Senate File 318 - Introduced
SENATE FILE 318
BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 1137)
(COMPANION TO HF 280 BY
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION)
A BILL FOR
1 An Act authorizing the department of transportation to
2 renew certain valid commercial driver’s licenses without
3 examination, including by electronic renewal, and including
4 effective date provisions.
5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
TLSB 1280SV (2) 89
th/ns
 S.F. 318
1 Section 1. Section 321.188, subsection 1, paragraph d, Code
2 2021, is amended to read as follows:
3 d. Successfully pass knowledge tests and driving skills
4 tests, provide self-certification of type of driving, provide a
5 medical examiner’s certificate prepared by a medical examiner,
6 as defined in 49 C.F.R. §390.5, and provide all other required
7 information, proofs, and certificates, as required by rule by
8 the department. The rules adopted shall substantially comply
9 with the federal minimum testing and licensing requirements
10 in 49 C.F.R. pt. 383, subpts. E, G, and H, as adopted by rule
11 by the department. Except as required under subsection 3 or
12 49 C.F.R. pt. 383, subpt. E, G, or H, a commercial driver’s
13 license is renewable without a knowledge test or driving skills
14 test within one year after its expiration date.
15 Sec. 2. Section 321.196, subsection 4, unnumbered paragraph
16 1, Code 2021, is amended to read as follows:
17 The Except as required in section 321.180 or 321.188, the
18 department in its discretion may authorize the renewal of
19 a valid driver’s license other than a commercial driver’s
20 license or commercial learner’s permit upon application without
21 an examination provided that the applicant meets one of the
22 following conditions:
23 Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act, being deemed of immediate
24 importance, takes effect upon enactment.
25 EXPLANATION
26 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
27 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
28 Current law allows the department of transportation (DOT)
29 to authorize the renewal of certain valid driver’s licenses
30 without a knowledge examination, including by electronic
31 renewal, so long as certain conditions are met. In order to be
32 eligible for license renewal without a knowledge examination,
33 the applicant must satisfactorily pass a vision test as
34 prescribed by the DOT, file a vision report in accordance
35 with Code section 321.186A which shows that the applicant’s
LSB 1280SV (2) 89
-1- th/ns 1/2
 S.F. 318
1 visual acuity level meets or exceeds those required by the DOT,
2 or be eligible for license renewal electronically under the
3 DOT’s administrative rules. An applicant is not eligible for
4 electronic renewal of a driver’s license if the most recent
5 previous renewal of the applicant’s driver’s license occurred
6 electronically. However, commercial driver’s licenses and
7 commercial learner’s permits are specifically excluded from
8 being eligible for renewal without a knowledge examination,
9 including by electronic renewal.
10 This bill enables the DOT to authorize the renewal of certain
11 commercial driver’s licenses and commercial learner’s permits
12 without a knowledge examination, including by electronic
13 renewal, under the conditions set forth in current law.
14 However, applicants seeking renewal for a hazardous material
15 endorsement are still required to pass a knowledge examination
16 in order to obtain or retain the endorsement, pursuant to
17 federal law.
18 The bill takes effect upon enactment.
LSB 1280SV (2) 89
-2- th/ns 2/2


Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321.188, 321.196