Iowa

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Iowa. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

Iowa
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

No helmet laws. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.

Iowa
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

8 years

Iowa
Provisions for Mature Drivers

78 and over: renewal every 2 years

Iowa
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

Zero tolerance for some drugs

Iowa
Marijuana Possession and Use

Illegal

Iowa
Marijuana Impaired Driving

Zero tolerance for THC

Iowa
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

Iowa
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

Iowa
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

Iowa
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

Iowa
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

55

Iowa
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

55

Iowa
Repeat Offender Laws

Yes

Iowa
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.15

Iowa
Administrative license suspension on first offense

180 days

Iowa
Limited driving privileges during suspension

After 30 days

Iowa
Ignition Interlocks

Highly incentivized for all convictions

Iowa
Open container laws

Yes

Iowa
Child Restraint Required

Under 1 yrs and under 20 lbs in rear-facing child seat

1-5 yrs in child restraint or booster seat

Iowa
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

6-17 yrs

Iowa
Full Privilege Minimum Age

17 years

Iowa
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

14

Iowa
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

12

Iowa
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

20 (2) during Learner Stage 10 (2) during Intermediate Stage

Iowa
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

Iowa
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

12:30 a.m. - 5 a.m.

Iowa
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

First 6 months: no more than 1 under 18, parents may waive

Iowa
Who is Covered?

All riders

Iowa
In What Seat?

Front

Iowa
Type of Law

Primary

Iowa
Hand-Held Ban?

No

Iowa
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

No

Iowa
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers with restricted or intermediate license. Primary law.

Iowa
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Iowa
Speed Cameras: State Law

No state law

Iowa
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

Permitted by city ordinance

Iowa
Red Light Cameras: State Law

No state law

Iowa
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

Permitted by city ordinance

Drunk Driving Repeat Offenses Drop With Ignition Interlock Removal Laws

States that have laws to govern when ignition interlock devices may be removed from drunk driving offenders’ vehicles have significantly lower rates of repeat driving under the influence (DUI) offenses than states which do not. Those are the main findings of a new study recently released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a nonprofit organization representing state highway safety offices, that addressed measures to help reduce the number of drunk driving repeat incidents.

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