Driving Without Insurance in Iowa

If a driver of an Iowa-registered vehicle cannot show proof of coverage at a stop, the officer may issue a warning, issue a citation, issue a citation and remove the plates and registration (the vehicle may then be driven for up to 48 hours only to get it off the road), or issue a citation, remove the plates and registration and impound the vehicle. The scheduled fine is $325, or $645 if the violation is connected with a motor vehicle accident; a court may order unpaid community service instead of the fine. To get new plates and registration the owner must show proof of coverage, proof the fine was paid, and pay a $15 administrative fee to the county treasurer; an impounded vehicle also requires payment of towing and storage and may be treated as abandoned if not claimed within 30 days. A citation is dismissed (with court costs) if the driver shows the clerk that coverage was in effect at the time of the stop.

A person may not drive on Iowa highways (including public and customer parking lots) unless financial liability coverage is in effect and the driver has the proof of financial liability coverage card for the vehicle in the vehicle; out-of-state vehicles may carry other evidence of coverage. The card may be shown on paper or electronically, including an image displayed on a cell phone or other portable electronic device. Insurers must issue a card for each insured Iowa vehicle showing the vehicle, expiration date, insurer and an emergency phone number; a card for coverage that ends early must be destroyed.

When the Iowa DOT requires proof of financial responsibility after a suspension or revocation, it is required from the first day of the suspension or revocation and must be maintained for two years. It can be provided by an Iowa-authorized insurer filing an SR-22, by filing a surety bond, cash or securities totaling $55,000, by an employer's fleet insurer filing an SR-23 (employer vehicles only), or by driving a vehicle of a self-insured certificate holder or Motor Carrier Services permit holder with written authorization. Only vehicles listed on the SR-22 may be driven and registered. Failing to show or maintain the proof results in suspension of the license and registrations.