Frequently Asked Questions

Vehicle & License Plates → Military

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Can I place my vehicle in storage while I’m on active duty?

Military Storage in Time of War
If the vehicle is registered for the current year and the owner has entered the military service of the United States in time of war and the vehicle has been placed in storage, a refund may be applied for on the unexpired months of the registration year. Registration plates must be turned in. Upon the owner’s return to the state of Iowa, the vehicle will be registered for the remaining months of the registration year.

Claim for Refund Form

Do I need to register my vehicle in Iowa if I’m stationed in Iowa while on active duty?

Military Members of the Armed Forces

Iowa Residents

A member of the armed forces who is a resident of this state must pay the same registration fees that apply to other residents when registering a vehicle in this state.

Non Residents

A nonresident member of the armed forces is not required to register a vehicle in this state, providing the vehicle is properly registered in the state of residency of the nonresident or the state where the nonresident is stationed.

A nonresident may register a vehicle in this state, if desired, in the same manner as any nonresident, with the following exceptions:

1. A reduced registration fee for all vehicles in which the registration fee is based on weight and list price will only be based on the weight.
2. Application for registration must include a certification of residency, attested to by the commanding officer of the nonresident.
   • Application for Certificate of title and/or Registration Form
   • Nonresident Military Personnel Certification

What are the registration fees for a disabled veteran who has been provided a vehicle by the United States Government?

Disabled Veteran

Seriously disabled veterans who have been provided with a vehicle by the United States Government under the provisions of sections 1901 to 1903, Title 38 of the United States Code, (38 Code S.C. Section 1901 et seq. 1970) may obtain disabled veteran plates without payment of any registration fee or special plate fee.

1. Disabled Veteran plates may be obtained for one motor vehicle owned in whole or in part by a seriously disabled veteran who has been provided with a vehicle by the United States Government under federal law.
2. The application must be made to the county treasurer of the county of residence of the applicant. The applicant must file a certification from the Veteran’s Administration, indicating the person has been provided with a vehicle under sections 1901-1903, Title 38, United States code. That must be filed when the original application is made for the special plates. The certification is not required for renewal of registration.
3. The Disabled Veteran plates may be obtained without payment of any registration fee and may be renewed without cost.
4. The Disabled Veteran plates and registration card will be issued in exchange for any regular plates or registration card that may have been issued to the applicant.
5. The Disabled Veteran plates may be transferred to another vehicle in the same manner as regular plates.
6. Upon transfer of ownership of the vehicle to a person not entitled to the exemption, the registration fee must be paid for the remaining months of the registration year.
7. Upon the death of the veteran, the registration fee must be paid for the remaining months of the registration year, beginning with the first day of the month following the month of death of the veteran.

Special or personalized plates may be obtained by paying the difference between the fee for a regular registration plate and the fee for the special or personalized registration plate.

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