Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the Iowa Department of Transportation allows a certified Iowa driving record to be purchased online at the Iowa DOT myMVD website. The driving record will be Iowa DOT certified and made available for official and legal use. It may be purchased for a fee of $5.50 plus a $1.50 service charge. A noncertified Iowa drivers record is available online to be printed for personal non-official use, free of charge.

For more information: Your Iowa Driving Record

If caught speeding over 25mph over the speed limit and issued and needing to pay speeding tickets in Iowa, it may be punishable by having to attend a Driver Improvement Program. Driver Improvement Programs may be required if cited for three moving tickets in one year. The speeding ticket must be paid and the Driver Improvement Program will need to be completed to have driving privileges and be in accordance with Iowa law.

For questions regarding ticket guidelines, use the Iowa Courts Online Search Trial Court E-paymentwebsite. The complete procedures may be outlined during the court hearing.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Iowa

Residents in Iowa pay traffic tickets online, by mail or in person. Traffic and parking tickets are paid through separate means. Regarding traffic tickets:

• To pay online, visit the Iowa Courts Online Search Trial Court E-paymentwebsite
• To pay by mail, mail a check or money order with the Ticket Citation Number to the traffic ticket address
• To pay in person, bring the payment and ticket to the MBV of the traffic ticket county

Parking tickets may be paid using the Iowa Courts Online website if the ticket was filed with the clerk of court. If not, the parking ticket must paid with the specific county parking fine centers.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Iowa

In the case of suspected illegal access to an individual s driving records, contact the Iowa Department of Transportation. The Iowa Interactive Help Desk provides questions regarding Iowa Driver s License Records and suspected access. They may be contacted at:

• 866-492-3468
• dlrsupport@iowai.org

The Iowa Department of Transportation may also be contacted at:

• 515-239-1101

For more information: Your Iowa Driving Record

Copies of Iowa driving records are available to be accessed online or through mail. To obtain a copy of the IA drivers record, visit the Iowa DOT myMVD website. An official certifieddriving record is available to be purchased for a fee of $5.50, plus a $1.50 service charge.

To obtain an Iowa DOT certified driving recordvia mail, send a payment of $5.50 and a completed Privacy Act Agreement For Request of Motor Vehicle Records form. The request may be mailed to:

Office of Driver Services Iowa Department of Transportation P.O. Box 9204 Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9204

An unofficial driving record is available to print online at the Iowa DOT myMVD website free of charge for viewing pleasure.

For more information: Your Iowa Driving Record

Traffic ticket dismissals depend on the county of the issued ticket. Some traffic tickets may be dismissed by paying traffic ticket fines or by attending mandated driver classes. Every county s traffic ticket dismissal may vary and it is important to contact the court or county of the ticket regarding questions on specific tickets.

Court ticket dismissals for traffic tickets may also be dismissed depending on the ticket type. Demonstrating financial liability, vehicle liability and/or valid driver s license to the court before the court date may dismiss traffic citations for the previously stated cases.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Iowa

Authorized users only may access the Iowa DOT Certified Drivers License Records database. The website services are only available to businesses, organizations, and governmental agencies. Iowa driving records pertaining to businesses and/or other operations may be applied for by providing:

• A Letter of Intent completed on respective letterhead explaining reason for record access.
• Completed Privacy Act Agreement For Request of Motor Vehicle Records with signatures.
• Copy of the requestor s driver s license.

Mail application/agreement paperwork and the payment amount to:

Iowa Interactive, LLC

DLR Support

500 E Court Ave., Suite 310

Des Moines, IA 50309

For more information: Your Iowa Driving Record

Under the Iowa Implied Consent Law, refusal to submit to an Iowa OWIexamination a driver s privilege will be revoked. If refusing examination, the driver will be subject to a 90-day waiting period to apply for a temporary restricted license. To reinstate a driver s license or driving privileges after refusing an Iowa DUI test,a driver may need to provide:

• $200 civil penalty fee (subject to change)
• Evidence of community service
• Evidence of completed and approved drinking drivers course
• Evidence of financial responsibility (if applicable)
• Evidence of substance abuse evaluation and treatment or rehabilitation services (if applicable)
• Interlock requirement completion (if applicable)

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Iowa

Points may not be removed from a driving record. In the case of accumulating too many violations or accidents, the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Office of Driver Services may take measures with the driver privileges. The state or county administer IA traffic ticket fines, defensive driving requirements, and suspension or revocation. If accumulating more than six points in a six-year period, the Iowa driver s license may be barred for certain years. Contact the Iowa DOT regarding driver s records and point accumulation.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Iowa

If having three or more vehicle convictions in a period of six years, the Iowa Department of Transportation holds the right to suspend a driver s license. If accumulating more than six points in a six-year period, the Iowa driver s license may be barred for at least two years. If a driver s license is barred, no driving may take place during the suspension period.

If attempting to drive while barred or suspended, additional points may be added to the license. Aside from points and fines, the Iowa DOT and the Iowa court systems reserve the right to administer additional penalties.

For more information: Your Iowa Driving Record

Iowa does not allow traffic school attendance to remove points from the record. Points are acquired on the record for serious driving infractions and are measured in six-year periods. If a license accumulates six to seven points, it will be barred for a minimum of two years. A barred license revokes any driving privileges for the time being barred. In most cases, Defensive Driving courses may be assigned by the Iowa DOT.

For more information: Your Iowa Driving Record

The Iowa Courts Online Search Trial Court E-paymentdatabase lets ticketed residents in Iowa pay traffic tickets online. Simply enter:

• Case Type (Traffic Ticket)
• County of the case
• First name and last name OR citation number

To pay for parking tickets, visit the county specific online database. If the case or citation number is not in your possession, the following can be used to look up the case:

• License Plate number
• License Plate state

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Iowa

An Iowa DUI or DWI is referred to as an OWI,referring to a driver operating while intoxicated in Iowa.

If the driver s license was revoked at the time of the arrest, a temporary restricted license may be applied for after the court hearing and all requirements have been explained. If the alcohol level indicates .08 or more, the temporary restricted license may be applied for. If the alcohol level indicates .15 or more, the person has a 30-day waiting period from the effective date of the sanction to be allowed to apply for a temporary restricted license.After all court-mandated requirements are completed; the driver may apply for a new driver s license.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Iowa

A certified and noncertified Iowa driving record is available on the online driving record database using myMVD. The website allows an Iowa driver to obtain a non-certified driving record for personal use and free of charge. Additionally, an Iowa DOT certified DMV driving record may be purchased online for a fee of $5.50 plus a $1.50 service charge. The certified IA drivers record may be used for legal or official matters. The driving record includes:

• Driving history
• Endorsements
• Personal information
• Restrictions
• Status of driver s license

For more information: Your Iowa Driving Record

The Iowa Courts and the Iowa DOT determine the Iowa OWIcase penalties. Penalties may include a series of payments, including but not limited to:

• $625.00 to $1,200.00 Iowa DUI ticket
• $200.00 civil penalty fee

Other penalties are court-mandated and depend on the DUI case and judge decision. Penalties may include but are not limited to:

• Community service
• Completing incarceration period
• Completing Interlock requirement
• Evidence of completed and approved drinking drivers course
• Evidence of financial responsibility
• Evidence of substance abuse evaluation and treatment or rehabilitation services

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Iowa

If an Iowa traffic ticket fine is administered for serious traffic violations while operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle certain measures may be taken. Serious traffic violations include but are not limited to:

• Excessive speeding (15 mph or more above the limit)
• Following a vehicle too closely
• Improper or erratic change of lanes
• Reckless driving

Apart from having to pay traffic tickets online, in person or via mail at Iowa courts the CDL may be revoked for:

• A minimum of 60 days if committing two serious traffic violations in three years
• A minimum of 120 days if committing three or more traffic violations in three years

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Iowa

When accessing a driving record, the record will provide personal information and driver s information. This may include:

• Driving history
• Endorsements
• Restrictions
• Status of driver s license

Personal information will provide the driver s name, address, date of birth, and driver s license or VIN. The Iowa driving history will include all convictions, suspensions and reinstatements that are recorded in the Iowa driving record database.

For more information: Your Iowa Driving Record

An OWIin Iowa is a serious violation of the law and holds strict consequences. In accordance with the Iowa OWILaw, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle in Iowa when:

• Having an alcohol concentration of .08 or more
• Having any amount of a controlled substance in the body
• Under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances

Being charged with an OWIholds a series of consequences. A DWI citation between $625.00 and $1,200.00 (subject to change) may be assigned by an Iowa court when found guilty of driving under the influence. A series of court-mandated guidelines will need to be met before a driver s license may be reinstated.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Iowa

An Iowa DUI ticket may range between$625.00 and $1,200.00 (subject to change). Aside from paying specific fines for OWIcharges, a series of other penalties may be administered to the Iowa court s decision. Penalties may include:

• Community service
• Incarceration
• Drinking drivers courses
• Substance abuse evaluation and applicable treatment or rehabilitation services

OWIcosts not only include DUI ticket costs but also civil penalty fees, reinstatement fees or any examinations or courses required by the Iowa Courts and the Iowa DOT.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Iowa

Traffic ticket prices in Iowa vary based on the offense that led to the traffic fine. You can find out the cost of your traffic violation by checking the ticket documentation, checking the traffic ticket details online or waiting until your court appearance.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Iowa

To access the Iowa online drivers record,there is no charge. However, to have a certified, Iowa DMV driving record, a $5.50 fee is required. If obtaining an online driving record, via myMVD there is anadditional $1.50 service charge.

If requesting the certified IA driving record through mail, complete the Privacy Act Agreement For Request of Motor Vehicle Records form and enclose the $5.50 fee either in check or money order. The request may be mailed to:

• Office of Driver Services Iowa Department of Transportation P.O. Box 9204 Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9204

For more information: Your Iowa Driving Record

If operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle, it is illegal to have a blood alcohol concentration above .04 percent. When in possession of a CDL, there is automatic consent to testing alcohol in the body. If charged with an Iowa OWIordriving under the influence in whichever state the CMV is operated, the CDL will be confiscated, suspended or revoked.

The commercial driver s license will be suspended for one year if operating a CMV and:

• Having blood alcohol concentration is .04 percent or more.
• Refusing blood alcohol testing.
• Being under the influence of a controlled substance.
• Being under the influence of alcohol.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Iowa

A driver under the age of 21 is considered a minor according to Iowa law. Under the .02/”zero tolerance” violation,a minor may not hold any alcohol in their body while operating a vehicle. Penalties vary depending on each Iowa OWIcircumstances:

• If a minor consents to chemical testing and the alcohol level is between .02 percent and .08, the driver s license will be revoked for 60 days on a first violation
• If a minor does not consent to chemical testing and is suspected of driving with .02 percent or more, the driver s license will be revoked for one year

Minors penalized under the.02/”zero tolerance” violation are not eligible for a temporary restricted license during the period of revocation and are charged with driving while intoxicated.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Iowa

After being charged with an Iowa DUI citation, a court hearing will be arranged. Depending on the court s decision and reinstatement guidelines, a series of requirements will be assigned in order to reinstate a driver s license when charged with an Iowa OWI. These reinstatement guidelines may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Community service
• Completing incarceration period
• Completing Interlock requirement
• Evidence of completed and approved drinking drivers course
• Evidence of financial responsibility
• Evidence of substance abuse evaluation and treatment or rehabilitation services
• Paying $200.00 civil penalty fee (subject to change)
• Paying required criminal DUI citation payments

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Iowa

In Iowa driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will result in an IA OWIif above a .08 alcohol level. An ignition interlock device may be assigned under Iowa law to drivers convicted of an OWIand needing to maintain limited driving privileges. The Iowa DOT allows ignition interlock devices to be administered by approved agencies.

The Iowa DOT website provides an Iowa OWI (operating while intoxicated) page. On the page, there is a subsection titled Iowa’s ignition interlock devices. This subsection explains Iowa ignition interlock policies and provides a list of approved administrators by the Division of Criminal Investigation.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Iowa

Information regarding paying traffic tickets and corresponding ticket information can be found online using theIowa Courts Online Search Trial Court E-paymenton the Iowa Courts government website. To locate the traffic ticket, use the search engine using the Case Number on the issued traffic ticket. Not all traffic tickets can be paid online, some may require payment by mail or in person.

Parking tickets must be paid according to the specific county where the parking ticket was issued. Most counties have specific parking fine payment centers, online or in person.

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Iowa

Traffic tickets are available for viewing on the myMVD webpage. Traffic tickets may also be found on the Iowa Courts case look-up government webpage. If the traffic ticket does not appear on the record, it may mean that the traffic ticket has yet to be processed into the system. In other cases, it may be a citation that is not allowed to be shownor is not a moving violation. For questions regardingIowa driving records and history contact the Iowa Department of Transportation at 515-239-1101.

For more information: Your Iowa Driving Record

If having three or more vehicle convictions in a period of six years, the Iowa driver s license may be barred for at least two years. Certain driving convictions may require paying traffic tickets in Iowa as well as fulfilling court-mandated revocations. The following traffic violations may lead to points on a license:

• Driving under suspension, revocation, or denial:two points
• Driving under the influence: four points
• Serious injury caused by operating a motor vehicle: five points
• Manslaughter by operating a motor vehicle: six points

For more information: How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in Iowa

In various cases involving driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated in Iowa, the Iowa Court will assign alcohol awareness courses and evaluations. The court and the Iowa DOT will require the OWIoffender to attend a Drinking Drivers course as well as undergo a substance abuse evaluation. In many cases, the substance abuse evaluation may require accompanied substance abuse treatment. The court may choose to issue a Substance Abuse Reality Program as part of the reinstatement requirements.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Iowa