Teen Driving
Iowa's Seat Belt Law
Information for Teens
- Youth and Teens ages 11-17 are required to wear a seat belt in any seating position-front or back. Learn more about properly restraining children under age 11.
- Teens ages 14 and over will be ticketed themselves if they are in violation of Iowa's seat belt law.
- These restrictions went into effect July 1, 2010.
Texting Ban
Driving & Cell Phones: Information for Teens
- Iowa's cell phone/texting ban prohibits the use of an electronic or entertainment device while driving, unless the vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway.
- Applies to drivers who hold the following licenses:
- An intermediate license
- A restricted license for a person between 16 and 18 years who is not enrolled in school
- A school permit
- A learner's permit
- These restrictions went into effect July 1, 2010.
Iowa's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) System
Graduated Driver Licensing or GDL is a system designed to phase in young drivers to full driving privileges as they become more mature, gain driving experience, and develop their driving skills. GDL Laws lead to a 20-50% decrease in crashes for 16- and 17-year-olds (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The GDL Law in Iowa went into effect January 1, 2014.
Instruction Permit
- Available at age 14 with written approval of parent/guardian.
- Must be held for a minimum of 12 months.
- All driving must be supervised by a licensed driver who is a parent/guardian, custodian, an immediate family member at least 21 years of age, a driver education instructor, or a person at least 25 years old with written permission of parent/guardian.
- Complete a minimum of 20 hours supervised driving with 2 hours at night.
- Hold permit and maintain a clean driving record for 6 consecutive months before proceeding to next stage.
Intermediate License
- Available at age 16.
- Must have completed an Iowa-approved driver education course.
- May drive:
- Without supervision from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
- From 12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. with a licensed driver who is a parent/guardian, custodian, an immediate family member at least 21 years of age, a
driver education instructor, or a person at least 25 years old with
written permission of parent/guardian.
- With waiver, between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. to and from work and school-related activities.
- Complete 10 hours of supervised driving with 2 hours at night.
- May not:
- Use a cell phone, smartphone, tablet, or other electronic communication or entertainment device while driving.
- Carry more than one minor passenger that is not a relative when driving without adult supervision.
- Carry more passengers than the number of seat belts in vehicle, even when driving with adult supervision.
- Hold license and maintain a clean driving record for 12 consecutive months before proceeding to next stage.
Full License
- Available at age 17 with written approval of parent/guardian.
- Full driving privileges with no restrictions.