Transportation (Driver Licensing) in Iowa

in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SF 2288: A bill for an act concerning speed-related driving violations, providing penalties, making penalties applicable, and including applicability provisions.

This bill (SF 2288) creates an automatic driver's license revocation for drivers convicted of exceeding 100 miles per hour in Iowa. It directly affects drivers found operating vehicles at or above 100 mph, requiring the Department of Transportation to revoke their license for 90 days without a preliminary hearing. Key provisions include new penalties of $235 plus $5 for each mph over 20 mph above the limit and prohibiting temporary restricted licenses for this offense. The law applies starting March 1, 2027, or when Iowa's new license system is implemented.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SF 2173: A bill for an act relating to sufficient English language proficiency requirements for commercial drivers, and providing penalties.

This bill requires Iowa's Department of Transportation to test commercial driver's license (CDL) applicants and renewers for sufficient English language proficiency before issuing or renewing their licenses. It directly affects commercial drivers applying for or renewing CDLs, as well as commercial motor carriers hiring drivers. Key provisions include mandating a computer-based English proficiency exam (testing ability to read, speak, and understand traffic signs and official communications), prohibiting license issuance without passing the test, and imposing civil penalties of $3,000-$10,000 for carriers employing unqualified drivers or $1,000 for drivers operating vehicles without proficiency. The penalties fund Iowa's road use tax fund, and violations may also constitute a serious misdemeanor.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HSB 602: A bill for an act relating to peer-to-peer car sharing programs.

This bill establishes rules for peer-to-peer car sharing platforms, where individuals rent their personal vehicles to others. It requires platforms to assume liability for bodily injury or property damage during vehicle sharing periods and ensures minimum insurance coverage (meeting state requirements) for both owners and drivers. Platforms must provide primary insurance coverage if owners or drivers lack valid coverage, and they cannot be held liable under laws that penalize vehicle ownership during sharing. The law specifically excludes traditional rental car companies from these rules.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SF 2030: A bill for an act concerning speed-related driving violations, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.

This bill (SF 2030) requires automatic driver's license revocation for drivers convicted of exceeding 100 miles per hour in Iowa. It allows peace officers to immediately revoke licenses on the spot when detecting speeds of 100+ MPH, providing a temporary 10-day license while sending the license to the Department of Transportation. The law directly affects drivers convicted of this specific speeding violation, imposing a 30-day license revocation without requiring a separate hearing. This change modifies existing traffic laws to create an automatic penalty for extreme speeding, separate from other offenses like drag racing or reckless driving.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HSB 560: 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.

This bill creates a special instruction permit pathway for drivers suspended due to medical conditions preventing safe driving. It allows individuals to obtain a permit without a driving test (using a medical report) and pay a fee, staying their license suspension until they qualify for a regular license. Reinstatement fees are waived specifically for suspensions under Section 321.210(1)(a)(3) related to medical incapacity. The bill directly affects Iowans suspended for physical or mental conditions impacting driving safety.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 3, 2026

HSB 512: A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the department of transportation, and including applicability provisions.

This Iowa bill (HSB 512) updates driver licensing and accident reporting rules under the Department of Transportation. It standardizes electronic submission of accident reports: drivers must submit written reports electronically within 72 hours for serious incidents, and law enforcement must submit reports electronically within 24 hours of investigations. The bill also clarifies that chauffeur’s instruction permits are subject to the same suspension rules as regular licenses and adjusts fees for various permit types (e.g., $12 for chauffeur’s instruction permits). These changes directly affect drivers, law enforcement agencies, and the Iowa Department of Transportation in processing licenses and accident documentation.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 3, 2026

HF 2176: A bill for an act relating to operating a motor vehicle at excessive speeds, providing penalties, and making penalties applicable.

HF 2176 amends Iowa law to address speeding at 100 miles per hour or more. It requires immediate driver's license suspension (without a preliminary hearing) upon conviction for exceeding 100 mph, replaces the current 30-day notice requirement. The bill defines operating a vehicle at 100+ mph as reckless driving and increases penalties to a $500 base fine plus $5 for each mile per hour over the limit, with courts requiring in-person appearances for these violations. This directly affects drivers convicted of such high-speed offenses, imposing stricter license, fine, and court procedures compared to lower-speed violations.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HSB 575: A bill for an act relating to the use of child restraint devices by certain children traveling in motor vehicles.

This bill amends Iowa law to update child passenger safety requirements. It extends the requirement for rear-facing car seats to children under age two (previously age one) and raises the age for forward-facing car seats from six to eight years. Children aged eight to eighteen must use either a car seat or an approved seat belt in most vehicles (excluding school buses and motorcycles). The bill removes an existing exemption allowing children in the back seat to skip restraints when seat belts are unavailable. Violations carry a $135 fine, but do not affect driver's license status.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 17, 2026

HSB 118: A bill for an act authorizing manufacturers of battery electric motor vehicles to be licensed as motor vehicle dealers.

This bill allows manufacturers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) - defined as vehicles powered solely by rechargeable batteries, without internal combustion engines - to be licensed as dealers specifically for their own vehicles. Currently, state law prohibits vehicle manufacturers from owning or operating dealerships, but this bill creates a new exception for BEV makers. The change would let companies like Tesla sell directly to consumers through their own dealerships, rather than relying on third-party dealers. It does not affect dealerships selling conventional vehicles or other vehicle types. The bill is pending in the Judiciary Subcommittee.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Driver Licensing Electric Vehicles

died · Iowa · House Feb 24, 2025

HF 41: A bill for an act relating to additional penalties for violations for failing to reduce speed when required or otherwise control a motor vehicle that result in serious injury or death.

HF 41 (withdrawn February 24, 2025) would have increased penalties for drivers convicted of traffic violations causing serious injury or death. Specifically, it added violations of Iowa Code § 321.288 (requiring reduced speed for pedestrians, animals, work zones, or hazardous conditions) to the list of offenses triggering additional penalties. If convicted of such a violation causing serious injury, drivers could face a $500 fine, up to 90 days license suspension, or both. For violations causing death, penalties would include a $1,000 fine, up to 180 days license suspension, or both. The bill was approved by committee but later withdrawn.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

All transportation bills