An Iowa Senate committee has voted to change the rules so Iowans could get their driver’s license renewed for eight years.
Under current law, the renewal period is five years. Senator Tod Bowman of Maquoketa says lines at DOT offices around the state should shrink if the longer period is approved — and the number of staff could shrink, too.
“If we can provide a better service, for maybe a little less — that’s the objective there,” Bowman says.
Most Iowa drivers who are between the ages of 18 and 70 would be eligible for the eight-year license renewal if the bill becomes law. Under current rules, drivers with vision problems or physical deficiencies may only get their license renewed every two years and that would not be changed by the proposal. The legislation does not propose changing the four-dollars-per-year charge for a driver’s license either.