Renewing an Iowa Driver's License
Iowa driver's licenses run on an 8-year renewal cycle for most adults, switching to a 5-year cycle at age 72 with a reduced fee. Many renewals can be completed online or by mail, but every other cycle the Iowa DOT requires an in-person visit for a fresh photo and a vision screening.
When to renew
Your Iowa driver's license expires on your birthday in the expiration year printed on the card. Iowa DOT mails a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration to the address on file — which is one reason Iowa law requires drivers to update an address change within 30 days of moving. You can renew up to 60 days before expiration without losing time on your new card; the new 8-year cycle starts from the previous expiration date, not the renewal date.
Driving on an expired license in Iowa is a simple-misdemeanor citation. After the license has been expired for more than 1 year, the driver must pass the knowledge test again; after 3 years, both the knowledge and skills tests are required.
Online renewal
Iowa DOT's online portal accepts renewals when:
- The driver is between 18 and 71 years old.
- The most recent renewal was completed in person.
- The current photo on file is less than 16 years old.
- The driver doesn't need to upgrade to REAL ID at this renewal.
- There are no holds, suspensions, or medical-review actions on the record.
- The driver self-certifies vision is correctable to 20/40 or better.
Online renewal costs $32 for the standard 8-year credential and uses your existing photo and signature on file. The new card is mailed within 14 days. Drivers who can't pass the self-vision certification or who fail the optional in-portal screening must complete the renewal in person.
In-person renewal
You'll need to renew in person at an Iowa DOT driver license station if any of these apply:
- This is your second consecutive renewal (the alternating in-person cycle).
- You're upgrading to REAL ID for the first time.
- You're 78 or older — Iowa requires in-person renewal at age 78+ with a vision screening.
- Your current photo is more than 16 years old.
- You've moved from another state and your last issuance wasn't an Iowa credential.
- There's a medical review, suspension, or other action on the record.
What to bring to the office
For a standard in-person renewal:
- The current Iowa driver's license (or the renewal notice if the card is lost).
- The renewal fee — $32 for the standard 8-year credential, prorated for older drivers.
- If you've changed your name, a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
- If upgrading to REAL ID, the full identity-and-residency document set: birth certificate or passport, Social Security proof, and two Iowa residency proofs.
Vision screening
The Iowa DOT vision screening checks acuity to 20/40 (with or without corrective lenses) and a 140-degree field of vision. Drivers who fail the in-office screening are referred to an outside vision specialist, who completes a DOT vision form and returns it with the results. Drivers wearing glasses or contacts during the screening will see a "corrective lenses" restriction added to their license — the restriction stays in place unless removed by a later vision examination.
Older driver renewals
Iowa imposes additional requirements as drivers age:
- Age 72-77 — license cycle drops to 5 years; fee is $20.
- Age 78+ — license cycle remains 5 years; in-person renewal is required at every cycle, with an in-office vision screening.
- Iowa DOT may require a knowledge or skills test at any age if the agency observes concerns or receives a credible safety report.
Family members or physicians can submit a confidential medical-review request to Iowa DOT at any time if they're worried about an older driver's safety; the agency reviews each report and may require additional testing.
Address and name changes at renewal
An address change is free and can be done online or at the renewal visit. A name change after marriage or divorce requires an in-person visit with original documents. If you've moved across state lines and need to surrender an out-of-state license, you must visit an Iowa DOT office in person; online renewal isn't available for that scenario.
Once renewed, see the related guides for vehicle registration renewal at the county treasurer and how to pull a current driver record.