Just Moved to Iowa. How Do I Transfer My Driver's License and Vehicle Registration?

by Jim on July 19, 2022

Tags: Iowa drivers license, IA DMV, Iowa

Welcome to the Hawkeye State in the Midwest region of the United States! Locating to a different state can be exciting and also frustrating. Here’s your guide to help you make a smooth transition with your out-of-state documents from your home state to your new state of Iowa.

Required Documentation to Transfer Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to Iowa

There are certain documents you must present at your local Iowa Department of Transportation office, such as:

Your current out-of-state driver’s license (your license must not be canceled, suspended, or revoked in ANY state)
Proof of identity and date of birth
Lawful U.S. presence (for Non-U.S. born individuals)
Name change documentation (if applicable)
Proof of social security number
Proof of residency
Payment for applicable fees

Steps You Need to Take to Transfer Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to Iowa

To successfully complete the transfer of your out-of-state driver’s license to the state of Iowa, you need to take the following steps:

Visit your local Iowa DOT office and submit the required documents and surrender your out-of-state driver’s license
Pass a vision test
Pass a written knowledge test and driving skills test (if applicable)
Pay all the applicable fees

Exceptions to Transferring Your Driver’s License to Iowa

There are some exceptions to transferring your out-of-state driver’s license to the state of Iowa. If you are a minor, and at least 16 years old but less than 18 years old, you are required to meet the Iowa licensing requirements. If your out-of-state driver’s license is valid, you can obtain an IA driver’s license without being required to pass the IA driving and written knowledge tests. If your out-of-state driver’s license is invalid or has been expired for longer than 1 year, you will need to pass the IA written test.

Iowa Driver’s Written Test

Any person who operates a motor vehicle on the public streets and roads of Iowa is required to obtain a driver’s license or learner’s permit. The state of Iowa requires you to pass a vision screening before you receive an IA driver’s license or permit.

The Iowa Department of Motor Vehicles (IA DMV) written test covers the information found in the Iowa Driver’s Manual, such as road rules, highway signs, and safe driving techniques. The IA knowledge test (written test) consists of 35 questions. You need to answer at least 28 questions correctly to pass the test with a minimum passing score of 80%. The minimum age to apply to take the IA driver’s written test is 14.

Iowa Driver’s Vision Screening

The state of Iowa requires its drivers to obtain at least 20/40 vision in one eye. You can obtain 20/40 vision with or without corrective lenses. However, you are required to wear your lenses while operating a motor vehicle if you need them to pass the IA vision screening.

Registering Your Out-of-State Vehicle Registration in Iowa

Registering your out-of-state vehicle isn’t as difficult as it may seem. Keep in mind that the seller and buyer of the vehicle are required to sign and complete the IA vehicle title (including the odometer disclosure and damage disclosure statements).

You must also complete the Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (Form 411007). You need to take the required documentation and vehicle title transfer fees to your local Iowa Department of Transportation (IA DOT) office.

New Residents of Iowa

If you are new to the state of Iowa, you are required to register your vehicle with your local IA county treasurer’s office within 30 days of establishing residency. If your vehicle’s license plates are valid in a different state, this registration process is still required.

You are required to submit the following documents and payment(s) in person at your local IA DOT office:

A completed Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (Form 411007)
Your out-of-state vehicle title
Payment for the vehicle title transfer fees and registration fees

Buying or Selling a Vehicle in Iowa

It’s a good idea for you to visit your local Iowa county treasurer’s office to complete the vehicle title transfer. Visiting the treasurer’s office together can help avoid different complications.

When you’re selling a vehicle in the state of Iowa, you need to take the following steps to finalize the vehicle title transfer:

Date, sign, and complete the odometer and damage disclosure statements on the vehicle title and give them to the buyer (If there is no damage disclosure statement on the vehicle title, you must complete a Damage Disclosure Statement (Form 411108=), unless your vehicle is exempt. If there is no odometer disclosure statement on the vehicle title, you are required to provide a separate Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 411077).
Complete a Bill of Sale with the vehicle’s buyer (it’s a good idea to notarize this document)
Provide the vehicle buyer with the name of the county where the vehicle was last registered plus the date the license plate expires
Complete a Notice of Sale of Vehicle and Delivery of Title (Form 411107) and submit this form to your IA county treasurer’s office (this form certifies the transfer/delivery of your vehicle title to the vehicle purchaser)

If you are selling your vehicle to an individual who is out of state, you are required to provide a separate Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 411077) and Damage Disclosure Statement (Form 411108=), if applicable.

Be advised that if you purchase another vehicle within 30 days, you can transfer your vehicle license plates to the new vehicle. Otherwise, you will need to turn in the vehicle plates to your IA county treasurer.

Buying a Vehicle in Iowa

New Cars

If you are purchasing a new vehicle, the dealership will help you complete the required paperwork for the Iowa DOT vehicle title transfer.

Used Vehicles

You need to make sure you have the name of the county where the vehicle was last registered and the date the license plates expire. You need to know as much about the vehicle as possible.

In order to apply for an IA vehicle title transfer and correctly register your vehicle, you need to follow these steps:

The seller of the vehicle must sign, date, and complete the vehicle title, then you must complete the necessary sections of the vehicle title (the vehicle’s seller is required to complete the odometer disclosure and damage disclosure statement on the vehicle title).

If there is no section for the damage disclosure statement, the vehicle’s seller must provide a Damage Disclosure Statement (Form 411108) unless the vehicle is exempt. If there is no section provided for the odometer disclosure statement, the vehicle’s seller is required to provide you with an Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 411077).

Be advised that the lienholder will also need to sign the vehicle title, if applicable.

Obtain a Bill of Sale
Complete an Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (Form 411007)
Take the above documents and necessary payment for the IA vehicle title transfer and vehicle registration fees to your local IA DOT office

You can drive the vehicle for a maximum of 30 days without license plates. However, you are required to carry either a signed bill of sale or the vehicle title assigned to you, or a photocopy of both sides of the vehicle title. If you plan to use a bill of sale, the document must describe the vehicle in order to be valid.

Removing a Lien

Hooray! You paid off your vehicle loan! Once you pay off your car loan, you need to remove the lienholder’s name from your vehicle’s title. To apply for a lien-free IA vehicle title, you need to:

Obtain the vehicle title and a copy of the complete Cancellation of Security Interest (Form 411168) from the lienholder. The lienholder will forward the cancellation form to the IA DOT.
Complete an Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (Form 411007)

Make a note of the cancellation on the vehicle title (if not already done by the lienholder)
Submit the above items and pay for the $25 fee in person to the IA county treasurer’s office that issued the vehicle title

Keep in mind that if the lienholder fails to deliver the original vehicle title to you after completing the cancellation form, you must have the cancellation form notarized to obtain a replacement vehicle title.