The whole Iowa file

A person may not drive on an Iowa highway without a driver's license valid for the vehicle.
A licensee keeps the license in immediate possession at all times while driving, and displays it on the demand of a peace officer, a judge or magistrate, or a department examiner.

Iowa Code § 321.174

Insurance on a phone. The driver keeps proof of financial liability coverage in the vehicle, and the card may be paper or electronic, including an image on a cellular telephone or other portable electronic device.

Iowa Code § 321.20B

The Fourth Amendment sets limits on every stop, and the Supreme Court of the United States has drawn several of them. It has held that a stop is reasonable where the officer has probable cause to believe a traffic violation occurred, whatever the officer's actual motive; that an officer making a lawful stop may order the driver, and the passengers, out of the vehicle; that a passenger is seized by the stop and may challenge it; and that a stop may last no longer than its purpose requires, so it may not be extended for a dog sniff without separate reasonable suspicion. It has also held that consent to a search has to be voluntary, judged on all the circumstances, and that the prosecution does not have to prove the person knew they could refuse. Those holdings are a floor: a state's own constitution and statutes can give more protection than they do, never less.

Sources for this section (8)

Iowa Code § 321.174 — Operators licensed — operation of commercial motor vehicles
Iowa Code § 321.20B — Financial liability coverage — proof required — violations — penalties — exceptions
Whren v. United States, 517 U.S. 806 (1996) — A traffic stop is reasonable when there is probable cause of a traffic violation
Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 434 U.S. 106 (1977) — An officer may order the driver out of a lawfully stopped car
Maryland v. Wilson, 519 U.S. 408 (1997) — An officer may order passengers out of a lawfully stopped car
Brendlin v. California, 551 U.S. 249 (2007) — A passenger is seized by a traffic stop and may challenge it
Rodriguez v. United States, 575 U.S. 348 (2015) — A stop may not be extended beyond its purpose to run a dog sniff
Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218 (1973) — Consent to a search must be voluntary

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Iowa attorney.

IOWA FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

Being stopped

Marijuana and drugs

Impaired driving

Court and money

Your home

Recording

Carrying a firearm

Charges and penalties

How you carry yourself

Walk it through

IOWA FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

Traffic StopsIowa Code § 321.174 — the license in immediate possession, shown on a peace officer's demand▾

Your Phone Behind the WheelIowa Code § 321.276 — no use of an electronic device while driving, unless hands-free or stopped off the road▾

After a CrashIowa Code § 321.263 — a name, an address, the registration number, and reasonable help to anyone hurt▾

Reckless and Careless DrivingIowa Code § 321.277 — willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property▾

Keeping Control and Slowing DownIowa Code § 321.288 — the vehicle under control at all times, and a reasonable speed near people and hazards▾

Pulling Over for a SirenIowa Code § 321.324 — to the right edge and stopped until the emergency vehicle passes▾

Passing a School BusIowa Code § 321.372 — stopped no closer than 15 feet while the stop arm is out▾

Pedestrians in the RoadIowa Code § 321.329 — due care to avoid any pedestrian, and the horn when necessary▾

Stop Signs and SignalsIowa Code § 321.322 — stop at the first opportunity, then yield to traffic close enough to be a hazard▾

Seat BeltsIowa Code § 321.445 — the driver and front seat occupants belted whenever the vehicle moves forward▾

The Car Seat RulesIowa Code § 321.446 — rear facing under one year and 20 pounds, a child restraint under six▾

Window TintIowa Code § 321.438 — no windshield or front side window too dark to see into▾

Driving While SuspendedIowa Code § 321.218 — a simple misdemeanor with a fine of $250 to $1,500 that cannot be suspended▾

The Insurance RequirementIowa Code § 321.20B — coverage in effect and the proof card in the vehicle, paper or electronic▾

Eluding the PoliceIowa Code § 321.279 — a serious misdemeanor, and a class D felony at 25 miles per hour over the limit▾

Railroad CrossingsIowa Code § 321.343 — buses and hazardous cargo stop within 50 feet but not nearer than 15 feet▾

An ATV on the RoadIowa Code § 321.234A — no ATV on a highway except for the listed uses▾

Riding a MotorcycleIowa Code § 321.275 — a passenger only on a motorcycle designed for one, with footrests▾

The Instruction PermitIowa Code § 321.180B — graduated licenses for drivers fourteen through seventeen▾

Lanes and Following DistanceIowa Code § 321.297 — the right half of the road, the right lane when slower, and no following too closely▾

Turn SignalsIowa Code § 321.314 — a turn only when it is reasonably safe, and only after a signal▾

On a BicycleIowa Code § 321.234 — the rights and duties of a driver, on a regular seat, with no extra riders▾

Where Parking Is BarredIowa Code § 321.358 — not within five feet of a hydrant or fifty feet of a railroad crossing▾

Dimming HeadlightsIowa Code § 321.415 — low beams within one thousand feet of an oncoming car▾

A Fake IDIowa Code § 321.216 — showing someone else's license, or lending one's own, is a simple misdemeanor▾

Being stopped

Being ArrestedIowa Code § 804.20 — a call to family or a lawyer, without unnecessary delay after reaching the jail▾

A Search WarrantIowa Code § 808.3 — a sworn application to a magistrate, describing what is searched and seized▾

When Police Are Called to a HouseIowa Code § 804.7 — an arrest on reasonable grounds to believe domestic abuse occurred▾

Interference with Official ActsIowa Code § 719.1 — knowingly resisting or obstructing an officer, with a fine of at least $250▾

When a Warrant Is ServedIowa Code § 808.8 — executed within ten days, with a receipt for what is taken▾

Stopped for ShopliftingIowa Code § 808.12 — a detention for a reasonable time, and a search only by police or with permission▾

Marijuana and drugs

Open ContainersIowa Code § 321.284 — no open alcohol or THC beverage in the passenger area▾

Underage DrinkingIowa Code § 123.47 — no buying, having or drinking alcohol under legal age▾

Drug PossessionIowa Code § 124.401 — a serious misdemeanor, and for marijuana up to six months and $1,000 the first time▾

Calling for Help in an OverdoseIowa Code § 124.418 — what a call for help reveals cannot be used to charge simple possession▾

Property Seized in a Drug CaseIowa Code § 809A.8 — seized property is released if no forfeiture notice is filed within 90 days▾

Drug ParaphernaliaIowa Code § 124.414 — a simple misdemeanor, and lawful needles and syringes are not paraphernalia▾

Impaired driving

The OWI StopIowa Code § 321J.9 — a refusal revokes the license for one year, and a test over the limit for 180 days▾

OWI PenaltiesIowa Code § 321J.2 — a serious misdemeanor the first time, an aggravated misdemeanor the second, a class D felony the third▾

Driving Under Twenty-OneIowa Code § 321J.2A — an alcohol concentration of .02 or more revokes the license of a driver under twenty-one▾

A Temporary Restricted LicenseIowa Code § 321J.20 — driving during an OWI revocation, with an ignition interlock on every vehicle▾

Court and money

Getting PaidIowa Code § 91A.3 — regular paydays no more than 12 days after the pay period ends▾

The Last PaycheckIowa Code § 91A.4 — by the next regular payday after a firing, layoff or quit▾

A Wage ClaimIowa Code § 91A.10 — a written complaint to the labor director within one year of the wages coming due▾

Minimum WageIowa Code § 91D.1 — $7.25 an hour, or the federal minimum if higher▾

Working Under EighteenIowa Code § 92.7 — under sixteen, no more than eight hours a day or forty a week▾

Discrimination at WorkIowa Code § 216.15 — a complaint to the civil rights commission within 300 days▾

Hurt at WorkIowa Code § 85.23 — notice to the employer within 90 days of knowing the injury was work related▾

Unemployment After a Job EndsIowa Code § 96.6 — ten calendar days to appeal a decision on a claim▾

Drug Tests at WorkIowa Code § 730.5 — a written policy, a split sample, and a confirmed result before action is taken▾

Your Personnel FileIowa Code § 91B.1 — an employee may see and copy the file, at a time agreed with the employer▾

Jury Duty and Your JobIowa Code § 607A.45 — no firing for jury service, and 60 days to sue if it happens▾

Military Service and Your JobIowa Code § 29A.43 — no discrimination or firing for National Guard or reserve membership▾

A Medical AbsenceIowa Code § 70A.2 — a public employee's doctor verified absence is not held against them▾

Getting DivorcedIowa Code § 598.19 — no decree until 90 days after the original notice is served▾

Dividing Property in a DivorceIowa Code § 598.21 — an equitable division of everything except inheritances and gifts▾

Spousal SupportIowa Code § 598.21A — support for a limited or indefinite time, after the listed factors▾

Custody and Parenting TimeIowa Code § 598.41 — maximum continuing contact with both parents, in the child's best interest▾

Child SupportIowa Code § 598.21B — the supreme court's guidelines, reviewed at least once every four years▾

A Protective OrderIowa Code § 236.4 — a hearing five to 15 days after filing, and a temporary order before it▾

Changing a NameIowa Code § 674.1 — a verified petition to the district court in the county of residence▾

Turning EighteenIowa Code § 599.1 — minority ends at eighteen, or at marriage▾

Signing a WillIowa Code § 633.279 — signed and declared, before two competent witnesses who sign in each other's presence▾

Dying Without a WillIowa Code § 633.211 — the surviving spouse takes it all when every child is the spouse's too▾

A Small EstateIowa Code § 633.356 — personal property of $50,000 or less collected by affidavit after 40 days▾

A Spouse and the WillIowa Code § 633.236 — a surviving spouse may take an elective share instead of the will▾

Signing Over AuthorityIowa Code § 633B.105 — a power of attorney signed and acknowledged before a notary▾

Getting Public RecordsIowa Code § 22.2 — every person may examine and copy a public record▾

Open MeetingsIowa Code § 21.5 — a closed session only by a two-thirds vote, and only for the listed reasons▾

Registering to VoteIowa Code § 48A.5 — a citizen, an Iowa resident, and at least eighteen▾

Unfair and Deceptive PracticesIowa Code § 714H.5 — actual damages, costs and attorney fees for a consumer who loses money to deception▾

A Sale at Your DoorIowa Code § 555A.3 — three business days to cancel, and a refund within ten business days▾

The Lemon LawIowa Code § 322G.4 — written notice after three repair attempts, and a final chance for the manufacturer▾

What Creditors Cannot TakeIowa Code § 627.6 — one vehicle up to $7,000, tools of the trade up to $10,000, and household goods▾