Iowa Legislative Services Agency
Fiscal Services

IS

Dennis Prouty(515) 281-5279
FAX 281-8027

State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
March 6, 2008

Vehicle Registration and Miscellaneous Vehicle Fees in Iowa

SISSUEUThis Issue Review provides an overview of vehicle registration and miscellaneous vehicle
fees in Iowa.

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AFFECTED AGENCIES

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V
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Department of Transportation
County Treasurers
CODE AUTHORITY
Section 321 (various), Code of Iowa
VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES
Motor Vehicles
Section 321.109, Code of Iowa, establishes the annual registration fee for most motor
vehicles at 1.0% of the vehicle value, plus 40 cents per 100 pounds of the vehicle weight.
Exceptions include trucks and older multipurpose vehicles as discussed below.
Once a motor vehicle is more than five model years old, the annual fee is reduced. Section
321.113, Code of Iowa, establishes the following reduced fee schedule:•More than five model years old: 75.0% of the rate when the motor vehicle was new (i.e., 75.0% of 1.0%), plus
40 cents per 100 pounds.

•More than six model years old: 50.0% of the rate when the motor vehicle was new, plus 40 cents per 100pounds.

•If a model year 1994 or newer motor vehicle is nine model years old or older, the annual fee is $35.

•

Model year 1993 or older:•If the vehicle has been titled in the same person's name since it was new, or the title to the vehicle wastransferred prior to January 1, 2002, the annual fee is 10.0% of the rate when the vehicle was new, plus
40 cents per 100 pounds.

ISSUE REVIEW2March 6, 2008

If a 1993 model year or older motor vehicle is transferred to a new owner, or if the vehicle is brought into theState on or after January 1, 2002, the registration fee is not based on weight and value, but is a flat fee asfollows:••

Model years 1990 – 1993: $27•

Model years 1970 – 1989: $23•

Model years 1969 or older: $16

The following chart shows the estimated total number of motor vehicles registered in Iowa as ofAugust 2007 and the annual registration fee by age. The annual fee for vehicles that are new toeight years of age is based on weight and value, with the value reduced beginning at age six. Thenumbers do not include multipurpose vehicles.
Motor Vehicles

ModelYearVehicle
AgeAnnualFee

1969 & Older
1989 - 1970
1992 - 1990
19931999 - 1994
2008 - 2000
Total

39 & Older
19 - 38
16 - 1815
9 - 14New - 8

$16
$23
$27
$27 or Weight & Value$35
VariesEst. NumberRegistered(as of Aug. 2007)
No.
%
59,4003.8%
213,400
13.7%
146,600
9.4%
62,7004.0%
495,800
31.8%
583,500
37.4%
1,561,400 100.0%

Multipurpose Vehicles
Section 321.124, Code of Iowa, establishes annual registration fees ranging from $55 to $200 formodel year 1992 and older multipurpose vehicles (sport utility vehicles and small vans). Due to thenumber of years that have passed since the fees were enacted, the $55 fee is the only fee currentlyapplicable.
In general, as motor vehicles age, the annual registration fee decreases. The exception is 1992
and older multipurpose vehicles. Prior to 1992, the annual registration fee for all multipurpose
vehicles was a flat fee of $75 through five model years old, and $55 for each succeeding
registration. Legislation enacted in 1992 changed the flat fees for 1993 and newer multipurposevehicles to a fee based on the same weight and value as motor vehicles. The legislation also
revised the flat fees for 1992 and older multipurpose vehicles to the fee schedule established inSection 321.124, Code of Iowa.
While the current annual fee for 1992 and older multipurpose vehicles is $55, the fee for 1993
multipurpose vehicles is either $27, or a fee based on 10.0% of the rate when the motor vehicle
was new, plus 40 cents per 100 pounds. The fee may be more or less than $27, depending on thevehicle’s value. Thus, the annual fee for a 1992 and older multipurpose vehicle may be more than
the annual fee for a newer model year multipurpose vehicle.
The following chart shows the estimated total number of multipurpose vehicles registered in Iowa asof August 2007 and the annual registration fee by age.

ISSUE REVIEW

3March 6, 2008

Multipurpose Vehicles
ModelYearVehicle
AgeAnnualFee

1992 & Older1993
1999 - 1994
2008 - 2000
Total

16 & Older159 - 14New - 8$55
$27 or Weight & Value$35
VariesEst. Number
Registered(as of Aug. 2007)
No.
%
84,60012.1%
20,1002.9%
210,000
30.1%
383,400
54.9%
698,100
100.0%

TrucksSection 321.122, Code of Iowa, establishes the annual registration fees for most trucks as a flat fee
based on the gross weight equal to or in excess of the unladen weight of the vehicle or combinationof vehicles. Vehicles that weigh three tons or less are subject to a reduced fee based on thevehicle’s age. These fees range from $65 to $35. The annual fee for trucks weighing more than
three tons are established in Section 321.122, Code of Iowa, and are shown in Attachment A.
Although the Code of Iowa does not define “pickup trucks,” in general, three-ton, four-ton, and fiveton motor trucks are considered pickup trucks. There are an estimated 837,400 pickup trucks
registered in Iowa. Of this total, an estimated 776,300 (92.7%) weigh three tons, 40,500 (4.8%)
weigh four tons, and 20,600 (2.5%) weigh five tons. The annual fees for four-ton and five-ton
pickup trucks, regardless of age, are $80 and $90 respectively.
The following chart shows the number of three-ton pickup trucks registered in Iowa as of August
2007 and the annual registration fee by age.
Three-Ton Pickup Trucks
ModelYear

VehicleAge

AnnualFee

1992 & Older
1994 - 19931997 - 1995
2008 - 1998
Total

16 & Older
14 - 15
11 - 13
New - 10

$35
$45
$55
$65

Est. NumberRegistered(as of Aug. 2007)
No.
%282,100
36.3%
60,5007.8%
102,200
13.2%
331,500
42.7%
776,300
100.0%

Special Trucks for Farm Use
Section 321.121, Code of Iowa, establishes the annual registration fees for special trucks for farmuse. The annual fees are based on gross weight beginning at $80 for a six-ton truck, and are about
half of those charged for nonspecial trucks of the same gross weight. There are an estimated
32,900 special trucks registered in Iowa. Attachment B shows the annual registration fees bytonnage.

ISSUE REVIEW

4March 6, 2008

Miscellaneous Fees
Attachment C details the annual registration fees for other motor vehicles, including motor homes
and motorcycles, in addition to fees for titles, dealer licenses, manufacturer licenses, andmiscellaneous fees.
BUDGET IMPACT
A total of $403.3 million was collected from vehicle registration and title fees and deposited in theRoad Use Tax Fund in FY 2007. Of this total, $65.3 million was collected from truck registrationand title fees, and $338.0 from the remaining vehicles.
STAFF CONTACT: Mary Beth Mellick (Ext. 18223)

ATTACHMENT A

Truck Tractors, Road Tractors, and Motor Trucks
Annual Registration FeesTonnage(Not toExceed)
45678910111213141516171819202122232425262728
2930
3132
333435363738
39
40

$Fee
80
90105
130
165
200
235
270
305
340
375
445
485
525
565
610
675
715
755
795
835
965
1,010
1,060
1,105
1,150
1,200
1,245
1,295
1,340
1,415
1,465
1,510
1,555
1,605
1,650
1,695

Note: For a combined gross weight exceeding 40 tons, the annual fee
is $1,695, plus $80 for each ton over 40 tons.
Source: Section 321.122, Code of Iowa; Department of Transportation

ATTACHMENT BSpecial Trucks for Farm Use
Annual Registration Fees

Tonnage
678Fee$Explanation of Feesin Excess of a Certain Weight

80
100
120

910
11
1213
14
15
16
17
18

135
150
165
180
195
210
225
240
255
270

19325

For a gross weight of more than eight tons,
the fee is $120, in addition to $15 for eachton over eight tons, not exceeding 18 tons.

For a gross weight exceeding 18 tons but
not exceeding 19 tons, the fee is $325.
20375
For a gross weight exceeding 19 tons but
not exceeding 20 tons, the fee is $375.

21
22
2324
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

400
425
450
475
500
525
550
575
600
625650675

For a gross weight exceeding 20 tons, theadditional fee is $25 for each ton over 20tons, not exceeding 32 tons.

Source: Section 321.121, Code of Iowa; Department of Transportation

ATTACHMENT C
Miscellaneous Fees and Registrations

Fee/Registration Type
Title Fee
Salvage Title Fee
Lien FeeCounty In-Transit Registration - New Vehicle
County In-Transit Registration - Used Vehicle
County In-Transit Registration - One-Time Registration
Registration Applied-For Card (Temporary Registration in Lieu of Plates)
Class A Motor Homes - $80,000 or More (New - 5 Years Old)
Class A Motor Homes - $80,000 or More (More Than 6 Years Old)
Class A Motor Homes - $40,000 - $80,000 (New - 5 Years Old)
Class A Motor Homes - $40,000 - $80,000 (More Than 6 Years Old)
Class A Motor Homes - $20,000 - $40,000 (New - 5 Years Old)
Class A Motor Homes - $20,000 - $40,000 (More Than 6 Years Old)
Class A Motor Homes - $20,000 or Less (New - 5 Years Old)
Class A Motor Homes - $20,000 or Less (More Than 6 Years Old)
Class B Motor Homes (New - 5 Years Old)
Class B Motor Homes (More Than 6 Years Old)
Class C Motor Homes (New - 5 Years Old)
Class C Motor Homes (More Than 6 Years Old)
Motorcycles (New - 5 Years Old)
Motorcycles (6 Years of Age and Older)
Trailer Fee
Travel Trailers (Assuming 160 Sq. Ft. Average)Fee$10.00
2.00
10.00
10.00
3.00
25.00
Free
400.00300.00200.00150.00140.00105.00120.00
85.00
90.00
65.00
110.00
80.00
20.00
10.00
10.00
20 cents per sq. ft.

Dealer/Transporter/Limited Use Registration Fee
Dealer Plate Fee
Dealer License Fee
Fair Permit Fee
Dealer Extension Lot
Recycler License
Manufacturer License
Distributor
Dealer In-Transit Card70.00
40.00
70.00
10.00
20.00
70.00
70.00
40.00
2.00

$5 Special Plate Renewal Fees
$15 Special Plate Renewal Fees
Trusted Party Agreement (TPA) Web Access

5.00
15.00
Free

Source: Chapters 321 and 322, Code of Iowa; Department of Transportation