Driver's License & Identification Cards

For all-inclusive information regarding your driver's license and specific information, please visit the Iowa DOT website.

General Hours & Appointments

Driver's License and Identification Card (I.D.) services are available Monday through Friday by appointment only.

Please call our office to make appointments at 712-755-5898 ext. 3.

• Skills tests can be scheduled for car drives and motorcycles after passing the computer knowledge exam.
• No CDL testing in Shelby County.

Please note: Pursuant to Iowa Code 321M.9, effective July 1, 2023, the Shelby County Driver's License Station began charging a $10.00 convenience fee for issuance of a driver's license or identification card to anyone who is not a resident of Shelby County unless the resident pays Shelby County property taxes here. We are glad to help both our county residents and those coming from outside the county with their driver's license and identification card needs.

Services & Testing

Under 18: Permits, School License, Intermediate

Permit Test Requirements

• Official State certified birth certificate (not the one with baby footprints from a hospital).
• Social security card (or completed affidavit by the parent with the minor’s social security number or legal document with child's social security number).
• Physical street address verification of permit tester (must present 2 items):
  • Address verification items can include any of the following: student report card or other correspondence showing name and physical street address, birthday card, bank statement, paystub, or any other piece of mail.
    • If you can only find one, we may use one with the minor’s parents name (as long as the address is the same).
• A parent or legal guardian 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 an Iowa-approved Driver's Education Course.
• 6 months of having a permit with no accidents or citations.
• A parent or legal guardian must be present at the appointment or this Parent Consent Form (Iowa DOT Form 430018) must be completed prior to the appointment.
• Completed Affidavit for Minor School License (Iowa DOT Form 430021).
• Please bring in your current license or know your social security number to your appointment.

Intermediate License

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Completed and passed an Iowa-approved Driver's Education Course.
• 1 complete year, 365 days, of having a permit with no accidents or citations.
• A parent or legal guardian must be present at the appointment or this Parent Consent Form (Iowa DOT Form 430018) must be completed prior to the appointment.
• Please bring in your current license or know your social security number to your appointment.

Find more information on drivers education at the Iowa DOT website.

View a map showing approved local drivers education instructors.

Drive Testing

All drive tests must be scheduled by the staff either over the phone or in person. Shelby County offers drive tests by appointment only.

If your driver's license has been expired for over one year, full testing (written and skills) tests are required.

All parent-taught driver education students must take the skills drive test.

Issuance

All drivers, regardless of age, must take and pass drivers education or drive with an examiner to obtain a license.

Renewals/Costs

Please bring in your current license to your appointment.

Driver's License Validity

• Age at Issuance | Validity Period
  • 72 | 8 years
  • 73 | 7 years
  • 74 | 6 years
  • 75 | 5 years
  • 76 | 4 years
  • 77 | 3 years
  • 78 and older | 2 years

Payment Options

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

Duplicate/Replacement Cards

The cost to obtain a duplicate driver's license or identification card is $10. If you lose your card, you can have a duplicate card issued as a replacement.

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.

If you are being issued an Iowa ID without having ever having been issued before, you are required to bring all the documents for the Real ID (see below).

The cost for an identification card is $8.00.

Commercial Driver's Licence (CDL)

CDLs are $8 per 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. If you certify as non-excepted interstate you will need the following:

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

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

The Iowa DOT made significant changes to the issuance of commercial driver's licenses starting February 7, 2022. To gather information about the new requirements in getting a CDL in the state of Iowa, visit the Iowa DOT page for Entry Level Driver Training.

To determine if you are required to complete entry-level driver training see the ELDT Applicability Fact Sheet.

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

REAL ID Requirements

• Deadline: May 7, 2025
• Documents needed (you will need proof of all three):
  • Identity
    • Birth certificate, valid US passport, I-551 Resident Card, I-776 Employment Card.
  • Social security
    • Card or 1099/W-2 with full number listed on document.
  • Residency
    • Two pieces of mail or two documents with your name and physical street address appearing together.
  • 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.

Additional information can be found using the links below:

Iowa DOT REAL ID Info View REAL ID flyer

Address Change

If you are an Iowa resident and have moved to a new Iowa residence, no documentation is needed. The cost to update the address shown on your driver's license or identification card is $10.

New to Iowa

Learn how to get an Iowa driver's license:

• If you have the REAL ID in the state you’re moving from, you will need to bring:
  • Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, INS documents).
  • Proof of social security (social security card, or legal document listing your full social security number or social security number affidavit for driver's license or identification card services).
  • Proof of residency (two items showing your name and physical address in Iowa).
• If you do not have the REAL ID on your out-of-state license, you will need to bring:
  • Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, INS documents).
  • Proof of social security (social security card, or legal document listing your full social security number or social security number affidavit for driver's license or identification card services.
  • Proof of residency (two items showing your name and physical address in Iowa).
  • 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.).

Certified Driving Records

To obtain a copy of your certified driving record, please visit the Iowa DOT website.

Concerned about a loved one's safety while driving?

Please check out the Iowa DOT's resources on aging and safe driving.