Iowa

Deaths in Crashes Involving Teen Drivers in Iowa
In 2010, 65 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers in Iowa. Over the past five years, Iowa crashes involving teen drivers claimed 390 lives. Nationally, since 2000, more than 85,000 people have been killed in crashes involving teen drivers.
 
Graduated Driver Licensing Laws in Iowa
The current GDL law in Iowa includes the following components: 
 
  • A three-stage licensing system beginning at age 14 for learner’s permit, age 16 for the intermediate stage, and age 17 for full licensure
  • A mandatory 6 month holding period for the learner’s permit stage
  • A minimum of 20 hours of supervised practice driving during the learner’s permit stage, at least 2 of which must be at night
  • A prohibition on unsupervised nighttime driving between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. during the intermediate stage
  • A prohibition on non-emergency use of cell phones during the learner’s permit and intermediate stages
  • A prohibition on texting while driving for all drivers
 
These changes are needed to improve Iowa’s GDL law and meet the requirements of the STANDUP Act
 
  • Require age 16 for entry into the learner’s permit stage
  • Extend restrictions on teen drivers through age 17
  • Add a passenger restriction prohibiting more than one non-familial passenger under the age of 21 unless a licensed driver over the age of 21 is in the vehicle, for the entire intermediate stage through age 17

 

For more information and to contact your state representative, please visit: http://www.legis.iowa.gov/index.aspx.

 

 To contact your Member of Congress about the STANDUP Act, S. 528 / H.R. 1515, please visit: http://www.capitolconnect.com/saferoads4teens/