How Driver Points 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.

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).

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.

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.