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Iowa driver’s licensing requirements forsome common passenger vehiclesVolunteerLess than 16xTypical vehicleCommercial Driver’s License (CDL) Quick Guide For additional information, call 515-244-8725Driver statusSeatingcapacity*PaidGVWRLess than26,001 lbs26,001 ormore lbsLicense classxC noncommercialLess than 16xxD noncommercialbefore Jan. 1, 2017See Chauffeur’s Licensepage 13Less than 16xxD noncommercialJan. 1, 2017 and afterSee Chauffeur’s Licensepage 137-15xxD noncommercialJan. 1, 2017 and afterSee Chauffeur’s Licensepage 13Ridesharing VehicleJan. 1, 2017 and after(any personal vehicle used forridesharing such as Uber, Lyft, etc.)See Ridesharing Servicespage 13Less than 7xxC noncommercialLess than 16xxC noncommercialxC CDL16 or morexx16 or morexxxB CDL16 or morexxxB CDL16 or morexxxB CDL16 or morexxxB CDL* Seating capacity includes the driver. G ross vehicle weight rating (GVWR): weight specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle. A Class C noncommercial license is the basic driver’s license.7

Typical tow truck configurationsThe type of license required when driving the tow truck only, without a towed vehicle, may be differentfrom the license required when the tow truck is towing another vehicle, depending upon the weight ofthe towed vehicle.This chart shows the license required for the tow truck alone and the license required when the tow truck istowing another vehicle.Tow Truck AloneVehicle GVWRLicense ClassLess than 26,001 lbs.C noncommercial26,001 lbs. or moreB CDLExample 1Example 2Tow Truck Example(above)1License Class(tow truck plustowed vehicle)10,001 lbs. Less than 26,001 lbs.or more 26,001 lbs. or morexxC noncommercialxC noncommercialx1x2GCWRLess than10,001 lbs.12Notes:Towed Vehicle GVWRxxxA CDLxB CDLxA CDLA driver who tows a vehicle in an emergency “first move” from the site of a vehicle malfunction oraccident on a highway to the nearest appropriate repair facility is not required to have the endorsement(s)applicable to the towed vehicle. In any subsequent move, a driver who tows a vehicle from one repair ordisposal facility to another is required to have the endorsement(s) applicable to the towed vehicle with oneexception: a tow truck driver is not required to have a passenger endorsement to tow a passenger vehicle.Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Quick Guide For additional information, call 515-244-8725Iowa driver’s licensing: Typical tow truckconfigurations8

CDL and CLP endorsementsP (passenger) FEE: 10Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Quick Guide For additional information, call 515-244-8725Required for any vehicle rated for 16 or more people,including the operator, or originally designed for16 or more people, but altered to provide space forpassengers with disabilities. Knowledge and drivingtest required.9 S (school bus) FEE: 10Required when transporting pre-primary, primary,or secondary school students in a yellow schoolbus. The passenger endorsement is always required.Knowledge and driving test.H (hazardous materials [hazmat]) FEE: 5Required for operating any vehicle carryinga quantity of hazardous materials requiringplacarding. Knowledge test for initial issuanceor out-of-state hazmat endorsement transfer,renewal, and upgrade required. A CDL with thisendorsement is not eligible for electronic renewal.CDL holders applying for an Iowa DOT hazardousmaterials endorsement must have a validTransportation Security Administration’s SecurityThreat Assessment. The Iowa DOT does notadminister this program. For information about theassessment, call the TSA at 855-347-8371 or visit:www.hazprints.com. Knowledge test required.T (doubles/triples) FEE: 5Required when pulling multiple trailers. Knowledgetest required. Note: Iowa law does not permit the operationof triple trailers; however, a driver whose homestate is Iowa may obtain the endorsement tohaul a triple trailer in those jurisdictions wherethey are legal N (tank) FEE: 5Required for vehicles with a permanent ortemporarily attached tank or tanks with anindividual rated capacity of more than 119 gallonsand a combined rated capacity of 1,000 gallons.This does not include vehicles transporting anempty storage tank with a rated capacity of1,000 gallons or more that is not designated fortransportation and is temporarily attached to aflatbed trailer. X (tank and hazmat)Both the tanker knowledge test and thehazmat knowledge tests are required and theendorsements are paid for separately(see above for fee information). A CDL withthis endorsement is not eligible for electronicrenewal. Note: the hazmat endorsement fee is chargedat each renewal. All other endorsement feesare only charged one time when the driverobtains the endorsement for the first time.This does not apply to individuals reinstatingendorsements on their CDL. A reinstatement ofendorsements will accrue endorsement fees attime of issuance.

CDL and CLP restrictionsThe following restrictions may apply to a CDL or a CLPE – No manual transmission equipped CMV. This restriction applies to a licensee who performsthe skills test in a vehicle equipped with automatic transmission and prohibits the operation of acommercial motor vehicle equipped with a manual transmissionL – no air brake equipped CMV. This restriction applies to a licensee who either fails the air brakecomponent of the knowledge test or performs the skills test in a vehicle not equipped with air brakesand prohibits the operation of a commercial motor vehicle equipped with an air brake system.M – no Class A passenger vehicle. This restriction applies to a licensee who applies for apassenger endorsement and performs the skills test in a passenger vehicle that requires a Class Bcommercial driver’s license and prohibits operation of a passenger vehicle that requires a Class Acommercial driver’s license.N – no Class A and B passenger vehicle. This restriction applies to a licensee who applies for apassenger endorsement and performs the skills test in a passenger vehicle that requires a Class Ccommercial driver’s license and prohibits operation of a passenger vehicle that requires a Class A orClass B commercial driver’s license.O – No tractor-trailer CMV. This restriction applies to a licensee who performs the skills test in acombination vehicle for a Class A commercial driver’s license with the power unit and towed unitconnected with a pintle hook or other non-fifth wheel connection and prohibits operation of atractor-trailer combination connected by a fifth wheelV – medical variance. This restriction applies to a licensee when the department is notified thatthe driver has been issued a medical variance and indicates there is information about a medicalvariance on the driver record accessible to law enforcement.Z – No full air brake equipped CMV. This restriction applies to a licensee who performs the skillstest in a vehicle equipped with air over hydraulic brakes and prohibits the operation of a commercialmotor vehicle equipped with any braking system operating fully on the air brake principleThe following additional restrictions may only be applied to a CLPCommercial Driver’s License (CDL) Quick Guide For additional information, call 515-244-8725K – Intrastate only. This restriction applies to a licensee who self-certifies to non-exceptedintrastate or excepted intrastate driving and prohibits the operation of a commercial motor vehiclein interstate commerce. For more information about medical certification requirements visit fication.P – no passengers in CMV bus. This restriction applies to a permit holder who has a commerciallearner’s permit with a passenger or school bus endorsement and prohibits the operation of acommercial motor vehicle carrying passengers, other than federal/state auditors and inspectors, testexaminers, other trainees, and the commercial driver’s license holder accompanying the permit holderX – no cargo in CMV tank vehicle. This restriction applies to a permit holder who has acommercial learner’s permit with a tank vehicle endorsement and prohibits the operation of anytank vehicle containing cargo or any tank vehicle that previously contained hazardous materials thathas not been purged of any residue.10

Restricted CDLCommercial Driver’s License (CDL) Quick Guide For additional information, call 515-244-8725A restricted CDL may be issued to suppliers oremployees of suppliers of agricultural inputs.Agricultural inputs means applicators of agriculturalchemicals, fertilizer, seed, or animal feeds. Theapplicant may operate Class B or Class C vehicles,but not a Class A combination vehicle.The applicant must have two years of drivingexperience with a license permitting at least twoyears of unaccompanied driving. This does notinclude a motorized bicycle license, a minor’s schoollicense, or a minor’s restricted license.Additionally, the applicant must have a gooddriving record for the most recent two-year period.A “good driving record” means a driving recordshowing: No multiple licenses. No driver’s license suspensions, revocations,disqualifications, denials, bars, or cancellations ofany kind. No convictions in any type of motor vehicle for: Driving under the influence of alcohol or acontrolled substance. Leaving the scene of an accident. Committing any felony involving a motorvehicle. Speeding 15 miles per hour or more over theposted speed limit. Reckless driving, drag racing, or eludingor attempting to elude a law enforcementofficer. Improper or erratic lane changes. Following too closely. A moving violation that contributed to amotor vehicle accident. A violation deemed serious under 761 IAC615.17(321). No record of contributive accidents11A restricted CDL is valid for a commercial motorvehicle (CMV) requiring tank, air brake, andhazardous materials endorsements/ restrictions; butno CDL knowledge or driving tests will be required,nor will endorsement fees be charged, and no CDLendorsements/restrictions will show on the license.Restricted CDL holders may operate between theplace of business and the farm currently beingserviced, but not to exceed 150 miles from the placeof business.Individual periods that are less than 180 days maybe taken in 60 or 90 day increments, provided thecumulative period of validity in the calendar yeardoes not exceed 180 days. An individual periodof validity may be extended by 30 days, providedthe application for extension is made before theindividual period expires and again provided thecumulative period of validity In the calendar yeardoes not exceed 180 days. (An application forextension that is made after an individual periodexpires will be treated as an application for a newindividual period.)A restricted commercial driver’s license must bevalidated for commercial motor vehicle operationfor each individual period of validity. This meansthat the licensee must have their good drivingrecord confirmed and a new card issued at eachapplication for an individual period of validity.Examples:Driver A elects a single restricted CDL valid for180 days, beginning March 15 and continuingthrough Sept. 11. Driver A will go to a driver’s licenseissuance site for the restricted CDL before it isissued to confirm his good driving record and beissued the card, and after the restricted CDL expireswill not be eligible for an extension or anotherrestricted CDL until the next calendar year.Driver B elects to divide her 180 days for thecalendar year into two 90-day periods, onebeginning March 1 and continuing through May 29,and one beginning Sept. 1 and continuing throughNov. 29. Driver B will go to a driver’s license issuancesite for each restricted CDL before it is issued to

confirm her good driving record and be issued thecard, and after the second restricted CDL expireswill not be eligible for an extension or anotherrestricted CDL until the next calendar year.Driver D initially applies for a restricted CDLthat is valid for 90 days, beginning March 20and continuing through June 18, but because offlooding decides to extend that period of validityby 30 days to July 18. Driver D expended 120 days ofher total 180 days for the calendar year, and wouldbe eligible only for a second restricted CDL valid fora period of 60 days the remainder of the calendaryear.The only hazardous materials allowedto be carried with a restricted CDL: Liquid fertilizers, such as anhydrous ammonia,in quantities of 3,000 gallons or less. Solid fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate,provided they are not mixed with any organicsubstance.The cost of a restricted CDL is 8 per year. Each timethe driver comes in to update the validation periodthere will be a 10 charge and a complete search ofthe applicant’s driving record.When the driver is not operating a CMV, he/shecan only drive the types of vehicles he/she wasvalid for before the restricted CDL was issued. Thatlicense type will be indicated on the restrictionsupplement. A person already holding a CDL orcommercial learner’s permit is not eligible for arestricted CDL.Federal regulations require that Iowa licensedcommercial drivers must report all violations(except parking violations) to their employerswithin 30 days of conviction, whether the driver wasoperating a commercial or noncommercial vehicle.The drivers must also notify Driver & IdentificationServices , Iowa Department of Transportation, P.O.Box 9204, Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9204 of anyout-of-state violations received (except parkingviolations) in commercial or noncommercial vehicles.Unemployed drivers should notify Driver &Identification Services of all violations (exceptparking violations). Information required in thisnotification includes date, location (town and state),driver’s name, driver’s license number, driver’ssignature, nature of violation, and type of vehicleoperated. Individual drivers should determine if therequirements of the Federal Motor Carrier SafetyAdministration’s regulations in the U.S. Code ofFederal Regulations 383.31 and 391.27 apply to them.DisqualificationsFederal regulations require that certain offensescommitted in a CMV or non-CMV will result in aCDL holder’s disqualification for specified periodsof time, up to and including possible lifetimedisqualification. For further information on specificdisqualification reasons, please refer to CFR 383.51or refer to our CDL manual online athttps://iowadot.gov/pubs/CDL-manual.pdf.Open Container lawIowa law and federal safety regulations preventthe driver of any commercial vehicle from havingopened or unopened alcohol in the vehicle. Thepenalty for a violation is a fine and 24-hours out-ofservice.Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Quick Guide For additional information, call 515-244-8725Driver C elects to divide his 180 days for thecalendar year into three 60-day periods, onebeginning April 10 and continuing through June9; one beginning Aug. 14 and continuing throughOct. 13; and one beginning Nov. 1 and continuingthrough Dec. 29. Driver C will go to a driver’s licenseissuance site for each restricted CDL before it isissued to confirm his good driving record and beissued the card, and after the third restricted CDLexpires will not be eligible for an extension oranother restricted CDL until the next calendar year.Tickets/ViolationsIt is illegal in Iowa to drive with an open containerof beer or any other alcoholic beverage if theopen container is in the passenger compartment,including the glove compartment of anoncommercial vehicle. This applies to both driversand passengers.The penalty for violating this open container lawcan be a 100 fine or 30 days in jail.A work permit (temporary restricted license) may not be used to operate a CMV.12

Class D chauffeur’s license requirementsClass D license fees: 8 per year (initial and renewal)The Class D (chauffeur’s) license is NOT valid as a CDL.Iowa law requires drivers to possess a Class D (chauffeur’s) license unless they possess a CDL valid for thevehicle when transporting 15 or fewer persons, including driver, for wages, compensation, or hire.Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Quick Guide For additional information, call 515-244-8725Persons exempt from Class D (chauffeur’s) license requirements are:13 Military personnel while on active duty and while operating military vehicles. A paid or volunteer fire fighter operating a fire truck, or a ambulance or rescue squad attendantwhen operating an ambulance or rescue squad apparatus. A firefighter, ambulance driver, or rescue squad attendant while operating a fire, ambulance, orrescue vehicle. Employees of the Iowa Department of Corrections, Iowa Veterans Home, Iowa Braille and SightSaving School, Iowa School for the Blind, or Department of Human Services transporting persons ora home care aid in the course of their duties.The Class D (chauffeur’s) license will have endorsement 3 on the license indicating that it is valid tooperate a passenger vehicle designed to carry 15 or fewer persons, including the driver.A Class D license is also valid to operate a private passenger car or other vehicles, except a motorcycle ora vehicle requiring specific licensing to operate.To obtain a Class D license with endorsement “3,” the driver must have a clean driving record for theprevious two years. If the driver does not have a valid license, they will also be required to take a drivingand knowledge test.Ridesharing Services: A person driving a personal, noncommercial vehicle as a rideshare driver tooffer or provide prearranged rides through a digital network controlled by a ridesharing company (forinstance, Uber or Lyft) in return for compensation or payment or fee is not required to obtain a Class DChauffeur’s license and may drive for that purpose with a Class C noncommercial driver’s license.Taxicab drivers: A person operating a taxicab with a seating capacity o

load plus the weight of the vehicle. The GVWR label may be located in the cab, on the trailer hitch, or on the front of the trailer. Hazardous material A substance or material that has been determined by the U.S. Department of Transportation to be capable of posing an unreasonable