Obtaining an instruction permit is generally the first step that a beginner driver takes toward becoming a fully licensed driver in Iowa. You are eligible to apply for an instruction permit if you are at least 14 years old and:

• you have never been licensed to operate a vehicle, or
• you are a new resident of Iowa who has been licensed in another state, but your driver's license has expired. Documentation must also include a certified birth certificate and a clearance letter from the state that you are moving

HOW TO OBTAIN AN ORIGINAL INSTRUCTION PERMIT

1. Download a copy of the Iowa Driver's Manual, or get a hard copy by visiting a local Driver License Center.
2. If you are under 18 years of age, you must have written parental consent. The parent/guardian can either accompany the applicant to the license station and sign the consent in front of the examiner or download a parental consent form (form #430018) and sign it in presence of a notary public.
3. Visit your local Driver License Center to submit the application. You must bring with you:
4. appropriate identification and age as specified by the DOT. If you have changed your name, you must bring documents that support and clearly indicate your current name.
5. Your Social Security card.
6. The permit fee of $6 in cash. Credit/debit cards are not accepted.
7. You will be given a written knowledge test and an eye screening at the Driver License Center. If you pass these tests, you will be issued an instruction permit, which is valid for four years.

When driving with an instruction permit and if under 18, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is your parent/guardian, immediate family member age of 21 or older, driving instructor or driver over 25 with written permission of parent/guardian. The number of passengers is limited to the number of seat belts. If you are over 18 and have a valid instruction permit, you can drive with a driving instructor, an immediate family member who is licensed and over 21 or another licensed driver who is 25 years or older. Instruction permit holders must complete a minimum of 20 hours of supervised driving, two hours of which are between sunrise and sunset.

THE INTERMEDIATE LICENSE

You are eligible for intermediate license if you are at least 16 years of age and meet the following requirements:

1. Have held the instruction permit for at least six months.
2. Have completed a minimum of 10 hours of supervised driving, two hours of which was between sunrise and sunset.
3. Have completed a DOT approved driver education course, consisting of 30 hours of classroom instruction (must include 4 hours of substance abuse education, organ donation information and a minimum of 20 minutes of railroad crossing safety) and 6 hours of laboratory instruction including 3 hours driving experience behind the wheel (there must be no parental waiver on this time) and 3 hours on simulators.
4. Have been accident free and traffic violation free for the last six months.
5. Have written consent of parent or guardian.

Intermediate license holders are not permitted to drive unsupervised between 12.30 am and 5 am. Must be supervised only by a driving instructor, an immediate family member who is licensed and over 21 or another licensed driver who is 25 years or older.

THE FULL LICENSE

A full, unrestricted Class C license may be issued when you are at least 17 years old. An intermediate driver's license may be changed to a regular, non-commercial driver's license, provided you meet all of the following requirements:

1. You have held an intermediate driver's license for at least one year.
2. You have been accident free and traffic violation free for the last 12 months.
3. You have completed a minimum of 10 hours of supervised driving, two hours of which was between sunrise and sunset.
4. You have written consent of parent or guardian.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• For more information, see our Beginner Drivers section.
• See also Applying for a Drivers License.
• See also Driver's Education, Driving Schools and Practice Tests
• Learn more about Iowa's DRIVER IMPROVEMENT remedial driver improvement program.
• Bear in mind that in order to drive legally in the state of Iowa, you must have valid auto insurance. See our Auto Insurance section for more information, or to obtain a competitive quote on car insurance.