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Iowa License PlatesIowa license plates are rectangular-shaped, aluminum plates that display a unique combination of letters and numbers assigned by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) through its Motor Vehicle Division (MVD); the MVD also oversees the issuance of these license plates. License plates serve to identify vehicles registered in Iowa and are required for all vehicles that operate on public roads in the state. These license plates must be secured to the front and rear of the vehicle except for autocycles, motorcycles, and motorized bicycles, where they only have to be affixed to the rear of the vehicle. Likewise, license plates issued for truck tractors only have to be attached to the front of the truck. The MVD also makes an exemption for cars with the model year 1948 or older. These vehicles are permitted to display their license plate on the rear only, provided the other issued license plate is carried inside the car when it's being driven on public roads.
There are several kinds of license plates available in Iowa. These include:
Upon registering your vehicle in Iowa, you will receive a registration card and sticker, in addition to being issued license plates. The registration card contains important information about the vehicle, including the license plate number, VIN, registrant's name, and registration expiration date, and should always be kept in your vehicle. Similarly, the registration sticker specifies the month and year of expiration of your license plates and should be affixed to your rear license plate (the front plate for truck tractors).
Iowa License Plate Design and FormatsIowa license plates are reflectorized metallic plates that prominently feature a license plate number in the middle. This plate number is typically a six-character alpha-numeric combination consisting of three letters followed by three numbers - ABC 123. However, plate numbers for non-passenger vehicles and those for specialty and personalized plates may have less than six characters; they may also deviate from the standard "ABC 123" serial format.
For standard plates, the license plate number is screened in black over a graphic design background of a blue sky, white city skyline, farm and wind turbine, and a green grass field. The word "IOWA" is screened in white above the plate number, and the name of the county issuing the plate is screened in black below the number. Some specialty plates also utilize this design with the inclusion of an organization-specific logo or emblem to the left of the plate number; however, others may feature a different background design and color scheme.
Here are some Iowa license plate designs:
Standard License Plates – Passenger Vehicles:
Specialty License Plates – Blackout Design and Collegiate (Iowa State University):
Decal License Plates:
* Source: Iowa Motor Vehicle Division
Iowa Vanity License PlateIowa vanity plates provide a way for vehicle owners to add personalization or creativity to their license plates by customizing their plate numbers to reflect a name, slogan, or personal message. However, these personalized plates must conform to the following guidelines:
Iowa vanity plates are issued directly by the MVD (unlike other license plates, which are issued through local county treasurers' offices). The division provides an online platform that you can use to request vanity plates and also check the status of placed orders. You should have a valid state-issued ID and credit card handy when initiating the request. You will be charged an initial $25 fee and a $5 annual personalization fee in addition to your annual vehicle registration renewal fee.
Vanity plates are typically processed within 3 – 6 weeks and will be sent to your county treasurer's office – this office will then notify you of the plates' availability. Note that your personalized plates must be assigned to a vehicle within 90 days, or they will be voided. You must also exchange your current plates for personalized ones when you receive them. You can contact the MVD at (515) 237-3110 or via email for questions concerning obtaining and assigning vanity plates.
Most Popular Iowa Special Plate NumbersThe top three most popular special license plate designs in Iowa are:
Other popular specialty license plate themes across the state include:
Iowa License Plate LookupA license plate lookup involves searching for information about a vehicle using its license plate number. This lookup provides details like the vehicle's make, model, year, registration status, repair and rebuild records, and more through this service. People typically perform license plate lookups for different reasons, such as:
License plate lookups are typically performed for law enforcement reasons. However, you can access vehicle-related information in Iowa through the state's Motor Vehicle Division by completing a Privacy Act Agreement for Request of Motor Vehicle Records form online. Print the completed form, sign it, and mail it, along with a legible copy of your state-issued ID, to
Systems and Administration BureauIf you intend to access another person's records, you must also get and include their written consent. The cost for performing a license plate lookup through the MVD is $5 per record request – you must pay this fee even if no results are found.
You can also perform reverse license plate searches online through websites like RecordsFinder; these websites provide online access to information on Iowa-registered vehicles. Be aware that your request must comply with federal and state privacy and motor vehicle information disclosure laws.
What Do I Need to Get a License Plate in Iowa?Iowa license plates are typically processed locally by county treasurers' offices. You can only get a license plate after registering your vehicle in Iowa – county treasurers' offices also handle this registration, which must be done within 30 days of establishing residency in the state. Be aware that you have to register your vehicle in Iowa even if your license plates are still valid in another state.
You can register your vehicle and obtain Iowa license plates by taking the following steps:
Note that you may be required to provide additional documentation, depending on your specific situation. Processing times are also location-dependent; however, you may be issued temporary tags pending when your plates will be ready for pickup or delivery. Contact your local county treasurer's office for specific information on their vehicle registration and license issuance process.
Differences Between a Passenger License Plate and a Commercial License Plate in Iowa?Any motor vehicle (or combination of vehicles) in Iowa used to transport people or property is classified as a commercial motor vehicle if it meets any of the following criteria:
Vehicles that fit these criteria are typically assigned a commercial plate. On the other hand, private-use cars and for-hire cars that do not weigh up to 26,001 pounds are assigned passenger plates.
Here are some key distinctions between passenger and commercial license plates in Iowa:
| Features | Passenger License Plate | Commercial License Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Use |
|
|
| Plate number arrangement |
* specialty and personalized plates may have less than six characters |
Same as passenger plates; however, the serial format may differ: (AB 1234), (1234 AB) |
| Design & Color |
Graphic design featuring a blue sky, white city skyline, farm and wind turbine, and green grass field * specialty license plates may feature organization-specific emblems and logos or utilize a different background design |
Same as standard passenger plates |
| Use Limitations |
|
Commercial use only |
| Requirements for obtaining |
|
Same as passenger license plates; however, additional documents may be required based on the vehicle's weight class and intended use |
How to Renew License Plate in IowaYou have to renew your Iowa vehicle registration annually; doing this automatically renews your license plates. Renewals are handled locally by county treasurers' offices; nevertheless, the Iowa Motor Vehicle Division provides a centralized platform that you can use to initiate the renewal process online. County treasurer's offices typically send vehicle registration in their jurisdiction a renewal notice containing a PIN and necessary renewal requirements one month before their renewal month. You will need this PIN or the audit number from your registration renewal receipt to utilize the online platform. Note that online renewal is not available for vehicle registrants with a "stop" sign on their renewal notice or for half-year renewals and apportioned vehicles.
If you do not qualify for an online renewal, you can contact your county treasurer's office in person to initiate the renewal process. Some counties also offer additional renewals, like mail and Dropbox.
Your vehicle type, age, and chosen renewal method usually determine your registration renewal fees. Processing times for these renewals vary by location and renewal method and can range from 24 business hours to two weeks or more.
How to Transfer a License Plate in IowaYou can transfer your Iowa license plates, along with the remaining balance of your vehicle's registration, from an old vehicle to a new one under the following conditions:
Be aware that you need to get a go-ahead from your county treasurer's office before you can legally transfer your plates.
Iowa License Plate Lookup Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Federal and state laws (specifically the Driver's Privacy Protection Act and Iowa Code 321.11 and 321.11A) restrict the Iowa Motor Vehicle Division from disclosing personal information in its driver's license and vehicle registration records, except to specific authorized parties. These include law enforcement agencies, courts of law, and licensed private investigation or security service agencies.
As such, you cannot find the owner of an Iowa license plate through a records search with the MVD. However, there are available alternative options for obtaining vehicle-related information online, with RecordsFinder being prominent. Websites like these provide access to public vehicle records, including details such as the vehicle's make, model, and VIN. Note that vehicle owner information may not be accessible.
You can replace your lost Iowa license plate by contacting your county treasurer's office. You will typically be required to submit any remaining license plates and provide a copy of your current registration. Replacements for standard plates cost $5 ($8 if you do not have your registration); however, this fee may be waived if the plates were lost in a documented accident. Note that you may be required to provide proof of this before the replacement plates are issued.
Some of the information that police officers and other law enforcement officials can access when they run license plates in Iowa include:
You can confirm that a vehicle is not being sold with a cloned VIN and check details like its make, model, and year of manufacture using a free license plate lookup. This information is crucial if you are considering buying a used car.
Websites like RecordsFinder allow you to conveniently perform license plate searches on Iowa-registered vehicles from any location. These online searches will provide you with information like the vehicle's VIN, engine type, tank size, price, make, model, year, and body style.
Iowa license plates are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. This renewal has to be done before midnight on your registration expiration date; however, the MVD gives a one-month grace period after your renewal month, during which you can drive with expired plates without any penalty.
Failing to renew your registration and driving with expired plates after this grace period is considered a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a $70 fine. When you eventually renew your registration, you will also be charged a separate administrative penalty of 5% of the renewal fee per vehicle per month, with a minimum charge of $5 per vehicle.
You only need to return your Iowa license plates if you do not wish to transfer them to another vehicle and you want to claim a refund on your unused registration fees. To do this, you will have to complete and submit a signed Claim for Refund (Form 411047), along with the license plates, to your county treasurer's office. Be aware that amounts less than $10 will not be refunded.
No law prohibits you from keeping your Iowa license plates when you move to another state. However, the MVD recommends that you return these plates if you register your vehicle in another state; doing this effectively ends your responsibility for the plates. You will have to send the license plates to the county treasurer's office where your vehicle was last registered, along with a copy of your new vehicle registration and a short note explaining why you are returning the plates. If you wish to claim unused registration fees on the license plate, you must also include a signed Claim for Refund (Form 411047). Note that registration fee refunds are only processed for $10 or more.
Iowa license plates are typically 12 inches by 6 inches. However, the dimensions for plates issued for autocycles, motorized bicycles, motorcycles, motorcycle trailers, and trailers with an empty weight of two thousand pounds or less may be smaller. For example, motorcycle plates are usually 7 inches by 4 inches.
You may be issued temporary license plates if you buy a vehicle that is already registered or is in a dealer's inventory and you don't have plates for it yet. County treasurers' offices issue these temporary plates for private party purchases, while vehicle dealers do so for dealership purchases, and they are typically valid for up to 30 days. Note that you must have proof of ownership of the vehicle on you when driving with temporary license plates.
Here's what you need to do to renew your license plates in Iowa:
You must inform your county treasurer's office if your Iowa license plates are lost or stolen. You will need to turn in any remaining plates and submit your vehicle's registration to this office; these documents are required to process replacement plates. Be aware that you will also be charged a replacement fee, usually determined by the types of plates being replaced. However, this fee may be waived if your plates were lost in a documented accident, provided that you can present acceptable proof of this accident.