Driver's License
The following topics are covered in this section:
Hours of Operation
Renew your license 30 days before or 60 days after your birthday. If your license has been expired for over one year, full testing (computer and skills) will be required.
License/ID Services | 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., by appointment only
Computer Test | 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (test must be started by 3 p.m.), by appointment only
Skills Driving Test | Tuesdays - by appointment only
- Please call 641-923-4455 to make an appointment.
- Skills tests can be scheduled after passing the computer exam
- No CDL skills testing in Hancock County. You may Contact a state DOT station to find a motorcycle or CDL testing location.
Services & Testing
Please note: If you do not pay property taxes in Hancock County there is an additional $10.00 fee that must be paid in cash.
Under 18: Permits, School License, Intermediate
Operator Permit Requirements
- Certified birth certificate
- Social security card (or completed affidavit by the parent with the minor’s social security number)
- Address verification (must present 2 items):
- Address verification items can include any of the following: student report card or other correspondence showing name & address, birthday card, bank statement, paystub, or any other piece of mail.
- If you can only find one, we may use one with the minor’s parents name (as long as the address and last name is the same).
- Address verification items can include any of the following: student report card or other correspondence showing name & address, birthday card, bank statement, paystub, or any other piece of mail.
- A parent or legal guardian must be present at the appointment or this Parent Consent Form (Iowa DOT Form 430018) must be completed prior to the appointment.
School Permit Requirements
- Completed and passed Driver's Education,
- 6 months of having a permit with no accidents or citations,
- A parent or legal guardian must be present at the appointment or this Parent Consent Form (Iowa DOT Form 430018) must be completed prior to the appointment.
- Completed Affidavit for Minor School License (Iowa DOT Form 430021)
- Please bring in your current license or know your social security number to your appointment.
Intermediate License
- Must be at least 16 years old,
- Completed and passed Driver's Education,
- 1 complete year, 365 days, of having a permit with no accidents or citations,
- A parent or legal guardian must be present at the appointment or this Parent Consent Form (Iowa DOT Form 430018) must be completed prior to the appointment.
- Please bring in your current license or know your social security number to your appointment.
Renewals
Renewals are $4 per year for basic renewals. Motorcycle endorsements are an additional $2 per year.
- Renewal Requirements
- 8-year renewals | 18 to 72-year-olds
- 7-year renewals | 73-year-olds
- 6-year renewals | 74-year-olds
- 5-year renewals | 75-year-olds
- 4-year renewals | 76-year-olds
- 3-year renewals | 77-year-olds
- 2-year renewals | 78-year-olds and older
- Please bring in your current license or know your social security number to your appointment.
Issuance
All drivers, regardless of age, must take and pass drivers education or drive with an examiner to obtain a license. Drive Tests are by apopointment only, please call 641-923-4455.
More information on drivers education can be found here: https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverseducation
For a map showing approved local drivers education instructors: https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverseducation/private-driver-education-schools
Drive Testing
All drive tests must be scheduled by the staff either over the phone or in person. Hancock County offers drive tests by appointment only. Please call 641-923-4455.
If your driver's license has been expired for over one year, full testing (written and skills) tests are required.
Also, all parent-taught driver education students must take the skills drive test.
Duplicate/Replacement Cards
The cost to obtain a duplicate driver's license or identification card is $10. If you lose your card you can have a duplicate card issued as a replacement.
Identification Cards
In Iowa, you can have an ID card or a driver's license; you are not allowed to have both. Iowa non-operator's ID cards will be issued with an expiration date of eight years.
If you are being issued an Iowa ID without having ever having been issued before, you are required to bring all the documents for the Real ID (see below).
Commercial Drivers Licence (CDL)
CDLs are $8 per year. If you have the hazmat endorsement, testing is required at renewal time. Every five years, fingerprints and background checks are required as well. More information can be found on the Iowa DOT website.
If you have a CDL you must certify if you are interstate or intrastate. Intrastate includes using your CDL only within the state of Iowa while interstate is using your CDL while outside of the state of Iowa. If you certify as interstate you will need the following:
- Medical card from your Doctor
- Completed Certification for Commercial Drivers License
Failure to comply within the required timeline will result in a downgrade of your CDL.
The Iowa DOT made significant changes to the issuance of commercial drivers licenses starting February 7, 2022. To gather information about the new requirements in getting a CDL in the state of Iowa, visit the Iowa DOT page: https://iowadot.gov/mvd/cdl/Entry-Level-Driver-Training-ELDT
To determine if you are required to complete entry-level driver training see the ELDT Applicability Fact Sheet.
Reminder! CDL holders must bring in their birth certificate, passport or INS document to renew if they don’t have a Real ID.
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REAL ID Requirements
- Enforcement at airports/federal buildings begins on: May 2025
- Typical documents needed (you will need all three):
- Identity
- Birth certificate, valid US passport, I-551 Resident Card, I-776 Employment Card
- Social security
- Card or 1099/W-2 with full number listed on document
- Residency
- Two pieces of mail or two documents with your name and address appearing together.
- You may also need proof of legal name change, if applicable
- Identity
- $10 if not at renewal time
*Once you provide your identity documents to obtain the Gold Star/REAL ID, you do not need to provide these documents in the future.
Address Change
If you are an Iowa resident and have moved to a new residence, the cost to update the address shown on your drivers license or identification card is $10.
If you have moved to Iowa from another state or country, please see the section "New to Iowa" for more information about the requirements to be issued in Iowa. You can also inquire more with the Iowa DOT website for more information.
New to Iowa?
Learn how to get an Iowa driver's license:
- If you have the REAL ID in the state you’re moving from, you will need to bring:
- Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, INS documents)
- Proof of social security (social security card, anything listing your full social security number or social security number affidavit for driver's license or identification card services)
- Proof of residency x 2 (2 pieces of mail)
- If you do not have the REAL ID on your out of-state-license, you will need to bring:
- Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, INS documents)
- Proof of social security (social security card, anything listing your full social security number or social security number affidavit for driver's license or identification card services
- Proof of residency x 2 (2 pieces of mail)
- If your legal name has changed, you will need to bring in your certified legal name change documents (i.e. certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.).
Iowa Department of Transportation
For questions regarding your drivers license or driving record information, please call the Iowa DOT at (515) 244-8725. You also have the option to go to the Iowa DOT website to chat or email.
Certified Driving Records
To obtain a copy of your certified driving record, please visit the Iowa DOT website.
Concerned about a loved one's safety while driving?
Please check out the Iowa DOT's resources on aging and safe driving.
