Iowa

Iowa Code — Motor Vehicles (Ch. 321, 321J)

593 sections, each with the official text and a plain-English explanation of what it means for you.

• § 321.268 — vehicleaccidentofwhichreportmustbemadeasrequiredinsubsections1and2,eitheratthe timeofandatthesceneoftheaccidentorthereafterbyinterviewingparticipantsorwitnesses shall,withintwenty-fourhoursaftercompletingsuchinvestigation,forwardawrittenreport ofsuchaccidenttothedepartment
• § 321.269 — Accidentreportforms.
• § 321.27 — vehicledeliveredbythedealertothepurchaserevenifthevehiclewaspurchasedfroman out-of-statedealerandthecardshallbeartheregistrationnumberofthedealerthatdelivered thevehicle.Adealershallnotissueacardtoapersonknowntothedealertobeinpossession ofregistrationplateswhichmaybeattachedtothevehicle.Adealershall
• § 321.271 — Reportsconfidential—without prejudice—exceptions.
• § 321.272 — Tabulationofreports.
• § 321.273 — Citymayrequirereports.
• § 321.274 — Accidentsincitiesover15,000
• § 321.275 — suchaccidentoracopyofanyreporthereinrequiredtobefiledwiththedepartment.Allsuch reportsshallbefortheconfidentialuseofthec
• § 321.276 — Useofelectronicdevicewhile driving.
• § 321.277 — Recklessdriving.
• § 321.277A — Carelessdriving.
• § 321.278 — Dragracingprohibited.
• § 321.279 — 4.a.Apersonconvictedofaviolationofthissectionisguiltyofasimplemisdemeanor punishableasascheduledviolationundersection805.8A,subsection14,paragraph“l”
• § 321.28 — Failuretoregister.
• § 321.280 — shallapplyuponhighwaysandelsewherethroughoutthestate.
• § 321.281 — Actionsagainstbicyclists.
• § 321.282 — and321.283Reserved.
• § 321.284 — Opencontainersinmotor vehicles—drivers.
• § 321.284A — Opencontainersinmotor vehicles—passengers
• § 321.285 — 2.Apersonundertheageoftwenty-onewhopossessesanalcoholicbeverageinviolation ofthissectionisguiltyofaviolationofsection123.47
• § 321.286 — and321.287Reserved.
• § 321.288 — Controlofvehicle—reduced speed.
• § 321.289 — Speedsigns—dutytoinstall.
• § 321.29 — Renewalnotpermitted.
• § 321.290 — commitsasimplemisdemeanorpunishableasascheduledviolationundersection805.8A, subsection5.Apersonwhooperatesaschoolbusatas
• § 321.291 — Informationornotice.
• § 321.292 — Civilactionunaffected.
• § 321.293 — Localauthoritiesmayalterlimits.
• § 321.294 — Minimumspeedregulation.
• § 321.295 — Limitationonbridgeorelevated structures.
• § 321.296 — Reserved
• § 321.297 — thecontinuedslowoperationbyadrivershallbeasimplemisdemeanorpunishableasa scheduledviolationundersection805.8A,subsection
• § 321.298 — Meetingandturningtoright.
• § 321.299 — Overtakingavehicle.
• § 321.3 — 321.1APresumptionofresidency
• § 321.30 — 321.101ARevocationofregistrationbycountytreasurer
• § 321.300 — and321.301Reserved.
• § 321.302 — Forapplicablescheduledfine,see§805.8A,subsection6 Additionalpenaltiesforviolationscausingseriousinjuryordeath,see§
• § 321.303 — Limitationsonovertakingonthe left.
• § 321.304 — Prohibitedpassing.
• § 321.305 — One-wayroadwaysandrotary trafficislands.
• § 321.306 — 4.Apersonconvictedofaviolationofthissectionisguiltyofasimplemisdemeanor punishableasascheduledviolationundersection805.8
• § 321.307 — Followingtooclosely
• § 321.308 — Motortrucksandtowedvehicles —distancerequirements
• § 321.309 — 321.59Issuanceofcertificate
• § 321.31 — 2.a.Unlessotherwiseprovidedforinthischapter,thedepartmentorthecounty treasurershallrefuseregistrationandissuanceofacertificateoftitleunlessthevehicle bearsamanufacturer’slabelpursuantto49C.F.R.pt.567certifyingthatthevehiclemeets federalmotorvehiclesafetystandards
• § 321.310 — Towingfour-wheeledtrailers
• § 321.311 — Turningatintersections.
• § 321.312 — Turningoncurveorcrestof grade.
• § 321.313 — Startingparkedvehicle.
• § 321.314 — intransportingproduce,farmproducts,orsupplieshauledtoandfrommarket,ortoa four-wheeledtrailertowedbyamotorsportsrecreatio
• § 321.315 — Signalcontinuous.
• § 321.317 — Signalsbyhandandarmorsignal device.
• § 321.318 — tothedriverofanyvehicleimmediatelytotherearwhenthereisopportunitytogivesuch signal.
• § 321.319 — Enteringintersectionsfrom differenthighways.
• § 321.32 — Registrationcardcarriedand exhibited—exception.
• § 321.320 — Leftturns—yielding.
• § 321.321 — Enteringthroughhighways.
• § 321.322 — 3.Stopordecreaseofspeed—Handandarmextendeddownward.
• § 321.323 — Movingvehiclebackwardon highway.
• § 321.323A — Approachingcertainstationary vehicles.
• § 321.324 — Operationonapproachof emergencyvehicles.
• § 321.324A — additiontothepenaltyprovidedforascheduledviolationinsection805.8A,subsection11, oranyotherpenaltyprovidedbylaw: (1)Foraviolationcausingbodilyinjurytoanotherperson,afineoffivehundreddollars
• § 321.325 — 321.331Pedestrianssolicitingrides
• § 321.326 — Pedestriansonleft.
• § 321.327 — Pedestrians’andbicyclists’ right-of-way.
• § 321.328 — Crossingatotherthancrosswalk.
• § 321.329 — Dutyofdriver—pedestrians crossingorworkingon highways.
• § 321.33 — Exception.Repealedby2010 Acts,ch1069,§140.
• § 321.330 — Useofcrosswalks.
• § 321.331 — Pedestrianssolicitingrides.
• § 321.332 — Whitecanesrestrictedtoblind persons.
• § 321.334 — 3.Wheretraffic-controlsignalsareinoperationatanyplacenotanintersection pedestriansshallnotcrossatanyplaceexceptinamarked
• § 321.335 — through321.339Reserved.
• § 321.34 — armedforces.Thespecialplatefeescollectedbythedirectorundersubsection12,paragraph “a”,fromtheannualvalidationofletter-numberdesignatedarmedforcesretiredplates,and subsection12,paragraph“c”,fromtheissuanceandannualvalidationofpersonalizedarmed forcesretiredplatesshallbepaidmonthlytothetreasurerofstate
• § 321.340 — Drivingthroughsafetyzone
• § 321.341 — or321.343andtheviolationoccurredwhilethepersonwasoperatingacommercialmotor vehicle
• § 321.342 — Stopatcertainrailroadcrossings —postingwarning.
• § 321.343 — Certainvehiclesmuststop.
• § 321.343A — Employerviolations—penalty.
• § 321.344 — 2.Thedepartment,cityorcountyshallberequiredtopostthestandardsignasprescribed bythemanualonuniformtraffic-controldevicesa
• § 321.344A — Reportedviolationsforfailureto stopatarailroadcrossing— citations.
• § 321.344B — Immediatesafetythreat— penalty.
• § 321.345 — 321.253ADirectionalsignsrelatingtohistoricsitesonlandownedormanagedbystate agencies
• § 321.347 — Certaintrafficcontrolincities subjecttodepartmental approval.
• § 321.348 — Limitationsoncities.
• § 321.349 — Sectionnotamended;headnoterevised 321.348Limitationsoncities
• § 321.35 — Plates—reflectivematerial— biddingprocedures.
• § 321.350 — 321.344BImmediatesafetythreat—penalty
• § 321.352 — Additionalsigns—cost.
• § 321.353 — Stopbeforecrossingsidewalk— right-of-way
• § 321.354 — through321.361exceptsection321.354,subsection1,paragraph“a”
• § 321.355 — Disabledvehicle.
• § 321.356 — 321.356Officersauthorizedtoremove
• § 321.357 — Removedfrombridge.
• § 321.358 — thatitisimpossibletoavoidstoppingandtemporarilyleavingsuchdisabledvehicleinsuch position.
• § 321.359 — Movingothervehicle.
• § 321.360 — Theaters,hotels,and auditoriums.
• § 321.361 — Additionalparkingregulations
• § 321.362 — Unattendedmotorvehicle.
• § 321.363 — Obstructiontodriver’sview.
• § 321.364 — Preventingcontaminationoffood byhazardousmaterial.
• § 321.365 — Coastingprohibited.
• § 321.366 — Actsprohibitedonfully controlled-accessfacilities.
• § 321.366A — 321.364Preventingcontaminationoffoodbyhazardousmaterial
• § 321.367 — Followingfireapparatus.
• § 321.368 — Crossingfirehose.
• § 321.369 — Puttingdebrisonhighway.
• § 321.37 — Displayofplates.
• § 321.370 — Removinginjuriousmaterial.
• § 321.371 — Clearingupwrecks
• § 321.372 — schoolshall,whenstoppingtoreceiveordischargepupils,turnonflashingwarninglampsat adistanceofnotlessthanthreehundredfeetnormorethanfivehundredfeetfromthepoint wherethepupilsaretobereceivedordischargedfromthebusifthespeedlimitatthatpoint isforty-fivemilesperhourorgreaterandshallturnonflashingwarninglam
• § 321.372A — 321.485Noticetoappear—promisetoappear
• § 321.373 — Requiredconstruction—rules adopted.
• § 321.374 — anddrainingofthefueltank;bumpersandhowtheyshallbeattachedtothebus;lettering andidentificationofthebus;stopsignalarm;warninglightsandflashinglights
• § 321.375 — and321.376
• § 321.376 — 321.189Driver’slicense—content
• § 321.377 — Regionaltransitsystem transportation.
• § 321.378 — SAFETYSTANDARDS 321.381Movementofunsafeorimproperlyequippedvehicles
• § 321.38 — Plates—methodofattaching— imitationsprohibited.
• § 321.380 — Enforcement
• § 321.381 — Movementofunsafeor improperlyequippedvehicles.
• § 321.381A — 321.377Regionaltransitsystemtransportation
• § 321.382 — 321.295Limitationonbridgeorelevatedstructures
• § 321.383 — Forapplicablescheduledfine,see§805.8A,subsection3 321.423Flashinglights
• § 321.384 — Whenlightedlampsrequired.
• § 321.385 — shallfirstprovideforaseventy-twohourperiodwithinwhichthepersonchargedwiththe violationshallreplaceorrepairtheheadlamp
• § 321.385A — LIGHTINGEQUIPMENT Exceptiontorequirementsof§321.384–321.423forimplementsofhusbandryoperated asspecialmobileequipmentduringdaylighthours,see§321.1(32) 321.384Whenlightedlampsrequired
• § 321.386 — Headlampsonmotorcycles, motorizedbicycles,and all-terrainvehicles.
• § 321.387 — orarearregistrationplatelightasrequiredundersection321.388shallfirstprovidefora seventy-twohourperiodwithinwhichthepersonchargedwiththeviolationshallreplaceor repairthelampsorlight
• § 321.388 — Illuminatingplates.
• § 321.389 — Reflectorrequired.
• § 321.39 — Expirationofregistration.
• § 321.390 — Reflectorrequirements.
• § 321.391 — Approvalofreflectors.Repealed by97Acts,ch108,§49.
• § 321.392 — Clearanceandidentification lights.
• § 321.393 — 321.392Clearanceandidentificationlights
• § 321.394 — Lamporflagonprojectingload.
• § 321.395 — TueDec0922:17:002025 IowaCode2026,Chapter321(137,2) §321.276,MOTORVEHICLESANDLAWOFTHEROAD188 CRIMINALOFFENSES 321.276Useofelectronicdevicewhiledriving
• § 321.397 — Lampsonbicycles.
• § 321.398 — Lampsonothervehiclesand equipment.
• § 321.399 — through321.401Reserved.
• § 321.40 — 321N.3,subsection3.Anapplicantmaycontestthisactionbyinitiatingacontestedcase proceedingwiththedepartment.Thedepartmentshallnotifythecountytreasurersthrough thedistributedteleprocessingnetworkofpersonswhohavenotpaidsuchcivilpenalties
• § 321.403 — Auxiliarydrivinglamps.
• § 321.404 — Signallampsandsignaldevices.
• § 321.404A — Light-restrictingdevices prohibited.
• § 321.405 — Self-illumination.
• § 321.406 — section321.384beequippedwithatleastonelightedlamporlanternexhibitingawhite lightvisiblefromadistanceoffivehundredfeettot
• § 321.409 — Mandatorylightingequipment.
• § 321.41 — Changeofaddressornameor fueltype.
• § 321.410 — through321.414Reserved.
• § 321.415 — Requiredusageoflighting devices.
• § 321.417 — Single-beamroad-lighting equipment.
• § 321.418 — 321.418Alternateroad-lightingequipment
• § 321.419 — Numberofdrivinglampsrequired orpermitted.
• § 321.42 — Lostordamagedcertificates, cards,andplates— replacements.
• § 321.420 — Numberoflampslighted.
• § 321.421 — 2.Theprovisionsofsubsection1,paragraphs“a”and“b”,donotapplytomotorcyclesor motorizedbicyclesbeingoperatedbetweensunrisea
• § 321.422 — Redlightinfront—rearlights.
• § 321.423 — (1)Avehicleownedorexclusivelyoperatedbyafiredepartment
• § 321.424 — TueDec0922:17:002025 IowaCode2026,Chapter321(137,2) 245MOTORVEHICLESANDLAWOFTHEROAD,§
• § 321.425 — through321.429Reserved
• § 321.43 — Newidentifyingnumbers.
• § 321.430 — ofthevehiclecapableofemittingredandbluelight,redandwhitelight,orblueandwhite light
• § 321.431 — Performanceability
• § 321.432 — Hornsandwarningdevices.
• § 321.433 — Sirens,whistles,airhorns,and bellsprohibited.
• § 321.434 — distanceofnotlessthantwohundredfeet,butnohornorotherwarningdeviceshallemit anunreasonablyloudorharshsoundorawhistle.Thed
• § 321.435 — Motorcyclesequippedwith detachablestabilizingwheels.
• § 321.436 — Mufflers,preventionofnoise.
• § 321.438 — Windshieldsandwindows.
• § 321.439 — Windshieldwipers.
• § 321.44 — Rulesgoverningchangeof engines,drivetrainassemblies, andrelatedparts.
• § 321.440 — Restrictionsastotireequipment.
• § 321.441 — Metaltiresprohibited.
• § 321.442 — section321.383orsection321.115shallbeequippedwithawindshieldinaccordancewith section321.444.
• § 321.443 — Specialpermitsauthorized.
• § 321.445 — Safetybeltsandsafetyharnesses —userequired.
• § 321.446 — careproviderisfromaUnitedStatesmilitaryfacility,inwhichcasethecertificatemayspecify alongerperiodoftimeorapermanentexemption
• § 321.447 — and321.448Reserved.
• § 321.449 — b.Thedepartmentofpublicsafety,inconsultationwiththedepartmentoftransportation, shallalsoadoptrulesconcerninghoursofservicefordriversofvehiclesoperatedforhireand designedtotransportsevenormorepersons,includingthedriver.Therulesshallnotapply tovehiclesofferedtothepublicforhirethatareusedprincipallyini
• § 321.449A — Railcrewtransportdrivers.
• § 321.449B — Textingorusingamobile telephonewhileoperatinga commercialmotorvehicle.
• § 321.44A — butthelienholderhasnotdeliveredtheoriginalcertificatetotheappropriatepartyas providedinsection321.50,subsection5,theownermayapplyforandreceiveareplacement certificateoftitlewithoutthereleasedsecurityinterestnotedthereon.Thelienholdershall returntheoriginalcertificateoftitletothedepartmentortoanycoun
• § 321.45 — Titlemustbetransferredwith vehicle.
• § 321.450 — 321.449BTextingorusingamobiletelephonewhileoperatingacommercialmotor vehicle
• § 321.451 — Emergencyvehicles—certificate ofdesignation
• § 321.452 — Scopeandeffect.
• § 321.453 — Size,weight,load,andpermit exceptions.
• § 321.454 — SIZE,WEIGHT,ANDLOAD 321.452Scopeandeffect
• § 321.455 — Projectingloadsonpassenger vehicles.
• § 321.456 — Heightofvehicles.
• § 321.457 — andrearbumpers,inexcessofforty-fivefeet.Whendeterminingtheoveralllengthofasingle truck,thefollowingshallbeexcluded: (1)Cargoextendingnotmorethanthreefeetbeyondthefrontbumperandnotmorethan fourfeetbeyondtherearbumperwhentransportingmotorvehicles,boats,andchassis
• § 321.458 — Loadingbeyondfront.
• § 321.459 — Dualaxlerequirement.
• § 321.46 — exceptasotherwiseprovidedinthischapter.Theownershallindicatetothetransfereethe nameofthecountyinwhichthevehiclewaslastregisteredandtheregistrationexpiration date
• § 321.460 — Forapplicablescheduledfines,see§805.8A,subsection12,paragraphd 321.467Retractableaxles
• § 321.461 — p.Notwithstandinganyotherprovisionofthischapter,andtotheextentallowedunder federallaw,avehicleorcombinationofvehiclestransportingadivisibleloadofhay,straw, stover,orbaggedlivestockbeddingshallnothaveanoveralllengthinexcessofseventy-five feet
• § 321.462 — Drawbarsandsafetychains.
• § 321.463 — husbandryoperatedonthehighwaysofthisstateshallnothaveamaximumgrossweightin excessofninety-sixthousandpounds