Register a Vehicle

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Vehicle Registration

Iowa law requires you to title and register your motor vehicle with any county treasurer’s office within 30 days from the date you establish residency. Iowa registration is required, even though your license plates may still be valid in another state.

The following documents are required to be surrendered to the county treasurer's office:

  1. Your current ownership document (certificate of title).
  2. A completed application for an Iowa certificate of title and/or registration. The application must be signed by all owners. If there is a lien against the vehicle, it should be noted on the application.
  3. As of January 1, 2022, a bill of sale is required per Iowa Department of Revenue.

If you move from one county to another, you must report your change of address to the county treasurer in your former county of residence within 10 days after your move so your motor vehicle registration information can be forwarded to the county where you now live.

For some transactions, the county treasurer’s office may require verification of your identity using a driver's license, state-issued ID, or Social Security Card.

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Electric Vehicle Registration

Owners of electric vehicles are charged a supplemental annual registration fee.

Electric Vehicle Fees
Vehicle TypeRegistration Fee
Battery Electric (BEV)$130.00
Plug-in Hybrid Electric (PHEV)$65.00
Motorcycle (BEV or PHEV)$9.00
Applies only to electric passenger cars, pickups, sport utility vehicles, motorcycles, and other vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 pounds without carrying a load.

We want to make you aware of the upcoming changes in costs so you’re prepared when you register and fuel your electric vehicle.

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Motorcycle & Moped Registration

Definitions

A "motorized bicycle" (or moped) is defined in Iowa law as a vehicle with a seat or saddle for a rider, designed to travel on no more than three wheels, and that cannot go faster than 39 miles per hour on level ground without help from the rider.

This definition doesn’t specify the type of engine the moped must have, so it could use either a gas engine or an electric motor to move.

The key difference between a moped and a motorcycle is the top speed as certified by the original manufacturer. A moped’s maximum speed can’t exceed 39 mph on level ground without the rider's assistance. This top speed must be listed on the vehicle’s Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO).

Keep in mind that terms like "scooter" might also be used to describe a moped or motorcycle, but whether a vehicle is registered as a moped or motorcycle  depends on how it was certified by the manufacturer and its top operating speed.

Titling and Registration Requirements

The manufacturer must label the vehicle to show it meets these National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards, as outlined in federal regulations.

Iowa law also says that a vehicle won’t be registered or titled without this safety certification label. 

If the vehicle is used, the owner must provide the county treasurer with a valid title issued in Iowa or another state that is in the owner's name or has been properly assigned to the owner. 

If the vehicle is new, the owner must provide a properly assigned, valid Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO). MCOs must be printed on secure paper, similar to conventional title paper, to be accepted.

If the vehicle is a moped, the MCO must state that the vehicle’s maximum operating speed is 39 mph or less. Appropriate tax, title and license fees must be submitted to the appropriate Iowa county treasurer, along with the requisite title application and ownership document (title or MCO).

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Renew Your Vehicle Registration

You are required to renew your vehicle registration in your county of residence.

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Fees

Access the fee calculator to get an estimate of the total cost to title and register your vehicle you have purchased. Proceed with the following steps:

  • In the upper left corner, hover your mouse over the word Tools and select Dealer Inquiry.
  • On the left side of the page, select Fee Estimator.
  • Enter the VIN and additional vehicle and purchase information
  • To find the Registration Credit Amount, use the Credit Calculator.
  • Click Calculate.
  • The fee estimate appears.
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Registering Government Agency & School District Vehicles

Iowa Code 321.18 and 321.19 allow school districts and government agencies to apply to the Iowa DOT for title and registration of school district- or agency-owned vehicles, and to receive a permanent registration certificate and registration plates for these vehicles without charge.

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