Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-400.2

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 5, September 4, 2024

Rule 761-400.2 - Vehicle registration, certificate of title, receipt, validation sticker and registration plates-general provisions

(1)Vehicles subject to registration. A vehicle subject to registration under the laws of Iowa shall be required to be registered at the time the vehicle is first operated or moved upon a highway in this state.

(2)Vehicles exempt from titling or registration. A certificate of title shall not be issued for a vehicle which is exempt from the titling or registration provisions of Iowa Code chapter 321, unless issuance of a certificate of title is specifically authorized in Iowa Code chapter 321 or as provided in 761-Chapter 410.

(3)Issuance of a certificate of title, receipt, validation sticker and registration plates upon payment of registration fees. Except as otherwise provided in Iowa Code chapter 321 or this chapter, the current year registration fee and any delinquent registration fees and penalties, if any, shall be paid prior to issuance of a certificate of title, receipt, validation sticker and registration plates.

(4)Trailers with an empty weight of 2000 pounds or less. Certificates of title shall not be issued for trailers with an empty weight of 2000 pounds or less. However, these trailers shall be subject to the registration fees provided in Iowa Code section 321.123.

(5)Vehicles owned by the government. A certificate of title shall be issued for a vehicle owned by the government when the vehicle is first registered. However, vehicles owned by the government shall be exempted from registration and titling fees. Also, a certificate of title shall not be issued for a government-owned vehicle if a certificate of title would not be issued if the vehicle were owned by someone other than the government.

(6)Vehicles leased by the government. Vehicles leased by the government for a period of 60 days or more are exempted from payment of registration fees. A copy of the lease agreement, certificate of lease, or other evidence that the vehicle is being leased by the government shall be required in order to obtain this exemption. However, the lessor is not exempted from the requirements for obtaining a certificate of title as set out in Iowa Code chapter 321 and these rules, including payment of the appropriate certificate of title fee.

(7)Special mobile equipment. Rescinded IAB 3/7/90, effective 4/11/90.

(8)Private school buses, fire trucks, authorized emergency vehicles, and transit buses. In accordance with Iowa Code sections 321.18, 321.19 and 321.22, private school buses, fire trucks not owned or operated for a pecuniary profit, certain authorized emergency vehicles owned and operated by nonprofit organizations, and urban and regional transit system buses are exempt from the payment of registration fees. However, these vehicles are not exempt from the requirements for obtaining a certificate of title as set out in Iowa Code chapter 321, including payment of the appropriate certificate of title fee.

(9)Towable recreational vehicles. For purposes of registration and titling under Iowa Code chapter 321 and this chapter, a towable recreational vehicle as defined in Iowa Code section 322C.2 shall be considered a travel trailer or fifth-wheel travel trailer, as those terms are defined in Iowa Code section 321.1, as applicable.

(10)Plates for exempted vehicles. Upon application, the department shall issue plates for exempted vehicles under subrules 400.2(5), 400.2(6) and 400.2(8) in accordance with the requirements in Iowa Code sections 321.18, 321.19, 321.22 and 321.170, as applicable, and this chapter. As authorized by Iowa Code sections 8A.361 and 8A.362(7), the Iowa department of administrative services may order the issuance of regular registration plates for exempted vehicles assigned to the Iowa department of administrative services. The following process applies to regular registration plates issued to an exempted vehicle under Iowa Code section 321.19(1)"c" :

a. The requesting agency under Iowa Code section 321.19(1)"c," other than the Iowa department of administrative services, shall file an application with the department in the form and manner prescribed by the department and shall certify the authorized purpose for which issuance of the registration plates for an exempted vehicle is requested.

b. The Iowa department of administrative services or the department may order the issuance of regular registration plates for exempted vehicles as authorized by Iowa Code section 321.19(1)"c." The plates shall be assigned to a specific vehicle. The requesting agency shall notify the department within ten days of assigning the plate to another vehicle.

c. In accordance with Iowa Code section 321.19, the department shall maintain separate records of regular registration plates issued to exempted vehicles, which shall be available in a manner that allows law enforcement and other persons authorized by Iowa Code section 321.11(3) to query vehicle and owner information by the registration plate number.

d. If a vehicle to which regular registration plates are assigned under this subrule is no longer used for an exempted purpose, the requesting agency shall surrender the plates to the department and the department shall cancel the plates. The department may revoke the plates and require the agency to surrender the plates pursuant to Iowa Code section 321.103 if the department determines use of the plates is no longer authorized.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 321.18 through 321.22, 321.24, 321.34, 321.103, 321.123, 321.170 and 322C.2(19).

Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-400.2

Amended by IAB March 11, 2020/Volume XLII, Number 19, effective 4/15/2020

Amended by IAB April 6, 2022/Volume XLIV, Number 20, effective 5/11/2022