How to Get Permit

HOW DO I GET AN INSTRUCTION PERMIT?

• Be at least 14 years old.
• 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).
• Pass the written and vision test.
• 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 at:www.iowadot.gov//mvd/realid/success.aspx.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH THIS PERMIT?

• Drive at any time with adult supervision. Adult supervision means your parent, guardian, custodian, an immediate family member at least 21 years of age, a driver education instructor, or a person at least 25 years with written permission from your parent, guardian, or custodian. The supervising adult must possess a valid driver's license.

WHAT CAN'T I DO WITH THIS PERMIT?

• Drive without adult supervision.
• Use a cell phone, smartphone, tablet, or other electronic communication or entertainment device while driving. This doesn't apply to equipment permanently installed in your vehicle.
• Carry more passengers than the number of seat belts in your vehicle, even when driving with adult supervision.

HOW DO I MOVE TO THE NEXT STEP: AN INTERMEDIATE LICENSE?

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Complete an Iowa-approved driver education course.
• Must hold an instruction permit for a total of at least 12 months and maintain a clean driving record for at least six consecutive months immediately before applying for an intermediate license.
• 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).
• Complete 20 hours of supervised driving in addition to any driving you completed in driver's education. At least two of those hours must be between sunset and sunrise.

WHAT IF I MESS UP?

Your permit may be suspended if you are convicted of a moving traffic violation (examples include, but are not limited to, speeding, reckless driving, failure to obey a traffic signal), violate any of the restrictions on your permit, or are involved in a crash you caused or contributed to.

• First conviction, violation, or crash: Your permit may be suspended or you may receive a safety advisory letter.
• Second conviction, violation, or crash: Your permit will be suspended for 30 days.

Any time you have a conviction, violation, or crash, or any time your license gets suspended or revoked, your six-month period to have a clean driving record will start over.