Renew Driver's License

Renewing Your Iowa Driver's License or ID Card

There are two ways to renew your driver's license or ID card: online or in-person.

Have a commercial driver's license? Find out what you need to renew your Iowa CDL.

Online Renewal

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may renew your driver's license or identification (ID) card online and skip a trip to the driver's license issuance location. You will need your current driver's license or ID card and a credit or debit card to complete the process. Fees will include your driver's license or ID card renewal fee plus a $1.50 online processing fee.

• Am I eligible to renew online?
• Renew your license/ID online.

In-Person Renewal

You can renew your driver's license or ID card at any one of Iowa's 100 issuance sites.

What do I need to bring with me to get the gold star (REAL ID) added to my card?

• Schedule an appointment to renew at one of our DMV locations.
• Contact your county treasurer to renew at your county location.

Find a DMV Location

Browse all DMV locations in Iowa.

Find a DMV Location

License Types and Fees

Learn more about license types and fees available on the Driver's License Fees page.

Online Renewal Requirements

Driver's License

To renew your Iowa driver's license online you must:

• Be at least 18 years old, but younger than 70.
• Be an Iowa resident and a United States citizen (as shown by the Iowa DOT's existing records).
• Have a valid non-commercial Iowa license and/or motorcycle license. (Minor's licenses, instruction permits, and work permits CANNOT be renewed online.)
• Have a driver's license that expires within 180 days or has not been expired for more than one year.
• Have renewed your current driver's license at a driver's license issuance site. Driver’s licenses may only be renewed online every other issuance.
• Have no changes to your name, date of birth, sex, class type, endorsements, or restrictions.
• Not have restrictions E, G, I, J, T, Q, or R listed on the back of your current license.
• Not be required to submit a medical or vision report at the time of renewal.
• Have no pending requests for re-examination.
• Not have a current license marked "Valid Without Photo."

If you want to add a REAL ID or veteran's designation at the time of renewal, you will need to appear in person. (But if your card already has a REAL ID or veteran's designation, you may renew it online and keep that designation.)

If you renew online, you will not receive a temporary document valid to board an aircraft, but you can use your existing card if it has not yet expired. You will receive your new card in the mail in approximately 30 days. If your license does not arrive within 30 days, call 515-244-8725.

During the online process, we will ask you questions. We may deny your online application and ask you to appear in person at a driver's license issuance site based on your answers to those questions.

To renew online you will need:

• Your current Iowa driver's license.
• A credit card.

If you meet all of the requirements and have all the items listed above, you may begin the online renewal process.

Non-driver/Non-operator ID Card

To renew your Iowa non-operator's ID card online you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be an Iowa resident and a United States citizen (as shown by the Iowa DOT's existing records).
• Have an Iowa ID that expires within 180 days or has not been expired for more than one year.
• Have no changes to your name, date of birth, or sex.
• Have renewed your current ID at a driver's license issuance site. ID’s may only be renewed online every other issuance.
• Not have a current ID marked "Valid Without Photo."

If you want to add a REAL ID or veteran's designation, you will need to appear in person. (But if your card already has a REAL ID or veteran's designation, you may renew it online and keep that designation.)

If you renew online, you will not receive a temporary document valid to board an aircraft, but you can use your existing card if it has not yet expired. You will receive your new card in the mail in approximately 30 days. If your ID card does not arrive within 30 days, call 515-244-8725.

To renew online you will need:

• Your current Iowa ID card.
• A credit card.

If you meet all of the requirements and have all the items listed above, you may begin the online renewal process.

Expiration Dates

Your license expires on the expiration date printed on the license. The license is valid for driving for an additional 60 days after the expiration date. After 60 days from the expiration date, you may be ticketed for driving with an expired license.

One year following expiration, you will be required to take the knowledge test and drive test. If you plan to travel or rent a car during the 60-day grace period, you should renew your driver's license; some entities may not recognize the grace period. You may renew your driver's license 180 days before its expiration date. If you demonstrate a good cause exists to renew earlier, you may renew your driver's license up to one year before the expiration date. You must pass the vision screening each time you renew your license.

If you are a foreign national, you may renew your driver's license up to 30 days before the expiration date. Since we need to verify your lawful status, we are not able to renew earlier.

*Please note: Expiration dates may vary based on the issue date and will begin to taper down at age 72 and expire no later than the person’s 80th birthday.

Iowa non-operator's ID cards will be issued with an expiration date of eight years.

Instruction permits will be issued with an expiration date of four years.

Commercial learner permits (CLP) will be issued with an expiration date of one year. Full test required upon renewal.

Driver licenses issued to persons under the age of 18, over 72, or persons who are temporary foreign nationals will be issued with shorter renewal periods set by Iowa law.

Real ID

If you want a REAL ID-marked card, you must complete a new application (assisted by the driver’s license issuance site representative) and present proof of identity. Regardless of whether you have held your driver’s license or ID card for a short time or many years, the same provisions apply. The REAL ID (gold star) effective date is set for May 7, 2025.

To assist Iowans gather the necessary documents, there is a list of acceptable documents available on the Internet (Proof of Identity), or you can call 515-244-8725 to listen to a recorded message.

Optional Driver’s License or ID Card Designations

There are several optional designations you may add to your driver’s license or non-operator identification cards to, such as “Veteran,” “Hard of Hearing” or “Deaf,” and others. Find out more about these voluntary designations and how to add them to your license.