Driver's License Services

In a majority of Iowa counties, the County Treasurer's Office is responsible for issuing driver's licenses to Iowa residents. This also includes motorcycle licenses, CDLs, and driver permits for Iowa residents 14 years of age and up.  However, in larger counties including Polk, Linn and Johnson, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) operates Driver’s License Stations and is responsible for issuing driver’s licenses. 

A driver's license expires on the license holder's birthday. However, the license is still valid for an additional 60 days (note: when using a driver's license as a form of identification for travel purposes, the 60-day grace period may not be recognized by travel security personnel). A license holder is required to pass the vision screening test each time the license is renewed.

If the driver's license remains expired for a period of one year after the 60-day grace period, the license holder will be required to take the written knowledge test, the drive test and the vision screening test. It is possible under special circumstances to apply for a driver's license renewal prior to the expiration of the license. An explanation will be required detailing these circumstances. An early renewal may be applied for from 30 days to one year before the expiration of the driver's license.