§ 321.34 — Plates or validation sticker furnished — retained by owner — special plates

Iowa § 321.34

• Jurisdiction: Iowa
• Title VIII: TRANSPORTATION
• Ch. 321: MOTOR VEHICLES AND LAW OF THE ROAD

Text

1. Plates issued. The county treasurer upon receiving application, accompanied by
proper fee, for registration of a vehicle shall issue to the owner one registration plate
for a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, autocycle, truck tractor, trailer, or semitrailer and
two registration plates for every other motor vehicle. The registration plates, including
special registration plates, shall be assigned to the owner of a vehicle. When the owner of
a registered vehicle transfers or assigns ownership of the vehicle to another person, the
owner shall remove the registration plates from the vehicle. The owner shall forward the
plates to any county treasurer or the owner may have the plates assigned to another vehicle
within thirty days after transfer, upon payment of the fees required by law. The owner shall
immediately affix registration plates retained by the owner to another vehicle owned or
acquired by the owner, providing the owner complies with section 321.46. The department
shall adopt rules providing for the assignment of registration plates to the transferee of a
vehicle for which a credit is allowed under section 321.46, subsection 6.
2. Validation stickers.
a. In lieu of issuing new registration plates each registration year for a vehicle renewing
registration, the department may reassign the registration plates previously issued to the
vehicle and may adopt and prescribe an annual validation sticker indicating payment of
annual registration fees. The department shall issue one validation sticker for each set
of registration plates. The sticker must specify the month and year of expiration of the
registration plates. The sticker shall be displayed only on the rear registration plate, except
that the sticker shall be displayed on the front registration plate of a truck tractor. A

validation sticker issued for the upcoming registration year prior to the expiration of the
applicable current registration year does not invalidate the registration, and is not required
to be displayed on the registered vehicle’s registration plate until the owner would be
considered to be driving a motor vehicle with an expired registration under section 321.39.
b. The state department of transportation shall adopt rules to provide for the placement
of the motor vehicle registration validation sticker.
3. Radio operators plates. The owner of an automobile, motorcycle, trailer, or motor
truck who holds an amateur radio license issued by the federal communications commission
may, upon written application to the county treasurer accompanied by a fee of five dollars,
order special registration plates bearing the call letters authorized the radio station covered
by the person’s amateur radio license. When received by the county treasurer, such special
registration plates shall be issued to the applicant in exchange for the registration plates
previously issued to the person. Not more than one set of special registration plates may be
issued to an applicant. Said fee shall be in addition to and not in lieu of the fee for regular
registration plates. Special registration plates must be surrendered upon expiration of the
owner’s amateur radio license and the owner shall thereupon be entitled to the owner’s
regular registration plates. The county treasurer shall validate special plates in the same
manner as regular registration plates, upon payment of five dollars in addition to the regular
annual registration fee.
4. Permanentplates. Inlieuofissuingannualregistrationplatesfortrailers,semitrailers,
motor trucks, and truck tractors, the department may issue a permanent registration plate
for trailers, semitrailers, motor trucks, and truck tractors licensed under chapter 326, upon
payment of the appropriate registration fee. Payment of fees for trailers and semitrailers
for a permanent registration plate shall, at the option of the registrant, be made at five-year
intervals or on an annual basis. Fees from five-year payments shall not be reduced or
prorated. Payment of fees for motor trucks and truck tractors shall be made on an annual
basis.
5. Personalized registration plates.
a. Upon application and the payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars, the director may issue
to the owner of a motor vehicle registered in this state or a trailer or travel trailer registered
in this state, personalized registration plates marked with up to seven initials, letters,
or combination of numerals and letters requested by the owner. However, personalized
registration plates for autocycles, motorcycles, and motorized bicycles shall be marked with
no more than six initials, letters, or combinations of numerals and letters. Upon receipt of
the personalized registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the regular registration
plates to the county treasurer. The fee for issuance of the personalized registration plates
shall be in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
b. Thecountytreasurershallvalidatepersonalizedregistrationplatesinthesamemanner
asregularregistrationplatesarevalidatedunderthissectionatanannualfeeoffivedollarsin
additiontotheregularannualregistrationfee. Apersonrenewingapersonalizedregistration
plate within one month following the time requirements under section 321.40 may renew the
personalized plate without paying the additional registration fee under paragraph “a” but
shallpaythefive-dollarfeeinadditiontotheregularannualregistrationfeeandanypenalties
subject to regular registration plate holders for late renewal.
c. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid to the treasurer of
state and credited by the treasurer of state as provided in section 321.145.
6. Sample vehicle registration plates. Vehicle registration plates displaying the general
design of regular registration plates, with the word “sample” displayed on the plate, may be
furnished to any person upon payment of a fee of three dollars, except that such plates may
be furnished to governmental agencies without cost. Sample registration plates shall not be
attached to a vehicle moved on the highways of this state.
7. Collegiate plates.
a. Uponapplicationandpaymentoftheproperfees, thedirectormayissuetotheownerof
amotorvehiclesubjecttoregistrationundersection321.109,subsection1,motortruck,motor
home, multipurpose vehicle, trailer over two thousand pounds, or travel trailer registered in
this state, collegiate registration plates created pursuant to this subsection. Upon receipt of

the collegiate registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the regular registration plates
to the county treasurer.
b. Collegiate registration plates shall be designed for each of the three state universities.
The collegiate registration plates shall be designated as follows:
(1) The letters “ISU” followed by a four-digit number all in cardinal on a gold background
for Iowa state university of science and technology.
(2) The letters “UNI” followed by a four-digit number all in purple on a gold background
for the university of northern Iowa.
(3) The letters “UI” followed by a four-digit number all in black on a gold background for
the state university of Iowa.
(4) In lieu of the letter-number designation provided under subparagraphs (1) through
(3), the collegiate registration plates may be designated in the manner provided for
personalized registration plates under subsection 5, paragraph “a”, in the colors designated
for the respective universities under subparagraphs (1) through (3).
c. (1) The fees for a collegiate registration plate are as follows:
(a) A registration fee of twenty-five dollars.
(b) A special collegiate registration fee of twenty-five dollars.
(2) These fees are in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The fees collected
by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and
deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall credit monthly from the
statutoryallocationsfundcreatedundersection321.145,subsection2,toIowastateuniversity
of science and technology, the university of northern Iowa, and the state university of Iowa
respectively, the amount of the special collegiate registration fees collected in the previous
month for collegiate registration plates designed for the university. The moneys credited are
appropriated to the respective universities to be used for scholarships for students attending
the universities.
d. The county treasurer shall validate collegiate registration plates in the same manner as
regular registration plates are validated under this section at an annual fee of five dollars in
addition to the regular annual registration fee.
e. A collegiate registration plate shall not be issued if its combination of alphanumeric
characters are identical to those contained on a current personalized registration plate
issued under subsection 5. However, the owner of a motor vehicle who has a personalized
registration plate issued for the motor vehicle may, after proper application and payment of
fees, be issued a collegiate registration plate containing the same alphanumeric characters
as those on the personalized plate. Upon receipt of the collegiate registration plates, the
owner shall surrender the personalized registration plates to the county treasurer.
7A. Collegiate plates — Private four-year colleges and universities.
a. Upon application by a private four-year college or university located in this state and
payment of the initial set-up costs for establishing the collegiate plate, the department, in
consultation with the college or university, may design a special collegiate registration plate
displaying the colors associated with the college or university.
b. Uponapplicationandpaymentoftheproperfees, thedirectormayissuetotheownerof
amotorvehiclesubjecttoregistrationundersection321.109,subsection1,motortruck,motor
home, multipurpose vehicle, trailer over two thousand pounds, or travel trailer registered in
this state, collegiate registration plates created pursuant to this subsection. The fee for the
issuance of collegiate registration plates is twenty-five dollars, which fee is in addition to
the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. An applicant may obtain a personalized
collegiate registration plate upon payment of the additional fee for a personalized plate as
provided in subsection 5 in addition to the collegiate plate fee and the regular registration fee.
The county treasurer shall validate collegiate registration plates issued under this subsection
in the same manner as regular registration plates, upon payment of five dollars in addition
to the regular annual registration fee. Upon receipt of the collegiate registration plates, the
applicant shall surrender the regular registration plates to the county treasurer.
c. A personalized collegiate registration plate shall not be issued if its combination
of alphanumeric characters are identical to those contained on a current personalized
registrationplateissuedundersubsection5. However,theownerofamotorvehiclewhohasa

personalized registration plate issued for the motor vehicle may, after proper application and
payment of fees, be issued a collegiate registration plate containing the same alphanumeric
characters as those on the personalized plate. Upon receipt of the collegiate registration
plates, the owner shall surrender the personalized registration plates to the county treasurer.
8. Medal of honor plates.
a. The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection
1, autocycle, motorcycle, trailer, or motor truck who has been awarded the medal of honor
may, upon written application to the department, order special registration plates which
shall be red, white, and blue in color and shall bear an emblem of the medal of honor
and an identifying number. Each applicant applying for special registration plates under
this subsection may order only one set of registration plates under this subsection. The
application is subject to approval by the department and the special registration plates shall
be issued at no charge to the applicant in exchange for the registration plates previously
issued to the person. A person who is issued special plates under this subsection is exempt
from payment of any annual registration fee for the motor vehicle bearing the special plates.
The department shall validate the special plates in the same manner as regular registration
plates are validated under this section. The department shall not issue special registration
plates until service organizations in the state have furnished the department either the
special dies or the cost of the special dies necessary for the manufacture of the special
registration plate.
b. The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection
may continue to use the special plates subject to registration of the special plates in the
surviving spouse’s name. If the surviving spouse remarries, the surviving spouse shall return
the special plates to the department and the department shall issue regular registration plates
to the surviving spouse.
8A. Ex-prisoner of war special plates.
a. The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection
1, autocycle, motorcycle, trailer, or motor truck who was a prisoner of war during a time
of military conflict may, upon written application to the department, order only one set of
special registration plates with an ex-prisoner of war processed emblem. The emblem shall
be designed by the department in cooperation with the adjutant general and shall signify that
the owner was a prisoner of war as described in this subsection. The application is subject
to approval by the department, in consultation with the adjutant general. The special plates
shallbeissuedatnochargeandaresubjecttoanannualregistrationfeeoffifteendollars. The
county treasurer shall validate the special plates in the same manner as regular registration
plates are validated under this section.
b. The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection
may continue to use or apply for and use the special plates subject to registration of the
special plates in the surviving spouse’s name and upon payment of the annual registration
fee. If the surviving spouse remarries, the surviving spouse shall return the special plates
to the department and the department shall issue regular registration plates to the surviving
spouse.
9. Leased vehicles. Registration plates under this section, including disabled veteran
plates specified in section 321.105, may be issued to the lessee of a motor vehicle if the lessee
provides evidence of a lease for a period of more than sixty days and if the lessee complies
with the requirements, under this section, for issuance of the specific registration plates.
10. Fire fighter plates.
a. Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue fire fighter
platestotheownerofamotorvehiclesubjecttoregistrationundersection321.109,subsection
1, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, or travel
trailer if the owner is a current or retired member of a paid or volunteer fire department. The
special registration plates, designed by the department in cooperation with representatives
designated by the Iowa fire fighters’ associations, signify that the applicant is a current or
retired member of a paid or volunteer fire department.
b. The application shall be approved by the department in consultation with
representatives designated by the Iowa fire fighters’ associations, and the special registration

platesshallbeissuedtotheapplicantinexchangefortheregistrationplatespreviouslyissued
to the person. An applicant who is the owner of a business-trade truck or special truck shall
not be issued special fire fighter registration plates for more than one vehicle. The fee for
the special plates is twenty-five dollars which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual
registration fee. An applicant may obtain personalized fire fighter plates upon payment
of the additional fee for personalized plates as provided in subsection 5 in addition to the
special fire fighter fee and the regular registration fee. Personalized plates authorized by this
subsection shall be limited to no more than five initials, letters, or combinations of numerals
and letters. The department shall validate the special plates in the same manner as regular
registration plates are validated under this section at the regular annual registration fee.
c. The special fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly
to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state
shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145,
subsection 2, to the Paul Ryan memorial fire fighter safety training fund created pursuant to
section 100B.12 the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for the fire
fighter plates.
d. For purposes of this subsection, a person is considered to be retired if the person is
recognized by the chief of the fire department where the individual served, and on record,
as officially retired from the fire department. Special fire fighter registration plates shall be
surrenderedinexchangeforregularregistrationplatesuponterminationofthemotorvehicle
owner’s membership in the paid or volunteer fire department, unless the person is a retired
member in good standing.
10A. Emergency medical services plates.
a. The owner of a motor vehicle referred to in subsection 12 who is a current
member of a paid or volunteer emergency medical services agency may, upon written
application to the department, order special registration plates with an emergency medical
services distinguishing processed emblem, designed by the department in cooperation
with representatives designated by the Iowa emergency medical services association,
which emblem signifies that the applicant is a current member of a paid or volunteer
emergency medical services agency. The application shall be approved by the department,
in consultation with representatives designated by the Iowa emergency medical services
association.
b. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”,
from the annual validation of letter-number designated emergency medical services plates,
and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized
emergency medical services plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and
deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the
statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the emergency
medical services fund created in section 135.25 the amount of the special fees collected in
the previous month for issuance of emergency medical services plates.
11. Natural resources plates.
a. Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue natural
resources plates to the owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109,
subsection 1, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer,
or travel trailer.
b. Natural resources plates shall be designed by the department in cooperation with the
department of natural resources which design shall include on the plate the name of the
county where the vehicle is registered.
c. (1) The special natural resources fee for letter-number designated natural resources
plates is forty-five dollars. The fee for personalized natural resources plates is forty-five
dollarswhichshallbepaidinadditiontothespecialnaturalresourcesfeeofforty-fivedollars.
The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer
of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall credit monthly
from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the Iowa
resources enhancement and protection fund created pursuant to section 455A.18, the amount

of the special natural resources fees collected in the previous month for the natural resources
plates.
(2) From the moneys credited to the Iowa resources enhancement and protection fund
under subparagraph (1), ten dollars of the fee collected for each natural resources plate
issued, and fifteen dollars from each renewal fee, shall be allocated to the department of
natural resources wildlife bureau to be used for nongame wildlife programs.
d. Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current
registration plates to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall validate the special
registration plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under
this section. The annual special natural resources fee for letter-number designated plates is
twenty-five dollars which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The
annual fee for personalized natural resources plates is five dollars which shall be paid in
addition to the annual special natural resources fee and the regular annual registration fee.
The annual special natural resources fee shall be credited as provided under paragraph “c”.
11A. Love our kids plates.
a. Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue “love our
kids” plates to the owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109,
subsection 1, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer,
or travel trailer.
b. Love our kids plates shall be designed by the department in cooperation with the
department of health and human services.
c. The special fee for letter-number designated love our kids plates is thirty-five dollars.
The fee for personalized love our kids plates is twenty-five dollars, which shall be paid in
additiontothespecialloveourkidsfeeofthirty-fivedollars. Thefeescollectedbythedirector
under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road
use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund
created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the department of health and human services
the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for the love our kids plates.
Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys transferred under this subsection shall not revert to
the general fund of the state.
d. Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current
registration plates to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall validate the special
registration plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under this
section. Theannualspecialloveourkidsfeeforletter-numberdesignatedplatesistendollars,
which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The annual fee for
personalized love our kids plates is five dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the annual
special love our kids fee and the regular annual registration fee. The annual love our kids fee
shall be credited as provided under paragraph “c”.
11B. Motorcycle rider education plates.
a. Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue “motorcycle
rider education” plates to the owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section
321.109,subsection1,autocycle,motortruck,motorhome,multipurposevehicle,motorcycle,
trailer, or travel trailer.
b. Motorcycle rider education plates shall be designed by the department.
c. The special fee for letter-number designated motorcycle rider education plates is
thirty-five dollars. The fee for personalized motorcycle rider education plates is twenty-five
dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the special motorcycle rider education fee of
thirty-five dollars. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid
monthlytothetreasurerofstateanddepositedintheroadusetaxfund. Thetreasurerofstate
shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145,
subsection 2, to the department for use in accordance with section 321.179, the amount of
the special fees collected in the previous month for the motorcycle rider education plates.
d. Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current
registration plates to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall validate the special
registration plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under this
section. The annual special motorcycle rider education fee for letter-number designated

plates is ten dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
The annual fee for personalized motorcycle rider education plates is five dollars, which shall
be paid in addition to the annual special motorcycle rider education fee and the regular
annual registration fee. The annual motorcycle rider education fee shall be credited as
provided under paragraph “c”.
11C. Blackout plates.
a. Uponapplicationandpaymentoftheproperfees,thedirectormayissueblackoutplates
to the owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection
1, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, or travel
trailer.
b. Blackout plates shall be designed by the department. A blackout plate’s background
shall be black, and the plate’s letters and numbers shall be white.
c. The special blackout fee for letter-number designated blackout plates is thirty-five
dollars. An applicant may obtain personalized blackout plates upon payment of the fee for
personalized plates as provided in subsection 5, which is in addition to the special blackout
fee. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the
treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund.
d. Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current
registration plates to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall validate the special
registration plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under this
section. The annual special blackout fee for letter-number designated plates is ten dollars
which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The annual fee for
personalized blackout plates is five dollars which shall be paid in addition to the annual
special blackout fee and the regular annual registration fee. The annual special blackout fee
shall be credited as provided under paragraph “c”.
e. The department shall not condition the issuance of blackout plates on the receipt of any
number of orders for blackout plates.
11D. Flying our colors plates.
a. Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue flying our
colors plates to the owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109,
subsection 1, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer,
or travel trailer.
b. Flying our colors plates shall be designed by the department. Flying our colors plates
shall be navy along the top and red along the bottom, and contain a white space in the middle
of the plate which shall include the plate’s letters and numbers in black and a gray image of
a bald eagle behind the plate’s letters and numbers.
c. (1) The special flying our colors fee for letter-number designated flying our colors
plates is thirty-five dollars. An applicant may obtain personalized flying our colors plates
upon payment of the fee for personalized plates as provided in subsection 5, which is in
addition to the special fee. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be
paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund.
(2) The treasurer of state shall credit monthly from the statutory allocations fund created
undersection321.145,subsection2,tothefloodmitigationfundcreatedundersection418.10,
the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for flying our colors plates.
d. Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current
registration plates to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall validate the special
registration plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under this
section. Theannualspecialflyingourcolorsfeeforletter-numberdesignatedflyingourcolors
plates is ten dollars which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
The annual fee for personalized flying our colors plates is five dollars which shall be paid in
addition to the annual special flying our colors fee and the regular annual registration fee.
The annual special flying our colors fee shall be credited as provided under paragraph “c”.
12. Special registration plates — general provisions.
a. The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration pursuant to section 321.109,
subsection 1, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer,
or travel trailer may, upon written application to the department, order special registration

plates with a distinguishing processed emblem as authorized by this section or as approved
by the department. The fee for the issuance of special registration plates is twenty-five
dollars for each vehicle, unless otherwise provided by this section, which fee is in addition to
the regular annual registration fee. The county treasurer shall validate special registration
plates with a distinguishing processed emblem in the same manner as regular registration
plates, upon payment of five dollars in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
b. Upon receipt of a special registration plate with a distinguishing processed emblem as
authorized by this section or as approved by the department, the applicant shall surrender
the regular registration plates to the county treasurer. An applicant no longer eligible for a
special registration plate shall surrender the special vehicle registration plates to the county
treasurer for issuance of regular registration plates.
c. An applicant may, upon payment of the additional fee for a personalized plate as
provided in subsection 5, obtain a personalized special registration plate with a processed
emblem. Personalized plates authorized by this section with the processed emblem shall be
limited to no more than five initials, letters, or combinations of numerals and letters.
d. A special registration plate issued for a motorcycle, autocycle, or motorized bicycle
under this section shall be designated in the manner provided for personalized registration
plates under subsection 5, paragraph “a”.
12A. Special registration plates — armed forces services.
a. An owner of a vehicle referred to in subsection 12 who applies for any type of special
registration plates associated with service in the United States armed forces shall be issued
one set of the special registration plates at no charge, but shall be subject to the annual
registration fee of fifteen dollars, if the owner is eligible for, but has relinquished to the
department or the county treasurer or has not been issued, ex-prisoner of war or legion of
merit special registration plates under this section.
b. An owner of a vehicle referred to in subsection 12 who applies for any type of special
registration plates associated with service in the United States armed forces shall be issued
one set of the special registration plates at no charge and subject to no annual registration
fee if the owner is eligible for, but has relinquished to the department or the county treasurer
or has not been issued, medal of honor registration plates under subsection 8 or disabled
veteran registration plates under section 321.105.
c. The owner shall provide the appropriate information regarding the owner’s eligibility
for any of the special registration plates described in paragraph “a” or “b”, and regarding
the owner’s eligibility for the special registration plates for which the owner has applied, as
required by the department.
d. The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection
may continue to use the special plates subject to registration of the special plates in the
surviving spouse’s name and upon payment of the same annual registration fee, if applicable.
If the surviving spouse remarries, the surviving spouse shall return the special plates to the
departmentandthedepartmentshallissueregularregistrationplatestothesurvivingspouse.
13. Special plates displaying organization decal.
a. (1) The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration pursuant to section 321.109,
subsection 1, autocycle, motor truck, motor home, multipurpose vehicle, motorcycle, trailer,
or travel trailer may upon request be issued special registration plates that contain a space
reserved for the placement of an organization decal. If the special plates are requested at the
timeofinitialapplicationforregistrationandcertificateoftitleforthevehicle,nospecialplate
fee is required other than the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. If the special
plates are requested as replacement plates, the owner shall surrender the current regular or
specialregistrationplatesinexchangeforthespecialplatesandshallpayareplacementplate
fee of five dollars. The county treasurer shall validate special plates with an organization
decal in the same manner as regular plates, upon payment of the annual registration fee.
(2) An applicant may obtain a personalized special registration plate with space reserved
for an organization decal, subject to the additional fees for a personalized plate as provided
in subsection 5. Personalized plates with space reserved for an organization decal shall be
limited to no more than five initials, letters, or combinations of numerals and letters.
b. (1) An organization may apply to the department for approval to issue a decal to be

displayed on vehicle registration plates. To qualify for such approval, an organization shall
meet the following requirements:
(a) The primary activity or interest of the organization serves the community, contributes
to the welfare of others, and is not discriminatory in its purpose, nature, activity, or name.
(b) The name and purpose of the organization do not promote any specific product or
brand name that is provided for sale.
(c) The organization is a nonprofit corporation which is exempt from taxation under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is organized under the laws of this state
or authorized to do business within this state.
(2) Thedepartmentmayacceptanapplicationforadecaldesignfromagroupofnonprofit
organizations with a common purpose, provided that each organization within the group
meets the requirements for a qualifying organization established by the department under
this subsection.
c. An organization desiring to issue a decal shall submit an application to the department
on a form to be provided by the department. Along with the application, the organization
shall furnish to the department all of the following:
(1) A copy of the articles of incorporation for the organization.
(2) A copy of the charter or by-laws for the organization.
(3) Any Internal Revenue Service rulings concerning the organization’s nonprofit tax
exemption status.
(4) A color copy of the completed decal design.
(5) Aclearandconciseexplanationofthepurposeofthedecal, alleligibilityrequirements
for purchasing the decal, and fees to be charged for the decal.
(6) Certification by the person who has legal rights to the decal design allowing use of the
design.
(7) Any other information required by the department.
d. The department shall consider a proposed decal design based upon criteria established
by the department, which shall include but not be limited to the following:
(1) A decal shall not promote a specific religion, faith, or anti-religious sentiment.
(2) A decal shall not have any sexual connotation and shall not be vulgar, prejudiced,
hostile, insulting, or racially or ethnically degrading.
e. Upon approval by the department of an organization’s application to issue a decal
and approval of the design of the decal, the organization is responsible for the production,
administration, and issuance of the decal. An organization shall not issue a decal that has
not been approved by the department or alter the approved design of a decal without the
department’s approval.
f. A person shall not display a decal on a vehicle registration plate other than a decal
approved by the department.
g. The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A as necessary to implement
this subsection.
14. Persons with disabilities special plates. An owner referred to in subsection 12 or an
owner of a trailer used to transport a wheelchair who is a person with a disability, or who is
the parent or guardian of a child who resides with the parent or guardian owner and who
is a person with a disability, as defined in section 321L.1, may, upon written application to
the department, order special registration plates with a persons with disabilities processed
emblem designed by the department bearing the international symbol of accessibility. The
special registration plates with a persons with disabilities processed emblem shall only
be issued if the application is accompanied with a statement from a physician licensed
under chapter 148 or 149, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 148C, an advanced
registered nurse practitioner licensed under chapter 152, a chiropractor licensed under
chapter 151, an occupational therapist licensed under chapter 148B, or a physical therapist
licensed under chapter 148A, written on the physician’s, physician assistant’s, nurse
practitioner’s, chiropractor’s, occupational therapist’s, or physical therapist’s stationery,
stating the nature of the applicant’s or the applicant’s child’s disability and such additional
information as required by rules adopted by the department, including proof of residency of
a child who is a person with a disability. If the application is approved by the department,

the special registration plates with a persons with disabilities processed emblem shall be
issued to the applicant. There shall be no fee in addition to the regular annual registration
fee for the special registration plates with a persons with disabilities processed emblem.
The authorization for special registration plates with a persons with disabilities processed
emblem shall not be renewed without the applicant furnishing evidence to the department
that the owner of the vehicle or the owner’s child is still a person with a disability as defined
in section 321L.1. An owner who has a child who is a person with a disability shall provide
satisfactory evidence to the department that the child with a disability continues to reside
with the owner. The registration plates with a persons with disabilities processed emblem
shall be surrendered in exchange for regular registration plates as provided in subsection
12 when the owner of the vehicle or the owner’s child no longer qualifies as a person with
a disability as defined in section 321L.1 or when the owner’s child who is a person with a
disability no longer resides with the owner.
15. Legion of merit special plates.
a. The owner of a motor vehicle subject to registration under section 321.109, subsection
1, autocycle, motorcycle, trailer, or motor truck who has been awarded the legion of merit
shall be issued one set of special registration plates with a legion of merit processed emblem,
uponwrittenapplicationtothedepartmentandpresentationofsatisfactoryproofoftheaward
of the legion of merit as established by the Congress of the United States. The emblem shall
be designed by the department in cooperation with the adjutant general and shall signify
that the owner was awarded the legion of merit. The application is subject to approval by the
department, in consultation with the adjutant general. The special plates shall be issued at no
charge and are subject to an annual registration fee of fifteen dollars. The county treasurer
shallvalidatethespecialplatesinthesamemannerasregularregistrationplatesarevalidated
under this section.
b. The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection
may continue to use or apply for and use the special plates subject to registration of the
special plates in the surviving spouse’s name and upon payment of the annual registration
fee. If the surviving spouse remarries, the surviving spouse shall return the special plates
to the department and the department shall issue regular registration plates to the surviving
spouse.
16. National guard special plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who is a member of the national guard, as
defined in chapter 29A, may, upon written application to the department, order special
registration plates with a national guard processed emblem with the emblem designed by
the department in cooperation with the adjutant general which emblem signifies that the
applicant is a member of the national guard. The application shall be approved by the
department in consultation with the adjutant general. The special plate fees collected by the
director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number
designated national guard plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and
annual validation of personalized national guard plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer
of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly
from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the
veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected
under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for national guard plates.
Special registration plates with a national guard processed emblem shall be surrendered, as
provided in subsection 12, in exchange for regular registration plates upon termination of
the owner’s membership in the active national guard.
b. Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special
registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates
with a national guard processed emblem at no charge.
c. The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection
maycontinuetouseorapplyforandusethespecialplatessubjecttoregistrationofthespecial
platesinthesurvivingspouse’snameanduponpaymentoftheannualfive-dollarspecialplate
fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. If the surviving spouse remarries,

the surviving spouse shall return the special plates to the department and the department
shall issue regular registration plates to the surviving spouse.
17. Pearl Harbor special plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as a member of
the armed services of the United States on December 7, 1941, may, upon written application
to the department, order special registration plates with a Pearl Harbor processed emblem.
The emblem shall be designed by the department in consultation with service organizations.
The application is subject to approval by the department. The special plate fees collected by
the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number
designated Pearl Harbor plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and
annualvalidationofpersonalizedPearlHarborplatesshallbepaidmonthlytothetreasurerof
stateanddepositedintheroadusetaxfund. Thetreasurerofstateshalltransfermonthlyfrom
the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans
license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under
subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for Pearl Harbor plates.
b. Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special
registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates
with a Pearl Harbor processed emblem at no charge.
c. The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection
maycontinuetouseorapplyforandusethespecialplatessubjecttoregistrationofthespecial
platesinthesurvivingspouse’snameanduponpaymentoftheannualfive-dollarspecialplate
fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. If the surviving spouse remarries,
the surviving spouse shall return the special plates to the department and the department
shall issue regular registration plates to the surviving spouse.
18. Purple heart special plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was awarded a purple heart medal by the
United States government for wounds received in military or naval combat against an armed
enemy of the United States may, upon written application to the department and presentation
of satisfactory proof of the award of the purple heart medal, order special registration
plates with a purple heart processed emblem. The design of the emblem shall include a
representation of a purple heart medal and ribbon. The application is subject to approval by
the department in consultation with the adjutant general. The special plate fees collected by
the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number
designated purple heart plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and
annual validation of personalized purple heart plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer
of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly
from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the
veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected
under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for purple heart plates.
b. Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special
registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates
with a purple heart processed emblem at no charge.
c. The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection
maycontinuetouseorapplyforandusethespecialplatessubjecttoregistrationofthespecial
platesinthesurvivingspouse’snameanduponpaymentoftheannualfive-dollarspecialplate
fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. If the surviving spouse remarries,
the surviving spouse shall return the special plates to the department and the department
shall issue regular registration plates to the surviving spouse.
19. United States armed forces retired special plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who is a retired member of the United States
armed forces may, upon written application to the department and upon presentation of
satisfactory proof of membership, order special registration plates with a United States
armed forces retired processed emblem. The emblem shall be designed by the department
in consultation with service organizations. The application is subject to approval by the
department. For purposes of this subsection, a person is considered to be retired if the
person is recognized by the United States armed forces as retired from the United States

armed forces. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph
“a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated armed forces retired plates, and
subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized armed
forces retired plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road
use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations
fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in
section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”,
in the previous month for armed forces retired plates.
b. Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special
registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates
with an armed forces retired processed emblem at no charge.
c. The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection
maycontinuetouseorapplyforandusethespecialplatessubjecttoregistrationofthespecial
platesinthesurvivingspouse’snameanduponpaymentoftheannualfive-dollarspecialplate
fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. If the surviving spouse remarries,
the surviving spouse shall return the special plates to the department and the department
shall issue regular registration plates to the surviving spouse.
20. Silver or bronze star plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was awarded a silver or a bronze star
by the United States government, may, upon written application to the department and
presentation of satisfactory proof of the award of the silver or bronze star, order special
registration plates with a silver or bronze star processed emblem. The emblem shall be
designed by the department in consultation with the adjutant general. The special plate fees
collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of
letter-number designated silver star and bronze star plates, and subsection 12, paragraph
“c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized silver star and bronze star
plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund.
The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created
under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section
35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the
previous month for silver star and bronze star plates.
b. Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special
registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates
with a silver star or bronze star processed emblem at no charge.
c. The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection
maycontinuetouseorapplyforandusethespecialplatessubjecttoregistrationofthespecial
platesinthesurvivingspouse’snameanduponpaymentoftheannualfive-dollarspecialplate
fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. If the surviving spouse remarries,
the surviving spouse shall return the special plates to the department and the department
shall issue regular registration plates to the surviving spouse.
20A. Distinguished service, navy, or air force cross plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was awarded a distinguished service cross,
a navy cross, or an air force cross by the United States government may, upon written
application to the department and presentation of satisfactory proof of the award, order
special registration plates with a distinguished service cross, navy cross, or air force cross
processed emblem. The emblem shall be designed by the department in consultation with
the adjutant general. The special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12,
paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated distinguished service
cross, navy cross, and air force cross plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the
issuance and annual validation of personalized distinguished service cross, navy cross, and
air force cross plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road
use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations
fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in
section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”,
in the previous month for distinguished service cross, navy cross, and air force cross plates.
b. Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special

registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates
with a distinguished service cross, navy cross, or air force cross processed emblem at no
charge.
c. The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection
maycontinuetouseorapplyforandusethespecialplatessubjecttoregistrationofthespecial
platesinthesurvivingspouse’snameanduponpaymentoftheannualfive-dollarspecialplate
fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. If the surviving spouse remarries,
the surviving spouse shall return the special plates to the department and the department
shall issue regular registration plates to the surviving spouse.
20B. Soldier’s, navy and marine corps, or airman’s medal plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was awarded a soldier’s medal, a navy
and marine corps medal, or an airman’s medal by the United States government may, upon
written application to the department and presentation of satisfactory proof of the award,
order special registration plates with a soldier’s medal, navy and marine corps medal, or
airman’s medal processed emblem. The emblem shall be designed by the department in
consultation with the adjutant general. The special plate fees collected by the director
under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated
soldier’s medal, navy and marine corps medal, and airman’s medal plates, and subsection
12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of personalized soldier’s medal,
navy and marine corps medal, and airman’s medal plates shall be paid monthly to the
treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer
monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2,
to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees
collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for soldier’s medal,
navy and marine corps medal, and airman’s medal plates.
b. Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special
registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates
with a soldier’s medal, navy and marine corps medal, or airman’s medal processed emblem
at no charge.
c. The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection
maycontinuetouseorapplyforandusethespecialplatessubjecttoregistrationofthespecial
platesinthesurvivingspouse’snameanduponpaymentoftheannualfive-dollarspecialplate
fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. If the surviving spouse remarries,
the surviving spouse shall return the special plates to the department and the department
shall issue regular registration plates to the surviving spouse.
20C. Combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force
combat action medal, and combat medical badge plates.
a. The department, in consultation with the adjutant general, shall design combat
infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action
medal, and combat medical badge distinguishing processed emblems. Upon receipt of two
hundred fifty orders for combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action
ribbon, air force combat action medal, or combat medical badge special registration plates,
accompanied by a start-up fee of twenty dollars per order, the department shall begin issuing
special registration plates with the applicable distinguishing processed emblem as provided
in paragraphs “b”, “c”, and “d”. The minimum order requirement shall apply separately to
each of the special registration plates created under this subsection.
b. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who was awarded a combat infantryman badge,
combatactionbadge,combatactionribbon,airforcecombatactionmedal,orcombatmedical
badge by the United States government may, upon written application to the department
and presentation of satisfactory proof of the award, order special registration plates with
a combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat
actionmedal,orcombatmedicalbadgeprocessedemblem. Thespecialplatefeescollectedby
the director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number
designated combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force
combat action medal, and combat medical badge plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”,
from the issuance and annual validation of personalized combat infantryman badge, combat

action badge, combat action ribbon, air force combat action medal, and combat medical
badge plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax
fund. Thetreasurerofstateshalltransfermonthlyfromthestatutoryallocationsfundcreated
under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11
the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous
month for combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force
combat action medal, and combat medical badge plates.
c. Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special
registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates
with a combat infantryman badge, combat action badge, combat action ribbon, air force
combat action medal, or combat medical badge distinguishing processed emblem at no
charge.
d. The surviving spouse of a person who was issued special plates under this subsection
maycontinuetouseorapplyforandusethespecialplatessubjecttoregistrationofthespecial
platesinthesurvivingspouse’snameanduponpaymentoftheannualfive-dollarspecialplate
fee and the regular annual registration fee for the vehicle. If the surviving spouse remarries,
the surviving spouse shall return the special plates to the department and the department
shall issue regular registration plates to the surviving spouse.
21. Iowa heritage special plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12 may, upon written application to the department,
order special registration plates with an Iowa heritage emblem. The emblem shall contain a
picture of the American gothic house and the words “Iowa Heritage” and shall be designed
by the department in consultation with the state historical society of Iowa.
b. The special Iowa heritage fee for letter-number designated plates is thirty-five dollars.
ThespecialfeeforpersonalizedIowaheritageplatesistwenty-fivedollarswhichshallbepaid
in addition to the special fee of thirty-five dollars. The annual special Iowa heritage fee is ten
dollars for letter-number designated registration plates and is fifteen dollars for personalized
registration plates which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
c. The special fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to
thetreasurerofstateanddepositedintheroadusetaxfund. Thetreasurerofstateshallcredit
monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to
the Iowa heritage fund created under section 8A.709 the amount of the special fees collected
in the previous month for the Iowa heritage plates.
22. Education plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12, upon written application to the department, may
order special registration plates with an education emblem. The education emblem shall be
designed by the department in cooperation with the department of education.
b. The special school transportation fee for letter-number designated education plates is
thirty-fivedollars. Thefeeforpersonalizededucationplatesistwenty-fivedollars,whichshall
be paid in addition to the special school transportation fee of thirty-five dollars. The annual
specialschooltransportationfeeistendollarsforletter-numberdesignatedregistrationplates
and is fifteen dollars for personalized registration plates which shall be paid in addition to
the regular annual registration fee. The fees collected by the director under this subsection
shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The
treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under
section 321.145, subsection 2, to the school budget review committee in accordance with
section 257.31, subsection 17, the amount of the special school transportation fees collected
in the previous month for the education plates.
23. Breast cancer awareness plates.
a. Upon application and payment of the proper fees, the director may issue breast cancer
awareness plates to an owner of a motor vehicle referred to in subsection 12.
b. Breast cancer awareness plates shall contain an image of a pink ribbon and shall be
designed by the department in consultation with the Susan G. Komen foundation.
c. The special fee for letter-number designated breast cancer awareness plates is
thirty-five dollars. The fee for personalized breast cancer awareness plates is twenty-five
dollars, whichshallbepaidinadditiontothespecialbreastcancerawarenessfeeofthirty-five

dollars. The fees collected by the director under this subsection shall be paid monthly to the
treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer
monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to
the department of health and human services the amount of the special fees collected in the
previous month for the breast cancer awareness plates and such funds are appropriated to
the department of health and human services. The department of health and human services
shall distribute one hundred percent of the funds received monthly in the form of grants to
support breast cancer screenings for both men and women who meet eligibility requirements
like those established by the Susan G. Komen foundation. In the awarding of grants, the
department of health and human services shall give first consideration to affiliates of the
Susan G. Komen foundation and similar nonprofit organizations providing for breast cancer
screenings at no cost in Iowa. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys transferred under this
subsection shall not revert to the general fund of the state.
d. Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current
registration plates to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall validate the special
registration plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under
this section. The annual special breast cancer awareness fee for letter-number designated
plates is ten dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee.
The annual special fee for personalized breast cancer awareness plates is five dollars, which
shall be paid in addition to the annual special breast cancer awareness fee and the regular
annual registration fee. The annual special breast cancer awareness fee shall be credited
and transferred as provided under paragraph “c”.
24. Gold star plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who is the surviving spouse, parent, child, or
sibling of a deceased member of the United States armed forces who died while serving on
active duty during a time of military conflict or who died as a result of such service may
order special registration plates bearing a gold star emblem upon written application to the
department accompanied by satisfactory supporting documentation as determined by the
department. The gold star emblem shall be designed by the department in cooperation with
the commission of veterans affairs. The special plate fees collected by the director under
subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number designated gold
star plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance and annual validation of
personalized gold star plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited
in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory
allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the veterans license fee
fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12,
paragraph “a”, in the previous month for gold star plates.
b. Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for special
registration plates under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates
bearing a gold star emblem at no charge.
25. Civil war sesquicentennial plates.
a. The department, in consultation with the adjutant general, shall design a civil war
sesquicentennial distinguishing processed emblem. Upon receipt of two hundred fifty orders
for civil war sesquicentennial special registration plates, accompanied by a start-up fee of
twenty dollars per order, the department shall begin issuing special registration plates with
a civil war sesquicentennial processed emblem as provided in paragraph “b”.
b. An owner referred to in subsection 12, upon written application to the department, may
order special registration plates with a civil war sesquicentennial processed emblem. The
special plate fees collected by the director under subsection 12, paragraphs “a” and “c”, from
the issuance and annual validation of letter-number designated and personalized civil war
sesquicentennial plates shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state and deposited in the
road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations
fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the department of administrative
services the amount of the special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the
previous month for civil war sesquicentennial plates, and such funds are appropriated to the
department of administrative services to be used for the Iowa battle flag project.

26. Fallen peace officers plates.
a. The department, in consultation with the department of public safety and concerns of
police survivors, inc., shall design a fallen peace officers distinguishing processed emblem.
Upon receipt of two hundred fifty orders for fallen peace officers special registration plates,
accompanied by a start-up fee of twenty dollars per order, the department shall begin issuing
special registration plates with a fallen peace officers processed emblem as provided in
paragraphs “b” and “c”.
b. An owner of a motor vehicle referred to in subsection 12, upon written application to
the department, may order special registration plates with a fallen peace officers processed
emblem. Thespecialfeeforletter-numberdesignatedfallenpeaceofficersplatesisthirty-five
dollars. The fee for personalized fallen peace officers plates is twenty-five dollars, which
shall be paid in addition to the special fallen peace officers fee of thirty-five dollars. The fees
collected by the director under this paragraph shall be paid monthly to the treasurer of state
and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state shall transfer monthly from
the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145, subsection 2, to the department
of public safety the amount of the special fees collected in the previous month for the fallen
peace officers plates and such funds are appropriated to the department of public safety.
The department of public safety shall distribute one hundred percent of the funds received
monthly in the form of grants to nonprofit organizations that provide resources to assist in
the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected coworkers of law enforcement
officers killed in the line of duty. In the awarding of grants, the department of public safety
shall give first consideration to concerns of police survivors, inc., and similar nonprofit
organizations providing such resources. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys transferred
under this subsection shall not revert to the general fund of the state.
c. Upon receipt of the special registration plates, the applicant shall surrender the current
registration plates to the county treasurer. The county treasurer shall validate the special
registration plates in the same manner as regular registration plates are validated under this
section. The annual special fallen peace officers fee for letter-number designated plates is
ten dollars, which shall be paid in addition to the regular annual registration fee. The annual
special fee for personalized fallen peace officers plates is five dollars, which shall be paid in
addition to the annual special fallen peace officers fee and the regular annual registration
fee. The annual special fallen peace officers fee shall be credited and transferred as provided
under paragraph “b”.
27. United States veteran plates.
a. An owner referred to in subsection 12 who served in the armed forces of the United
States and was discharged under honorable conditions may, upon written application to the
department and upon presentation of satisfactory proof of military service and discharge
under honorable conditions, order special registration plates bearing a distinguishing
processed emblem depicting the word “veteran” below an image of the American flag. The
application is subject to approval by the department. The special plate fees collected by the
director under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, from the annual validation of letter-number
designated United States veteran plates, and subsection 12, paragraph “c”, from the issuance
and annual validation of personalized United States veteran plates, shall be paid monthly
to the treasurer of state and deposited in the road use tax fund. The treasurer of state
shall transfer monthly from the statutory allocations fund created under section 321.145,
subsection 2, to the veterans license fee fund created in section 35A.11 the amount of the
special fees collected under subsection 12, paragraph “a”, in the previous month for United
States veteran plates.
b. Notwithstanding subsection 12, paragraph “a”, an owner who is approved for a special
registration plate under this subsection shall be issued one set of special registration plates
bearing a distinguishing processed emblem depicting the word “veteran” below an image of
the American flag at no charge.

Legislative History

[SS15, §1571-m5; C24, 27, 31, 35, §4874; C39, §5001.18; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.34]