In Iowa, restricted licenses come in two forms: learner’s permits and hardship licenses. Learner’s permits act like training wheels for young drivers, limiting when (and with who) they can get behind the wheel. Hardship licenses give similar restrictions to penalized drivers.

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What is a restricted license in Iowa?

Iowa divides restricted licenses into two categories:

Learner’s license: New drivers aged 16 through 17 have specific safety restrictions.

Hardship license: Drivers with a history of past violations (and previous suspension) can apply for limited licenses when driving to and from work and under special circumstances.

MORE: How to get cheap car insurance for young drivers

How to get an Iowa learner’s license

The requirements for an Iowa learner's permit are as follows:

Be 14 years old or older

Complete a signed and notarized

Parental Consent Form

Undergo traditional

driver’s education

or approved

parent-taught driver education

Pass vision and hearing tests

Complete a 35-question

knowledge test

(with at least an 80% correct rate)

Provide requested

identity documents

You may apply for an Iowa learner’s permit at any

Iowa DOT location

. If you’re graduating with an instructor's permit, you must complete 80 hours of supervised road training. To move from an intermediate license to a full driver’s license, you must complete 10 additional hours of supervised driving—including 2 hours of nighttime driving (from sunset to sunrise).

Restrictions on an Iowa learner’s license

A learner's permit basically limits two aspects of driving: who you drive with and when.

For the first 6 months, you cannot carry more than one passenger who is not a direct relative or drive between 12:30 am, and 5 am without adult supervision. The

passenger restriction

does not apply to brothers, sisters, guardians, or anyone living in your household.

Drivers also cannot use cell phones, tablets, or electronic communication while driving. Nor can they carry more passengers than the number of seatbelts in their vehicle (even with adult supervision).

Luckily, these restrictions vanish after acquiring a full driver’s license. You can apply for a full license once you turn 18 years old or after completing the following requirements:

Be at least 17 years old

Hold an intermediate license for 12 consecutive months

Maintain a clean driving record for 12 consecutive months

Complete 10 hours of supervised driving

Any conviction, crash, or suspension will reset the 12-month period. Before applying for a full driver’s license, you'll have to start over.

MORE: Your questions about teenage car insurance, answered

How to get an Iowa hardship license

Your Iowa licenses can be revoked after various violations—from

DUIs

to reckless driving. Getting your license reinstated can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. In any case, the first step towards road freedom is through a temporarily restricted license (AKA a hardship license).

To acquire a hardship license, complete the

application form

and submit it to your local courthouse. If accepted, you may be asked to complete a vision screening and 25-question knowledge test. The fee for a temporary restricted license is $20.

On top of this, applicants must enroll in a

driver improvement program

. This program is designed to help drivers understand the consequences of drugs and alcohol (behind the wheel) and develop a renewed awareness of driving responsibilities. It can even help reduce your auto insurance by way of company-dependent incentives.

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Restrictions on an Iowa hardship license

Drivers are only eligible for this temporary restricted license under the following circumstances:

The person needs a license to drive to and from a (verified) workplace

The person’s continued health care is dependent on another person (whom they must travel)

The persons must drive to complete their continuing education (at a verified institution)

The persons must drive to their substance abuse program

The persons must drive to their court-ordered service responsibilities

Drivers convicted of drag racing violations cannot apply for a temporary restricted license. An ignition interlock device will be installed on drivers convicted of an OWI. Those with an OWI suspension cannot apply for a temporary restricted license until the minimum period of ineligibility has passed—30 days to a year after the conviction.

MORE:

How to get a suspended license reinstated

How to find affordable car insurance in Iowa

Restricted licenses keep the roads safe (for everyone)—but that’s not the only way to protect you and your vehicle.

Car insurance

makes sure you never have to worry about unexpected accidents. The problem: Car insurance can be expensive.

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