Iowa Driver's License & Manual

Iowa Driver’s license

Anyone who operates a motor vehicle on public streets and roads in Iowa is required to have a license. Iowa has a graduated driver’s license (GDL) system for drivers under age 18. GDL includes three steps that provide experience to improve driving skills. These steps include:

Instruction Permit – Drivers are eligible for an Instruction Permit once they are 14 years old, with parental consent and after passing the written and vision test.

Intermediate License – Drivers are eligible for an Intermediate License once they are 16 years old, with parental consent, have completed an Iowa-approved driver’s education course, have held an instruction permit for a total of at least 12 months and completed 20 hours of supervised driving.

Full License – Drivers are eligible for a Full License without restrictions, once they are 17 years old, have maintained an intermediate license for 12 consecutive months, have a clean driving record and have completed an additional 10 hours of supervised driving while holding the intermediate license. Once you turn 18, you can obtain a full license without meeting the requirements.

Optional License:

Minor School License – Drivers are eligible for a Minor School License once they are 14 ½ years old, completed an Iowa-approved driver education course, held an instruction permit and clean driving record at least six months, live more than 1 mile from the school you are enrolled, and completed the Affidavit for School License (Iowa DOT Form 430021).

For more information on Iowa driver’s license, please reference the Iowa Department of Transportation website.