Transportation (Driver Licensing) in Iowa

signed · Iowa · Senate Mar 28, 2025

SF 153: A bill for an act relating to driver age qualifications for certain commercial motor vehicle drivers operating solely intrastate to transport hazardous material.

This bill modifies age requirements for certain commercial motor vehicle drivers operating exclusively within the state. It lowers the minimum age for intrastate drivers transporting hazardous materials that require placarding, by making state age qualification rules inapplicable to them. Conversely, the bill removes an existing exemption for retail dealers and their employees who deliver fertilizers, petroleum products, and pesticides to farm customers within a 100-mile radius. As a result, these specific drivers will now be subject to general state driver age qualification rules.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SSB 3186: A bill for an act relating to transportation and other infrastructure-related appropriations to the department of transportation, including allocation and use of moneys from the road use tax fund and the primary road fund.

This bill appropriates state funds from the road use tax fund and the primary road fund to the Iowa Department of Transportation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation allocates specific amounts for various operational needs, including salaries, vehicle maintenance, utility services, and administrative costs, as well as funding for projects like driver's license system modernization and road facility repairs. A key provision allows certain unspent funds designated for multi-year projects to remain available for up to three years after the fiscal year ends, rather than reverting to the general fund, provided the projects are not completed earlier.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations Sales Tax State Budget Driver Licensing Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

in committee · Iowa · House Mar 17, 2026

HSB 763: A bill for an act relating to transportation and other infrastructure-related appropriations to the department of transportation, including allocation and use of moneys from the road use tax fund and the primary road fund.

This bill appropriates state funds from the road use tax fund and the primary road fund to the Iowa Department of Transportation for the fiscal year 2026-2027. The legislation specifies exact dollar amounts allocated for various operational needs, including salaries, vehicle maintenance, utility services, and specific projects like driver's license system modernization and road facility repairs. Key provisions also establish rules for how unspent money from certain maintenance and project categories can be carried over for up to three years after the fiscal year ends, ensuring funds remain available for designated purposes unless projects are completed earlier.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations Sales Tax State Budget Driver Licensing Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 23, 2026

HSB 699: A bill for an act relating to sufficient English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, and providing penalties.

HSB 699 requires commercial drivers in Iowa to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to obtain or renew a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or commercial learner’s permit (CLP). The bill mandates a computer-based exam covering reading, speaking, and understanding English for tasks like interpreting traffic signs, responding to officials, and completing reports - aligning with federal standards (49 C.F.R §391.11(b)(2)). It prohibits issuing licenses without proof of proficiency and imposes penalties: $3,000-$10,000 civil fines for carriers employing unproficient drivers (with escalating amounts for repeat violations) and $1,000 fines plus a serious misdemeanor charge for drivers operating commercial vehicles without proficiency. The law applies directly to CDL applicants, commercial motor carriers, and drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

signed · Iowa · Senate May 27, 2026

SF 2426: A bill for an act relating to sufficient English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, providing penalties, and including applicability provisions.

SF 2426 requires commercial drivers in Iowa to demonstrate English language proficiency meeting federal standards (49 C.F.R. §391.11(b)(2)) to obtain or renew a commercial driver's license. The bill mandates a computer-based English proficiency exam administered by the Iowa Department of Transportation, with exemptions for those who previously passed the test. Drivers who fail to meet the requirement face a serious misdemeanor charge ($1,000 fine), while commercial motor carriers employing unproficient drivers risk fines up to $10,000 per violation. The law takes effect March 1, 2027, or upon implementation of a new state records system, whichever comes first.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

introduced · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HF 2350: A bill for an act relating to the suspension of a driver’s license issued to a person physically or mentally incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle.

HF 2350 creates a special instruction permit pathway for Iowa drivers whose licenses were suspended due to physical or mental incapacity to operate a vehicle safely. It allows eligible individuals to obtain this permit by providing a favorable medical report (from a physician or qualified provider), meeting other requirements, and paying a fee, which temporarily halts the license suspension. The permit remains valid for up to six months and requires no driving test, but the original suspension automatically reinstates if a driver's license isn't obtained before the permit expires. This bill specifically waives reinstatement fees for suspensions under section 321.210, subsection 1, paragraph "a", subparagraph (3), related to incapacity.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

passed · Iowa · House Mar 26, 2026

HF 2628: A bill for an act relating to the driving privileges of persons under the age of eighteen who were previously issued a special minor’s restricted license that was subsequently suspended, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2628 allows Iowa's Department of Transportation to issue instruction permits to minors under 18 whose special restricted driving licenses were suspended due to violations (like traffic offenses or accidents). This replaces the current rule that blocked them from obtaining any license type for three months after their 16th birthday. The instruction permit ($6 fee) permits supervised driving with an approved adult (parent, guardian, instructor, or 25+ person with permission) in the front seat. The bill takes effect March 1, 2027, or when the new license system launches, whichever comes first.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

died · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2026

HF 2700: A bill for an act relating to sufficient English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, providing penalties, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2700 requires Iowa commercial drivers to demonstrate English language proficiency through a computer-based exam administered by the Department of Transportation before obtaining or renewing a commercial driver's license. Drivers who fail to meet the requirement cannot operate commercial vehicles and face a $1,000 fine or up to one year in jail for violating this provision. Commercial carriers that employ unproficient drivers face civil penalties of $3,000 for a first violation, increasing to $10,000 for subsequent violations, with fines deposited into the road use tax fund. The law aligns with federal safety standards (49 C.F.R. §391.11(b)(2)) and takes effect no earlier than March 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways

died · Iowa · House Mar 5, 2026

HF 2268: A bill for an act relating to the administration and regulation of matters associated with the operation, registration, and titling of motor vehicles, making penalties applicable, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2268 updates Iowa's motor vehicle regulations, primarily affecting drivers with chauffeur's instruction permits. It increases the fee for these permits to $12 (from $6 for standard instruction permits) and requires them to face the same suspension or revocation rules as regular driver's licenses. The bill also mandates that accident reports involving injuries, deaths, or $5,500+ in property damage must be submitted electronically within 72 hours. Additionally, it standardizes electronic reporting for all accident documentation and clarifies that chauffeur's permits issued before the law's effective date remain valid until their expiration.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Vehicle Registration

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2375: A bill for an act relating to conventional human drivers physically present in certain driverless-capable vehicles, and making penalties applicable. Effective date: 07/01/2026.

HF 2375 requires a human driver to be physically present in self-driving vehicles used for commercial purposes (like delivery services or ride-hailing) in Iowa, while allowing driverless operation for personal use. The human driver must monitor the vehicle, intervene manually if needed (including stopping the vehicle), hold a valid driver's license with required commercial endorsements (like a CDL), and follow all vehicle safety laws. This directly affects commercial operators of autonomous vehicles, ensuring human oversight during operations. The bill builds on existing Iowa law that already permits driverless vehicles without humans for personal use, adding this specific requirement for commercial applications.

Topics ✗ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles Driver Licensing

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