The Grimes Brief
At an Iowa DOT driver's license service center. There is none in Grimes, and the three closest are about 20 to 25 minutes away. All three are closed weekends and share one DOT phone line, 515-244-8725.
About 12 miles, roughly 20 minutes from Grimes City Hall. Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
About 12 miles, roughly 20 minutes. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The DOT lists REAL ID, under-18 permits and licenses, replacements, and motorcycle and moped licenses here.
About 16 miles, roughly 25 minutes. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Appointments are recommended but not required: walk-ins are welcome, and appointments are served first. Book on iowadot.gov. Watch the short days: Waukee closes at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Ankeny closes at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, and River Place opens at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Often, yes. The DOT allows online renewal if you are at least 18 and younger than 70, your non-commercial license expires within 180 days or expired less than a year ago, you do not need a medical or vision report, and DOT records show you as an Iowa resident and U.S. citizen. You can renew online only every other renewal. The cost is your normal renewal fee plus a $1.50 online processing fee, and the new card arrives by mail in about 30 days. REAL ID is not available through online renewal, so a first-time REAL ID means an in-person visit; the DOT says it costs nothing extra.
At your county treasurer, not the DOT: Polk County if you live on the Polk side (most of town), Dallas County on the west side.
Polk County Administration Building, 111 Court Ave, Room 154, Des Moines, about 25 minutes from Grimes. Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., opening at 9 a.m. on the third Thursday of every month. Vehicle line 515-286-3030, vehicle@polkcountyiowa.gov. An appointment is required for an in-person title transfer and encouraged for everything else.
Dallas County Administration Building, 800 Court St, Suite 110 (first floor), Adel, also about 25 minutes away. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. (closed over lunch). Phone 515-993-5812. Appointments are required for title transfers and specialty plate pickups. Renewals are handled online, by mail, or in the black drop box on the south side of the administration building, and the office does not book appointments for renewals.
Yes, in both counties, which saves the trip. Polk mails online renewals the next business day after payment, with the new tag for your rear plate. A hold can block online renewal: unpaid parking tickets in Des Moines, Urbandale, or Indianola, unpaid clerk of court tickets, a Department of Revenue hold, or a missing SR-22. If that happens, call 515-286-3030.
Get your Iowa license or ID first, then your plates. Polk County says new residents must register their vehicles in their Iowa county within 30 days of establishing residency, and an appointment is required to transfer an out-of-state vehicle and get Iowa plates. Bring your out-of-state title (or your current registration if your lender holds the title), a completed Application for Certificate of Title and/or Registration (form 411007) signed by all owners, and proof of identity. Dallas County recommends getting the Iowa license or ID first and calling 515-993-5812 before your visit to check your documents. Not sure which county you are in? See our county and ZIP reference.
The Grimes Brief is free every Monday morning, made only for Grimes.
At an Iowa DOT driver's license service center. There is none in Grimes; the closest are in Waukee (1156 SE Ashworth Road), Des Moines (River Place, 2339 Euclid Ave), and Ankeny (6310 SE Convenience Blvd). Many renewals can also be done online.
Through your county treasurer: the Polk County Treasurer (111 Court Ave, Room 154, Des Moines) if you live on the Polk side, or the Dallas County Treasurer (800 Court St, Suite 110, Adel) on the Dallas side.
Appointments are recommended but not required at the Waukee, Des Moines River Place, and Ankeny centers. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments are served first.
Polk County says new residents must get an Iowa registration from their county of residence within 30 days of establishing residency, and an appointment is required to transfer an out-of-state vehicle.
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