Buchanan, IA

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 if you wish to obtain the Real ID (Gold Star) on your current Iowa Driver's License:

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

Step 4: Document your Iowa Residency and Residential Address
You will need to provide us with two documents that show your current name and residential address.  You can choose two of the below listed documents:

• 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

If you are unsure whether your documents are sufficient to prove your residency please contact our office.

Step 5: Make sure you have your current Driver's License
You must surrender your out of state Driver's License when obtaining an Iowa Driver's License so bring it with you; If being issued an Iowa Real ID Driver's License, be sure to bring your current Iowa driver's license with you.

Minor School License Affidavit

Parent's/Guardian's Written Consent

Temporary Restricted License Application

Request for Temporary Restricted License Application - due to OWI Revocation

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.

To Renew your Iowa Driver's license Online you must:

- Be at least 18 years old, but younger than 70.

- Be an Iowa Resident, and a United States citizen (as shown by the Iowa DOT's existing records).

- Commercial Driver's licenses, minor's licenses, instruction permits, and work permits cannot be renewed online

Have a driver's license that expires within 180 days that has not been expired for more than one year and 60 days.

- Can only renew online every other issuance.

- Have no changes to your name, date of birth, sex, class type, endorsements or restrictions

- Not have restrictions E, G,J, T, Q, R listed on the back of your current license

- Not be required to submit a medical or vision report at the time of renewal

- Have no pending requests for re-examination

- Not have a current license marked "Valid Without Photo"

 

• 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-drivers-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.  

 

Young adult must be at least 14 years of age to take the instruction permit test.

Items needed to test for the instruction permit for anyone under the age of 18 at the Buchanan County Driver's License Station:

1. Certified Birth Certificate/ with a stamp or raised seal
2. Social Security Card

Please note that a parent need not be present in order for a youth to take the instruction permit test.  The test will stay on file.  A youth must have a parent/legal guardian present to be issued the instruction permit or have a parental consent form completed. 

Anyone over the age of 18 will need to also bring two pieces of mail showing they receive mail at their current residency. It must show the physical address and not just the PO Box.

We have the Iowa Driver's Manual in our office and available online at
https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/driverslicense/dlmanual

There is a practice test available at
https://iowadot.gov/mvd/driverslicense/driverslicense/iadrivertest_start

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.
• You will be required to complete a drive skills test unless you provide us with sufficient documentation from a driver's education course.

Viewing the Iowa Driver's License and ID card checklist brochure may be useful to you.

Contact Mellisa at 319.334.7456.

Appointments are available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays.

After you have scheduled a drive skills test, on the day of your appointment arrive 15 minutes early.  Park on the South side of the parking lot as you enter the parking lot from the Sheriff's Entrance.  This will set you up to start your drive with ease.  When you come into our office be sure to bring the following into the office with you:

1) current insurance card
2) current vehicle registration

Be sure that everything properly works on the vehicle that you are using, as it will be inspected prior to the drive.

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.

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

CDL Endorsement Information:

• 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

You can take a CDL drive skills test at the following locations:

• 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

You must bring your current driver's license with you for any testing or driver's license changes.

The Iowa Commercial Driver's License Manual can be found in our office or by visiting Iowa Department of Transportation - Manuals and Publications.

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 are not required to hold a Motorcycle permit before obtaining a Motorcycle Endorsement on your Iowa Driver's License.

You must be at least 14 years of age and have parent/legal guardian consent to obtain a Motorcycle Permit.

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. 

 

Please visit the Iowa Department of Public Health's Website for information.

Patient Registration and Additional Caregiver Registration- are available 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 website.