Decatur County Treasurer’s Office Leon, Iowa
641.446.4321.
OFFICE HOURS:
An Iowa Driver’s License is administered by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The nearest place to get your license is in Leon, Iowa. Driver’s written exams and licenses are administered Monday through Friday at the Decatur County Treasurer’s office in the Decatur County Courthouse in Leon from 8:00 am-11:30am and 12:30pm-3:30 pm (last written tests begins at 2:45pm). Driving exams are given on Tuesday mornings by appointment only.
If you have a valid international driver’s license, you may drive in Iowa but o nly if your license from your home country is valid. If you have an international license, it must be carried with your home country license at all times. It is recommended by the Iowa Department of Transportation that you should obtain an Iowa driver's license if you wish to drive in Iowa. This can be done after you have resided in the state for 30 consecutive days. Contact a AAA office to answer questions regarding international driver's licenses.
To qualify for an Iowa driver’s license, you must meet one of the resident requirements:
1) registered to vote,
2) your children are in public schools,
3) you hold a permanent job, or
4) you have resided in the state for 30 or more continuous days.
To acquire an Iowa driver’s licen se: if you already have a valid driver’s license from another US state, you may exchange it for an Iowa license. You will need to bring your immigration/travel documents and you will take a vision test .
HOW LONG ARE THEY VALID:
Students with an I-20 will only be granted a driver's license valid within dates for program of study. All Licenses issued to international students are valid for no more than two years. You may renew your driver's license. A license may be granted for up to 30 days from the end date listed on the I-20 or for the end of OPT on your work card.
COST:
If you do not hold a current driver’s license, you will need to take the written exam, vision test, and driving test on the street. Get the driver's manual on line HERE . There is no fee for the exam. The cost of an Iowa Learner’s Permit is $6; License is $4 per year.
GO PREPARED: You will need to take your Social Security Card (if you have one), passport with visa, I-20, I-94, Graceland ID, and proof of address (letter from International Programs). You need to know your height in feet and inches and your weight in pounds (conversion link HERE ). You must pay CASH (no credit or debit cards).
DRIVING TEST PREPARATIONS:
Make sure you know how to drive prior to taking the street driving test. You must take the written exam first and pass, then schedule your driving test. You will need to find someone to take you with their car. You will use a friend's car to take the test. The car must be in good condition...lights, horn, blinkers all working and the windshield must not be cracked. You will need to have valid proof of insurance and registration for the car with you when you check in at the Treasurer's Office for your driving test.
CANADIANS:
You may drive on your Canadian driver's license. If you wish to get an Iowa Driver's License without doing the written and driving exam, you will have to surrender your valid Canadian license. You will also need to have all your other travel/immigration documents with you when you apply. If you don't want to surrender your license, you will need to take the written, driving, and vision exam.
SELECTIVE SERVICE:
Men who are 18 or older and who apply for a driver's license will usually be asked if they have registered for the Selective Service (Military Service). The Selective Service registration is not required for non-immigrant students. So your answer would be "I am exempt", as well as letting them know you do not qualify as an F-1 student. If you have a different status, discuss this with the Treasurer's Office.