Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection

History of the Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection

If you are a victim of identity theft or fraud associated with a motor vehicle, we’re here to help with 17 motor vehicle fraud investigators under the guidance of a director and an assistant director.

Our core duties are enforcing laws related to identity theft, vehicle title & registration fraud, odometer fraud, motor vehicle dealer & recycler violations, and use tax fraud. We also conduct administrative investigations related to vehicle titling & registration, dealer licensing, and vehicle inspections. In addition, our mission has expanded to provide services to protect the integrity of products produced by the Motor Vehicle Division, fraud training, vehicle theft, and cyber fraud.

How did we get here?

1904

The Motor Vehicle Division was established under the Secretary of State.

1919

The first vehicle registrations were available to Iowans.

1927

Motor vehicle "agents" were given the authority to enforce motor vehicle laws under the Secretary of State.

1935

The Department of Public Safety was created and the "agents" assigned to the Motor Vehicle Registration Division became "inspectors" responsible for investigating dealer license applications and working with county treasurers.

1937

Dealer licensing statutes were enacted, and the motor vehicle "agents" began to enforce those laws.

1950s

The duties of the "inspectors" who investigated motor vehicle dealers and the "agents" who enforced motor vehicle laws were combined under the Department of Public Safety.

1975

The Iowa Department of Transportation was formed and the above law enforcement personnel working motor vehicle cases were reassigned and became “investigators” within the Motor Vehicle Enforcement office.

2013

The Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection was created in order to expand its connections with the Driver and Vehicle Offices within the Iowa DOT and to focus its efforts on better meeting the needs of our customers.

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