Buchanan, IA

• Bring your current CDL license
• Bring your Proof of Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residency: 

          *   A Certified Copy of your Birth Certificate that is filed with the State of   
          Vital Statistics Agency or individuals state of birth, Puerto Rico, the Virgin
          Islands, Guam, American Samoa or the Common Wealth of the Northern
          Marina Islands.               
             
               OR

         *   A Valid, un-expired U.S. Passport

             OR
 
       *   A Certificate of Naturalization issued by the U.S. Department of 

          Homeland Security (DHS)

               OR

        * A Certificate of Citizenship issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland 
          Security (DHS)
 
               OR

       * Proof of Lawful Permanent Residency by showing your Valid, un-expired 
         Permanent Resident Card, issued by USCIS or INS

Proof of Citizenship or Lawful Presence to Renew Your CDL can be found at: 
 https://iowadot.gov/mvd/cdl/proof-of-citizenship-or-lawful-presence 

If you are just updating your address, changing how you certify, or obtaining a duplicate CDL, you will not need to provide the above information.

The above requirements became effective July 8th, 2015 due to §383.71(a)(2)(v).

 
More information about CDL's can be found at the Iowa Department of Transportation website at : https://iowadot.gov/mvd/cdl/commercial-driver-s-licenses

Helpful CDL and trucking information can be found at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

If you carry a Medical Card and are going for an exam be sure that you are using the most current form (MCSA-5876).  The form has been updated and is available at: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/regulations/medical/63066/medicalexaminerscertificatemcsa587611302021.pdf

Once you've gotten your new medical card you need to bring that card into our office and we can put that on file for you.  Although driver's license is only open until 4PM, we can put medical cards on file until 4:30- as long as your CDL doesn't also need renewed.  If, your CDL needs renewed please come in prior to 4PM.  

Follow the below guidelines if you have an out of state driver's license and are wishing to obtain an Iowa Driver's License or view the Iowa Driver's License and ID checklist brochure.
      
Step 1: Document of date of birth, identity, and lawful status or presence

• Certified Birth Certificate issued by a state of the United States.  It must be a certified copy and have the stamp or raised seal of the issuing authority.    

OR

• Valid unexpired U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card     

Step 2: Check your name
If your current full legal name is different than the name listed on the identity document from step 1 you must bring documents that connect the name on the identity document you selected to your current full legal name. 

• If your name has changed from your maiden to married name we will need to see a Certified Marriage Certificate that links your maiden name to the married name.  We can only accept marriage certificates that are issued by the state office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state & must be a certified copy with a stamp or raised seal.
• If your name has changed due to a court order we will need one of the following that applies to the situation: court order under petition for name change, court order for name change in a divorce decree or decree of annulment, court order  for name change in a decree of adoption.

Step 3: Document your Social Security Number (SSN)
Please bring one of the following documents:

• Social Security Card  
• W-2 form
• Social Security Administration 1099 form
• Pay stub with your social security number on it

• Iowa voter registration card
• Valid Iowa vehicle registration certificate
• Valid insurance card or certificate of coverage (auto, life, health, homeowner's or renter's)
• Utility Bill
• Mobile Telephone Bill
• Application for Homestead Tax Credit
• Pay Stub from employer

Minor School License Form

Tips for Parents:
Wait to fill out the back side of this form until you are in front of the driver's license staff.  If you fill out the back side of this form prior to coming into the office it must be notarized.

Tips for Schools:
Be sure that the principal or superintendent's signature is legible.

Review the rules of the minor school license at:

http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/resources/MM690_MSLCard.pdf

Your son/daughter must bring their social security card and certified birth certificate.  The birth certificate must be a certified copy with  a stamp or raised seal.

A parent or legal guardian will need to present in order for an instruction permit to be issued.  However, your child can take the test without a parent present.

At least 14 years of age.

We have the Iowa Driver's Manual in our office and available online at http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/dlmanual.htm. 

There is a practice test available at http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ods/iadrivertest.html.

The Buchanan County Driver's License Station is located in the Buchanan County Treasurer's office within the Buchanan County Courthouse on the first floor.

The Buchanan County Driver's License Station is generally opened for testing Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Please like us on Facebook to be notified of any changes in operation hours.

• If you have not been issued an Iowa Photo ID you will need to bring your social security card, certified birth certificate, and two pieces of mail that show your physical Iowa address.
• An instruction permit is not required before obtaining an Iowa Driver's License.

• If you have not been issued an Iowa Photo ID you will need to bring your social security card, certified birth certificate, and two pieces of mail that show your physical Iowa address.
• You will be required to complete a drive skills test unless you provide us with sufficient documentation from a driver's education course.

• Drive skills test are scheduled by appointment only
• A drive skills test can be scheduled for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday by contacting the Buchanan County Driver's License station at 319.334.7456
• Only one drive skills test can be taken per day in the state.  If you've taken a drive with another examiner please call to notify us & cancel your appointment. 

• You will need to bring an unexpired Insurance Card and the current Iowa registration for the vehicle you will be driving.
• If you are required to carry SR-22 on the vehicle you will be required to provide us with the AAMVA form.  If you are borrowing someone else's vehicle and are required to carry SR 22 you will be required to provide us the the AAMVA form.  The AAMVA form differs from an insurance card or policy.  Please contact your insurance company if you do not have an AAMVA form.
• The drive examiner will inspect your vehicle to ensure that it is in working order for safety purposes.  The drive will need to be re-scheduled if the examiner finds any of the following, but is not limited to the following: broken or cracked windshield, non-working blinkers, or non-working headlights/taillights

No passengers are allowed to ride with you as a passenger while taking a drive skills test.  Pets and animals are also not allowed during the drive skills test.

Please visit the Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Division Services Website to renew your Iowa Driver's License Online at https://mymvd.iowadot.gov/Account/Login.

You may renew online every other issuance if you are eligible for online renewal.

Testing Hours:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. 
Many of the tests are time consuming.  I would like to encourage you to come into the office at your earliest convenience because it is busiest at the end of the day and you may not have time to test.

Hazardous Material Endorsement Information:
You will be required to provide either a certified birth certificate or valid U.S. Passport when adding the hazardous materials endorsement to your driver's license.  However, you do not need your certified birth certificate or valid U.S. Passport to take the test.

CDL Testing Information:

• If you are required to carry SR-22 you must provide us with an AAMVA form showing proof of SR-22 on both owned and non-owned vehicles prior to taking any CDL written tests

• We can add the CDL endorsement to your Iowa Driver's License if you've passed the CDL written test and completed a CDL skills drive test at another location

• Cedar Rapids     319.377.6461
• Decorah            563.382.3753
• Dubuque           563.583.9844
• Waukon            563.568.3793
• Waterloo           319.235.0902
• West Union       563.422.3787

1. You will need to take & pass the motorcycle written test
2. You will need to complete a motorcycle skills drive test.  We do not offer this at our location.  The nearest locations that offer the motorcycle drive skills test are Delaware County, Fayette County, Benton County or one of the larger DOT stations located in Waterloo or Cedar Rapids.

1. You will need to take & pass the motorcycle written test.

You must be at least 14 years, pass the knowledge test, a vision screening, take an approved moped education course and then you will be issued an instruction permit with a moped endorsement.

Moped Study Manual

Please go to the Iowa Department of Transportation website for more information. 

http://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/renewal.htm

Please visit the Iowa Department of Public Health's Website for information on this at:  http://idph.iowa.gov/cbd 

Registration Card Application and Additional Caregiver Form- Forms are listed on the left side of the Iowa Office of Medical Cannabidiol website.

The Parent-taught driver education process is outlined on the Iowa Department of Transportation websites at:

https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverseducation/parent-taught