From Iowa Administrative Code:

761-400.16(321) Application for certificate of title or original registration for a specially constructed, reconstructed, street rod or replica motor vehicle.

400.16(1) Definitions applicable to this rule.

a. "Ownership document for the vehicle" means the certificate of title, the manufacturer's certificate of origin, the junking certificate, or other evidence of ownership acceptable to the department.
b. "Ownership documents for essential parts" means bills of sale for all essential parts used to construct or reconstruct the vehicle. Each bill of sale shall contain a description of the part, the manufacturer's identification number of the part, if any, and the name, address, and telephone number of the seller.

400.16(2) Procedures. This subrule describes the procedures for obtaining department approval to title and register a specially constructed, reconstructed, street rod or replica motor vehicle. The procedures described are in addition to the regular procedures for titling and registering a vehicle.

a. The applicant shall apply to the county treasurer for a certificate of title and registration. The county treasurer, upon receiving an application that indicates the vehicle is a specially constructed, reconstructed, street rod or replica motor vehicle, shall forward the application to a motor vehicle investigator of the department.

b. The investigator shall contact the applicant and schedule a time and place for an examination of the vehicle and the ownership documents. The owner of the vehicle may drive or tow the vehicle to and from the examination location by completing an affidavit to drive on a form provided by the department. The form shall state that the vehicle is reasonably safe for operation and must be signed by the owner. The applicant, when appearing with the vehicle for the examination, shall submit to the investigator the ownership document for the vehicle, the ownership documents for essential parts, and a weigh ticket indicating the weight of the vehicle. However, a weigh ticket is not required for motorcycles, autocycles, trucks, truck tractors, road tractors or trailer-type vehicles.

c. If the investigator determines that the vehicle complies with 761—Chapter 450, that the integral parts and components have been identified as to ownership, and that the application has been completed properly:

(1) The investigator shall approve the application, affix to the vehicle an assigned vehicle identification number, and return the application and ownership documents to the applicant. The investigator shall authorize the county treasurer to issue a title and registration for the vehicle.

(2) If the vehicle is a passenger-type motor vehicle, the department shall determine its weight and value. The vehicle weight shall be fixed at the next even 100 pounds above the actual weight of the vehicle fully equipped, as provided in Iowa Code section 321.162. The weight and value shall constitute the basis for determining the annual registration fee under Iowa Code section 321.109, except as provided in Iowa Code section 321.113.

(3) The applicant shall then submit the ownership document for the vehicle to the county treasurer and continue with the regular title and registration process.

400.16(3) Disapproval. If the department determines that the vehicle does not comply with 761—Chapter 450, that the integral parts or components have not been identified as to ownership, or that the application has not been completed properly, then the department shall not approve the vehicle for titling and registration.

400.16(4) Model year. The model year of a specially constructed or reconstructed motor vehicle is the year the vehicle is approved by the department as a specially constructed or reconstructed motor vehicle.

761-400.51(321) Assigned identification numbers.

The department is authorized to issue to the owner an assigned vehicle identification number for a vehicle, an assigned component part number for a component part, and an assigned product identification number for a fence-line feeder, grain cart, or tank wagon. An identification number shall be assigned only if the department is satisfied as to the true identity and ownership of the vehicle, component part, fence-line feeder, grain cart or tank wagon. When an assigned vehicle identification number has been issued for a vehicle, the vehicle shall be registered and titled under that number.

An assigned component part number or an assigned product identification number shall be used only for identification purposes.

400.51(1) Issuance of an identification number.
The department shall issue an assigned vehicle identification number, assigned component part number or assigned product identification number, as applicable, only if:

a. The original number has been destroyed, removed or obliterated.

b. The vehicle has had a cab, body, or frame change and the replacement cab, body, or frame is within the manufacturer's interchangeability parts specifications catalog and is compatible with the make, model, and year of the vehicle. If the replacement cab, body, or frame change is not within the manufacturer's interchangeability parts specifications catalog or is not compatible with the make, year, and model of the vehicle, the vehicle shall be considered reconstructed and subject to rule 761—400.16(321).

c. The vehicle is a specially constructed, reconstructed, street rod or replica motor vehicle. See rule 761—400.16(321) for the requirements and procedures applicable to specially constructed, reconstructed, street rod or replica motor vehicles.

400.51(2) Procedures.

a. Request. Whenever an assigned identification number is required under subrule 400.51(1) and the request does not apply to a specially constructed, reconstructed, street rod or replica motor vehicle, the owner of the vehicle, component part, fence-line feeder, grain cart or tank wagon, or the person holding lawful custody, shall contact the department's bureau of investigation and identity protection at the address in subrule 400.6(2) and request the assignment of a number.

b. Examination. A motor vehicle investigator shall contact the owner and schedule a time and place for examination of the vehicle, component part, fence-line feeder, grain cart or tank wagon and ownership documents. The owner of the vehicle may drive or tow the vehicle to and from the examination location by completing the affidavit to drive section on the certification of compliance form. The affidavit shall state that the vehicle is reasonably safe for operation and must be signed by the owner.

If the vehicle has had a cab, body, or frame change, the owner shall have, for evidence of ownership for the replacement cab, body, or frame, a bill of sale with a description of the part, complete with the manufacturer's identification number, if any, and the name, address, and telephone number of the seller. The bill of sale, the vehicle, and the cab, body, or frame that has been replaced shall be made available for examination at the time and place scheduled.

c. Assigned vehicle identification number.

(1) The investigator upon approval of the request shall affix to the vehicle an assigned vehicle identification number and authorize the county treasurer to issue a title and registration for the vehicle.

(2) The owner shall submit the certificate of title and the registration receipt issued for the vehicle to the county treasurer. If the certificate of title is in the possession of a secured party, the county treasurer shall notify the secured party to return the certificate of title to the county treasurer for the purpose of issuing a corrected title. Upon receipt of the notification, the secured party shall submit the certificate of title within ten days. The county treasurer, upon receipt of the certificate of title and the registration receipt, shall issue a corrected title and registration receipt listing as the vehicle identification number the assigned vehicle identification number.

d. Assigned component part number. The investigator upon approval of the request shall affix to the component part an assigned component part number and give to the owner a component part form. The owner shall retain the form as a record of issuance and attachment. The form shall be made available on demand by any peace officer for examination.

e. Assigned product identification number.

The investigator upon approval of the request shall affix an assigned product identification number to the fence-line feeder, grain cart or tank wagon and give to the owner an assigned product identification number form. The owner shall retain the form as a record of issuance and attachment. The form shall be made available on demand by any peace officer for examination.

400.51(3) Fees. A certificate of title fee and a fee for a notation of a security interest, if applicable, shall be collected by the county treasurer upon issuance of a corrected certificate of title. A corrected certificate of title shall not be required for a name change.

761-400.21(321) Registration of vehicles on a restricted basis.

The department may register a vehicle which does not meet the equipment requirements of Iowa Code chapter 321, due to the particular use for which it is designed or intended. Registration may be accomplished upon payment of the appropriate fees and after inspection and certification by the department that the vehicle is not in an unsafe condition.

400.21(1) Operation of the vehicle may be restricted to a roadway to which a specific lawful speed limit applies, as specified in Iowa Code section 321.285, if the maximum speed of the vehicle is such that the operation of the vehicle would impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.

400.21(2) The department may also restrict the operation of the vehicle to daylight hours if operation of the vehicle during hours other than daylight would create a hazard.

400.21(3) A certificate of restriction shall be issued in conjunction with registration of the vehicle, listing the restrictions that apply to the operation of the vehicle.

a. Registration laws applicable to motor vehicles in general shall also apply to vehicles registered under a restricted registration.

b. The department may approve exceptions to those equipment requirements of Iowa Code chapter 321 which cannot be met due to the particular use for which the vehicle is designed or intended.

400.21(4) The department shall not register an all-terrain vehicle. The department shall not register a vehicle built on or after January 1, 1968, unless it was manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads and highways except a vehicle operated exclusively by a person with a disability, which may be registered if the department, in its discretion, determines that the vehicle is not in an unsafe condition. This subrule does not apply to a specially constructed, reconstructed, street rod or replica motor vehicle as defined in Iowa Code section 321.1.

From Iowa Statutes:

I.C.A. § 321.23. Titles to specially constructed and reconstructed vehicles, street rods, replica vehicles, and foreign vehicles

1. a. If the vehicle to be registered is a specially constructed vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, street rod, replica vehicle, or foreign vehicle, such fact shall be stated in the application. A fee of ten dollars shall be paid by the person making the application upon issuance of a certificate of title by the county treasurer. For a specially constructed vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, street rod, or replica vehicle subject to registration, the application shall be accompanied by a statement from the department authorizing the motor vehicle to be titled and registered in this state. The owner of a specially constructed vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, street rod, replica vehicle, or foreign vehicle purchased pursuant to section 578B.7 shall present documentation that such sale was completed in compliance with that section.

b. The department shall cause a physical inspection to be made of all specially constructed vehicles, reconstructed vehicles, street rods, and replica vehicles upon application for a certificate of title by the owner, to determine whether the motor vehicle complies with the definition of specially constructed vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, street rod, or replica vehicle in this chapter and to determine that the integral component parts are properly identified and that the rightful ownership is established before issuing the owner the authority to have the motor vehicle registered and titled. The purpose of the physical inspection under this section is not to determine whether the motor vehicle is in a condition safe to operate.

c. The owner of a specially constructed vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, street rod, or replica vehicle shall apply for a certificate of title and registration for the vehicle at the county treasurer's office within thirty days of the inspection. For a foreign vehicle which has been registered outside this state, the owner shall surrender to the treasurer all registration plates, registration cards, and certificates of title, or if the vehicle to be registered is from a nontitle state, the evidence of foreign registration and ownership as may be prescribed by the department except as provided in subsection 2.

d. Upon completion of every specially constructed vehicle, reconstructed vehicle, street rod, or replica vehicle, the owner shall certify on a form prescribed by the department that such vehicle is in compliance with all equipment specifications required under this chapter.

2. Where in the course of operation of a vehicle registered in another state it is desirable to retain registration of said vehicle in such other state, such applicant need not surrender but shall submit for inspection said evidence of such foreign registration and the treasurer upon a proper showing shall register said vehicle in this state but shall not issue a certificate of title for such vehicle.

3. In the event an applicant for registration of a foreign vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued is able to furnish evidence of being the registered owner of the vehicle to the county treasurer of the owner's residence, although unable to surrender such certificate of title, the county treasurer may issue a registration receipt and plates upon receipt of the required annual registration fee and the fee for new registration but shall not issue a certificate of title thereto. Upon surrender of the certificate of title from the foreign state, the county treasurer shall issue a certificate of title to the owner, or person entitled thereto, of such vehicle as provided in this chapter. The owner of a vehicle registered under this subsection shall not be required to obtain a certificate of title in this state and may transfer ownership of the vehicle to a motor vehicle dealer licensed under chapter 322 if, at the time of the transfer, the certificate of title is held by a secured party and the dealer has forwarded to the secured party the sum necessary to discharge the security interest pursuant to section 321.48, subsection 1.

4. A vehicle which does not meet the equipment requirements of this chapter due to the particular use for which it is designed or intended, may be registered by the department upon payment of appropriate fees and after inspection and certification by the department that the vehicle is not in an unsafe condition. A person is not required to have a certificate of title to register a vehicle under this subsection. If the owner elects to have a certificate of title issued for the vehicle, a fee of twenty dollars shall be paid by the person making the application upon issuance of a certificate of title. If the department's inspection reveals that the vehicle may be safely operated only under certain conditions or on certain types of roadways, the department may restrict the registration to limit operation of the vehicle to the appropriate conditions or roadways. This subsection does not apply to snowmobiles as defined in section 321G.1. Section 321.382 does not apply to a vehicle registered under this subsection which is operated exclusively by a person with a disability who has obtained a persons with disabilities parking permit as provided in section 321L.2, if the persons with disabilities parking permit is carried in or on the vehicle and shown to a peace officer on request.

I.C.A. § 321.24. Issuance of registration and certificate of title

1. Upon receipt of the application for title and payment of the required fees for a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, the county treasurer or the department shall, when satisfied as to the application's genuineness and regularity, and, in the case of a mobile home or manufactured home, that taxes are not owing under chapter 423 or 435, issue a certificate of title and, except for a mobile home or manufactured home, a registration receipt, and shall file the application, the manufacturer's or importer's certificate, the certificate of title, or other evidence of ownership, as prescribed by the department. The registration receipt shall be delivered to the owner and shall contain upon its face the date issued, the name and address of the owner, the registration number assigned to the vehicle, the amount of the fee paid, the type of fuel used, a description of the vehicle as determined by the department, and a form for notice of transfer of the vehicle. The name and address of any lessee of the vehicle shall not be
printed on the registration receipt or certificate of title. Up to three owners may be listed on the registration receipt and certificate of title.

2. The county treasurer shall maintain in the county record system information contained on the registration receipt. The information shall be accessible by registration number and shall be open for public inspection during reasonable business hours. Copies the department requires shall be sent to the department in the manner and at the time the department directs.

3. The certificate of title shall contain upon its face the identical information required upon the face of the registration receipt. In addition, the certificate of title shall contain a statement of the owner's title, the title number assigned to the owner or owners of the vehicle, the name and address of the previous owner, and a statement of all security interests and encumbrances as shown in the application, upon the vehicle described, including the nature of the security interest, date of perfection, and name and mailing address of the secured party.

4. If the prior certificate of title is from another state and indicates that the vehicle was rebuilt, the new certificate of title and registration receipt shall contain the designation "REBUILT" printed on its face together with the name of the state issuing the prior title. The designation shall be retained on the face of all subsequent certificates of title and registration receipts for the vehicle.

5. If the prior certificate of title is from another state and indicates that the vehicle was junked, an Iowa junking certificate shall be issued according to section 321.52, subsections 2 and 3. If the prior certificate of title from another state indicates that the vehicle is salvaged and not rebuilt or is a salvage certificate of title, an Iowa salvage certificate of title shall be issued and a "SALVAGE" designation shall be retained on all subsequent Iowa certificates of title and registration receipts for the vehicle, unless the owner has surrendered the prior certificate of title and a salvage theft examination certificate, as provided under section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph "c", and the salvage theft examination certificate was properly executed within thirty days of the date the owner was assigned the prior certificate of title. The department may require that subsequent Iowa certificates of title retain other states' designations which indicate that a vehicle had incurred prior damage. The department shall determine the manner in which other states' rebuilt, salvage, or other designations are to be indicated on Iowa titles.

6. If the prior certificate of title is from another state and indicates that the vehicle was returned to the manufacturer pursuant to a law of another state similar to chapter 322G, the new registration receipt and certificate of title, and all subsequent registration receipts and certificates of title issued for the vehicle, shall contain a designation indicating the vehicle was returned to the manufacturer. The department shall determine the manner in which other states' designations are to be indicated on Iowa registration receipts and certificates of title. The department may determine that a "REBUILT" or "SALVAGE" designation supersedes the designation required by this subsection and include the "REBUILT" or "SALVAGE" designation
on the registration receipt and certificate of title in lieu of the designation required by this subsection.

7. The certificate shall contain the name of the county treasurer or of the department and, if the certificate of title is printed, the signature of the county treasurer, the deputy county treasurer, or the department director or deputy designee. The certificate of title shall contain upon the reverse side a form for assignment of title or interest and warranty by the owner, for reassignments by a dealer licensed in this state or in another state if the state in which the dealer is licensed permits Iowa licensed dealers to similarly reassign certificates of title. However, titles for mobile homes or manufactured homes shall not be reassigned by licensed dealers. Notwithstanding section 321.1, subsection 17, as used in this subsection, "dealer" means every person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging vehicles of a type required to be registered under this chapter.

8. The original certificate of title shall be delivered to the owner if there is no security interest. Otherwise the certificate of title shall be delivered by the county treasurer or the department to the person holding the first security interest. Delivery may be made using electronic means.

9. The county treasurer or the department shall maintain in the county or department records system information contained on the certificate of title. The information shall be accessible by title certificate number for a period of three years from the date of notification of cancellation of title or that a new title has been issued as provided in this chapter. Copies the department requires shall be sent to the department in the manner and at the time the department directs. The department shall designate a uniform system of title numbers to indicate the county of issuance.

10. A vehicle shall be registered for the registration year. A vehicle registered for the first time in this state shall be registered for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year and pay an annual registration fee prorated for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year plus a fee for new registration if applicable pursuant to section 321.105A. Except for a vehicle registered under chapter 326, a vehicle registered for the first time during the eleventh month of the owner's registration year may be registered for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year as provided in this subsection or for the remaining unexpired months of the registration year and for the next registration year, upon payment of the applicable registration fees.

11. If the county treasurer or department is not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle or that there are no undisclosed security interests in it, or a junking certificate has been issued for the vehicle but a certificate of title will not be reissued under section 321.52, subsection 3, and the vehicle qualifies as an antique vehicle under section 321.115, subsection 1, the county treasurer or department may register the vehicle but shall, as a condition of issuing a certificate of title and registration receipt, require the applicant to file with the department a bond in the form prescribed by the department and executed by the applicant, and either accompanied by
the deposit of cash with the department or also executed by a person authorized to conduct a surety business in this state. The owner of a vehicle subject to the bond requirements of this subsection shall apply for a certificate of title and registration for the vehicle at the county treasurer's office within thirty days of issuance of written authorization from the department. The bond shall be in an amount equal to one and one-half times the current value of the vehicle as determined by the department and conditioned to indemnify any prior owner and secured party and any subsequent purchaser of the vehicle or person acquiring any security interest in it, and their respective successors in interest, against any expense, loss, or damage, including reasonable attorney fees, by reason of the issuance of the certificate of title for the vehicle or on account of any defect in or undisclosed security interest upon the right, title, and interest of the applicant in and to the vehicle. Any such interested person has a right of action to recover on the bond for any breach of its conditions, but the aggregate liability of the surety to all persons shall not exceed the amount of the bond. The bond, and any deposit accompanying it, shall be returned at the end of three years or earlier if the vehicle is no longer registered in this state and the currently valid certificate of title is surrendered to the department, unless the department has been notified of the pendency of an action to recover on the bond. The department may authorize issuance of a certificate of title as provided in this subsection for a vehicle with an unreleased security interest upon presentation of satisfactory evidence that the security interest has been extinguished or that the holder of the security interest cannot be located to release the security interest as provided in section 321.50.

12. A person who violates this section commits a simple misdemeanor.

I.C.A. § 321.37. Display of plates

1. Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than an autocycle, motorcycle, motorized bicycle, or truck tractor shall be attached to the motor vehicle, one in the front and the other in the rear. The registration plate issued for an autocycle, motorcycle, or other vehicle required to be registered hereunder shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle. The registration plate issued for a truck tractor shall be attached to the front of the truck tractor. The special plate issued to a dealer shall be attached on the rear of the vehicle when operated on the highways of this state.

2. Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle which is model year 1948 or older, and reconstructed or specially constructed vehicles built to resemble a model year 1948 vehicle or older, other than a truck registered for more than five tons, autocycle, motorcycle, or truck tractor, may display one registration plate on the rear of the vehicle if the other registration plate issued to the vehicle is carried in the vehicle at all times when the vehicle is operated on a public highway.

3. It is unlawful for the owner of a vehicle to place any frame around or over the registration plate which does not permit full view of all numerals and letters printed on the registration plate.

I.C.A. § 321.115. Antique vehicles--model year plates permitted

1. a. A motor vehicle twenty-five years old or older may be registered as an antique vehicle. The annual registration fee is the fee provided in section 321.113, 321.122, or 321.124.

b. The owner of a motor truck, truck tractor, road tractor, or motor home that is twenty-five years old or older who desires to use the vehicle exclusively for exhibition or educational purposes at state or county fairs, or at other places where the vehicle may be exhibited for entertainment or educational purposes, may register the vehicle as a "limited use" vehicle in accordance with sections 321.58 through 321.62. The "limited use" registration under this paragraph permits driving of the vehicle upon the public roads to and from state and county fairs or other places of entertainment or education for exhibition or educational purposes and to and from service stations for the purpose of receiving necessary maintenance, or for the purposes of transporting, testing, demonstrating, or selling the vehicle.

c. The owner of a motor vehicle registered under this subsection may display authentic Iowa registration plates from the model year of the motor vehicle, furnished by the person and approved by the department, in lieu of the current and valid Iowa registration plates issued for the vehicle, provided that the current and valid Iowa registration plates and the registration card issued for the vehicle are simultaneously carried within the vehicle and are available for inspection to any peace officer upon the officer's request.

2. The sale of a motor vehicle twenty years old or older which is primarily of value as a collector's item and not as transportation is not subject to chapter 322, and any person may sell such a vehicle at retail without a license as required under chapter 322.

3. Truck tractors and semitrailers used in combination for exhibition and educational purposes may be registered and driven according to the provisions of subsection 1. Truck tractors and semitrailers registered under this section shall not be used to haul loads.

4. A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 2.

I.C.A. § 321.115A. Replica vehicles and street rods--model year plates permitted--penalty

1. A motor vehicle may be registered as a replica vehicle or street rod. The annual registration fee is the fee provided for in section 321.109, 321.113, 321.122, or 321.124. The owner of a vehicle registered under this section may display registration plates from or representing the model year of the motor vehicle or the model year of the motor vehicle the registered vehicle is designed to resemble, furnished by the person and approved by the department, in lieu of the current and valid Iowa registration plates issued for the vehicle, provided that the current and valid Iowa registration plates and the registration card issued for the vehicle are simultaneously carried within the vehicle and are available for inspection to any peace officer upon the officer's request.

2. Truck tractors and semitrailers registered under this section shall not be used to haul loads.

3. A person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 2.

I.C.A. § 321.92. Altering or changing numbers

2. Vehicles without identification numbers. A person who knowingly buys, receives, disposes of, sells, offers for sale, or has in the person's possession a vehicle, or a component part of a vehicle, from which the vehicle identification number, rebuilt identification, or component part number has been removed, defaced, covered, altered, or destroyed for the purpose of concealing or misrepresenting the identity of the vehicle or component part is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

I.C.A. § 321.113. Automatic reduction

1. The annual registration fee for a motor vehicle shall not be automatically reduced under this section unless the fee is based on the value and weight of the motor vehicle as provided in section 321.109, subsection 1.

2. If a motor vehicle is more than seven model years old, the part of the annual registration fee that is based on the value of the vehicle shall be seventy-five percent of the rate as fixed when the motor vehicle was new and the total fee shall not be less than fifty dollars; except that if the registration is a renewal for a vehicle registered to the same owner prior to January 1, 2009, the annual registration fee shall not be more than the fee paid for the previous registration year.

3. If a motor vehicle is more than nine model years old, the part of the annual registration fee that is based on the value of the vehicle shall be fifty percent of the rate as fixed when the motor vehicle was new and the total fee shall not be less than fifty dollars; except that if the registration is a renewal for a vehicle registered to the same owner prior to January 1, 2009, the annual registration fee shall not be more than the fee paid for the previous registration year.

4. a. Except as provided in paragraph "b", if a motor vehicle is twelve model years old or older, the annual registration fee is fifty dollars; except that if the registration is a renewal for a vehicle registered to the same owner prior to January 1, 2009, the annual registration fee shall not be more than the fee paid for the previous registration year.

b. If the registration is a renewal for a motor vehicle registered as an antique vehicle by the same owner prior to January 1, 2009, the annual registration fee shall be twenty-three dollars for a motor vehicle that is model year 1970 through 1983 and sixteen dollars for a motor vehicle that is model year 1969 or older.

c. For purposes of determining the portion of an annual registration fee under paragraph "a" or "b" that is based upon the value of the motor vehicle, sixty percent of the annual registration fee is attributable to the value of the vehicle.

5. As used in this section, "owner" includes a surviving spouse who is required to transfer title pursuant to section 321.46 or 321.47.