Iowa Lift Laws and Vehicle Equipment Laws

In Iowa, the street legal laws are covered by the Iowa Code (IC).

Overall vehicle size in Iowa is limited to 102 inches wide, 13 feet 6 inches tall, and 41 feet long for a single vehicle.

Iowa requires that tires be in safe operating condition, without any bulges or exposed cords. There is a minimum tread depth of 1/16 inch. Tire grooving is allowed as long as they are not grooved deeper than the original tread.

Iowa’s code makes no reference to wheels.

It is required that all vehicles in Iowa be equipped with brakes on all 4 wheels. Vehicles under 5,000 lbs. GVWR must be able to stop from 20 mph within 30 feet, and vehicles over 5,000 lbs. GVWR must be able to stop within 45 feet. A secondary, mechanical, parking brake is also required.

Iowa does not have any specific rules for a vehicle’s steering system.

There are no suspension lift limits in Iowa.

Currently, there is no frame height restriction in Iowa.

As of 2010, there is a law pending that would limit frame height to 23 inches and body lift height to 5 inches above the frame.

Bumper height is not limited in Iowa.

It is unknown if Iowa requires vehicles to have fenders or mud flaps.

In addition to headlights and tail lights, vehicles in Iowa are allowed to have up to 3 auxiliary lights. The maximum number of lights that can be turned on at the front of the vehicle at any one time is 4.

( Measured to the center of the light. )

Iowa requires both windshields and windshield wipers.

Mufflers are required in Iowa. Exhaust cutouts and bypasses are prohibited.

It is unclear whether or not Iowa has any engine swap or engine performance modification rules.

Iowa does not currently require emissions testing.