(SEE BELOW FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) INFORMATION)

There is a difference between having your Iowa driver’s license suspended and having it revoked.

• A suspension means you cannot drive for a certain period of time, but can get your license back later.
• A revocation of your license means your driver’s license is cancelled, and you will need to submit to an investigation before you can obtain another license.

Insurance companies keep a close watch on license suspensions / revocations. Your insurance premiums may go up drastically, and you may be labeled a “high-risk” customer. Even worse, your insurance company may cancel your policy, leaving you to search for insurance with the “high-risk” driver tag, meaning you’ll have to pay much higher premiums. It is recommended that you get in touch with a DUI/DWI lawyer as they are experts at handling such incidents and can offer you the best advice. Additionally, you will face Heavy Fines and Reinstatement Fees, and Points on your driver’s license! All this information can be found on our website. You could also contact Ticket Counsel absolutely FREE!!!

There are a variety of reasons why your Iowa driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for an Iowa driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

• Excessive Moving Violations: The state of Iowa operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. If you accumulate points for 3 or more offenses in a 12-month period on your current driver record, your license will be suspended.
• Driving Under the Influence: Your Iowa driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense. If you fail the test (have a blood alcohol content of 0.08%) or refuse to take it, your license will be taken away immediately. If you are found guilty of DUI, your license can be revoked for 6 months to 1 year, depending on your previous record.
• Driving with a Suspended License or No License: If you are caught driving while your license is suspended, you will be charged with a misdemeanor. If convicted, you can receive a $1,500 fine. Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to 5 years. Your current suspension or revocation can even be doubled if you are convicted of committing them while your license is suspended. Your driver’s license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving.
• Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in Iowa must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended.
• Other Driving-Related Violations: Your Iowa driver’s license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway or if you have an out of state conviction against you.
• Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The DOT can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
• Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include: not responding to a Department of Transportation notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; and not paying child support. Other reasons include providing false information on an application, lending your license to another person, using another person’s license, altering your license in any way, allowing an unlawful use of your license and failure to pay outstanding debts to the DOT.
• Expulsion from School: If you are expelled from school your license can be suspended.
• Habitual Recklessness or Negligence: If you are involved in 3 or more accidents in 1 year or have accumulated 3 or more moving violations in 1 year, your license can be suspended.
• Habitual Offender: If you have committed 3 or more moving traffic violations in 1 year or have played a role in 3 or more accidents in 1 year, you may have your license suspended.
• Minor’s Restricted License or Minor’s School License: Your minor’s license can be suspended after committing just one traffic violation. It is essential to note that a suspension or revocation of your minor’s school or restricted license will also result in a suspension or revocation of your driving permit and/or any driving privileges you hold.

• Manslaughter while driving a motor vehicle.
• Using a motor vehicle to commit a crime.
• Fleeing from the scene of an accident and not stopping to give help when there is a personal injury or a fatal accident.
• Not stopping while being pursued by a law enforcement vehicle after being told to, and going over the speed limit by 25mph or more.
• Getting a 2nd conviction for reckless driving.
• Drag racing.
• Conviction of drug related offenses either in Iowa courts or an out of state court.
• Conviction or juvenile court action for drug related violations.

A habitual offender’s license may be barred if you are guilty of 3 or more particular violations during a 6-year period. You may also be considered a habitual offender if you accumulate 6 or more moving violations in 2 years. Speeding tickets for the above will only be taken into account if you are going 15mph or more above the speed limit. If you continue to drive after being barred and are caught, you may face a jail term of 2 years.

Having your Iowa driver’s license suspended is a serious matter, and it is essential to adhere to State law in the event that your license is suspended. If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer. The most important things to be aware of following a license suspension are:

• If your license has not already been taken away from you in court, you must surrender it to the Iowa Department of Transportation. You can surrender your license in person at a Driver License Station, or mail it to:

Office of Driver Services

P.O. Box 9204

Des Moines, IA 50306-9204

• While your license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive. If you are found driving with a suspended license, you may be imprisoned for up to 5 years, and the length of your suspension may be increased.
• After your suspension is over, you will receive a written notice of restoration, with instructions on how to restore your license. Do not drive until you have completed the necessary steps and received a valid, replacement license from the Iowa DOT.

If you have had your driver’s license revoked or suspended, you might be eligible to receive a temporary Iowa restricted license, also called a “work permit.” Note that you are not eligible for a work permit if you are under 18 years old or to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Temporary restricted licenses are issued for transportation for the following reasons:

• Employment.
• Health care.
• Childcare.
• Education.
• Court-ordered community service.
• Substance abuse programs.
• Probation or parole appointments.

To apply for a temporary license in Iowa, complete an Application for Temporary Restricted License (Form 430100). If your application is accepted, you will be notified by the Department of Transportation. When you receive your notice of approval you must take it to a DOT driver’s license office where you may be required to take further steps that include:

• Providing proof of insurance.
• Paying a $20 fee.
• Taking any required tests, such as Vision and Knowledge Tests.
• Paying any civil penalties.

NOTE: Your temporary permit will be cancelled if you receive ANY moving traffic violations. If your license has been revoked due to an OWI offense, you cannot apply for a work permit until the minimum eligibility period has passed. The minimum period ranges from 30 days to 1 year. Additionally, you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device that will test your blood alcohol concentration before allowing you to start your car.

For more information regarding temporary restricted licenses, call the IA Office of Driver Services at (515) 244-9124
or (515) 244-8725.

If your license is suspended and you wish to challenge the suspension, you may request a hearing in court. An administrative law judge or the DOT authorized administrator will hear your case, and determine whether your driver’s license should be suspended or not. In addition, drivers whose license may be suspended due to accumulating excessive points may be eligible to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. Completing a Driver Improvement Program removes points from the current driving record, and in some cases can enable an individual to avoid having his license suspended. If you owe money to the DOT or have defaulted on your child support payments, you will not be able to request a hearing. It is also a good idea to seek the advice of a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer, based on the reason for the suspension.

• To request a hearing, complete a Request to Appeal Loss of Driving/Registration Privileges (Form 432034) and submit via one of the following methods: By fax: (515) 239-1837, in person at a DOT driver’s license office, or by mail to:

Office of Driver Services

Iowa Department of Transportation

P.O. Box 9204

Des Moines, IA 50306-9204

The IA DOT provides a list of further details on the hearing and appeal process for suspensions and revocations.

You will receive a Notice of Restoration from the DOT after you have completed your suspension period. The notice will include complete instructions regarding how to get your license back. Generally, you will need to:

• Pay a restoration fee of $200. If you under 19 years of age, the fee is $50.The fee can be paid in person at a Driver License Station, You can also mail a check or money order payable to:

Office of Driver Services

P.O. Box 9204

Des Moines, IA 50306-9204

• You will have to pass the knowledge test, driving exam and the vision-screening test.
• You will also have to show proof of your finances by filing SR-22 or SR-23.
• Apply for a standard license renewal to obtain a new license.

Note that after you license is restored, you may be subject to a Probation Period during which any new violations may result in an additional suspension of your Iowa driver’s license.

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. You must notify your employer AND your vehicle licensing agency within 30 days of a conviction for any traffic violations (with the exception of parking violation), regardless of whether you were driving a commercial motor vehicle or a non-CMV. You also must notify your employer within 2 business days if your license was suspended, revoked, or canceled (or if your driving privileges were disqualified).

Your CDL privileges are most commonly disqualified due to violations in the following categories: Major Offenses, Serious Offenses, Railroad Crossing Violations, and Out-of-Service Offenses.

MAJOR OFFENSES:

Unless otherwise noted, convictions of the following offenses will result in CDL disqualifications in Iowa, even if you were operating your personal vehicle at the time:

• OWI (or DUI). The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.04%.
• Refusal to test for BAC will also result in disqualification. (You will be disqualified for the above, regardless of a court conviction.)
• Operating under the influence of a controlled substance.
• Failure to stop after an accident.
• Causing a fatality during the operation of a CMV.
• Committing a felony while operating a CMV.
• A felony for the use of a CMV in the transportation of controlled substances will result in an automatic and irreversible lifetime disqualification.
• Driving a CMV with a suspended CDL. If you are found to be driving when your CDL is suspended, you will be subject to criminal penalties, including fines and jail time. Employers who allow their drivers to operate with suspended CDLs are subject to the same penalties.

For most of these offenses your CDL will be disqualified for the following terms:

• 1 year upon your 1st violation. (3 years if carrying hazardous materials at the time.)
• Lifetime disqualification upon your 2nd violation.

If you are caught driving with a traceable amount of alcohol in your blood, even while below the legal limit, you will be given an out-of-service order for 24 hours.

SERIOUS VIOLATIONS:

If you commit a serious violation, your Iowa CDL won’t be suspended right away. However, if you commit another violation in 3 years, you will lose your CDL privileges.

Serious violations in Iowa include:

• Excessive speeding.
• Reckless driving.
• Illegal passing.
• Improper or erratic lane changing.
• Following too closely.
• Violations relating to the use of a CMV resulting in fatality.

You face the following disqualification terms for serious offenses accumulated within 3 years:

• 60 days upon your 2nd offense.
• 120 days upon your 3rd offense.

RAILROAD HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSING OFFENSES:

Iowa railroad highway grade crossing (RRHGC) violations include failure to:

• Slow down to check that the tracks are clear.
• Stop when tracks are not clear.
• Stop before driving onto a crossing.
• Obey a traffic control device or officer.
• Ensure undercarriage clearance.

You face the following CDL disqualification penalties for RRHGC violations:

• 1st violation: minimum 60 days.
• 2nd violation within 3 years: minimum 120 days.
• 3rd violation and any subsequent violations within 3 years: minimum 1 year.

OUT-OF-SERVICE OFFENSES:

Violating an out-of-service order will result in CDL disqualification. Offenses committed in the period of 10 years will result in the following disqualification periods of at least:

• 90 days upon your 1st offense.
• 1 year upon your 2nd offense.
• 4 years upon your 3rd offense.

NOTE: If your driver’s license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled due to violating a traffic control law (excluding parking violations) related to the operation of your personal vehicle, your Iowa CDL would consequently be disqualified.

NOTE: By law, you are required to notify your employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic offense conviction or by the end of the next business day after receiving a CDL disqualification notice.

Because your CDL is so essential to your career if you drive for a living, it is always a good idea to keep up with your license status. You can do so by ordering and checking your Iowa driving record.

Your driving record is a history that includes your license status, traffic violations, accidents, and more. Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

You may be eligible to contest your CDL disqualification with an administrative hearing with the Iowa Department of Transportation. The DOT will send you a notice when your driver’s license is suspended. On the notice, you will be informed of your eligibility, and you will be given a deadline to request a hearing.

To request a hearing, complete a Request to Appeal Loss of Driving/Registration Privileges (Form 432034) and submit it via one of the following methods:

• By mail:

Office of Driver Services
Iowa Department of Transportation

P.O. Box 9204

Des Moines, IA 50306

• By fax: (515) 239-1837.
• In person: at a DOT driver’s license office.