Iowa laws you need to know about

By B.J. Smith
Iowa.com

As our motto says, we prize our liberties. We do have some rules, though. Be nice. Play well with others. That sort of thing.

There are some laws that we spell out in more detail, too, just to make sure everyone understands. If you’re new to Iowa, some of our laws might be a little different from what you’re used to.

Here are some of the basics you should know:

Attending school - Iowa children attend public schools, special charter schools or private schools and they can also be home-schooled. We also have open enrollment, which allows parents or guardians living in one district to enroll their children in a different district under certain conditions. To get the basics about school attendance, check with your local school district or the Iowa Department of Education.

Car seats – Children less than a year old and less than 20 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system for their protection.  Other children under 6 years old must be secured in a child restraint system other than a seat belt. From ages 6 to 11, they must be in a child restraint system or secured by a safety belt.

Children – Keep an eye out for them when driving and make sure they’re safe at other times, too. (Unofficial rule.)

Drinking age – A person must be 21 or older to drink alcoholic beverages legally in Iowa.  Criminal penalties are possible for offenders and anyone who serves under-age drinkers. Local ordinances might vary concerning underage people being in bars.

Driver’s licenses and permits - We have what are known as graduated driver licenses. You can get an instruction permit at the age of 14 and graduate to an intermediate license at 16. At 17, if all goes well, you can graduate yet again and have a full license.

Getting married – Planning to get married here? Congratulations! You can download an application and take it to your county recorder’s office. If you’re 16 or 17, you’ll need permission from the district court. If you’re 18 or older, you can marry a person of the same or opposite sex.

Laws some people like to joke about – Click here at your own risk. The views expressed are not ours, and we’re not sure the site is up to date, so don’t take it too seriously.

Motorcycle helmets – Iowa is one of just a few states that have no law requiring motorcycle operators to wear helmets.

Move Over, Slow Down – That’s what you’re required to do when approaching “certain stationary vehicles” on our roadways. That includes emergency vehicles, utility maintenance vehicles and the like. You are also required to observe the lower speed limits indicated in highway construction zones or face stiffer penalties than you would otherwise.

Parents – Be nice to them. (OK, that’s not an official thing, either, but still a good idea.)

Seatbelts – If you’re driving in or through Iowa, buckle up. As they say, it’s more than a good idea. It’s the law.

Smoking - With a few exceptions, smoking was banned in nearly all public places with passage of the Smokefree Air Act in 2008. That includes most places of employment and even some outdoors areas.

Speed limits – Our speed limit signs look like other speed limit signs and usually are easy to spot. Be alert to changes as you travel the highways. Depending on where you are, the limit might be 55, 65 or 70, and different again if you’re pulling a trailer. (Check the Iowa Driver’s Manual for details.)

Vehicle licensing – When you move to Iowa, you have 30 days to register your motor vehicle with your county treasurer’s office.  You can contact that office to find out what it will cost, but there’s a handy fee estimator right here.

Voter registration – If you are an Iowa resident, a U.S. citizen and 18 or older on Election Day, you are eligible to register to vote. Various groups conduct voter registration drives, but to just get it done now, you can download a form here, fill it out, and take it to your county auditor’s office.

Check out our page on law enforcement.

Learn more

• Iowa Administrative Code
• Iowa Court Rules
• Iowa Department of Justice
• Iowa Legislature, Iowa Law
• Iowa Online Court Case Search