Forget Long Lines at the Iowa DOT – Governor Unveils Online System to Renew Driver's Licenses

By Megan VerHelst:

No more pulling your hair out while impatiently waiting for your turn at an Iowa driver's license station. 

On Monday, Gov. Terry Branstad unveiled the state's new online driver’s license renewal system. The new system will allow Iowa drivers to skip the DOT office every other renewal period.

In exchange, nearly 284,000 people will be eligible to renew their driver’s licenses or identification cards 24 hours per day, seven days a week, from any computer or mobile device with a web browser starting today.

“This system was created to give Iowans the flexibility to renew their driver’s license or I.D. when and where it is convenient for them,” Branstad said in a press release. 

In the interest of public safety and identity security, the release stated, there are stipulations on who can renew a driver’s license or ID online.  With some exceptions, you will be able to renew your license online if:

• You have a valid Iowa driver’s license or ID (non CDL).
• You are at least 18, but younger than 70 years old.
• Your license or ID has not been expired for more than a year.
• It is less than 180 days to the renewal date on your current license or ID.
• You are a U.S. citizen.
• You do not have any medical or vision conditions that would impact your ability to drive.
• You do not need to change the address or name printed on your card.

Renewal cards will contain the same photo that is on a customer’s current driver’s license or ID.  Renewal periods and costs are the same regardless of how cards are renewed.

The official Iowa DOT online renewal website can only be accessed at https://mymvd.iowadot.gov.