International Students Driving In Iowa: What's The Deal?

International students with a valid foreign driver's license can drive in Iowa without obtaining an Iowa driver's license, as long as they are not considered residents. If the license is not in English, it is recommended to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to serve as a translation. However, it is important to note that Iowa has driver's license reciprocity agreements with certain countries, allowing individuals to obtain an Iowa driver's license without taking a written or driving test.

Driving with a foreign license in Iowa

If you are a visitor or a student in Iowa, you can drive with a current foreign license. However, if you are living in Iowa, you are no longer considered a visitor or temporary student, and you must obtain an Iowa driver's license. If your foreign license is not in English, you should obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to act as a translation. An IDP must be issued in the same country as the accompanying driver's license, so you cannot obtain one in the US for a foreign license. Most, if not all, states allow driving with a valid license from another country. However, it is recommended to check if your country offers a license translated into English.

Getting a US driving license as an international student

International students can drive in Iowa with a valid license from their home country. However, if you are living in Iowa as a student, you are no longer considered a visitor or temporary student, and you will need to obtain an Iowa driver's license. Here is a guide to getting a US driver's license as an international student:

Documents

First, you will need to gather the necessary documents. These may include:

• All signed versions of your Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status"
• A valid passport and your most recent student visa (not required if you are from a visa-exempt country)
• Proof of residence, which can vary from state to state (bank statements, lease agreements, utility bills, etc.)
• Form I-94, "Arrival/Departure Record"
• If you are on optional practical training, Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document"
• If your license is not in English, an official English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP)

Application Process

The application process for a US driver's license varies from state to state, but the basic steps are similar:

• Confirm with your Designated School Official (DSO) that your student record is active in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
• Wait at least 10 days after arriving in the US to apply for a driver's license, to allow your Form I-94 information to update.
• Find your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, as this can have a different name in some states.
• Verify your nonimmigrant student status with the DMV, who may use the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program.
• Submit your application and required documents.
• Depending on the state, you may need to pass a driving test and a written test. Some states may waive these tests if you have a license from your home country or another state.

Additional Considerations

• It is recommended to check with your country's embassy or the motor vehicle agency to see if an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. An IDP allows you to drive legally in a different country and is valid for one year.
• If your foreign license is not in English, you should obtain an official English translation or an IDP to act as a translation.
• Some nonimmigrants may only receive temporary licenses, and the processing time for a driver's license may vary depending on the state.

Driving license requirements for international students

If you are an international student in Iowa with a current driving license from your home country, you can drive in Iowa without needing to apply for an Iowa driver's license. This is because, as a student, you are considered a visitor to the state.

However, if your foreign license is not in English, you should obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to act as a translation. An IDP must be issued in the same country as the accompanying driver's license, so you cannot obtain one in the US for a foreign license. Most states allow driving with a valid license from another country, but it may be useful to check if your country offers a license translated into English.

If you are an international student in Iowa and want to obtain a US driving license, you must take a driver's license test and obtain an Iowa driver's license. You can schedule an appointment with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) to take your test. It is recommended that you study the Iowa driver's manual before taking the test. The cost of an Iowa driver's license is $4 per year, and international students have sooner expiration dates.

In Iowa, it is required that the driver and front-seat passengers always wear seatbelts. Passengers in the rear seats may be required to use a seatbelt or child safety seat depending on age, weight, and height.

Driving rules and regulations in Iowa

In Iowa, anyone operating a motor vehicle on public roads and streets is required to have a license. International students with a current foreign license can drive in Iowa without an Iowa Driver's License, but only if they are visitors or temporary students. If an international student lives in Iowa, they are not considered a visitor and will need to obtain an Iowa Driver's License.

Iowa has a graduated driver's license (GDL) system for drivers under the age of 18. The GDL includes three steps: Instruction Permit, Intermediate License, and Full License. Each step provides an opportunity for young drivers to gain experience and improve their driving skills under supervision.

To obtain an Instruction Permit, drivers must be at least 14 years old and have parental consent and pass a written and vision test. The permit allows the driver to operate a vehicle under the supervision of a parent/guardian, a family member over 21, a driver education teacher, or a designated adult over 25 with written permission from the parent/guardian. The driver must also complete an approved driver education course, including classroom and behind-the-wheel hours.

After holding the Instruction Permit for at least 12 months and completing the required supervised driving hours, the driver becomes eligible for an Intermediate License at the age of 16. This license allows for some unsupervised driving during specific hours, but certain restrictions still apply, such as limited driving hours and a restricted number of passengers.

To obtain a Full License without any restrictions, the driver must be 17 years old, have maintained a clean driving record for 12 consecutive months, and complete additional supervised driving hours.

It is important to note that the requirements and procedures for obtaining an Iowa Driver's License may change, and it is always recommended to refer to the official sources, such as the Iowa Department of Transportation, for the most up-to-date information.

Insurance and registration requirements for international students

International students in Iowa with a valid foreign driver's license do not need an Iowa driver's license if they are visitors or temporary students. However, if they are residing in Iowa as a worker or student, they are required to obtain an Iowa driver's license by taking a driver's license test.

International students in Iowa are required to have health insurance. The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is a Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan that covers preventive care, hospitalization, surgery, maternity, well-baby/well-child care, emergency care for accidents or illness, and medically necessary physician care. Coverage under SHIP begins on the first day of classes and ends with the last day of the semester. Students are billed for the SHIP plan each semester they are registered, unless they provide proof of coverage under another insurance plan.

International students can purchase a separate dental insurance plan, the Delta Dental of Iowa Network Student Dental Plan, which covers checkups, teeth cleaning, cavity repair, tooth extractions, and other services.

There are also economical health insurance plans available for purchase online that meet the insurance requirements of specific colleges and universities in Iowa.

Frequently asked questions