Motor Vehicle

Link to http://www.iowataxandtags.gov/motor_vehicle/about.html

MOTOR VEHICLE FORMS:

 http://www.iadotforms.dot.state.ia.us/iowadotforms/Library.aspx

SPECIALTY PLATES http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ovs/plates/index.htm

HEAVY VEHICLE USE TAX FORM http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2290.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: http://www.iowadot.gov/

OFFICE OF VEHICLE SERVICES: http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ovs/index.htm

DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; http://www.state.ia.us/tax/

Motor Carrier Services:  515-237-3268; FAX: 515-237-3225

Motor Vehicle Enforcement: 1-800-925-6469

          Staffed:       Monday 1 - 3:30

                              Tuesday - Thursday - 8:30 - 3:30

                              Friday 8:30 - Noon

D.O.T. Investigator hotline: 1-866-908-4636

VEHICLE RENEWALS:

Vehicles may be renewed during a three-month window around your renewal month without penalty. This includes the month prior to your renewal month, your renewal month, and the month following your renewal month. If the last day of the three month window falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, renewals can be completed on the first business day of the following month without penalty.

Following the three-month renewal window a penalty is assessed at the rate of 5% of the fee due, per vehicle, per month, rounded to the nearest dollar, with a minimum penalty of $5.00 per vehicle. When the last day of the month is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, renewals can be completed on the first business day of the following month without added penalty.

Vehicle owners receive an annual renewal notice sent from their County Treasurer. Failure to receive a notice is not a defense to the payment of the renewal amount and any penalty that has accrued.

TITLE TRANSFERS

Buyer's Checklist

If you are transferring a title, please follow these guidelines. 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN WRITING, ENSURE THAT YOUR PEN IS PROPERLY WORKING TO AVOID ALTERATIONS OR WRITE-OVERS.

You will need:

1. The vehicle's title.  The "Assignment of Title" should be completed by the seller and buyer.  Read the assignment information carefully before marking responses.  Alterations or erasures will void the title.  This includes, but is not limited to, any change to the date, buyer/seller, odometer, or damage disclosure information.

Note: A vehicle owned by more than one person/entity, joined with the word "AND", must have the signatures of all sellers.

1. An application for Certificate of title and/or Registration (form 411007) is completed and signed by all buyers.  Iowa titles issued after January 1, 2005 must have a separate application.  Applications are available on-line at www.iowataxandtags.org.

1. A completed Damage Disclosure Statement (form 411108) is required on all vehicles 7 model years old and newer.  The damage disclosure is completed in the title assignment area of all Iowa titles issued after January 1, 2005*.  Erasures or alterations will void the title. 

*The buyer must complete section 2 if the vehicle was purchased from a non-resident or the vehicle was acquired through a transfer by operation of law.

1. An odometer statement is required for vehicles 9 model years old and newer.  The statement must be made on the title assignment.  Any erasures or alterations of the odometer will void the title.

1. A bill of sale is required on all vehicles purchased from out of state (and for all vehicles purchased from a dealership unless the dealer authorization has been completed on the title application).

TITLE TRANSFERS (Continued)

Seller's Checklist

If you have sold your vehicle, these guidelines will help you complete the title work.

1. Provide your buyer with the Iowa title; complete the "assignment of title".  Read the information carefully before making responses.  Alterations or erasures will void the title.

Note: A vehicle owned by more than one person/entity, joined with the word "AND", must have the signatures of all sellers.

1. An odometer statement is required for vehicles 9 years old and newer.  This statement must be made on the title assignment.  Any erasures or alterations of the odometer will void the title.

1. A completed Damage Disclosure Statement (form 411108) is required on all vehicles 7 model years old and newer.  The damage disclosure is completed in the title assignment area of all Iowa titles issued after January 1, 2005*.  Erasures or alterations will void the title. 

*The buyer must complete section 2 if the vehicle was purchased from a non-resident or the vehicle was acquired through a transfer by operation of law.

1. Provide the seller with a bill of sale that includes the make, year, VIN, and sale price of the vehicle.

1. For your protection, get a statement from the buyer, acknowledging the delivery of the vehicle and title.  Have the buyer include his name, address, and telephone number.

1. Keep your plates.  If you don't replace the vehicle within 30 days of the sale date, return the plates to your county treasurer.  You may be entitled to a refund.

TRAILERS

WEIGHING 2000 LBS. OR LESS

1. The current trailer registration with the assignment portion completed OR a bill of sale.  The bill of sale must include a complete description of the trailer (make, year, VIN), the sale price, and seller's signature.  In the case of a new trailer, a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) with the assignment completed is  always required.

1. An Application for Title and/or Registration (form 411007) completed and signed by all buyers.  Applications are available on-line at www.iowataxandtags.org.

NEW RESIDENTS

If you are a permanent resident, Iowa law requires you to license and title your vehicle in Iowa within 30 days of moving into the state.

1. The current title to your vehicle.
2. A completed and signed application for Title and/or Registration (form 411007).  All owners on the current title must sign the application.

If you do not have your title because of an active lien, you may still register the vehicle.  We will need:

1. A copy of the current registration, and
2. A completed and signed Application for Title and or Registration.  All owners must sign the application.

Note: You will be issued a non-transferable registration.  The vehicle cannot be sold, traded, or junked until an Iowa title has been issued.

NAME CHANGE:

Effective July 1, 2008, individuals wishing to change their name must provide acceptable proof for any name changes.  Acceptable items are:

1. Court-ordered name change containing full name, date of birth and court seal.
2. Divorce Decree.
3. Marriage license or certificate.

New Resident:

If you are a permanent resident, Iowa law requires you to license/title your vehicle in Iowa within 30 days of moving into the state.

1.               Submit the out-of-state title to your local county treasurer.  An "Application for Title and/or Registration" must be submitted with your title.  This form is available at www.iowataxandtags.com.  All owners on the current title must sign the application.

2.               You can still register your vehicle if a lien holder currently holds the title.  Submit a completed, signed "Application for Title and/or Registration", available at www.iowataxandtags.com.  All owners on the current title must sign the application.  Note: You will be issued a non-transferable registration.  The vehicle cannot be sold, traded, or junked until an Iowa title has been issued.

To estimate fees, go to: http://www.iowataxandtags.gov/motor_vehicle/estimate_fees.html

This information does not cover situations such as revocable trusts, death testate/intestate, junking certificates, or trailers weighing less than 2001 lbs.  Please call the treasurer's office if you have questions.

Moving out of state:

If you have left the state of Iowa and registered your vehicles in your new state of residence, you may be entitled to a refund.  Return your Iowa plates,  a copy of your current out-of-state registration, and a completed Claim for Refund form 411047, available at www.iowataxandtags.com. 

Please note: Refunds may be claimed up to 12 months after moving; Claims of less than $10 are not refunded.