Driving after a DUI in Iowa: the Temporary Restricted License (TRL)

The first days: the administrative suspension and the hearing deadline

In most states the licensing agency suspends the license at arrest, separately from any court case, and the driver has a short window to request a hearing on that suspension. Missing it lets the suspension take effect without review.

Iowa Code § 321J.13(1): the notice of revocation served under § 321J.9 or § 321J.12 includes a form and preaddressed envelope on which the person may indicate whether they only want a temporary restricted license or want a hearing to contest the revocation; the form must be completed and returned within ten days of receipt or the right to a hearing is foreclosed. The department must grant a hearing within 45 days of a timely request (§ 321J.13(2)); the scope is limited to reasonable grounds, refusal, and test result. Iowa DOT's appeals page states the deadline to appeal an OWI is 10 days from being served by the officer; the request is made by submitting the completed official notice (or the Request to Appeal form) with a written statement of the reason, in person at any Iowa DMV or by email, mail or fax to Driver Services Appeals; if the deadline falls on a day both USPS and the DMV are

“The form shall clearly state on its face that the form must be completed and returned within ten days of receipt or the person’s right to a hearing to contest the revocation is foreclosed.”

Who can get it, and how soon

Iowa DOT states a person is eligible for a TRL if over 18, the OWI did not cause a death, and, for a first OWI offense, an ignition interlock device is installed on all vehicles the person will drive; Iowa Code § 321J.20(1) excludes a person under 18 revoked under § 321J.2A, a person revoked under § 321J.4(6) during the ineligibility period, and a person suspended or revoked for another reason. A refusal revocation under § 321J.9 is also eligible, with the same interlock precondition (§ 321J.9(2)); a person with two or more OWI offenses must keep the device for at least 365 days.

“If your driving privileges were revoked due to a first offense OWI, a TRL can be issued that allows you to operate a motor vehicle in any manner as long as you have an approved ignition interlock device on all vehicles you drive.”

Iowa Administrative Code 761—620.3(1) states the TRL application (Form 430400) may be submitted at any time before or during the revocation period, and Iowa Code §§ 321J.12(2) and 321J.9(2) (2026 Code) make installation of an approved ignition interlock device the only stated precondition: 'A temporary restricted license shall not be granted by the department until the defendant installs the ignition interlock device.' No waiting period is stated in §§ 321J.9, 321J.12 or 321J.20 for a first test-failure revocation (180 days) or a first refusal revocation (one year). The revocation takes effect ten days after the department mails notice, or the officer serves immediate notice and issues a temporary license valid for ten days (§ 321J.12(3)-(4), § 321J.9(4)). Conviction track: § 321J.4 revocations are not separately covered here; the DOT states the revocation follows the OWI 'even if you ar

“620.3(1) Application. An application for a temporary restricted license may be submitted, at any time before or during the revocation period, by completing Form 430400. The application form should be furnished by the arresting officer.”

Conditions attached to the privilege

Iowa DOT (TRL page, 'For an OWI Offense'): complete Form 430400, Request for Temporary Restricted License – OWI Revocation; file proof of financial responsibility (SR-22); pay any civil penalties (the § 321J.17 civil penalty is $200); install an approved ignition interlock device on all vehicles driven (for a first offense, required only if a TRL is wanted); after an approval notice, take it to a DMV location, pass all required exams, and pay a $20 reinstatement fee and the license fee. IAC 761—620.3(2) lists the same items: proof of financial responsibility under Iowa Code chapter 321A for all vehicles owned or operated under the TRL, certification of interlock installation on each vehicle required by § 321J.20(2), the $200 civil penalty, the applicable reinstatement and license fees, and the appropriate examination. A medical waiver of the interlock (Form 430034) is available for offen

“Complete Form 430400, Request for Temporary Restricted License – OWI Revocation. File proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) Pay any civil penalties - you can pay online or at a DMV location. Install an approved ignition interlock device.”

Where and when it allows driving

For a first-offense OWI revocation, the DOT states the TRL allows operating a motor vehicle 'in any manner' as long as an approved ignition interlock device is on all vehicles driven; Iowa Code § 321J.20(1) allows operation 'in any manner allowed for a person issued a valid class C driver's license, unless otherwise prohibited by this chapter'. The holder may not operate a commercial motor vehicle requiring a CDL (§ 321J.20(4)) or a school bus (§ 321J.20(5)). IAC 761—620.3(4) says the department determines the restrictions imposed on approval. The purpose-limited list (work, health care, child care, education, treatment, community service, probation appointments) applies to non-OWI TRLs.

“allowing the person to operate a motor vehicle in any manner allowed for a person issued a valid class C driver's license, unless otherwise prohibited by this chapter.”

How it is issued

The licensing agency issues the Temporary Restricted License (TRL).

Official page: iowadot.gov

The statute: Iowa Code § 321J.20

“A temporary restricted license issued under this section shall not be issued until the applicant installs an approved ignition interlock device on all motor vehicles operated by the applicant.”