The bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code concerning the Department of Transportation (DOT), focusing on drivers' licenses, vehicle records, and electronic communications. It eliminates references to "chauffeurs instruction permits," indicating a shift in terminology and the types of permits issued. The bill introduces provisions for electronic applications and renewals of nonoperator identification cards, mandates electronic submission of accident reports, and establishes a new records system for vehicle registrations and titles. Existing chauffeurs instruction permits will remain valid until their expiration, ensuring current permit holders are not negatively impacted by these changes. The new regulations are set to take effect on March 1, 2027, or upon the implementation of the DOT's new records system.

Additionally, the bill addresses vehicle registration and the collection of debts owed to the state by requiring county treasurers to refuse registration renewals for individuals with unpaid restitution or delinquent accounts. It replaces the previous notification process with a "records system" and allows for the collection of delinquent taxes at the time of registration renewal. The bill also mandates daily updates to vehicle registration records and clarifies the process for transferring vehicle ownership in specific circumstances. The changes aim to streamline the registration process while ensuring all debts to the state are settled before renewal.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321.1, 321.180, 321.191, 321.196, 321M.1, 321.190, 321.195, 321.24, 321.40, 321.20, 321.198