HF 73 requires all operators aged 12-17 to pass a written test and obtain an education certificate before operating all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-road motorcycles, or off-road utility vehicles (UTVs) on public land, ice, or designated trails in Iowa. The certificate costs $5 and remains valid until revoked, replacing the previous option to demonstrate riding skills. Operators without a certificate face a $70 misdemeanor fine. This bill removes existing exemptions that previously allowed off-road motorcycles and UTVs to skip the education requirement, aligning their rules with ATVs. The certificate is not required during supervised training courses.
HF 1005 requires all individuals aged twelve and older to pass a written test and obtain an education certificate before operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or off-road utility vehicle (UTV). This bill expands the current certificate requirement to include UTV operators, who are currently exempt. It also adds streets and highways to the list of locations where a certificate is needed, alongside public land, ice, and designated trails. Furthermore, the bill mandates that qualifying for this certificate will solely require passing a written test, removing the option to demonstrate riding skills. Operating these vehicles without the required certificate would constitute a simple misdemeanor.
This bill (SF 375) changes the maximum allowable power for electric motors on low-speed e-bikes and pedestrian conveyances (like scooters, wheelchairs, and strollers) from "less than 750 watts" to "not more than 750 watts." It directly affects manufacturers, sellers, and users of these devices by allowing motors up to exactly 750 watts, rather than capping them below that threshold. Devices exceeding 750 watts would then be classified as motor vehicles under standard traffic laws. The bill clarifies definitions and technical standards without altering broader vehicle regulations.
SF 119 increases Iowa's minimum required auto insurance coverage for bodily injury or death to $50,000 per person (up from $20,000) and $100,000 for two or more people (up from $40,000), while raising property damage coverage to $25,000 (up from $15,000). These changes apply to all drivers in Iowa and align with existing requirements for transportation network company drivers (like Uber/Lyft). The bill also updates penalties for violations, increasing the fine for driving without coverage to $645 if involved in an accident (up from $325). It ensures insurance policies and judgments reflect the new coverage limits, matching current standards for ride-share services.
This bill requires recyclers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to complete a DOT-approved safety training program on handling high-voltage batteries by January 1, 2027. It directly affects authorized vehicle recyclers who dismantle or process these specific vehicle types, mandating they display a program completion certificate alongside their license. The key provision creates a new education requirement for safe battery handling, with the DOT responsible for approving training programs and issuing certificates. Violating this rule is punishable as a serious misdemeanor, with fines up to $2,560 and up to one year in jail. The law applies only to recyclers, not vehicle owners or manufacturers.
This bill allows manufacturers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) - defined as vehicles powered solely by rechargeable batteries, without internal combustion engines - to be licensed as dealers specifically for their own vehicles. Currently, state law prohibits vehicle manufacturers from owning or operating dealerships, but this bill creates a new exception for BEV makers. The change would let companies like Tesla sell directly to consumers through their own dealerships, rather than relying on third-party dealers. It does not affect dealerships selling conventional vehicles or other vehicle types. The bill is pending in the Judiciary Subcommittee.
HF 41 (withdrawn February 24, 2025) would have increased penalties for drivers convicted of traffic violations causing serious injury or death. Specifically, it added violations of Iowa Code § 321.288 (requiring reduced speed for pedestrians, animals, work zones, or hazardous conditions) to the list of offenses triggering additional penalties. If convicted of such a violation causing serious injury, drivers could face a $500 fine, up to 90 days license suspension, or both. For violations causing death, penalties would include a $1,000 fine, up to 180 days license suspension, or both. The bill was approved by committee but later withdrawn.
HF 457 extends the period before a driver's license revocation takes effect following an operating-while-intoxicated (OWI) violation or refusal to take a chemical test, changing it from 10 to 20 days after notice is mailed by the Department of Transportation. It also extends the validity of temporary licenses issued by peace officers during immediate revocation notices from 10 to 20 days. The bill directly affects drivers convicted of OWI or who refused testing, altering the timeline for license revocation and temporary license duration. This change applies only to the effective date of revocation and temporary license validity, leaving other timelines (like hearing requests) unchanged. The policy modifies existing administrative procedures without changing OWI offense definitions or penalties.
HF 527 would amend Iowa law to require commercial motor vehicle drivers to be at least 21 years old when transporting hazardous materials intrastate in quantities requiring placards. Currently, 18- to 20-year-olds could drive such vehicles for intrastate operations, but this bill removes that exception. It also eliminates a separate exemption allowing 18-year-olds to deliver fertilizers, petroleum, or pesticides within 100 miles of retail stores. The bill would apply standard age requirements (21+) to all intrastate hazardous material transport, aligning with federal standards. Note: The bill was withdrawn on March 12, 2025, and did not become law.
HF 762 requires anyone aged 12 or older to pass a written test and obtain a certificate from Iowa's Department of Natural Resources before operating all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or off-road utility vehicles (UTVs) on streets, highways, public land, public ice, designated trails, or land funded by ATV registration fees. This bill removes the previous exemption for UTV operators (who previously didn’t need certification) and adds streets/highways to the locations where certification is required. The certificate, costing $5, is issued after completing a course and passing the written test (replacing the option to demonstrate riding skills), and remains valid unless revoked. Operating without certification incurs a $70 fine for a simple misdemeanor.
