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Visit the Driver's License Fees page for information for each of these license types.
Back to topNon-commercial Driver's License
Class C - Operator
- This is the license most Iowans have.
What can I drive with this license?
With this license, you may drive cars, pickups and trucks whose gross vehicle weight is 26,000 pounds or less.
How do I get this license?
You will have to pass the vision screening. You will also have to take the knowledge test and a driving test if you have an invalid or expired (over one year) out-of-state license, or if you have not had a driver’s license before. If you have a valid out-of-state license that allows you to drive by yourself, the knowledge and driving test may be waived.
Class C - Instruction Permit
What can I drive with this license?
The instruction permit gives you the chance to learn how to drive with the help of an experienced driver.
How do I get this license?
To get an instruction permit you must be at least 14 years old and pass the vision screening and knowledge test.
Class C - Special Minor's Restricted License
How do I get this license?
You must hold an instruction permit for at least six months, complete an Iowa-approved driver education course (or qualify for a hardship), and have a clean driving record for at least six consecutive months immediately before applying for the license.
Your school must certify your eligibility by having the school board chairperson, superintendent, principal, or primary instructor (if homeschooled) sign Form 430021. Additionally, your parent or guardian must complete Form 430022, the Parental Consent for Special Minor’s Restricted License. You must carry this completed form in your vehicle and present it to law enforcement upon request. Get more information about the special minor's restricted licenses.
Class C - Minor’s Restricted Work License
Who is eligible for this license?
A “minor restricted license” (valid only for travel to and from work, or to transport dependents to and from temporary care facilities if necessary to hold a job) may be issued to a person age 16-18 who has completed an Iowa-approved driver education course but who has dropped out of school (i.e., is not complying with the compulsory school attendance requirements). Note: this license is not available if the minor is not attending school due to graduating or obtaining a high school equivalency diploma.
How do I get this license?
Proof of nonattendance from the applicable school authority is required.
Class D - Chauffeur
What can I drive with this license?
The Class D license with endorsement 3 allows a driver age 18 or older to operate small passenger-for-hire vehicles designed to carry 15 or fewer passengers (including the driver).
How do I get this license?
No knowledge test or driving test is required if you have a valid license. You must pass a vision screening and have a clear driving record for the previous two years.
Motorcycle/Moped
Motorcycle Instruction Permit
What can I drive with this license?
A motorcycle instruction permit allows you to operate a motorcycle while accompanied by another person that has a license valid for motorcycles. The accompanying person must stay within sight and hearing distance and be on or in a different motor vehicle. Only one learner may be supervised by any one licensed driver.
If you are under age 18, a motorcycle instruction permit allows you to operate a motorcycle with a licensed parent/guardian or immediate member of your family who is at least 21 years old, but you must have written permission from your parent/guardian to operate a motorcycle with any other adult, who must be at least 25 years old and have a license valid for motorcycles.
How do I get this license?
To get a motorcycle instruction permit, you must pass the motorcycle knowledge exam and a vision screening. A motorcycle instruction permit will be issued for one four-year term with no renewal permitted.
Motorcycle Endorsement (added to an existing license)
What can I drive with this license?
The motorcycle endorsement allows you to operate vehicles classified as motorcycles.
How do I get this license?
To obtain a motorcycle endorsement you must pass the motorcycle knowledge test and a motorcycle skills (driving) test as well as a vision screening. The department may waive the skills test if you have successfully completed an Iowa-approved course in motorcycle education.
Class M - Motorcycle License Only
What can I drive with this license?
This license is for motorcycle driving only and is not valid for the operation of any other type of motor vehicle.
How do I get this license?
To obtain a motorcycle-only license, you must pass the motorcycle knowledge test as well as the operator knowledge test, pass a skills (driving) test on your motorcycle, and complete a vision screening. The department may waive the skills test if you have successfully completed an Iowa-approved course in motorcycle education.
Moped (motorized bicycle) License Only
What can I drive with this license?
This license allows you to operate moped (motorized bicycle).
How do I get this license?
You will need to pass the vision screening and the operator knowledge test. The knowledge test may be waived if you already have a valid operator instruction permit or operator driver’s license. If you are under age 16 you must also have successfully completed an Iowa-approved course in moped education. A driving test may be required.
Identification Card Only
- An identification card may be issued to any person regardless of their age.
How do I get an ID card?
Learn about proof of identity documents required to obtain an Iowa identification card.
Commercial Driver's License
Class A CDL
What can I drive with this license?
A Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is valid for the operation of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds if the towed vehicle or vehicles have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or GCWR of 10,001 or more pounds. The license is also valid for the operation of vehicles with lower GCWRs and other vehicles, except motorcycles (which requires a motorcycle endorsement).
How do I get this license?
Find out what you need to get a Class A CDL
Federal regulations require all CDL holders and applicants to certify how they operate their commercial motor vehicle whenever they renew, upgrade, or obtain a CDL for the first time. A CDL holder must certify to one of four categories that apply to the type of driving they do. Learn more about CDL medical certification requirements.
Class B CDL
What can I drive with this license?
A Class B License is valid for the operation of a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds. It is also valid for a combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds if the towing vehicle has a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds and the towed vehicle or vehicles have a GVWR or GCWR of less than 10,001 pounds. A Class B CDL is also valid for the operation of vehicles with lower GVWR or GCWR, with the exception motorcycles (which requires a motorcycle endorsement).
How do I get this license?
Find out what you need to get a Class B CDL
Federal regulations require all CDL holders and applicants to certify how they operate their commercial motor vehicle whenever they renew, upgrade, or obtain a CDL for the first time. A CDL holder must certify to one of four categories that apply to the type of driving they do. Learn more about CDL medical certification requirements.
Class C CDL
What can I drive with this license?
A Class C CDL is valid for any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 26,001 pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. This class of commercial license applies only to vehicles that are required to be placarded for hazardous materials or vehicles that are designed to transport 16 or more persons including the driver, or any redesigned or modified vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 or more pounds that has been redesigned or modified to transport less than 16 persons with disabilities.
How do I get this license?
If you are operating a passenger vehicle, a yellow school bus, or a hazardous material vehicle under 26,001 GVWR, you will be required to pass a CDL pre-trip inspection, skills backing, and an on-the-road driving test.
Find out what you need to get a Class C CDL
Federal regulations require all CDL holders and applicants to certify how they operate their commercial motor vehicle whenever they renew, upgrade, or obtain a CDL for the first time. A CDL holder must certify to one of four categories that apply to the type of driving they do. Learn more about CDL medical certification requirements.
Hazardous Material Endorsement
Who needs this endorsement?
Any driver who transports hazardous materials in amounts requiring placarding must have a hazardous material endorsement added to their CDL.
How do I get this endorsement?
To obtain this endorsement you must complete entry-level driver training (ELDT) and then pass the CDL Hazardous Material knowledge test. The knowledge test is required each time you renew your license, however, ELDT only needs to be taken the first time you get this endorsement. Additionally, federal regulations require that you must make an application with Integrated Biometric Technology (IBT) for verification and fingerprinting. The fingerprint-based threat assessment is required every five years. Learn more about the fingerprint-based background checks.
Passenger Endorsement
Who needs this endorsement?
Any driver who wishes to drive a motor vehicle having a design capacity to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver, must have a passenger endorsement on their CDL. This also includes a redesigned or modified vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 or more pounds used to transport less than 16 handicapped persons.
Note: The Passenger endorsement alone is not valid for the operation of school buses. School bus operation requires both the passenger endorsement as well as the school bus endorsement.
How do I get this endorsement?
To obtain this endorsement you must pass the CDL passenger knowledge test, get a CLP and hold it for at least14 days, pass entry-level driver training (ELDT), as well as a pre-trip inspection, skills backing, and an on-the-road driving test in a passenger vehicle representative of the class of vehicle you wish to operate with the license.
School Bus Endorsement
Who needs this endorsement?
Any driver who wishes to drive a school bus having a design capacity to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver, must have both a school bus endorsement as well as a passenger endorsements on their CDL. This includes a redesigned or modified school bus with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 or more pounds used to transport less than 16 handicapped persons.
How do I get this endorsement?
To obtain the school bus and passenger endorsements you must pass the CDL school bus knowledge test, passenger knowledge test, school bus endorsement entry-level driver training (ELDT), and a pre-trip inspection, skills backing, and an on-the-road driving test in a school bus representative of the class of vehicle you wish to operate with the license.
Tank Endorsement
Who needs this endorsement?
Drivers of any commercial motor vehicle designed to transport any liquid or gaseous materials within a tank or tanks that have an individual rated capacity of more than 119 gallons and an aggregate rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or more that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or the chassis must obtain a tank endorsement on their CDL.
How do I get this endorsement?
To obtain the tank endorsement, you must pass the CDL Tanker knowledge examination.
Double/Triple Endorsement
Who needs this endorsement?
Drivers who pull double or triple trailers must have an endorsement on their CDL.
A double/triple endorsement is not required to operate a commercial motor vehicle with two or more towed vehicles that are not trailers. For example, a semi tractor pulling other tractors “piggy back”.
Note: Current Iowa law does not permit the operation of triple trailers; however, a driver whose home state is Iowa must be able to obtain the endorsement in order to haul a triple trailer in those jurisdictions where they are legal.
How do I get this endorsement?
To obtain this endorsement you must pass a CDL Double and Triple Trailers knowledge examination.
Removing the Air Brake Restriction
Who is required to have the air brake restriction?
If you complete a driving test in a commercial vehicle that is not equipped with air brakes, you must have a restriction on your CDL indicating you cannot operate commercial motor vehicles that are equipped with air brakes.
How do I remove the restriction?
To remove this restriction, you must pass the CDL Air Brake knowledge examination, as well as be issued and hold a CLP for at least 14 days. After the 14 days, you must pass a pre-trip inspection and an on-the-road driving test in a commercial vehicle equipped with full airbrakes.
Remove Full Air Brake Restriction
Who is required to have the full airbrake restriction?
If you complete a driving test in a commercial vehicle that is equipped with air over hydraulic brakes (not full air brakes), you must have a restriction on your CDL indicating you cannot operate commercial motor vehicles that are equipped with a full air brake system.
How do I remove the restriction?
To remove this restriction, you must be issued and hold a CLP for at least 14 days. After the 14 days, you must pass a pre-trip inspection and an on-the-road driving test in a commercial vehicle equipped with full airbrakes.
Remove Manual Transmission Restriction
Who is required to have the manual transmission restriction?
If you complete a driving test in a commercial vehicle that is equipped with automatic transmission, you must have a restriction on your CDL indicating you cannot operate commercial motor vehicles that are equipped a manual transmission.
How do I remove the restriction?
To remove this restriction, you must be issued and hold a CLP for at least 14 days. After the 14 days, you must pass an on-the-road driving test in a commercial vehicle equipped with manual transmission.
Remove Tractor-Trailer Restriction
Who is required to have the tractor-trailer restriction?
If you complete a driving test for a Class A combination vehicle with a pintle hook or non-fifth wheel connection, you must have a restriction on your CDL indicating you cannot operate Class A combination commercial vehicles that are connected by a fifth wheel that requires a Class A CDL.
How do I remove the restriction?
To remove this restriction, you must be issued and hold a CLP for at least 14 days. After the 14 days, you must pass a pre-trip inspection, skills backing, and an on-the-road driving test with a Class A combination vehicle connected by a fifth wheel.