How to Order Your Iowa Driving Record
An Iowa driving record is kept by the Iowa Department of Transportation, and it provides you with information, such as your driver’s license status and past traffic violations. Below you will learn more about the information stated on a driving history report and how to get your IA personal driving record.
What is on my Iowa driving record?
Depending on the type of driving record and where you purchase it, your Iowa driving record may provide either a partial or complete outline of your personal IA driving history. If you order your driving record directly from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, it will contain:
- Driving status
- Suspensions or revocations
- Convictions
- Violation codes
- Fines
- Endorsements
- License classification
- Traffic accident reports
Did you know? Your personal driving history is a public record. Potential employers, insurance providers, and courts of law can all request a copy of your driving history.
What do points on my Iowa driving record mean?
Points found on an Iowa Department of Transportation full driving record are any infractions you listed on your Iowa driving history report. Infractions have different point values, and when they add up to a certain amount, your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked. Infractions and point values that can be found on an Iowa driving record from the DOT are as follows:
- Perjury or making a false statement under oath: 2 points
- Driving while under suspension, revocation, or denial: 2 points
- Driving while under an alcohol or drug-related revocation: 3 points
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs: 4 points
- Failure to stop and leave information or render aid at an accident site: 5 points
- Eluding or attempting to elude law enforcement: 5 points
- Serious injury caused by the operation of a motor vehicle: 5 points
- Manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle: 6 points
If you have any incorrect points on your driving history report can be fixed by contacting your local DMV. Taking a traffic school course can remove points off your record.
How do points against my Iowa drivers license affect me?
Iowa residents may have their drivers license barred for receiving a certain amount of points in a given time period. The Iowa Department of Transportation point system ranges from two to six points for a single conviction.
Based on the number of driving record points you accumulate within six years in the state of Iowa, your drivers license will be suspended or barred for the following number of years:
- 6-7 points: 2 years
- 8-9 points: 3 years
- 10-12 points: 4 years
- 13-15 points: 5 years
- 16 points or more: 6 years
If you are stopped by law enforcement after your driver’s license has been barred, you may be imprisoned for up to two years in Iowa. Traffic citation points or demerits added to your Iowa Department of Transportation complete driving record can cause a drivers license suspension, affect your employment status, and/or raise your auto insurance rates.
How do I remove Iowa drivers license points from my record?
In Iowa, drivers cannot remove points from driving records issued by the Department of Transportation once they have been put on their driver’s license. If you accumulate too many drivers license points, you may face higher auto insurance rates and possible employment opportunities may be affected.
Iowa residents can reduce the number of points from their full driving record from the Department of Transportation. By taking a defensive driving course, drivers can have two points deducted from their current driving record and may also qualify for a reduction in car insurance rates.
How long do points stay on my Iowa driving record?
Points on your Iowa Department of Transportation complete personal driving history can remain on your record anywhere from five to 12 years depending on the violations committed. Other than waiting out their expiration, drivers have the option to reduce the number of points on their driving record by taking a defensive driving course.
Iowa DUI Records
The Iowa Department of Transportation full driving record reports include Iowa residents’ DUI criminal records. To take a driving course or to find out if an older incident has been removed from your driving history, you may need to provide your DUI arrest records.
How do I know if my Iowa driving license is suspended?
Check your drivers license status in Iowa by purchasing a copy of your driving record. The information in your Iowa driving report includes the reasons and durations for driver’s license suspensions.
Previous Iowa Traffic Violations
Iowa drivers can look over previously committed traffic violations by ordering a DMV driving history report. Violations included in an IA driving record consist of speeding violations, running red lights, or not using your turn signal.
Why do I need a copy of my Iowa driving record?
Ordering a copy of your Iowa driving record will provide you with information about your driving infractions. By obtaining an IA DMV driving record, you will be prepared for several different scenarios such as applying for a job as a commercial driver and improving your auto insurance rates.
Check for Points in Iowa
Driving records provided by the Iowa Department of Transportation include information such as the number of points residents have accumulated on their driver’s license. Checking for points is one of the main reason residents in Iowa order a copy of their IA personal driving history.
It is important to drive safely and obey all traffic rules and regulations in the state. If you received a traffic infraction on your license, check to see how many points you have and how close you are to getting your driver’s license suspended.
Applying for a New Commercial Driver Position in Iowa
A driving record without violations, demerit points or fines, will facilitate the process to get hired as a commercial vehicle driver in Iowa. If you would like to be one step ahead of your potential employer, order your driving record today.
Fix any mistakes or find out how you can remove points ahead of time. If you have a history of traffic convictions, you are also encouraged to prepare a thoughtful explanation prior to participating in a job interview.
Lower Iowa Auto Insurance Premiums
To receive more affordable car insurance rates, it is important to maintain a clean Iowa personal driving history. Insurance companies are more prone to accept insurance applications from drivers who are not usually involved in accidents/violations.
Multiple points on your Iowa driving record issued by the Department of Transportation will most likely cause you to pay higher auto insurance premiums. Drivers who have a history of multiple accidents and traffic violations are considered liabilities to insurance companies. Clear your driving record by taking a traffic school course before applying for car insurance.
Take Traffic School to Prevent Points in Iowa
Attending traffic school in the state of Iowa can help you gain a number of benefits that positively affect your personal driving history. Firstly, your auto insurance cannot be canceled and your premiums cannot be raised if you complete an Iowa traffic school program. Secondly, it allows you to meet the requirements that may have been placed by an Iowa traffic court.
Drivers may also be able to avoid driver’s license suspensions and reinstate their licenses by completing an Iowa approved traffic school. Residents can prevent points from accumulating on their Iowa driving record by taking a traffic school course and reducing the chances of receiving any traffic citations in the future.
Why do employers check your Iowa driving record?
Employers in Iowa check driving records of potential employees to ensure their company’s safety. Employers look over potential employee’s driving records prior to making hiring decisions to avoid accidents from occurring while on the job. A personal driving history serves as the prime representation of an applicant’s safe driving abilities.
If you are an employer looking to hire a new worker for a job that involves a significant amount of driving such as a commercial vehicle driver or a delivery truck driver, getting driving records in Iowa is one of the first steps you should take. Therefore, if you are an applicant hoping to land a position as a driver, obtaining a copy of your Iowa driving history report is just as important in order to make sure it is an accurate representation of you.
Different Types of Iowa Driving Records
Two different kinds of driving records are issued by the Iowa Department of Transportation: a certified driving record and a non-certified drivers record. Learn more about these documents in the sections below:
Iowa Certified Driving Record
A certified Iowa driving history, issued by the Department of Transportation, contains the personal details of the driver as well as his or her license status, license expiration date, driving convictions, suspensions, and any accidents he or she has been involved in. A certified driving record is mainly used for official purposes related to local, state and federal courts.
Iowa Non-Certified Driving Record
A non-certified personal driving history provided by the Department of Transportation features the same information as the certified record. The only difference is that this document is primarily used for more general purposes. A non-certified driving record is a document that insurance companies and potential employers use when making a decision about a candidate.
How do I fix a mistake on my Iowa drivers history report?
If you find a mistake on your Iowa drivers history report, contact the Iowa Department of Transportation. The IA DOT is responsible for correcting any mistakes on your driving record upon your request. DMV.com encourages you to get a copy of your personal driving record to check for inconsistencies and fix any errors.
What is not included on my Iowa driving record report?
An Iowa drivers history does not include certain information that you might find useful. DMV.com has set up resources to allow you to obtain the following information for your records:
- Background checks
- VIN Checks
- Police record reports
Vehicle Registration History
Iowa vehicles you have registered in the state will show up in this section of the report. Certain situations require you to show proof of an older registration and obtaining your driving history in Iowa will provide you said proof.
Driving Record Fees in Iowa
A driving record in Iowa costs $5.50. If requesting this document online, you will also be required to pay for a $1.50 service fee. On the other hand, if you request this document by mail, you will be charged $0.50 per copy.