IowaTaxAndTags.gov

Frequently Asked Questions - Vehicle & License Plates

  • Titles
    • When is a title required for a vehicle?
      • All motor vehicles, mobile homes, travel trailers, regular trailers, and semi-trailers must be titled (exception: regular and semi-trailers with an empty weight of 2,000 lbs. or less are only registered).
    • How do I apply for a lost or replacement title?
      • Complete the Application for Replacement of Iowa Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle. The application must be signed by all owners. If there is an open lien on the vehicle, the application will need to be signed by the lien holder.

        If there is an open lien on the title, but the lien holder does not have an interest in the vehicle any longer, they may complete a separate notarized Cancellation of Security Interest Form listing the make, year, vin, owners name(s) and address.

        Once the application is received there is a mandatory 5-day waiting period before the replacement title is issued. The fee for a replacement title is $15.00.

    • Where can I transfer the title for my new vehicle?
      • You are required to transfer the title on your new vehicle in your county of residence.
    • How do I sell a vehicle that has more than one owner listed on the title?
      • Vehicles with more than one owner carry the words “and” or “or” on the face of the title. Each of these name connectors means something different (see Admin Code 761--400.14(321)).

        If the name connector "and" appears, then both owners that are listed on the title will have to sign as sellers when the vehicle is sold.

        If the name connector "or" appears, then only one of the owners listed on the face of the title will need to sign as the seller when the vehicle is sold. All owners of the vehicle must sign the application form when applying for a replacement title or junking certificate, regardless of the name connector.

    • If the vehicle purchased or sold is 9 years old or less, what do I need to do?
      • To insure all documents are completed correctly read both seller and buyer responsibilities.

        • Seller's responsibility:

        The seller shall complete the "Assignment of Title" section located on the back of the title document with:

        - Buyer(s) name and address

        - Odometer reading

        - Date of Sale

        - Damage Disclosure Statement (A damage disclosure statement is only needed if the vehicle is 7 years old or newer.) If the title issue date is prior to 01/01/2005, you will need a separate Damage Disclosure Statement Form.

        - Signature and printed name of seller signed in ink.
        If the vehicle is jointly owned and the word 'or' appears as the name connector, only one signature and printed name is required to sell the vehicle. Otherwise, all signatures and printed names are required.

        Buyer’s responsibility:

        The buyer shall complete the following:

        - Sign and print name in ink on the "Assignment of Title" portion on the back of the title document where indicated.

        - Complete the "Application for Certificate of Title" portion of the title or obtain a separate Application for Certificate of Title form. You must include full legal name, social security number, driver’s license number, and date of birth for all buyers.

        - If there is more than one buyer, all buyers are required to sign in ink the Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration. Up to three names may be listed as owners of a motor vehicle.

        - The buyer has 30 days from the date of sale to complete the transfer to avoid title and registration penalty. The buyer can only drive the vehicle for 30 days without plates as long as the vehicle is currently licensed and not in the sellers grace month.

        - How much will this cost? The Fee Estimator Worksheet will give you an ESTIMATE of the fees due.

    • If the vehicle purchased or sold is 10 years old or more, what do I need to do?

      • To insure all documents are completed correctly read both seller and buyer responsibilities.

        Seller’s responsibility:

        The seller shall complete the "Assignment of Title" section located on the back of the title document with:

        - Buyer(s) name and address

        - Date of Sale

        - Signature of seller signed in ink.
        If the vehicle is jointly owned and the word ‘or’ appears as the name connector only one signature is required to sell the vehicle. Otherwise, all signatures are required.

        Buyer’s responsibility:

        The buyer shall complete the following:

        - Complete the "Application for Certificate of Title" portion of the title or obtain a separate Application for Certificate of Title form. You must include full legal name, social security number, driver’s license number, and date of birth for all buyers.

        - All buyers are required to sign the Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration in ink.

        - The buyer has 30 days from the date of sale to complete the transfer to avoid title and registration penalty. The buyer can only drive the vehicle for 30 days without plates as long as the vehicle is currently licensed and not in the sellers grace month.

        - How much will this cost? The Fee Estimator Worksheet will give you an ESTIMATE of the fees due.

  • Registrations
    • Where can I renew my vehicle registration?
      • You are required to renew your new vehicle in your county of residence.

        You may renew your registration online at www.IowaTaxAndTags.gov if you have received a renewal notice with a PIN.

        You may also renew your registration by mail or you may renew in person at your County Treasurer’s Office.

    • How do I change my address?
    • When will my plates be due for renewal?
      • Vehicle owners receive an annual renewal notice from their County Treasurer. These notices are sent out one month prior to the owner’s renewal month. Failure to receive a notice is not a defense to the payment of the renewal amount and any penalty that has accrued.

        Vehicles may be renewed during a three month window around the owner’s 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.

        Vehicle Registration
        Renewal Month
        Renewal Period
        without Penalty
        Penalty/
        Enforcement Date*
        January
        December - February
        March 1
        February
        January - March
        April 1
        March
        February - April
        May 1
        April
        March - May
        June 1
        May
        April - June
        July 1
        June
        May - July
        August 1
        July
        June - August
        September 1
        August
        July - September
        October 1
        September
        August - October
        November 1
        October
        September - November
        December 1
        November
        October - December
        January 1
        December
        November - January
        February 1

        *Penalty is assessed at a rate of 5% of the fee due, per vehicle, per month with a $5.00 per vehicle minimum. If 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.

        To determine what portion, if any, of your vehicle registration fee is tax deductible click HERE.

    • How much will my registration fees cost?
      • Click HERE to view the Registration Fees by Vehicle Type Chart.
    • Is a portion my vehicle registration fee tax deductible and if so how do I determine the amount?
      • To determine what portion, if any, of your vehicle registration fee is tax deductible click HERE.
  • Calculation of Model Year
    • How do I calculate the model year of a vehicle for registration fees?
      • The formula for calculating model year of vehicle for registration fees is as follows:
        Current year – vehicle model year + 1 = model year.

        Example: Current year (2007) – vehicle model year (2004) = 3 + 1 = 4 model years old for registration fees.

    • How do I calculate the model year of a vehicle for damage disclosure statement requirements? (Iowa Code 321.69 Admin. Rule 400.55(2))
      • A model year formula for damage disclosure statements shall be the current year minus eight. The resulting number represents the first model year for which a motor vehicle is exempt from the damage disclosure statement requirements for the transfer of a motor vehicle.

        Example: Current year (2007) – 8 = 1999. The damage disclosure statement would be required for a 2000 motor vehicle model year and newer.

    • How do I calculate the model year of a vehicle for odometer/mileage statement requirements?
      • A model year formula for odometer statements shall be the current year minus ten. The resulting number represents the first model year for which a motor vehicle is exempt from the odometer statement requirements for the transfer of a motor vehicle.

        Example: Current year (2007) – 10 = 1997. The odometer statement would be required for a 1998 motor vehicle model year and newer.

  • Replacement Documents
    • How do I get a replacement registration?
      • You will need to provide the plate number of the vehicle which needs a replacement registration. The cost of a replacement registration is $3.00.
    • How do I get a replacement validation sticker?
      • You will need to turn in your current registration and indicate that you need a validation sticker. If you do not have the current registration, the cost is $3.00 for a replacement registration. Indicate that you need both, registration and validation sticker.
    • What do I do if I lost my license plates and need replacements?
      • You need to bring in your registration and any remaining plates that are on the vehicle. The cost for replacement plates is $5.00. If you do not have your registration the cost is $8.00. This process does not apply to personalized or specialty plates.

        The replacement plate fee may be waived if the plate is lost in a documented accident. Proof of the accident would need to be presented at the time the replacement plate is issued.

    • How do I replace a personalized or specialty plate?
      • The duplicate plate is ordered through the County Treasurer’s office. The cost is $5.00. The County Treasurer will notify you when the plate is in our office, at which time you will bring in your registration to pick up your duplicate personalized or specialty plate.
  • Refunds and Credits
    • If I sell my vehicle and do not replace it do I get a refund for the unused portion of my registration renewal payment?
      • If you sell a vehicle and do not replace it, you may apply for a refund. The following is required:
        - You have up to six months after you sell your vehicle to apply for a refund.
        - The calculated unused portion of the registration fee must be $10 or more to receive a refund. The refund is calculated from the date the vehicle is sold to the expiration of the registration.
        - The license plates and Claim for Refund Form must be submitted to the County Treasurer.
        - The Claim for Refund form is submitted to the State of Iowa by the County Treasurer. The refund will take approximately four weeks to process.
    • If I sell my vehicle can I use the same plates on my new vehicle?
      • To use your old license plates you must sell, trade, or junk your vehicle before you buy another vehicle. You have 30 days in which to use those plates on your new vehicle.
        - The calculated unused portion of the registration fee must be $10.00 or more in order to receive a refund.
        - The refund is calculated from the month the vehicle is registered to the expiration of the registration. Claim for Refund Form
        - The plate number and VIN of the vehicle sold shall be listed on the Iowa Application for Title and/or Registration.
    • If I move out-of-state and register my vehicle in the other state, do I get a refund for the unused portion of my registration payment?
      • Yes. If you can prove your vehicle is registered in the other state a refund will be issued on the unused portion of the registration payment.
        - You have up to six months to apply for a refund from the time you register your vehicle in the other state.
        - The calculated unused portion of the registration fee must be $10.00 or more to receive a refund.
        - Your Iowa plates, a copy of the out-of-state registration, and the Claim for Refund Form must be submitted to the County Treasurer.
  • Special Emblem/Personalized Plates
  • New Residents
  • Military
    • Can I place my vehicle in storage while I’m on active duty?
      • Military Storage in Time of War
        If the vehicle is registered for the current year and the owner has entered the military service of the United States in time of war and the vehicle has been placed in storage, a refund may be applied for on the unexpired months of the registration year. Registration plates must be turned in. Upon the owner’s return to the state of Iowa, the vehicle will be registered for the remaining months of the registration year.

        Claim for Refund Form

    • Do I need to register my vehicle in Iowa if I’m stationed in Iowa while on active duty?
      • Military Members of the Armed Forces

        Iowa Residents
        A member of the armed forces who is a resident of this state must pay the same registration fees that apply to other residents when registering a vehicle in this state.

        Non Residents
        A nonresident member of the armed forces is not required to register a vehicle in this state, providing the vehicle is properly registered in the state of residency of the nonresident or the state where the nonresident is stationed.

        A nonresident may register a vehicle in this state, if desired, in the same manner as any nonresident, with the following exceptions that apply to passenger cars.

        1. The fee on a passenger car and multipurpose vehicles are based on vehicle weight; the part based on value is not included.

        2. Application for registration of a passenger car/multipurpose vehicle must include a certification of residency, attested to by the commanding officer of the nonresident.

        Application for Certificate of title and/or Registration Form
        Nonresident Military Personnel Certification

    • What are the registration fees for a disabled veteran who has been provided a vehicle by the United States Government?

      • Disabled Veteran

        Seriously disabled veterans who have been provided with a vehicle by the United States government under the provisions of sections 1901 to 1903, Title 38 of the United States Code, (38 Code S.C. Section 1901 et seq. (1970) may obtain disabled veteran plates without payment of any registration fee or special plate fee.

        1. Disable Veteran plate may be obtained for one motor vehicle owned in whole or in part by a seriously disabled veteran who has been provided with a vehicle by the United States government under federal law.

        2. The application must be made to the county treasurer of the county of residence of the applicant. The applicant must file a certification from the Veteran’s Administration, indicating the person has been provided with a vehicle under sections 1901-1903, Title 38, United States code. That must be filed when the original application is made for the special plates. The certification is not required for renewal of registration.

        3. The disabled veteran plates may be obtained without payment of any registration fee and may be renewed without cost.

        4. The disabled veteran plates and registration card will be issued in exchange for any regular plates or registration card that may have been issued to the applicant.

        5. The disabled veteran plates may be transferred to another vehicle in the same manner as regular plates.

        6. Upon transfer of ownership of the vehicle to a person not entitled to the exemption, the registration fee must be paid for the remaining months of the registration year.

        7. Upon the death of the veteran, the registration fee must be paid for the remaining months of the registration year, beginning with the first day of the month following the month of death of the veteran.

        Special or personalized plates may be obtained by paying the difference between the fee for a regular registration plate and the fee for the special or personalized registration plate.

  • Forms
    • Where can I get Vehicle and License Plate forms?
      • Click HERE to access various Vehicle and License Plate forms.