Issuance Questions
Why did the Iowa DOT make this change?
The existing “over-the-counter” process does not provide an opportunity before issuance to determine if an individual has a driver’s license (DL) or identification (ID) card in other names or to prevent the use of a false or nonexistent address.Under central issuance, an individual’s photo is compared to others on file before a DL/ID card is issued.
If there is a “hit” that indicates the individual has a DL or ID card in another identity, an Iowa DOT motor vehicle enforcement investigator will review the photos and application to determine if the DL/ID card should be issued or if it should be held as the product of fraud or identity theft. Because the DL/ID card will be mailed to the address given, and because the address must be authenticated, the opportunity for a person to use a false or nonexistent address will be eliminated.
When will the central issuance process begin?
The transition from the over the counter to central issuance process is currently scheduled to take place during February 2010.
Where will the cards be produced and shipped from to Iowans?
The DL and ID cards will be produced at a facility in the United States by an experienced issuance firm that has secure facilities and processes, and employs persons that have undergone rigorous background checks.
What will change for Iowans with this new central issuance program?
The only change is that individuals will leave a DL station or county issuance site with their existing DL/ID card and a temporary permit or ID card valid for 30 days (or just the 30-day temporary permit or ID card if they do not already have a DL or ID card), and then receive their new DL/ID card by U.S. mail within two weeks. Everything else remains the same, including the fee.
What will the temporary permit or ID card look like?
The document will be made of heavy card stock and will include built-in security features, a photograph, and name and address of the individual — the same information as on any DL or ID card. It will include an expiration date that is 30 days from the date of issuance.
Does central issuance affect both driver’s licenses and identification cards?
Yes. It affects all DL and ID cards.
How much more will this cost?
There is no increased cost to individuals.
My DL or ID card is good for a few more years. Do I need to do anything now?
No. Central issuance does not affect the validity of any current, valid DL or ID card.
How will the DL or ID card be mailed so that it is not obvious there is a card inside and the card is not visible from the outside?
The card will be mailed in a regular envelope through the U.S. Postal Service, similar to the way a credit card is mailed. The envelope will be unmarked and will not suggest or reveal the contents. Before going to the U.S. Postal Service, it will go to a facility where it will be mixed with other general mail for delivery to the post office.
How long will it take to get my DL or ID card in the mail?
You should receive your DL or ID card within two weeks. If it has been more than two weeks and you have not received your DL or ID card, you should contact the Office of Driver Services at the toll free number listed on your temporary permit or ID card. Staff in the Office of Driver Services will then confirm the location of your card and, if not held for investigatory reasons, mail the card to an appropriate address.
What happens if the post office is unable to deliver my DL or ID card?
If the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver your DL or ID card to the address you provided, it will be returned to the Iowa DOT. The Iowa DOT will hold the card pending contact from you indicating you did not receive the card. Again, if it has been more than two weeks and you have not received your DL or ID card, you should contact the Office of Driver Services at the toll free number listed on your temporary permit or ID card. Staff in the Office of Driver Services will then confirm the location of your card and, if not held for investigatory reasons, mail the card to an appropriate address.
Do I have to pay extra for the temporary permit or ID card?
No. There is no additional charge for the temporary permit or ID card. It is included in the issuance or renewal fee for a DL or ID card.
Does the temporary permit or ID card expire?
Yes. The temporary permit or ID card will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.
If my temporary permit or ID card is lost/destroyed/put through the washer/eaten by the dog/etc., can I get another one?
Yes. There will be no charge for a duplicate temporary permit or ID card.Will businesses accept the temporary permit or ID card as identification for cashing checks, buying alcohol or tobacco products, entering gambling facilities, etc.?
Each business must decide if the temporary permit or ID card will be accepted. However, our review indicates this has not been a problem in the 22 states that currently use central issuance. The Iowa DOT is actively working to educate entities that require presentation of DLs or ID cards for business purposes so that Iowa’s temporary permits and ID cards will be recognized and accepted when issuance begins. Temporary or ID card holders should keep their temporary permit or ID card and previous card together until they receive their new card.
Will the Social Security Administration, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other government agencies accept the temporary permit or ID card as identification?
More than 60 percent of the DLs and IDs issued in the United States are distributed by states that use a central issuance system. U.S. federal agencies are very familiar with the temporary permit or ID card, but to again ensure that Iowa’s temporary permits and ID cards will be recognized and accepted when issuance begins, the Iowa DOT is also working to educate federal entities that require presentation of DLs or ID cards, including TSA. (This effort will also extend to airlines flying out of airports based in and near Iowa.) Samples of the temporary permits and ID cards will be provided to these agencies and businesses. Again, temporary permit or ID card holders should keep their temporary permit or ID card and previous card together until they receive their new card.
Can I live at one location, but have my DL or ID card mailed to another location if I have problems receiving my mail at my residential address?
Yes. Although you must still provide a valid principal residence address when you apply for a DL or ID card, and that principal residence address must appear on the face of the DL or ID card that is issued to you. The DL or ID card may be mailed to a different mailing address if you provide a mailing address at the time of application that is different than your address of principal residence. If you do provide a mailing address that is different than your principal residence address, you should make sure that it is a mailing address you can continue to use, as the Iowa DOT will continue to use that as your mailing address for future mailings and notices unless and until you advise the Iowa DOT that it has changed.
What if it appears that my DL or ID card will not arrive before my temporary permit or ID card expires? Do I have to come in to get another temporary permit or ID card?
In cases in which issuance or delivery of the card has been delayed for reasons other than investigation of fraud or identity theft, the Iowa DOT may print and mail to you a new temporary permit good for an additional 30 days, to allow for proper issuance and delivery of the card. When issuance of the card is delayed for reasons related to investigation of fraud or identity theft, issuance of a new temporary permit will be at the discretion of the Iowa DOT according to the circumstances.
What happens if the DL or ID card material or production is defective? Will the card be replaced at no cost?
If the card material or its production is defective, the Iowa DOT will replace the card at no cost to you, and will also provide an additional temporary permit to allow for issuance and delivery of the replacement card at no cost to you. Please bring the defective card to a DL station or county issuance site to apply for a replacement. These instances are expected to be minimal, as the central issuance firm will be using higher quality print equipment and new material that is more flexible and less prone to breakage than material used in the production of current DLs or ID cards.
How may I contact the Iowa DOT?
Call:
800-532-1121 - Toll-free in Iowa
515-244-9124 - Local Des Moines
515-244-8725 - Local Des Moines
E-mail: ods@dot.iowa.gov
800-532-1121 - Toll-free in Iowa
515-244-9124 - Local Des Moines
515-244-8725 - Local Des Moines
E-mail: ods@dot.iowa.gov
