Relating to matters under the purview of the department of transportation, and including applicability provisions

This bill relates to matters under the purview of the department of transportation (DOT). CHAUFFEUR’S INSTRUCTION PERMITS. Under current law, a chauffeur’s instruction permit is valid for up to two years for the operation of a motor vehicle, other than a commercial motor vehicle, as a chauffeur when the permittee is accompanied by a person who possesses a valid class D driver’s license (chauffeur’s license) or commercial driver’s license and who is occupying a seat beside the permittee.1 defines a chauffeur as a person who operates a motor vehicle, including a school bus, to transport people for pay, with various exceptions. The bill eliminates the chauffeur’s instruction permit. Under current law and the bill, a person may apply for a class D driver’s license, and neither a knowledge test nor a driving test is required if the person holds a valid driver’s license. The person must pass a vision screening and have a clear driving record for the previous two years. ELECTRONIC ACCIDENT REPORTS. Under current law, the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person, or total property damage to an apparent extent of $1,500 or more, must within hours after the accident forward a written report of the accident to the DOT. However, such report is not required when the accident is investigated by a law enforcement agency. Every law enforcement officer who, in the regular course of duty, investigates a motor vehicle accident of which report must be made, must forward a written report of such accident to the DOT within hours after completing such investigation. _____ electronic format and in a manner approved by the DOT. ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS FOR DRIVER’S LICENSES AND NONOPERATOR’S IDENTIFICATION CARDS. Under current law, a person may be eligible to renew a driver’s license electronically pursuant to rules adopted by the DOT. The bill authorizes a person to renew a nonoperator’s identification card electronically if the person is eligible pursuant to rules adopted by the DOT. The bill also authorizes a person to replace a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card electronically if the person is eligible pursuant to rules adopted by the DOT. The fee to replace a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card is $10.189(6), to develop educational media to raise awareness of a person’s eligibility to apply for a replacement driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card electronically upon attaining the age of 21. This division of the bill applies on and after March 1, 2027, or the date the DOT submits to the Iowa administrative code editor for publication in the Iowa administrative bulletin a statement by the director of transportation that the applicable phase of the DOT’s new records system is implemented, whichever is earlier. The DOT is also required to forward a copy of the statement to the Iowa Code editor. RECORDS SYSTEM. Pursuant to current law, the DOT maintains a motor vehicle records system which is used for various purposes relating to the administration of Code chapter 321 by the DOT. In addition, each county treasurer must maintain a county records system for vehicle registration and certificate of title documents. The county records system is required to be maintained in a manner approved by the DOT. The bill strikes the requirement for county treasurers to maintain a county records system, and instead requires the DOT to maintain a records system that both the DOT and county treasurers must use for vehicle-related recordkeeping. _____ references in Code chapters 321 (motor vehicles and law of the road) and 331 (county home rule implementation) to the records system. County treasurers are required to continue to perform all duties related to the county records system prior to the applicability of this division of the bill. This division of the bill applies on and after December 1, 2028, or the date the DOT submits to the Iowa administrative code editor for publication in the Iowa administrative bulletin a statement by the director of transportation that the applicable phase of the DOT’s new records system is implemented, whichever is earlier. The DOT is also required to forward a copy of the statement to the Iowa Code editor. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. The bill adds a person’s electronic mail address to the definition of “personal information” for purposes of DOT records, and prohibits the DOT from disclosing a person’s electronic mail address or telephone number, other than to specified parties, regardless of the person’s consent to the disclosure. The bill authorizes the DOT to communicate using electronic methods to provide documents including notifications, reminders, and other pieces of correspondence, other than a notice of a sanction, to persons who consent to the electronic communication. In accordance with current law, unless a different method of giving notice is expressly prescribed, the DOT must give notice, including notice of a sanction under the bill, by personal delivery to the person, by personal service in the manner of original notice by rule of civil procedure, or by first class mail addressed to the person at the address shown in the DOT’s records. _____ is earlier. The DOT is also required to forward a copy of the statement to the Iowa Code editor.