Iowa Motorcycle Info: Insurance, Licensing, Safety, and More
Motorcycle Insurance & Requirements
Iowa motorcyclists must maintain motorcycle insurance as a requirement. The insurance must carry at least:
- Bodily Injury Liability Limit for Individual: $20,000
- Bodily Injury Liability Limit for Every Person in Accident: $40,000
- Property Damage Liability Limit: $15,000
When looking for insurance quotes in Iowa, you may want to begin by looking at our review of insurance companies or get more detailed information on motorcycle insurance companies from the state regulator's website. You can see the full list of licensed insurers in the state plus get many other useful resources including information on how to file a complaint by visiting the state insurance division web site.
Licensing and Registration
To earn your license, you must pass a knowledge test and an on motorcycle skill test. The licensing skills test may be waived upon successful completion of the course. Iowa code requires any person under the age of 18 who wants a motorcycle license to successfully complete the motorcycle rider education course before the motorcycle license will be issued.
Please visit these Iowa websites for updated and detailed information
- Iowa Driver License Information
- Iowa DMV
- Department of Transportation
- Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau
Helmet Laws
The state of Iowa does not require motorcycle operators to wear protect helmets. Please ride safe and wear protective head gear. We strongly advocate the use of helmets at all times for all riders and passengers to protect from injuries.
Use our specialized search to find Iowa motorcycle resources
Motorcycle Safety Schools and Training Programs
Many states offer motorcycle safety training programs and most insurance companies will offer discounts to bikers that have completed a certified course.
Below is a partial list of The Motorcycle Safety Foundation Certified Safety courses in Iowa. See www.msf-usa.org for a complete and updated list
- Des Moines - Dmacc - Transportation Institute
- Cedar Rapids - Kirkwood Community College - Range 3
- Davenport - West High School
- Sioux City - Western Iowa Tech Community College
- Iowa City - Kcc - Iowa City Campus
- Ames - Zylstra Harley-davidson/buell
- Carroll - Carroll Dmacc
- Ankeny - Des Moines Area Community Coll
Accidents and Safety in Iowa
According to the National Highway Traffic Association and Federal Highway Administration, in 2008 there were 181,735 motorcycles registered in Iowa with only 48 motorcycle accident deaths in the state.
| State | Registered Motorcycles | Motorcycle Riders Killed | Percent Helmeted | Percent Not Helmeted | Impaired Riders Killed (BAC=.01+) |
| IA | 181.735 | 48 | 15% | 85% | 22% |
| MN | 248.350 | 64 | 19% | 81% | 44% |
| WI | 310.439 | 79 | 23% | 77% | 54% |
| IL | 332.031 | 121 | 26% | 74% | 47% |
| MO | 99.025 | 102 | 77% | 23% | 36% |
| NE | 43.407 | 19 | 84% | 16% | 39% |
| SD | 58.296 | 14 | 29% | 71% | 21% |
Sweet Rides in Iowa
Here are some of the designated highways to consider for a ride. Enjoy the beautiful vistas the state has to offer bikers.
- Great River Road
- Loess Hills Scenic Byway
- Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway
- Driftless Area Scenic Byway
- Grant Wood Scenic Byway
- Historic Hills Scenic Byway
- Iowa Valley Scenic Byway
- Old O'Brien Glacial Trail Scenic Byway
- River Bluffs Scenic Byway
- Western Skies Scenic Byway
Biking Clubs
- Iron Pegasus Motorcycle Touring Club
Useful Resources
Learn about motorcycling in neighboring states
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