{"id":373402,"date":"2016-04-04T11:04:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-traffic-laws.html"},"modified":"2023-11-21T14:21:59","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T19:21:59","slug":"iowa-traffic-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-traffic-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Traffic Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Iowa Traffic Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n


\r\nBeing the driver of a vehicle in Iowa often means traveling on many types of roads, including through agricultural and city areas. You’ll have to adjust to different conditions and know which rules apply along the way.<\/p>\r\n

Don’t risk traffic accidents and tickets<\/a>. Protect your driver’s license by learning more about the law of the road. You can also find tips and traffic regulations through the Iowa Department of Transportation<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Iowa Laws for Motor Vehicles<\/h2>\r\n

The state driving rules appear in Title VIII, Subtitle 2<\/a> of the Iowa Code. See the statutes for common traffic violations, vehicle requirements, and more in the chart below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Drinking & Driving Violations<\/th>\r\nOperating While Intoxicated<\/a> (IA Code Chapter 321J)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Driving Without a License \/ With a Suspended License<\/th>\r\nOperators licensed<\/a> (IA Code section 321.174)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Driving Without Insurance \/ With Insufficient Insurance<\/th>\r\nProof of security against liability<\/a> (IA Code section 321.20B)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Driving Without Registration \/ With Expired Registration<\/th>\r\nMisdemeanor to violate registration provisions<\/a> (IA Code section 321.17)Operation without registration<\/a> (IA Code section 321.98)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Illegal U-Turn<\/th>\r\nTurning at intersections<\/a> (IA Code section 321.311)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Leaving the Scene of an Accident \/ Hit & Run<\/th>\r\nInformation and aid, leaving scene of accident<\/a> (IA Code section 321.263)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Mechanical Violations<\/th>\r\nVehicle Equipment<\/a> (IA Code sections 321.384 to 321.481)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Overtaking \/ Passing<\/th>\r\nOvertaking and passing<\/a> (IA Code section 321.302)Overtaking a vehicle<\/a><\/a> (IA Code section 321.299)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Reckless Driving<\/th>\r\nReckless driving<\/a> (IA Code section 321.277)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Running a Red Light \/ Stop Sign<\/th>\r\nObedience to official traffic control devices<\/a> (IA Code section 321.256)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
School Bus Violations<\/th>\r\nDischarging pupils, stopping requirements, penalties<\/a> (IA Code section 321.372)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Seat Belt \/ Child Restraint Violations<\/th>\r\nSafety belts and safety harnesses<\/a> (IA Code section 321.445)Child restraint devices<\/a> (IA Code section 321.446)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Speeding<\/th>\r\nSpeed Restrictions<\/a> (IA Code sections 321.285 to 321.295)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Unlawful Vehicle Modifications<\/th>\r\nVehicle Equipment<\/a> (IA Code sections 321.384 to 321.481 )<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Speed Limits and Speeding in Iowa<\/h2>\r\n

With long highways and interstates, driving through Iowa can be an exercise in patience. But speeding can be dangerous even on straight roads that stretch for miles. You might get pulled over<\/a> by law enforcement or accelerate into an auto wreck<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

State law sets default speed limits for roads that don’t already have a posted speed limit or local rule, such as:<\/p>\r\n