Two-Wheeled Vehicles Defined

In addition to motorcycles, the Iowa DOT defines the following two-wheeled vehicles:

• Moped―"A motor vehicle that has a saddle or seat for the use of the rider and is designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and not capable of operating at a speed in excess of thirty miles per hour on level ground unassisted by human power."

• Scooter―Electric- or gas-powered scooters that resemble long skateboards with handlebars, a motor, and a seat generally are not eligible for registration and thus can't legally be driven on Iowa roads.

NOTE: The DOT generally recognizes mopeds that can travel faster than 30 mph and scooters with step-through frames as types of motorcycles.

Call the Office of Driver Services at (800) 532-1121 if you are not sure whether your vehicle requires motorcycle insurance.

Iowa Insurance Requirements for Motorcycles

If you use a liability insurance policy to meet your financial responsibility requirements, minimum coverage amounts are:

• Bodily injury liability for one person in the amount of $20,000

• Bodily injury liability for more than one person in the amount of $40,000

• Property damage liability in the amount of $15,000

The amounts listed above are the bare minimum insurance requirements. Many residents opt for higher liability coverage or more extensive insurance protection through collision, personal injury protection, comprehensive physical damage, or uninsured motorist policies.

If cost is a concern, obtaining quotes from several different insurance companies will help you get the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

How Coverage Affects Helmet Requirements

Unlike many other states, Iowa does not legally require motorcycle riders to wear helmets. This means that whether or not you choose to wear a helmet while traveling on the state's roads will have no impact on your insurance coverage needs.

Proof of Insurance and Financial Responsibility

Keep your insurance card with you at all times so you are able to submit your proof of financial responsibility in the event of an accident.

If you don't have liability insurance and need to provide another form of proof of financial responsibility, contact the Office of Driver Services at (800) 532-1121 for instructions regarding how to submit your documentation.

Penalties for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility

As mentioned earlier, your license and registration can be suspended if you are found to have no proof of insurance or other forms of financial responsibility as required by the Iowa Financial & Safety Responsibility Act. This is true even if you only allowed a friend to borrow your motorcycle, because the financial responsibility requirements apply to both the owner and the person operating the vehicle involved in an accident.

The only way to avoid penalties for failure to maintain financial responsibility is to meet one of the following criteria:

• The accident causing injury or property damage happened after someone took your motorcycle without your permission.

• The accident involved no property damage or personal injuries to anyone but you.

• Your motorcycle was legally parked, stopped, or standing at the time of the accident.

If you are required to show proof of financial responsibility as part of Iowa's Financial & Safety Responsibility Act, keep in mind you must provide proof for both your car and your motorcycle to maintain full license and registration privileges.