“What’s New in County 22?”
This month I would like to talk about the minor school license and information I obtained from the Iowa DOT. Iowa offers a system for drivers under the age of 18. You may obtain an instruction permit, a minor school license, and then an intermediate license before you obtain your full license. The minor school license is one that I have heard is violated a lot. With school out for the summer it may be violated a lot more.
The driver of a minor school license MAY drive without adult supervision between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. using the most direct and accessible route for the following reasons:
Drive from your home to your school(s) of enrollment for school sponsored activities.
Drive to a location that is not your school of enrollment to participate in extracurricular activities. The activities must be within the school district and within 50 miles.
Drive to complete farm-related work if you live on or work on a farm in Iowa. You may drive to farm related work 50 miles or less.
Drive to and from your home to the closest school bus stop.
Stop for fuel at the closest station to your route.
Drive at any time with adult supervision.
The driver of a minor school license MAY NOT do the following:
Drive with more than one passenger that is not a relative.
Drive to work unless it’s on a farm.
Go to your convenience store for a soda.
Drive around town with your friends.
Go to another job that is not on a farm and call it farm related. The work must be on the farm.
If you are involved in a crash that you caused or contributed to, you will be subject to additional license restrictions. If you are convicted of a traffic violation such as speeding or violation of any restrictions on your license, the following will happen:
First offense: Your license will be suspended for 30 days, and you must pay a fee to reinstate your minor school license.
Second offense: Your license will be revoked for 30 days, and you must pay a fee to reinstate an instruction permit for six months before you are eligible for a minor school license.
If you have any questions, or comments, feel free to contact me anytime, e-mail me, or stop by to see me.
Thanks, and be safe,
Sheriff Mike Tschirgi