Iowa DOT Headquarters

The Iowa DOT's central offices are located at 800 Lincoln Way in Ames, Iowa, which is at the intersection of Lincoln Way and Grand Avenue (U.S. 69), as shown on the map above. To reach the Iowa DOT headquarters:

For DMV Appointments

Please find your local DMV location for driver's license and identification services, driving tests, and other motor vehicle customer-related needs. 

Visitor Policies & Building Entrance

General visitors to the Iowa Department of Transportation's (DOT) headquarters in Ames shall enter at the department's main entrance, which is located on the east side of the department's administration building. Two designated visitor parking areas are located adjacent to the building and are depicted on the map. Parking is available for persons with disabilities, including van-accessible sites.

Visitor Process

• Upon arrival, visitors will be greeted by a receptionist and asked to provide proof of identity. The easiest and quickest means of identification is provision of an Iowa DOT-issued driver's license or photo identification (ID) card. Other forms of identification are accepted.
• A card reader will scan the license or card, and electronically assign a visitor's pass. The process of assigning a visitor's pass to a person without a driver's license or ID card requires manual intervention and a brief wait.

Visitor Pass

Once a visitor's pass is assigned, the receptionist will contact the DOT employee the visitor wishes to see. DOT employees are required to escort visitors while inside the department's facilities. When a visitor is ready to exit the complex, they will be escorted to the lobby area, where they will be asked to return their visitor's pass and automatically checked out of the building's security system.

Visiting the Complex

Visitors with appointments or business with DOT employees outside of the administration building, may access those facilities at the designated public entrance points depicted on the map. For entrance to other DOT facilities shown on this map where public access points are not available, check in at the department's main entrance and ask the receptionist for assistance.

Directions

• From I-35 southbound, take 13th Street west to Grand Avenue; turn left (south) onto Grand Avenue to Lincoln Way. The main entrance to the DOT complex is immediately south of the intersection.
• From I-35 northbound, take U.S. 30 west to Duff Avenue; go north on Duff Avenue (U.S. 69) to Lincoln Way; go left (west) on Lincoln Way to Grand Avenue; turn left (south) onto Grand Avenue; The main entrance to the DOT complex is immediately south of the intersection.
• From U.S. 30 westbound, go to Duff Avenue; go north on Duff Avenue (U.S. 69) to Lincoln Way; go left (west) on Lincoln Way to Grand Avenue; turn left (south) onto Grand Avenue; The main entrance to the DOT complex is immediately south of the intersection.
• From U.S. 30 eastbound, go to Duff Avenue; go north on Duff Avenue (U.S. 69) to Lincoln Way; go left (west) on Lincoln Way to Grand Avenue; turn left (south) onto Grand Avenue; The main entrance to the DOT complex is immediately south of the intersection. You can also take University Boulevard north from U.S. 30 to Lincoln Way; go right (east) on Lincoln Way to Grand Avenue; go right (south) on Grand Avenue. The main entrance to the DOT complex is immediately south of the intersection.
• From U.S. 69 (southbound or northbound), follow U.S. 69 to the intersection of Lincoln Way and Grand Avenue. The main entrance to the DOT complex is immediately south of the intersection.