Traffic Tickets in Iowa

SUMMARY: Iowa Traffic Tickets

Depending on where you received your IA traffic ticket, you may be able to pay your ticket fines online, by mail, by phone, or in person. To fight your traffic ticket, you must plead “not guilty." Certain counties may allow you to submit your plea either by mail or in person.

Continue reading this page to learn what to do after receiving a traffic ticket in Iowa.

Traffic Ticket Fines and Penalties

Traffic ticket fines in Iowa will vary by violation. To determine the exact amount that is due, you can:

NOTE: Some serious violations may result in an automatic driver’s license suspension.

Driving Record Points

When you are convicted of a traffic violation, points will be added to your Iowa driving record.

In addition, the Iowa Customer Services Bureau (ODS) will suspend your driver’s license if you're:

  • A habitual traffic offender (i.e., commit 3 violations within 12 months).
  • Convicted of a serious violation (such as speeding 25 MPH over the speed limit).

In some cases, you may be required to complete a driver improvement course. Unfortunately, the course will not clear the traffic ticket off your driving record.

Pay a Traffic Ticket in Iowa

Your payment options for an Iowa traffic ticket will vary by county court. Check your traffic ticket or contact the appropriate IA traffic court for specific instructions. If you've lost your ticket, see below.

You may be able to pay your IA traffic ticket:

  • Online.
  • By mail.
  • By phone.
    OR
  • In person.

NOTE: If you fail to pay your traffic ticket within 60 days of the deadline, your IA driver's license may be suspended until you've paid the full amount due.

Fight an IA Traffic Ticket

To find out exactly how to fight your traffic violation, check your traffic ticket or contact the appropriate Iowa traffic court. Depending on the county where you received your ticket, you may be able to submit your “not guilty" plea in person or by mail.

You may want to hire a traffic ticket attorney prior to your hearing.

Lost Your Traffic Ticket?

If you've lost your Iowa traffic ticket, you can take action in the following ways:

If you would like to order a copy of your traffic ticket, you'll need to mail a written request and a check or money order (payable to “Treasurer State of Iowa") for $0.50 to:

Customer Services Bureau
Iowa Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 9204
Des Moines, IA 50306

For complete instructions, visit the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) website.

Fines & Penalties for Commercial Drivers

When you're convicted of a traffic ticket in Iowa as a commercial driver, you must notify your employer within 30 days. This rule applies whether you were driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) or a personal vehicle.

For the following major offenses, you'll lose your commercial driver's license (CDL) for 1 year.

  • Refusing to submit to a sobriety test.
  • Driving a CMV while your license is cancelled, suspended, revoked or you have been disqualified from having a CDL.
  • Driving a CMV with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or higher.
  • Being under the influence of a controlled substance while operating a CMV.
  • Using a CMV while committing a felony offense (this also include making, disturbing and/or dispensing a controlled substance.)
  • Leaving the scene of an accident involving your CMV.
  • Negligent use of a CMV that results in a fatality.

For more information, visit our CDL Suspension page.

Iowa Traffic Tickets: FAQs

View our Traffic Ticket FAQ page to learn about the following topics and more:

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