If your Iowa driver's license is suspended or revoked, you’ll have to meet specific requirements and wait out any suspension periods. Once all requirements have been met, bring an SR-22 certificate and the $20 reinstatement fee to your local Iowa DOT office to complete your license reinstatement.
Having your Iowa license suspended can create a major roadblock in your day-to-day life, and it’s your responsibility to stay on top of your license reinstatement. You may be able to expedite your suspension by paying outstanding fees, but the specific requirements of your eligibility will depend on the severity of your inciting violation.
Reinstatement requirements and processes vary from state to state, but car insurance
comparison super app Jerry
has done all the research for the Hawkeye State. This article will cover everything you need to know about getting your suspended Iowa license reinstated, as well as how to lower your Iowa car insurance costs
. 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Why you might need a license reinstatement in Iowa
The Iowa Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) can suspend or revoke your license for a variety of reasons, like causing a serious accident or failing to pay a traffic ticket. Your suspension or revocation can be ordered by a court or the MVD, but either way, you’re able to check the status of your license by logging into your MVD account
. Pay close attention to the requirements you’ll need to fulfill and if there is a set waiting period for your license suspension. You’ll need to meet all requirements and finish your suspension period before being able to apply for license reinstatement.
How to get a license reinstatement in Iowa
Once you have fulfilled the requirements of your suspension, you’ll need to visit an Iowa’s driver’s license issuance site
with your SR-22 certificate
and a valid form of fee payment to conduct your reinstatement. The fee to reinstate a suspended Iowa license is $20, with an additional $10 fee for a new license. If your driver’s license has been inactive for over one year—regardless of the reason—you’ll need to retake and pass a knowledge test and road test to qualify for reinstatement.
Suspension for failure to pay a fine
If your license is suspended for failing to pay a fine, you’ll be able to reinstate your license once certain requirements have been met. This often means entering into a payment plan with a county attorney’s office or the Department of Revenue Central Collection Unit.
The exact length of time for your suspension can vary depending on the following circumstances of the fines owed:
You face fines across multiple counties
Older fines take longer to process
Fulfillment of other civil penalties listened on the payment installment agreement
Suspension for another reason
A license that is suspended, revoked, or banned for a reason besides unpaid fines tends to have a set minimum suspension period. You’ll have to wait out this period before applying for reinstatement, but you may be able to apply for a temporary restricted license (TRL) or work permit in the meantime.
Key Takeaway Any driver's license reinstatement in Iowa, regardless of the circumstances, requires submission of an SR-22 certificate and at least $20 in reinstatement fees for completion.
How to get a temporary restricted license (TRL) in Iowa
Living with the consequences of a suspended license can make getting around a considerable challenge, but a temporary restricted license can help. TRLs are available to Iowa drivers who are 18 years of age or older and whose licenses have been revoked, barred, or suspended. TRLs allow you to drive yourself to approved locations and functions legally.
The application process for a TRL depends on the reason for your suspension. All approved applicants will be sent a notice that they’ll need to take to a DOT driver’s license station where you may also be required to:
Pass any required vision, knowledge, or applied driving skills tests
File an SR-22 certificate or proof of insurance
Pay the $20 reinstatement and $10 license fees
The type of violation that caused your suspension can also determine the approved usage for your TRL. You can check your eligibility to apply for a temporary restricted license by contacting the Iowa DOT by telephone at 515-244-9124 or 515-244-8725, by e-mail at driver.services@iowadot.us
, or by mail at the following address: Iowa Department of Transportation
Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9204
Applying for a TRL for an OWI offense
If your license was suspended as the result of operating while intoxicated (OWI), you’ll need to complete a Request for Temporary Restricted License (OWI Revocation, Form 430400)
to apply for your TRL. If your application is approved, you will be able to operate your vehicle in a normal matter, but you’ll be required to install a state-approved ignition interlock device
on your vehicle. Applying for a TRL for a non-OWI offense
If your license was suspended for any other offense besides an OWI, you’ll need to complete an Application for Temporary Restricted License (Form 430100)
to apply for your TRL. If your application is approved, you’ll be eligible to use your TRL for the following transportation needs:
Health care visits for yourself or a dependent
Child care transportation
Substance abuse treatment programs
Court-ordered community service
Probation or parole officer appointments
MORE: High-risk car insurance: Everything you need to know
What is an SR-22 certificate?
Every driver in Iowa whose license has been suspended is required to submit an Iowa SR-22 certificate
to provide future proof of financial responsibility before being able to pursue reinstatement. The certificate acts as a guaranteed proof of insurance with which you will be unable to cancel your insurance policy without notifying the Iowa MVD first. You can request an SR-22 from your insurance provider, who will submit it directly to the MVD on your behalf. Your SR-22 is required for two years and must go into effect on the first day of your suspension. Non-residents of Iowa who are required to submit an SR-22 must also fill out a Residency Statement form
and submit it to the following address: Iowa Department of Transportation
Office of Driver Services
Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9204
Filing an SR-22 certificate should be a relatively straightforward process with your insurance provider, but you should expect a massive spike in your rates for the SR-22’s duration.
MORE: How to fill out and file an SR-22
How to save money on car insurance in Iowa
Once you’ve got your license reinstated, you’ll still have to deal with the negative effects of your driving record and SR-22 on your insurance rates. That could be a hard task to tackle on your own, so make your job easier by letting car insurance super app Jerry
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less than a minute to gather all the information it needs to make sure your low quotes are tailored to your unique situation. That means that regardless of your past license suspension, you’re able to choose an insurance policy from the guaranteed lowest available rates on the market. Once you pick your favorite, Jerry takes care of the rest to secure your new policy, cancel your old one, and double-check your rates when it’s time to renew. It’s no wonder the average Jerry
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