Iowa Traffic Laws: Points, Tickets, License Suspension and DUI
Iowa driving rules: point system, speeding points, traffic school, how to pay or fight a ticket, license suspension, DUI limits and penalties.
Quick answers for Iowa
- Point system
- Iowa does not use a point system for ordinary suspensions; it counts convictions. A driver convicted of three or more moving violations committed within 12 months (by offense date, including out-of-state violations) is a 'habitual violator.' Minimum suspensions: 3 convictions, 90 days; Iowa Code § 321.210; Iowa Admin. Code r. 761—615.6; Iowa DOT, Habitual Violators & Serious Violation
- Points for speeding
- No points. A speeding conviction counts as a moving violation toward habitual-violator status, except that the first two speeding violations within 12 months of 10 mph or less over the limit in 35–55 mph zones are not counted. Iowa Code § 321.210(2)(d); Iowa DOT, Habitual Violators & Serious Violation
- Legal BAC limit
- 0.08 for drivers generally; 0.02 for drivers under 21. A driver can also be charged when under the influence or with any amount of a controlled substance present. Iowa Code §§ 321J.2(1), 321J.2A
- First-offense DUI penalties
- A first OWI is a serious misdemeanor punishable by at least 48 hours and up to one year in jail, a $1,250 fine (the court may waive up to $625 if there was no injury or property damage and the person has a temporary restricted license), license revocation of 180 days to one year, and… Iowa Code §§ 321J.2(2)–(3), 321J.12
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Tickets and points
| Point system | Iowa does not use a point system for ordinary suspensions; it counts convictions. A driver convicted of three or more moving violations committed within 12 months (by offense date, including out-of-state violations) is a 'habitual violator.' Minimum suspensions: 3 convictions, 90 days; 4, 120 days; 5, 150 days; 6, 180 days; 7 or more, 1 year (a hearing officer may reduce them for mitigating circumstances). Eligible drivers may instead be enrolled in a driver improvement program followed by one year of probation. Separately, three or more serious convictions (such as OWI or driving while suspended) in six years can make a driver a 'habitual offender' barred for two to six years. |
|---|---|
| Points for speeding | No points. A speeding conviction counts as a moving violation toward habitual-violator status, except that the first two speeding violations within 12 months of 10 mph or less over the limit in 35–55 mph zones are not counted. Speeding 25 mph or more over the limit is a 'serious violation' that can lead to suspension (or a driver improvement program for 25–29 mph over). |
| How long points last | Iowa driving records show all convictions, crashes and suspensions for at least the last five years, and an OWI revocation remains on the record for 12 years. Completing a driver improvement program or serving a suspension does not clear the record. |
| Traffic school | Iowa does not offer a course to dismiss a ticket. The DOT may automatically enroll eligible drivers in its driver improvement program instead of suspending them (for speeding 25–29 mph over, three countable moving violations in 12 months, or a first offense of unlawfully passing a school bus). Missing the program leads to suspension; completing it is followed by one year of probation, during which a new moving violation triggers suspension proceedings. The program does not remove violations from the record. |
| Paying or fighting a ticket | Fines can be paid online through Iowa Courts Online using the county, charge type and case or citation number (new citations may take 10 to 14 days to appear). Paying online is a plea of guilty. A court appearance is required only if the 'court appearance required' box on the ticket is checked. Fines and fees are due 30 days after the court assesses them; delinquent traffic debt is referred for collection, and the Iowa DOT suspends the license for traffic-related court debt unpaid 30 days after assessment. For how to plead not guilty, follow the instructions on the citation or contact the clerk of court in the county where the ticket was issued. Source: Iowa Judicial Branch, Pay a Fine |
| Paying or looking up a ticket online | Pay traffic, simple misdemeanor and civil infraction fines online through Iowa Courts Online (Pay Fines Online) using the county, charge type, and case or citation number, or search by name. Citations may take a week or more to appear; if nothing shows after 14 days, contact the clerk in the county where the citation was issued. Fines and fees are due to the clerk of court 30 days after a court order assesses them. Paying online is treated as a guilty plea; you need to appear only if the ticket's "court appearance required" box is checked. Payment plans are arranged with the clerk of court in that county; parking tickets go to the city or county clerk. Source: Iowa Judicial Branch, Pay a Fine |
License suspension
| License suspension | Suspensions include habitual-violator suspensions, serious violations (speeding 25 mph or more over, a first offense of unlawfully passing a school bus, or a moving violation contributing to a fatal crash), unpaid traffic court debt, violating license restrictions (at least 30 days for a first violation), OWI-related revocations, and habitual-offender bars of two to six years. Reinstatement generally requires proof of SR-22 insurance among other steps. |
|---|---|
| Hardship or restricted license | The DOT may issue a temporary restricted license to a person whose noncommercial license is revoked under the OWI chapter (or suspended solely for OWI-related violations), allowing driving like a regular class C license, but only after an approved ignition interlock is installed on all vehicles operated. It is not available to drivers under 18 revoked under the under-21 law or during certain ineligibility periods. Source: Iowa Code § 321J.20 |
| Checking and reinstating a license | Sign in to the Iowa DOT's myMVD portal with your Iowa driver's license number or customer number to check your license status and view your reinstatement requirements. Reinstatement requirements: https://mymvd.iowadot.gov/Compliance |
DUI / DWI
| Legal BAC limit | 0.08 for drivers generally; 0.02 for drivers under 21. A driver can also be charged when under the influence or with any amount of a controlled substance present. The commercial-driver limit was not confirmed from a statute page read for this record. Source: Iowa Code §§ 321J.2(1), 321J.2A |
|---|---|
| First-offense DUI penalties | A first OWI is a serious misdemeanor punishable by at least 48 hours and up to one year in jail, a $1,250 fine (the court may waive up to $625 if there was no injury or property damage and the person has a temporary restricted license), license revocation of 180 days to one year, and substance use evaluation and a drinking drivers course. A deferred judgment may be available in some cases. Administratively, a failed test brings a 180-day revocation for a first revocation. |
| When a DUI is a felony | A third or later OWI offense is a class 'D' felony, punishable by an indeterminate prison term of up to 5 years (30 days mandatory minimum), a fine of $3,125 to $9,375, and a 6-year license revocation. A person convicted of a third or later offense may also be sentenced as a habitual offender if they qualify. A first offense is a serious misdemeanor and a second offense is an aggravated misdemeanor. How far back earlier OWI offenses are counted was not confirmed from the section read. Source: Iowa Code § 321J.2(2), (5) |
| Refusing a breath test | If a driver refuses chemical testing, the DOT revokes the license for one year if there is no previous revocation under the OWI chapter, or two years with a previous revocation. A temporary restricted license requires an ignition interlock on all vehicles operated. Source: Iowa Code § 321J.9 |
| DUI lookback period | Administrative revocation periods increase when the driver has any previous revocation under Iowa's OWI chapter, and the Iowa DOT states an OWI revocation remains on the driving record for 12 years. |
| How long a DUI stays on your record | Iowa's misdemeanor expungement law, which normally allows a misdemeanor conviction to be expunged after 8 years, specifically says an OWI conviction under § 321J.2 cannot be expunged. How long an OWI stays on the Iowa DOT driving record was not found on an official page. Source: Iowa Code § 901C.3(2)(d) |
| Sobriety checkpoints | Iowa law limits routine police roadblocks to checking driver licensing, vehicle registration, required safety equipment and fish and game laws (plus proof of insurance at a lawful roadblock), along with emergency roadblocks for immediate threats to public safety. Sobriety (OWI) checks are not among the listed purposes for routine roadblocks. The statute does not mention sobriety checkpoints by name; it lists the only purposes for which routine roadblocks may be conducted. Source: Iowa Code § 321K.1 |
Phones and distracted driving
| Phone and texting laws | Drivers may not use (hold, view or manipulate) an electronic device while driving unless the vehicle is stopped off the traveled roadway; voice-activated or hands-free use is allowed, but not for video, video calls, streaming, gaming or reading messages. A violation is a simple misdemeanor and is considered a moving violation. Officers issued warnings instead of citations until January 1, 2026. The scheduled fine amount (Iowa Code § 805.8A) was not read for this record. Source: Iowa Code § 321.276 |
|---|
Where to get help in Iowa
Traffic Tickets & DUI FAQ
How does the driver point system work in Iowa?
Iowa does not use a point system for ordinary suspensions; it counts convictions. A driver convicted of three or more moving violations committed within 12 months (by offense date, including out-of-state violations) is a 'habitual violator.' Minimum suspensions: 3 convictions, 90 days; 4, 120 days; 5, 150 days; 6, 180 days; 7 or more, 1 year (a hearing officer may reduce them for mitigating circumstances). Eligible drivers may instead be enrolled in a driver improvement program followed by one year of probation. Separately, three or more serious convictions (such as OWI or driving while suspended) in six years can make a driver a 'habitual offender' barred for two to six years.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Iowa?
No points. A speeding conviction counts as a moving violation toward habitual-violator status, except that the first two speeding violations within 12 months of 10 mph or less over the limit in 35–55 mph zones are not counted. Speeding 25 mph or more over the limit is a 'serious violation' that can lead to suspension (or a driver improvement program for 25–29 mph over).
How long do points stay on your license in Iowa?
Iowa driving records show all convictions, crashes and suspensions for at least the last five years, and an OWI revocation remains on the record for 12 years. Completing a driver improvement program or serving a suspension does not clear the record.
Can traffic school remove a ticket or points in Iowa?
Iowa does not offer a course to dismiss a ticket. The DOT may automatically enroll eligible drivers in its driver improvement program instead of suspending them (for speeding 25–29 mph over, three countable moving violations in 12 months, or a first offense of unlawfully passing a school bus). Missing the program leads to suspension; completing it is followed by one year of probation, during which a new moving violation triggers suspension proceedings. The program does not remove violations from the record.
How do I pay or look up a traffic ticket online in Iowa?
Pay traffic, simple misdemeanor and civil infraction fines online through Iowa Courts Online (Pay Fines Online) using the county, charge type, and case or citation number, or search by name. Citations may take a week or more to appear; if nothing shows after 14 days, contact the clerk in the county where the citation was issued. Fines and fees are due to the clerk of court 30 days after a court order assesses them. Paying online is treated as a guilty plea; you need to appear only if the ticket's "court appearance required" box is checked. Payment plans are arranged with the clerk of court in that county; parking tickets go to the city or county clerk.
How do I check if my license is suspended and get it reinstated in Iowa?
Sign in to the Iowa DOT's myMVD portal with your Iowa driver's license number or customer number to check your license status and view your reinstatement requirements.
How do you pay or contest a traffic ticket in Iowa?
Fines can be paid online through Iowa Courts Online using the county, charge type and case or citation number (new citations may take 10 to 14 days to appear). Paying online is a plea of guilty. A court appearance is required only if the 'court appearance required' box on the ticket is checked. Fines and fees are due 30 days after the court assesses them; delinquent traffic debt is referred for collection, and the Iowa DOT suspends the license for traffic-related court debt unpaid 30 days after assessment.
What gets your license suspended in Iowa?
Suspensions include habitual-violator suspensions, serious violations (speeding 25 mph or more over, a first offense of unlawfully passing a school bus, or a moving violation contributing to a fatal crash), unpaid traffic court debt, violating license restrictions (at least 30 days for a first violation), OWI-related revocations, and habitual-offender bars of two to six years. Reinstatement generally requires proof of SR-22 insurance among other steps.
What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Iowa?
0.08 for drivers generally; 0.02 for drivers under 21. A driver can also be charged when under the influence or with any amount of a controlled substance present.
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Iowa?
A first OWI is a serious misdemeanor punishable by at least 48 hours and up to one year in jail, a $1,250 fine (the court may waive up to $625 if there was no injury or property damage and the person has a temporary restricted license), license revocation of 180 days to one year, and substance use evaluation and a drinking drivers course. A deferred judgment may be available in some cases. Administratively, a failed test brings a 180-day revocation for a first revocation.
What happens if you refuse a breathalyzer in Iowa?
If a driver refuses chemical testing, the DOT revokes the license for one year if there is no previous revocation under the OWI chapter, or two years with a previous revocation. A temporary restricted license requires an ignition interlock on all vehicles operated.
How long does a DUI count as a prior offense in Iowa?
Administrative revocation periods increase when the driver has any previous revocation under Iowa's OWI chapter, and the Iowa DOT states an OWI revocation remains on the driving record for 12 years.
Can you get a hardship license in Iowa?
The DOT may issue a temporary restricted license to a person whose noncommercial license is revoked under the OWI chapter (or suspended solely for OWI-related violations), allowing driving like a regular class C license, but only after an approved ignition interlock is installed on all vehicles operated. It is not available to drivers under 18 revoked under the under-21 law or during certain ineligibility periods.
Is it illegal to hold your phone while driving in Iowa?
Drivers may not use (hold, view or manipulate) an electronic device while driving unless the vehicle is stopped off the traveled roadway; voice-activated or hands-free use is allowed, but not for video, video calls, streaming, gaming or reading messages. A violation is a simple misdemeanor and is considered a moving violation. Officers issued warnings instead of citations until January 1, 2026.
Is a DUI a felony in Iowa?
A third or later OWI offense is a class 'D' felony, punishable by an indeterminate prison term of up to 5 years (30 days mandatory minimum), a fine of $3,125 to $9,375, and a 6-year license revocation. A person convicted of a third or later offense may also be sentenced as a habitual offender if they qualify. A first offense is a serious misdemeanor and a second offense is an aggravated misdemeanor.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Iowa?
Iowa's misdemeanor expungement law, which normally allows a misdemeanor conviction to be expunged after 8 years, specifically says an OWI conviction under § 321J.2 cannot be expunged. How long an OWI stays on the Iowa DOT driving record was not found on an official page.
Are DUI checkpoints legal in Iowa?
Iowa law limits routine police roadblocks to checking driver licensing, vehicle registration, required safety equipment and fish and game laws (plus proof of insurance at a lawful roadblock), along with emergency roadblocks for immediate threats to public safety. Sobriety (OWI) checks are not among the listed purposes for routine roadblocks.
Traffic Tickets & DUI in other states
More Iowa law
- Iowa tenant rights & landlord-tenant law
- Iowa small claims court
- Iowa wills, probate & estates
- Iowa protective & restraining orders
- Iowa employment law
- Iowa debt & collections
- Iowa unemployment benefits
- Iowa divorce & family law
- Iowa expungement & criminal records
- Iowa personal injury & wrongful death
- Iowa workers' compensation
- Iowa foreclosure & homeowner law
- Iowa consumer protection
- Iowa starting an llc & small business
- Iowa bankruptcy
- Iowa car insurance & vehicle laws
- Iowa property tax & homestead exemptions
- Iowa criminal law
- Iowa gun laws
- Find a lawyer or free legal help in Iowa
- All Iowa law guides
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.