Driver's License

Schedule an Appointment Online

When scheduling your appointment online, be sure to click "Read more" on the service selected to ensure you will have everything you need for your appointment.  Please call if you are unsure of eligibility status or type of appointment needed.

What Documents Do I Need?

Build a checklist of what you'll need to bring to get:

• Your Iowa license or ID for the first time.
• Your Iowa license or ID as a new Iowa resident.
• A Real ID gold star on your card for the first time.

Hours & Locations

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) are required.

REMINDER: If you are not a Winnebago County resident and do not pay property taxes to Winnebago County, you will be charged a $10.00 convenience fee for issuance of a Driver's License or Identification Card, per HF267 and HF718 effective July 1, 2023

General Hours & Appointments

Driver's license services are available Monday through Friday by appointment only. Some services are only available at certain times. Please see the appointment list below for specifics.

Appointments available:

• Renewals | BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (last appt. at 3:30 p.m.)
• Computer Knowledge Test | Please call to set up a testing appointment
• Skills Driving Test | by appointment only
  • Skills tests can be scheduled after passing the computer knowledge exam
  • No motorcycles or CDL skills testing in Winnebago County.  You may contact a state DOT station to find a motorcycle or CDL testing location.
  • For more information on preparing for your drive test, please visit: https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/drivetests

Please call 641-585-2322 or 641-585-4430 to book an appointment.

Payment Options

• Cash
• Check made out to Treasurer, State of Iowa
• Debit/credit cards for an additional $1.50

RENEW ONLINE

No matter what type of Iowa driver’s license you have, you may be able to skip coming to a service center by renewing it online. Check out all the online services at https://mymvd.iowadot.gov. If you are ineligible to renew online, you may still schedule an appointment to renew in our office.

Services

INSTRUCTION PERMIT Requirements

• Be at least 14 years old.
• Pass the knowledge and vision test. You have three options for taking the knowledge test:
  • Take the knowledge exam at our location - Schedule an appointment and bring the following documents:
    • Birth certificate
      • Certified state copy of the birth certificate (the hospital birth certificate with baby footprints will not be sufficient)
    • Social security card
    • A parent must be present at the appointment or this Parent Consent Form (Iowa DOT Form 430018) must be completed prior to the appointment
    • Two pieces of mail with the minor’s name and physical address listed
  • Take the knowledge test at home. A parent will be required to administer the test and the student will need an electronic device (not a phone or tablet) connected to the Internet. Due to the high volume of applications coming through, it may take 7-14 days to process your application. To apply to take the test at home, the child must be at least 14 years old. First, the parent will need to complete and submit the Application to Proctor Knowledge Exam Form. Upon approval of the application, the parent and student will receive an email with instructions for taking and administering the test. The link sent in the email will expire after 72 hours. If it expires, you will need to fill out the application to apply again. After the test is completed, the student will receive an email with the test results and instructions.
  • Take the knowledge test at your school if available. Some Iowa schools and agencies offer the knowledge test at their schools, saving you a trip to a driver’s license service center to complete the written test. Find a list of schools participating in the Skip the Trip – DOT Test Program.
• Your parent or guardian must provide written consent, either in-person at a driver’s license issuance site or complete the Parent’s/Guardian’s Written Consent Form (form 430018) and bring it with you when you come in to get your permit issued. You will need an appointment to get the permit issued.
• If you choose to take the knowledge test at home or at your school, you will still need to schedule an appointment with us to be issued your credential. At the appointment, you will need to provide a primary form of identification, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. Create a list of documents to take with you to the driver’s license issuance site.

Special minor's restricted license (Previously Minor school license) Requirements

• Be at least 14 1/2 years old.
• Complete an Iowa-approved driver education course.
• Hold an instruction permit and a clean driving record for at least six consecutive months immediately before applying for your special minor's restricted license.
• If you are a public-school student, your parents must download and fill out the Affidavit for Special Minor's Restricted License  (form 430021) and sign it with a live signature. Then, they must have your school superintendent, principal, or school board chair sign it with a live signature. This form is available at any DMV or online.
• If you are a student at an accredited nonpublic school (private school), your parents must download and fill out the Affidavit for Special Minor's Restricted License (form 430021) and sign it with a live signature. Then, the authorities in charge of your school must sign it with a live signature. This form is available at any DMV or online.
• If you are a home-schooled student (you receice competent private instruction or independent private instruction), your parents must download and fill out the Affidavit for Special Minor’s Restricted License (form 430021) and sign it with a live signature. Then, your primary instructor must sign it with a live signature. This form is available at any DMV or online.
• You may be required to complete a drive test if your driver’s education instructor requires it, or if you completed the Parent-Taught Driver’s Education Program.
• Once the form is completed, schedule an appointment to bring in the completed form and get your special minor's restricted license issued.
• Have your parent or guardian complete a Parental Consent for Special Minor’s Restricted License (form 430022). You must carry this completed form with you in the vehicle. Present it to law enforcement when requested.

intermediate license Requirements

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Complete an Iowa-approved driver education course.
• Have a valid instruction permit (or instruction permit and special minor’s restricted license) for a total of 12 months.
• For each violation while you had a special minor’s restricted license, you will be delayed an additional three months before you can upgrade to an Intermediate License after your 16th birthday.
• You may be required to complete a drive test if your driver’s education instructor requires it, or if you completed the Parent-Taught Driver’s Education Program.
• Your parent or guardian must provide written consent either in person or by completing the Parent’s/Guardian’s Written Consent Form (form 430018) and bring it with you for your appointment.

upgrade to full license from intermediate license Requirements

• Available at age 17
• Must meet all conditions of intermediate license (Once you turn 18 you can obtain a full license without meeting these requirements.)
  • Keep your intermediate license for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before applying for a full license.
  • Maintain a clean driving record for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before applying for a full license.
  • Complete 10 hours of supervised driving while holding your intermediate license. At least two of those hours must be between sunset and sunrise.
• If you are under the age of 18, your parent or guardian must provide written consent either in person or by completing the Parent’s/Guardian’s Written Consent Form (form 430018) and bring it with you for your appointment.
• Full driving privileges with no restrictions.
• For drivers under age 18 or 21, the license will have the words "under eighteen" or "under twenty-one"

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

Duplicate/Replacement

Duplicates cost $10.

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.

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 non-excepted interstate you will need the following:

• Medical card from your doctor
• Completed Certification for Commercial Driver’s License

Failure to comply with the required timeline will result in a downgrade of your CDL. 

See the diagram below for more information on interstate vs intrastate.

Reminder! CDL holders must bring in their birth certificate, passport, or INS document to renew if they don’t have a Real ID. 

REAL ID Requirements

• Deadline: May 7, 2025
• Typical documents needed (Please check the 'What Documents do I need' link for a list specific to your needs):
  • Identity
    • Birth certificate or valid passport
  • Social security
    • Card or 1099/W-2 with full number listed on document
  • Residency
    • Two pieces of mail verifying your physical residency (no PO Boxes), must be from separate senders
  • You may also need proof of legal name change, if applicable
    • 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.).
  • To change your existing license to the Real ID license it is $10 if not at renewal time.

Iowa DOT REAL ID Info    View REAL ID flyer   What Documents Do I Need?

Address Change

In-state address changes cost $10 and can be done through a verbal address update. If from out of state, please visit the Iowa DOT website for more information.

New to Iowa?

Learn how to get an Iowa driver's 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.)

For more information about drivers licensing, please check out our frequently asked questions section. 

Driver's License FAQ

For additional forms, please check out the online forms. 

View More Forms