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May 26, 2016

Iowa Vehicle Identification Number
Where can I request a copy of a vehicle history in the state of Iowa?

The state of Iowa allows for certain individuals to obtain vehicle histories, title research, registration research, owner name research, bonded certificates of title, official vehicle title and registration as outlined in the Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act and Iowa Code 321.11. An individual can request the vehicle history of a car if they fill out the Privacy Act Agreement for Request of Motor Vehicle Records, which is often used for businesses or for criminal investigations; however, individuals can request the information on a vehicle with a copy of a drivers license and a notarized letter. This can be obtained in writing, by mail, or in person:

Office of Vehicle & Motor Carrier Services

Iowa Department of Transportation

P.O. Box 9278

Des Moines, Iowa 50306-9278

Fax: 515-237-3056

The link on the state’s website goes to the National Motor Vehicle Title Insurance System, which is recommended as it focuses on salvage yards, junk yards, and places which criminals often use to steal VIN numbers. There is also VINCheck which is recommended by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. It is a database which looks for cars which have been reported stolen and have not been recovered and it allows a certain number of free lookups every 24-hours on the website. It may also be a wise idea to pay for private companies to perform a VIN check as they often give you more information than those which are free are able to offer.

An NMVTIS vehicle history on a vehicle will tell you information such as:

  • History of Accidents;
  • Any recall history of this make/model of car;
  • The history of the odometer reading;
  • If the car is stolen or if it ever had been before;
  • If the car was used in a loan or if there are outstanding liens on the car. If there are then you may end up being responsible for the money owed before you can even get the title in your name; and
  • If a car has sustained flood damage it is almost impossible to repair and if it is repairable it would be extremely expense. The NTMVIS database will be able to identify cars which were involved in floods or other natural disasters.

Privacy Act Agreement for Request of Motor Vehicle Records

Iowa Department of Transportation

NCIB

NMVTIS

Online Services in Iowa

Lemon Laws in Iowa

The Iowa Lemon Law is in the Iowa Legislature in Chapter 322G “Defective Motor Vehicles” covers vehicles purchased or leased in the state of Iowa, or vehicles purchased in other states if the consumer is a resident of the state of Iowa when the consumer’s rights under the lemon law are asserted. Iowa is one of the few states which has a lemon law for used cars, but mopeds, motorcycles, and motor homes are not covered. The lemon law excludes vehicles with a GVW rating of over 10,000 pounds if purchased before July 1, 2014, and a G.V.W. rating of over 15,000 pounds if purchased or leased after July 1, 2014. To qualify for the lemon law your vehicle must be:

  • Be under two years old; AND
  • Have less than 24,000 miles on it; AND
  • Weigh less than 15,000 pounds (the weight will be listed on both the title and the registration.)

To qualify as a lemon, one of the following must be true:

  • The vehicle has been in the repair shop three or more times for the same problem and the problem is still there; OR
  • The vehicle has been in the shop one time due to a defect which is likely to cause seriously bodily injury or death and the problem still exists; OR
  • The vehicle has been out of service for twenty (20) days or more and it continues to have a problem. The days do not need to be consecutive.

If your vehicle has met the above conditions then you must notify the manufacturer of the problem by certified, registered, or overnight mail. You should use the form “Motor Vehicle Defect Notification” and mail it directly to the manufacturer. Include copies of all the documents that you have received from the repair shop with a written statement of what you want done to resolve your problem. State in the letter that you want to be replied to within ten (10) days of receiving your letter. Within ten (10) days the manufacturer should contact you with the name and address of a repair shop where they will attempt to repair your car for the final time.

IF THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT CONTACT YOU WITHIN 10 DAYS, YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO GIVE THEM ANOTHER CHANCE TO FIX YOUR VEHICLE. If they do respond and are unable to fix the problem within ten (10) days, then you can request that they refund the purchase price of the vehicle or replace the vehicle. If they refund your money, then you will receive an amount which is based on an evaluation of your car.

If the manufacturer does not resolve your complaint satisfactory then you must use the Certified Dispute Program, if they are a manufacturer who participates. If they have a manufacturer dispute program which is not certified, you can still use that program if you choose.

If your complaint has still not been resolved, you can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer under the Iowa Lemon Law; however, you must file within one (1) year of whichever event comes first:

  • The expiration of the manufacturer’s express warranty;
  • The first 24,000 responsible by one (1) customer; or
  • The first two (2) years of ownership.
Lemon Law for Used Cars

Used car dealers in the state of Iowa who sell at least six (6) used cars in a 12-month period are bound by the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Used Car Rule. This rule, a Federal law, states that a Buyer’s Guide must be included when you sell a car which gives potential buyers more information about the vehicle. These guides must be in an obvious location, such as under the windshield wiper, and include information including the VIN number, vehicle make, model, model year, and explain any problems in the mechanical and electrical systems of the car. It must inform the buyer of any express warranties that are applicable to the car, including an original manufacturer’s warranty or any warranty or service contract provided by the dealer. The rights of the buyer must also be included in the Buyer’s Guide, one of which is to have an independent mechanic or inspector look at the vehicle, and to get all promises made by the dealer in writing.

Iowa state law requires used car dealers to honor any implied warranty related to a used car, even those which are sold “as is.” The standard expectation of an individual purchasing a used car is that it is: capable of normal driving and use, is free of unreasonably hazardous conditions, has no unexpected major problems, and is similar in quality to cars of a comparable price range. Further, if a car dealer tells the buyer that the car is good for a specific amount of time or for a specific purpose then they have created an implied warranty which is enforceable under Iowa state laws (Iowa Code 321.69.)

DO NOT TRUST ANYTHING THE CAR DEALER TELLS YOU UNLESS HE/SHE IS WILLING TO PUT IT IN WRITING!

If you have a complaint or if you need more information you should contact the Iowa Attorney General, at:

Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division

Hoover Building

Des Moines, IA 50319

515-281-5926

888-777-4590

Iowa Attorney General

Do I need to hire an attorney for a lemon law case?

You don’t need to hire an attorney and the system was designed to protect consumers from large corporations who were not holding up their end of the deal (car manufacturers.) But you should consider that the car manufacturer will have attorneys on their side of the table trying to win for their clients and discredit you, you might as well have the same. You should ask any friends or family if they have any recommendations for an attorney. If they don’t you can contact the Iowa Bar Association for recommendations.

Here are some things you should ask an attorney before you hire them:

  • How many cases have they won and lost?
  • Do they have any references with whom you can speak?
  • Do they require money upfront or do they take cases on a contingency basis?

If you are concerned about the safety of a vehicle you can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or call the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

Iowa Legal Aid

Iowa Lemon Laws: Used Car Regulations

Iowa Lemon Law

Motor Vehicle Defect Notification

A list of certified and non-certified programs for car manufacturers and consumers in the state of Iowa

Iowa Find A Lawyer

Standards Of The Iowa Lemon Law

NHTSA

Iowa Lemon Laws

Iowa DOT Driver’s License
Department of Transportation
3708 Lincoln Way
1 515-296-2393

Iowa Department of Transportation, Drivers License Office
Driver’s License Office
3726 Queen Ct SW #204
1 319-377-6461
Open until 5:00 PM

Iowa Department Of Transportation, Drivers License
City Government Office
2839 N Court Rd

Ankeny driver’s license station
Driver’s License Office
6310 SE Convenience Blvd
1 515-244-1052
Open until 5:00 PM

Transportation Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
1700 S 1st Ave
1 319-338-5294
Open until 5:00 PM

Iowa Department of Transportation
Department of Transportation
Crossroads Mall
2060 Crossroads Blvd
1 319-235-0902
Open until 5:00 PM

Driver’s License Examiner
Driver’s License Office
902 W Kimberly Rd #60
1 563-386-1050
Open until 5:00 PM

Driver’s License Examiner
Driver’s License Office
1751 Madison Ave #330
1 712-323-1219
Open until 5:00 PM

Dubuque Driver’s License Station
Driver’s License Office
2460 Gateway Dr
1 563-583-9844
Open until 5:00 PM

Iowa Department of Transportation
Driver’s License Office
Marshalltown Mall
2500 S Center St
1 641-752-5668

Motor Vehicle-Drivers License
Department of Motor Vehicles
3005 Hamilton Blvd
1 712-255-5539
Open until 5:00 PM

Drivers License Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
316 S 2nd St
1 563-243-7144
Open until 5:00 PM

Drivers License Muscatine
Driver’s License Office
Muscatine Mall
1903 Park Ave #37
1 563-263-5414
Open until 5:00 PM

Bremer County Drivers License
Department of Motor Vehicles
415 E Bremer Ave # 1
1 319-352-2615

County of Dallas: Drivers License Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
918 Court St
1 515-993-6992
Open until 4:30 PM

Jasper County Drivers License Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
101 1st St N #102
1 641-792-3815
Open until 4:30 PM

Iowa Department of Transportation – Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
2849 N Court St
1 641-682-4855
Open until 5:00 PM

Burilington Drivers License Office
Driver’s License Office
550 S Gear Ave
1 319-754-8767

Drivers License Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
1900 Grand Avenue # B4
1 712-262-6278
Open until 5:00 PM

Benton County Treasurer’s Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
Benton County Department of Human Services
111 E 4th St #2
1 319-472-2450
Open until 4:30 PM

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
1 E Main St
1 641-754-6360

Jefferson County Treasurer
Tax Department
51 W Briggs Ave
1 641-472-2349
Open until 4:30 PM

Drivers License Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
2313 1st Ave S
1 515-573-5141

Transportation-Drivers License
Department of Motor Vehicles
501 N Carroll St Suite 1
1 712-792-5269

Elkader Drivers License
Department of Motor Vehicles
600 Gunder Rd
1 563-245-3200

Drivers License Office
Driver’s License Office
2500 S Center St
1 641-752-5668

Warren County Driver’s License Division
Driver’s License Office
301 N Buxton St #102
1 515-961-1144
Open until 4:30 PM

Cass County Treasurer’s Office
Tax Collector’s Office
5 W 7th St
1 712-243-2975

Marion County Drivers License
Department of Motor Vehicles
214 E Main St
1 641-828-2204

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Transportation
114 W State St
1 515-295-7724

Wapello County Motor Vehicle
Department of Motor Vehicles
102 E Main St
1 641-683-4636

Iowa Department of Transportation
Department of Transportation
I-35

Wayne County Treasurers
Department of Motor Vehicles
100 N Lafayette St
1 641-872-2515

Jackson County Driver License
Department of Motor Vehicles
Jackson County Courthouse
201 W Platt St
1 563-652-2617

Crawford County Driver License
Department of Motor Vehicles
1 712-263-3439

Butler County Drivers License
Department of Motor Vehicles
428 6th St
1 319-267-2145

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
Webster County Sheriff’s Office
701 Central Ave
1 515-576-4611

Jones County Drivers License
Department of Motor Vehicles
500 W Main St #106
1 319-462-2137

Department of Transportation of Mason City
Department of Transportation
1622 N Federal Ave
1 641-423-8391

Iowa Department of Transportation
Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
1 515-239-1101
Open until 4:30 PM

Sac County Drivers License
Department of Motor Vehicles
100 N W State St
1 712-662-4578

Winnebago County Motor Vehicle
Department of Motor Vehicles
126 S Clark St
1 641-585-4430

Drivers License Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
104 1st St NE
1 712-737-8430

Cedar County Driver License
County Government Office
400 Cedar St
1 563-886-2557

Allamakee County Drivers License
Department of Motor Vehicles
110 Allamakee St NW
1 563-568-3793

Davis County Drivers License
County Government Office
100 Courthouse Sq # 8
1 641-664-2155

Page County Treasurer
Tax Department
112 E Main St
1 712-542-5310

Sioux County Motor Vehicle
Department of Motor Vehicles
104 1st St NE
1 712-737-2222

Jones County Treasurer
Tax Department
500 W Main St #106
1 319-462-3559

Treasurer-Auto Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
210 5th Ave NE
1 319-334-2005

Linn County Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
935 2nd St SW
1 319-892-5500
Open until 5:00 PM

Hancock County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
855 State St
1 641-923-3122

Plymouth County Driver License
Department of Motor Vehicles
215 4th Ave SE #107
1 712-546-1663

County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
1010 Broadway St # 1
1 712-852-3844

Hardin County Treasurer
Department of Motor Vehicles
1215 Edgington Ave
1 641-939-8238

Poweshiek Treasurer Auto Department
County Government Office
302 E Main St
1 641-623-2137

Greene County Driver License
Department of Motor Vehicles
114 N Chestnut St
1 515-386-5675

Story County Vehicle Registration
Department of Motor Vehicles
900 6th St
1 515-382-7340
Open until 5:00 PM

Shelby County Motor Vehicle
Department of Motor Vehicles
612 Court St
1 712-755-5898

Worth County Treasurer’s Office
County Government Office
822 Central Ave
1 641-324-2942

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