Driver’s license services are available Monday through Friday 8:00AM- 4:00PM by appointment only.

You must call to set up an appointment 712 262-2179.  Please see below for specifics.

• License/ID issuance- Monday- Friday 8:00AM – 4:00 PM (last appt. at 4pm) no appointments taken between    11:15AM- 12:45PM

• You may renew your license 30 days before or 60 days after your birthday. If your license has expired or is          invalid for one-year, full testing (knowledge and skills) is required.

• Computer Knowledge Testing- Monday through Friday 8:00AM- 3:30PM

• Skills Driving Tests are available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week

• Skills tests will be scheduled after passing the computer knowledge test o Clay County does not offer motorcycle or CDL skills testing.

You may click here to find a CDL or a motorcycle skills testing location. (Cherokee and Primghar are county locations near us that offer motorcycle skills testing. You must provide a motorcycle and call them for an appointment.)

Effective July 1st, 2023, any non-resident of Clay County will be charged a $10 convenience fee for issuance of a driver's license or ID card. If you pay property taxes to Clay County, the fee will be waived.

• The REAL ID is due May 7th, 2025, in order to fly commercially

• For frequently asked questions regarding the REAL ID click here

The documents below are what you will need to bring to get your REAL ID driver's license or identification card.

• State certified birth certificate or a valid US passport (the hospital birth certificate with baby footprints will not work)

• If not a US citizen you will need your most recent US Citizenship and Immigration Services immigration or refugee document

• Social security card or something with your name and full social security number on it.

• If you do not have your social security card or something with your full number on it, we have a waiver to fill out in the office, you will need to know your full social security number.

• Proof of any legal name changes (court order, marriage certificate or divorce decree indicating name change).

• If your social security card has your current last name on it, you will NOT need a name change document. However, if your social security card doesn’t have your current last name on it, you WILL need your legal name change document.

• 2 pieces of address verification (ex: bills, junk mail, car registration, check book, current license etc.) If under 18, 2 things with the parent’s name and address will work.

• If under 18, a parent must be present or a Parental Consent Form (Iowa DOT Form 430018) must be completed and brought to the appointment

About the REAL ID gold star

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards.”

The Act and implementing regulations establish minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibit federal agencies from accepting for certain official purposes noncompliant driver’s licenses and identification cards.

The official purposes covered by the Act and regulation are:

• Accessing certain federal facilities;

• Boarding Federally regulated commercial aircraft; and

• Entering nuclear power plants.

Secure driver's licenses and identification documents are a vital component of our national security framework. DHS/TSA is committed to enforcing the REAL ID Act, therefore, beginning May 7, 2025, anyone 18 years and older that plans to fly domestically or visit certain Federal facilities will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification.

The Act’s prohibitions do not affect other uses of driver’s licenses or identification cards unrelated to official purposes as defined in the Act.

Identification Card Requirements

• First time ID or wanting to add the REAL ID, bring all required documents (See REAL ID list above).

• If under 18, a parent must be present or a Parental Consent Form (Iowa DOT Form 430018) must be completed and brought to the appointment

• In Iowa, you can have either an ID card OR a driver's license; it’s illegal to have both.

Permit Test Requirements

• Bring all required REAL ID documents (See REAL ID list above)

• A parent must be present or a Parental Consent Form (Iowa DOT Form 430018) must be completed and brought to the appointment

• Click here to take online practice tests

Special Minors Restricted License Requirements

• Held permit for 6 months ticket and accident free

• Completed and passed an Iowa approved Driver’s Education course

• Completed Affidavit for Minor School License Iowa DOT Form 430021 (check to ensure the school

has signed it)

Intermediate License Requirements

• Held a valid permit for at least 12 months total

• Held a valid permit for at least 6 consecutive months prior to upgrading while ticket and accident free

• Completed and passed an Iowa approved Driver’s Education course

• A parent must be present or a Parental Consent Form (Iowa DOT Form 430018) must be completed and brought to the appointment

Class C Operator License (anyone over 18 YO) or Full License (17 YO) Requirements

• If it is your first time obtaining an Iowa driver’s license and you’re over the age of 18, full testing is required which consists of passing a knowledge test on the computer and a driving test.

• If it’s your first time obtaining an Iowa driver’s license OR you’re wanting to add the REAL ID, you will need to bring all required REAL ID documents (see REAL ID list above).

Renewal Requirements

• To see if you’re eligible to renew your license online click here

• If you already have the REAL ID, you do not need to bring documents other than your current credential

• If you don’t already have the REAL ID and want to add it, you will need to bring all required documents (see REAL ID list above).

• Getting your Real ID is free with your renewal. Otherwise, it is the $10 duplicate fee to get it at another time.

• Class C Operator renewal is $4.00/year. ID renewal is $8.00 total.

CDL renewals are $8.00/year plus any endorsement fees. Motorcycle endorsements are an additional $2 per year.

 8-year renewals | 18 to 72-year-olds

 7-year renewals | 73-year-olds

 6-year renewals | 74-year-olds

 5-year renewals | 75-year-olds

 4-year renewals | 76-year-olds

 3-year renewals | 77-year-olds

 2-year renewals | 78-year-olds and older

Duplicate/Replacement Requirements

• Duplicates cost $10.

   You will retake your photo.

• If you already have the REAL ID, you do not need to bring any documents.

• If you don’t already have the REAL ID and want to add it, you will need to bring all required documents (see REAL ID list above).

Address Change Requirements

• To change your address online through the Iowa DOT, click here. (This will not change the address on the face of your license or ID card)

• In Iowa, you have 30 days to change the address on your license or ID

• You will retake your photo

• Address changes in office cost the $10 duplicate fee

• If you already have the REAL ID, you do not need to bring documents other than your current credential

• If you don’t already have the REAL ID and want to add it, you will need to bring all required documents (see REAL ID list above).

• If out of state, please visit the Iowa DOT website for more information.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Requirements

• CDL holders in Iowa must have the REAL ID please click on the link or see the REAL ID section above for documents needed if you do not already have it.

• If you have a hazmat endorsement, the hazmat knowledge test is required for renewal.

• 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 as one of four certifications. YOU (and your employer if applicable,) decide what certification you will be. Intrastate includes using your CDL only within the state of Iowa while interstate means you can cross state lines. If you certify as non-excepted interstate you will need the following:

• Medical card from your doctor

• Form 431211- Certification for Commercial Driver’s License

• Failure to comply with the required timeline will result in a downgrade of your CDL. See the diagram below for more information on interstate vs intrastate.