DMV Point System in Iowa
Driving may be rewarding, but your license is no rewards card. In fact, the more points you have attached to your license, the fewer benefits you'll receive in Iowa.
Read below to find out more about what to expect if you collect too many points on your IA driver's license.
Iowa Point System Basics
Every Iowa traffic ticket comes with a certain number of points. Specific amounts vary, depending on the severity of the violation.
Each time you either pay your traffic ticket or are convicted of the offense in court, the corresponding number of points on your ticket will be added to your Iowa driving record. Collecting too many could lead to repercussions.
The Iowa Customer Services Bureau (ODS) will SUSPEND your license if you commit:
- 3 moving violations or more within 12 months.
OR - 6 moving violations or more in 2 years.
- License suspended for 1 year.
The length of time your Iowa license will be barred depends on the amount of points you accumulate during that time, including:
- 6 to 7 points: 2 years.
- 8 to 9 points: 3 years.
- 10 to 12 points: 4 years.
- 13 to 15 points: 5 years.
- 16 points or more: 6 years.
Other than having your driving privileges revoked, points on your IA driving record can cost you—literally. Too many could adversely affect your auto insurance rate.
NOTE: Additional penalties may be levied for points on an Iowa commercial driver's license.
Unhappy with your auto insurance rate? It could get even worse, if you acquire too many points on your IA driving record. Read more about how your points affect your rate, and how to keep it as low as possible.
IA Point System Schedule
Points on your Iowa traffic ticket work on a sliding scale, with more awarded to more serious violations and more common citations receiving less. Typically, only the most serious IA violations result in points being added to your license.
You'll be awarded the following points for receiving the following traffic tickets:
- Driving with a:
- Suspended, revoked, or denied license: 2 points.
- License revoked for alcohol- or drug-related offenses: 3 points.
- Barred license: 4 points.
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of0.08% or higher: 4 points.
- Leaving the scene of an accident: 5 points.
- Eluding a police officer: 5 points.
- Causing serious injury in a car accident: 5 points.
- Vehicular manslaughter: 6 points.
If you don't see your citation above, check your traffic ticket or contact your local ODS office for more information.
Your Iowa driving record has a direct impact on whether you can drive in the state. Make sure you know where you stand when you order your IA driving record.
Reducing IA Driving Record Points
Iowa is very strict when it comes to points on your driving record. Points will stay on your record for at least 5 years.
Points accumulated for driving while intoxicated will remain on your record for 12 years.
The Iowa Office of Driver Services does NOT clear your record or reduce your point total for completing a defensive driving course.
For more information, contact your local ODS office.
