Driver's License

Location & Contact

The Driver's License office is located at 600 Gunder Rd. in Elkader. You may call our office at 563-245-3200.

General Hours

The Driver's License office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and closed daily from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm. Some services are only available at certain times. 

• Renewals | 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (please arrive by 3:45 pm)
• Computer Knowledge Testing | 8:00 am - 11:00 am and 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
• Driving Tests are by appointment only and will be scheduled after passing the computer knowledge exam
• People who are required to submit a medical or vision report must make an appointment

Services

Permit Test Requirements

• Certified state copy of birth certificate
  • The hospital birth certificate with baby footprints will not be sufficient
• Social security card
• 2 pieces of mail showing the name and physical address of the person taking the test
• A parent must be present at the appointment, or this Parent Consent Form (Iowa DOT Form 430018) must be completed prior to the appointment

School Permit Requirements

• Completed and passed Driver's Education
• 6 months of having a permit with no accidents or citations
• Completed Affidavit for Special Minor's Restricted License (Iowa DOT Form 430021)

Test Drives

Appointments required! Call 563-245-3200 or schedule a test drive on the Iowa DOT website.

Renewals

Renewals are $4 per year for basic renewals. Motorcycle endorsements are an additional $2 per year.

• Renewal Requirements
  • 8-year renewals | 18 to 72-year-olds
  • 7-year renewals | 73-year-olds
  • 6-year renewals | 74-year-olds
  • 5-year renewals | 75-year-olds
  • 4-year renewals | 76-year-olds
  • 3-year renewals | 77-year-olds
  • 2-year renewals | 78-year-olds and older

Payment Options

• Cash
• Check made out to Treasurer, State of Iowa
• Debit/credit cards for an additional $1.50

Duplicate/Replacement

Duplicates cost $10.

Identification Cards

• In Iowa, you can have an ID card or a driver's license; you are not allowed to have both.
• Iowa non-operator’s ID cards will be issued with an expiration date of eight years.

Commercial Driver's Licence (CDL)

CDLs are $8 a year, plus any endorsement fees if applicable. If you have the hazmat endorsement, testing is required at renewal time. Every five years, fingerprints and background checks are required as well. More information can be found on the Iowa DOT website.

If you have a CDL you must certify if you are interstate or intrastate. Intrastate includes using your CDL only within the state of Iowa, while interstate is using your CDL while outside of the state of Iowa. The following needs to be completed for ALL CDL renewals:

• Medical card from your doctor
• Completed Certification for Commercial Driver’s License

Reminder! CDL holders must bring in their birth certificate, passport, or INS document to renew if they don’t have a Real ID.

Failure to comply with the required timeline will result in a downgrade of your CDL.

See the diagram below for more information on interstate vs intrastate.

REAL ID Requirements

• Deadline: May 7, 2025
• Typical documents needed (you will need all three):
  • Identity
    • Birth certificate or valid passport
  • Social security
    • Card or 1099/W-2 with full number listed on document
  • Residency
    • Two pieces of mail with current physical address, no PO Box
  • You may also need proof of legal name change, if applicable
    • If your legal name has changed, you will need to bring in your certified legal name change documents (i.e. certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.).
  • To change your existing license to the Real ID license it is $10 if not at renewal time.

Iowa DOT REAL ID Info View REAL ID flyer

Address Change

In-state address changes cost $10 and can be done through a verbal address update. If from out of state, please visit the Iowa DOT website for more information.

New to Iowa?

Learn how to get an Iowa driver's license.

• You will need to bring:
  • Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, INS documents)
  • Proof of social security (social security card, anything listing your full social security number or social security number affidavit for driver's license or identification card services
  • Proof of residency x 2 (2 pieces of mail)
  • If your legal name has changed, you will need to bring in your certified legal name change documents (i.e. certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.)

For more information about driver's licensing, please visit the Iowa DOT website.

Iowa DOT Website

For additional forms, please check out the online forms.

View More Forms