• Have no change to your name, date of birth, sex, class, endorsements or restrictions
• Do not need to submit a medical or vision report

Online renewal costs the renewal fee plus a $1.50 processing fee. You do not get a temporary document valid for flying, but you can keep using your current card until it expires. The new card arrives in about 30 days.

Replacing a lost license

In Iowa you get a duplicate at a DMV by appointment. The fee is $10, the same as for any replacement, such as after an address or name change. Bring a certified birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport or your most recent immigration or refugee document. If you are out of state, you can submit a temporary driving permit application instead; it is not valid as identification.

REAL ID

A REAL ID has a gold star in the upper-right corner. Newer non-compliant cards say "NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES" there instead. You apply in person with one proof of identity, one proof of your Social Security number and two proofs of Iowa residency. The DOT says it does not cost extra, needs no tests and does not change how long the card is valid. It is not available through online renewal. You only go through the process once; later renewals keep the star. It can take up to 30 days to receive the card. See How can I tell if my driver's license is REAL ID compliant? and REAL ID explained.

Non-driver ID cards

An Iowa ID card can be issued to a person of any age. You bring a primary form of identification, proof of residency and proof of your Social Security number. It costs $8 and is valid for eight years. Adults can renew online every other time under similar conditions as for licenses.

For vehicle paperwork, see the Iowa vehicle registration and title guide, and for nearby offices the Iowa DMV office list.