How to Get Your Driver License

Intro

The process of getting your driver's license will depend on several factors, including your age and how long you've lived in Iowa.

The GDL Program

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs are designed to help young novice or new drivers adjust to the responsibility of obtaining full driving privileges. Studies have shown that GDL programs help reduce collisions among novice drivers. In Iowa, there are three stages to the GDL program.

The first stage is the Learner Stage. Here is a quick rundown of requirements for getting your instruction permit:

1. You must be 14 years of age
2. Present proof of identity to the DOT
3. Pay a fee
4. Pass a vision screening
5. Pass a written knowledge test
6. Have the written permission of your parents

Drivers with their instruction permit may drive at any time with the supervision of a licensed parent, guardian, custodian, an immediate family member who's at least age 21, a driver education instructor, or anyone at least age 25, as long as the driver's parents or guardians give written permission.

Instruction permit holders cannot use cellphones while driving, and they can only have as many passengers are there are seatbelts.

You can earn your intermediate license when you're age 16 and you've held your instruction permit for at least 12 months, as long as your driving record has been clean for at least six consecutive months before you apply for your intermediate license.

Before earning your intermediate license, you'll need to complete an Iowa-approved driver education course. Safe2Drive's Iowa Parent-Taught Driver Education course satisfies this requirement. You will need your parent or guardian to provide written consent when you apply for your intermediate license either in person at a driver's license issuance site, or by completing an online form.

You'll also need to complete 20 hours of supervised driving, which includes any driving you complete during your driver's education course, before earning your intermediate license. At least two of those hours need to be at night (i.e., between sunset and sunrise).

With an intermediate license, you may drive without adult supervision between 5 am and 12:30 am, and you can drive at any time with a licensed adult supervisor (e.g., a parent, guardian, custodian, immediate family member who is at least age 21, a driver education instructor, or anyone at least age 25 with written permission from your parent/guardian/custodian).

Intermediate license holders may not drive without adult supervision between 12:30 am and 5 am, though your parent, guardian, or custodian can submit a waiver of hour restriction for work or school purposes, which you'll need to keep in the vehicle when driving during those hours. You cannot use electronic communication or entertainment devices while driving.

If your intermediate license says you have a passenger restriction, for the first six months of having your license, you can only carry one minor passenger (that isn't a relative) when driving without adult supervision. In this case, a relative would be your siblings, step-siblings, or another minor living in your household. You can never carry more passengers than there are seatbelts in the vehicle.

The full driver's license is available at age 17, as long as you meet all the requirements for the intermediate license. You'll need to hold your intermediate license for at least 12 consecutive months before you can apply for your full driver's license, and maintain a clean driving record for those six months. You'll also have to complete ten hours of supervised driving while holding your intermediate license, with at least two of the hours happening between sunset and sunrise.

Once you're age 18, you can get your full license without meeting the above requirements for 17-year-olds.

Exams

There are several exams you may be required to complete in order to get your driver's license.

Usually you'll have to pass a knowledge test or tests before you can earn a learner's permit or driver's license. The knowledge test shows that you understand traffic laws and safety before you get behind the wheel. You'll need a grade of 80% or better to pass the knowledge test.

The vision exam. You will have to take a vision exam at the DMV with or without corrective lenses. If you wear glasses or corrective lenses you will be required to wear them during your driving test and any time you operate a motor vehicle. This will be noted on your driver’s license.

The driving test. This test is given after all other tests have been passed and you’ve given the DOT proof that your car insurance covers the vehicle you're using to take the test. Drivers age 16 and 17 will need to take a drive test if any of the following applies to them:

• Your driver education instructor decides you need to complete the drive test before you can earn your license.
• You have a medical condition that might affect your ability to drive safely.
• You were ordered by a court to take the drive test.

Drivers age 18 or older will be required to take a drive test if any of these apply:

• You've never been licensed in the US.
• You have an expired out-of-state license.
• Your Iowa license has been expired or invalid for at least one year.
• You have a medical condition that might affect your ability to drive safely.
• You have restrictions on your Iowa driver's license that can only be removed by completing the drive test.
• A court ordered you to complete the drive test.

The Iowa DOT may require a drive test at any time.

New Iowa Residents

If you've moved to Iowa from outside of the state, you'll need to get an Iowa driver's license. If you've never been licensed, you'll need to present acceptable proof of identity, Iowa residency, and your social security number. You'll have to pass the vision test, all applicable written test, and the driving test, as well as pay any applicable fees.

If you already have a valid out-of-state license, you will need to present acceptable proof of identity, Iowa residency, and your social security number. You'll also need to pass a vision test and pay applicable fees.

For those born outside the US, or who are not American citizens, you must do the following:

• Present acceptable proof of identity and Iowa residency. If your immigration document shows that your remaining status is less than 30 days, you will not be issued a driver's license.
• Present proof of social security. You don’t have to document a social security number if you're a temporary foreign national and you're not authorized for employment. You will, however, need your USCIS number verified by the Iowa DOT. Those who are eligible for employment but do not have a social security number will need to get one before they can receive their driver's license.
• Pass your vision test, written test(s), and driving test(s).
• Pay any applicable fees.

What to Bring to the DMV

What you need to bring with you to the DMV will depend on what type of license you are applying for. You can visit the DOT's website to see a full list of approved documents, but generally you will need:

• Proof of identity documents (e.g., a US Birth Certificate, a US Citizen Identification Card, a valid, unexpired US passport or passport card, Consular Report or Birth Abroad, Certificate of Naturalization, or Refugee Travel Document).
• Name change documentation
• Documentation showing your social security number
• Proof of residency documents (e.g., Iowa voter registration card, utility hookup or bill, pay stub from your employer).

If you're an Iowa resident and need to complete a driver education course to satisfy licensing requirements, click the orange button below to learn more about Safe2Drive's online Iowa Driver Education course!

Register for IA Driver's Ed Course