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.