A vehicle may be operated upon the highways of this state without registration plates for a period of 45 days after the date of delivery of the vehicle to the purchaser from a dealer if a card bearing the words "registration applied for" is attached on the rear of the vehicle.
The card shall have plainly stamped or stenciled the registration number of the dealer from whom the vehicle was purchased and the date of delivery of the vehicle. In addition, a dealer licensed to sell new motor vehicles may attach the card to a new motor vehicle delivered by the dealer to the purchaser even if the vehicle was purchased from an out-of-state dealer and the card shall bear the registration number of the dealer that delivered the vehicle.
A dealer shall not issue a card to a person known to the dealer to be in possession of registration plates that may be attached to the vehicle.
A dealer shall not issue a card unless an application for registration and certificate of title has been made by the purchaser and a receipt issued to the purchaser of the vehicle showing the fee paid by the person making the application.
Dealers' records shall indicate the agency to which the fee is sent and the date the fee is sent.
The dealer shall forward the application by the purchaser to the county treasurer or state office within 30 calendar days from the date of delivery of the vehicle. However, if the vehicle is subject to a security interest and has been offered for sale pursuant to section 321.48, subsection 1, the dealer shall forward the application by the purchaser to the county treasurer or state office within 30 calendar days from the date of the delivery of the vehicle to the purchaser.
Only cards furnished by the Iowa DOT shall be used. Only one card shall be issued for each vehicle purchased.
Registration applied for cards can be obtained free of charge to currently licensed dealers from the county treasurer’s offices.