Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-401.2 - [Effective 3/26/2025] Application and requirements for certain special registration plates

(1) Plates available without application. Except for the special registration plates listed in subrules 401.2(2) and 401.2(3) and collegiate plates issued under Iowa Code section 321.34(7) and 321.34(7A), all special registration plates authorized under Iowa Code section 321.34 are available as random letter-number designated plates at the county treasurer's office of the county of registration without separate application.

(2) Special registration plates requiring separate application. The following special registration plates require that a separate application with any applicable supporting documentation be submitted to the department on Form 411260. Applications are to be submitted by mail to Motor Vehicle Division, Iowa Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 9278, Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9278; by email to dot.plates@iowadot.us, or electronically at www.iowadot.gov/mvd/vehicleregistration/vehicleregistration/plates/plates. Form 411260 may be obtained by contacting the motor vehicle division using the information in this subrule, by phone at 515.237.3110, by fax at 515.237.3056, or at any county treasurer's office.

a. Amateur radio call letter plate applications under Iowa Code section 321.34(3) require the number of the amateur radio license issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

b. Medal of honor plate applications under Iowa Code section 321.34(8) require an official government document verifying the applicant's receipt of the medal of honor.

c. Ex-prisoner of war plate applications under Iowa Code section 321.34(8A) require a copy of an official government document verifying that the applicant was a prisoner of war or a signed statement from a person who has knowledge that the person was a prisoner of war.

d. Firefighter plates issued under Iowa Code section 321.34(10) require a certification signed by the fire chief of the paid or volunteer fire department confirming that the applicant is a current or retired firefighter member of the fire department. Renewal for a current firefighter requires a new certification be submitted to the county treasurer's office. Renewal for a retired firefighter does not require a new certification.

e. Emergency medical services plate applications under Iowa Code section 321.34(10A) require a signature from the applicant's service director certifying that the applicant is a current member of a paid or volunteer emergency medical services agency.

f. Legion of Merit plate applications under Iowa Code section 321.34(15) require a copy of the official government document verifying receipt of the Legion of Merit. An eligible applicant who wishes to receive such plates for more than one vehicle is subject to the regular annual registration fee for each additional vehicle.

g. National guard plate applications under Iowa Code section 321.31(16) require certification from the applicant's unit commander on unit letterhead confirming the applicant's eligibility.

h. Pearl Harbor plate applications under Iowa Code section 321.34(17) require a copy of an official government document verifying that the applicant was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as a member of the armed forces on December 7, 1941.

i. Purple heart, silver star, and bronze star plate applications under Iowa Code sections 321.34(18) and 321.34(20) require an official military order, the report of discharge, or DD Form 214 confirming the applicant's receipt of the award.

j. Gold star plate applications under Iowa Code section 321.34(24) require written approval from the Iowa department of veterans affairs confirming the lineage of applicant to the deceased veteran and documentation that the veteran is deceased due to military service.

k. U.S. armed forces retired special plates under Iowa Code section 321.34(19) require documentation that the U.S. armed forces recognizes the person as retired from the U.S. armed forces, in the form of the official military order confirming the applicant's retirement, report of discharge, or DD Form 214.

l. Distinguished service, navy, or air force cross plates under Iowa Code section 321.34(20A) require an official military order, the report of discharge, or DD Form 214 confirming the applicant's receipt of the award.

m. Soldier's, navy and marine corps, or airman's medal plates under Iowa Code section 321.34(20B) require an official military order, the report of discharge, or DD Form 214 confirming the applicant's receipt of the award.

n. U.S. veteran plate applications under Iowa Code section 321.34(27) require a certification from the Iowa department of veterans affairs that the applicant qualifies as an honorably discharged veteran.

o. Disabled veteran plate applications under Iowa Code section 321.166(6) require a certification from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that the United States government has provided or has assisted in providing the motor vehicle to the disabled veteran. A separate certification may be required for any subsequently acquired vehicle or when the veteran moves to another county.

p. Notwithstanding any provision of this rule to the contrary, an applicant seeking any military or armed forces special registration plate may submit alternate documentation if approved by the Iowa office of the adjutant general or the Iowa department of veterans affairs.

(3) Persons with disabilities special registration plates. Plates issued under Iowa Code section 321.34(14) are available from the department or county treasurer and require the application and statement of disability prescribed by 761-subrule 411.3(2), including certification that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements of Iowa Code section 321.34(14). If applicable, the application also requires certification of residency on Form 411120. In lieu of the statement of disability, a veteran may submit a certification of disability from the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs.

(4) Plates with minimum ordering requirements. Applicants seeking a combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action medal, combat medical badge, or civil war sesquicentennial plate under Iowa Code section 321.34(20C) or 321.34(25) are to apply to the department.

a. Applications for combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action medal, or combat medical badge plates require a copy of an official government document verifying that the applicant received such award.

b. Applications for civil war sesquicentennial plates do not require additional documentation.

(5) Fees due. The applicable statutory issuance fee for each special registration plate under Iowa Code section 321.34 is due at the time of application.

(6) Vehicles eligible. Unless otherwise specified in Iowa Code section 321.34, special registration plates are available for motor vehicles subject to registration under Iowa Code section 321.109(1), autocycles, motor trucks, motor homes, multipurpose vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, and travel trailers.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 307.12(1) "j," 321.34 and 321.105 and chapter 321L.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-401.2

ARC 9048B, IAB 9/8/10, effective 10/13/10 Amended by IAB August 1, 2018/Volume XLI, Number 3, effective 9/5/2018 Amended by IAB February 12, 2020/Volume XLII, Number 17, effective 3/18/2020 Adopted by IAB February 19, 2025/Volume XLVII, Number 17, effective 3/26/2025