This bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code concerning the operation, registration, and titling of motor vehicles. It notably removes references to "chauffeurs instruction permits" and updates the fees associated with instruction permits. The bill raises the threshold for property damage that requires an accident report from $1,500 to $5,000 and mandates electronic submission of these reports. Additionally, it requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to maintain a comprehensive records system for vehicle registrations and titles, which must be updated promptly. The bill also allows for the electronic renewal of nonoperator identification cards and outlines the process for replacing lost or inaccurate drivers' licenses.

Moreover, the bill centralizes recordkeeping under the DOT, eliminating the need for county treasurers to maintain their own records system. It introduces provisions for the admissibility of certified copies of records as evidence and allows for the destruction of vehicle certificates of title after seven years. The bill modifies the process for refusing vehicle registration renewals based on unpaid debts and clarifies procedures for noting security interests in the records system. The changes are set to take effect on December 1, 2028, or upon the DOT's confirmation of the new records system's readiness.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321.1, 321.180, 321.191, 321.196, 321M.1, 321I.11, 321.189, 321.190, 321.195, 321.24, 321.40, 321.20, 321.198, 331.553