Current process for registering a 5ton in Iowa

[ALAV]

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone has registered a 5 ton in Iowa recently. I'm having a hard time getting a straight answer from the DOT as to what to do. They've said I'll have to register it as a CMV based on the weight, and that as long as it's for private use only that I can get regular plates, but will probably have additional paperwork and fees. They've also said that that I will need a CDL, and that I won't. I have a CDL-A, so that's not a problem, but it does add to the confusion. On top of that, my friend's dad keeps telling me that you just register it as a regular truck and pay based on tonnage. But he hasn't had one for decades, so who knows if that's still true.

Could any of you guys give me a run down of what the current process actually is? I know it's easier to get a title if I get one that's already titled in another state, will it also be easier to register it? Does it make a difference if I want to drive it out of state? So many questions, so few answers from the DOT.

Also, I wasn't sure if this belongs in the 5 ton forum, or the MV politics forum. I figured since it's specifically asking about a 5 ton, this would be the better place to ask. My bad if that's not correct.

 

[Markhor]

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone has registered a 5 ton in Iowa recently. I'm having a hard time getting a straight answer from the DOT as to what to do. They've said I'll have to register it as a CMV based on the weight, and that as long as it's for private use only that I can get regular plates, but will probably have additional paperwork and fees. They've also said that that I will need a CDL, and that I won't. I have a CDL-A, so that's not a problem, but it does add to the confusion. On top of that, my friend's dad keeps telling me that you just register it as a regular truck and pay based on tonnage. But he hasn't had one for decades, so who knows if that's still true.

Could any of you guys give me a run down of what the current process actually is? I know it's easier to get a title if I get one that's already titled in another state, will it also be easier to register it? Does it make a difference if I want to drive it out of state? So many questions, so few answers from the DOT.

Also, I wasn't sure if this belongs in the 5 ton forum, or the MV politics forum. I figured since it's specifically asking about a 5 ton, this would be the better place to ask. My bad if that's not correct.

I bought my 1083 from OR with OR plates. It was very easily transferred and registered in Wisconsin. I was told by the seller that it really depends in the DMV office. He was denied in Portland OR but was able to register and titled in some rural area. Mine is registered as a Private Truck, and since its under the length limits, I don’t need a CDL. Just go to the DMV office and find someone nice there. If troubles, try another DMV.

 

[Mullaney]

I bought my 1083 from OR with OR plates. It was very easily transferred and registered in Wisconsin. I was told by the seller that it really depends in the DMV office. He was denied in Portland OR but was able to register and titled in some rural area. Mine is registered as a Private Truck, and since its under the length limits, I don’t need a CDL. Just go to the DMV office and find someone nice there. If troubles, try another DMV.

.
Congratulations!
So now it's time to go for a legal spin on the roads and highways...

You hit the sweet spot with the local DMV.
All you have to do is say thank you and leave if you encounter an idiot more often than not.
Happy to hear that your transaction went smoothly!

.

 

[ALAV]

I bought my 1083 from OR with OR plates. It was very easily transferred and registered in Wisconsin. I was told by the seller that it really depends in the DMV office. He was denied in Portland OR but was able to register and titled in some rural area. Mine is registered as a Private Truck, and since its under the length limits, I don’t need a CDL. Just go to the DMV office and find someone nice there. If troubles, try another DMV.

I really hope it's that simple here. Though it wouldn't surprise me if I went to a more rural DOT office and they just issued me the plates.

 

[jonesal]

I really hope it's that simple here. Though it wouldn't surprise me if I went to a more rural DOT office and they just issued me the plates.

I think you're exactly right. It was seamless to register my M923 in South Dakota with an SF97, they could have cared less. My past experiences in the big city (Seattle) were hell.

 

[sue]

I think you're exactly right. It was seamless to register my M923 in South Dakota with an SF97, they could have cared less. My past experiences in the big city (Seattle) were hell.

And I’m sure that all those responses relate to Iowa
Yep, that was sarcasm!!!

 

[Gastrap]

I really hope it's that simple here. Though it wouldn't surprise me if I went to a more rural DOT office and they just issued me the plates.

I'm pretty sure you can pick "regular" for registration type, you'll just fill out the ex mil compliance form (411187) and pick your tonnage, DOT here seems to put them in the same category as a class 6 truck even though they're not. I can't imagine arguing the reduced GVWR tonnage vs data plate tonnage successfully with roadside scale set and Vehicle Enforcement. I chose 16,000 for my Deuce to keep the fees down because I never haul much and never had a trailer for it. Iowa does not recognize the SF97 at all, so you'll need a title or get a bonded title. You'll be limited to using the licensing office in your own county.

Don't buy anything based on what I've typed, check into it thoroughly.

 

[ALAV]

I'm pretty sure you can pick "regular" for registration type, you'll just fill out the ex mil compliance form (411187) and pick your tonnage, DOT here seems to put them in the same category as a class 6 truck even though they're not. I can't imagine arguing the reduced GVWR tonnage vs data plate tonnage successfully with roadside scale set and Vehicle Enforcement. I chose 16,000 for my Deuce to keep the fees down because I never haul much and never had a trailer for it. Iowa does not recognize the SF97 at all, so you'll need a title or get a bonded title. You'll be limited to using the licensing office in your own county.

Don't buy anything based on what I've typed, check into it thoroughly.

I was planning on getting one already titled anyway, so at least I won't have to deal with that. Maybe I'll try getting ahold of the state office again to see if I can get a proper answer this time. But it would be nice to be able to register it as a stupidly heavy pickup truck.

 

[gtodan]

I was planning on getting one already titled anyway, so at least I won't have to deal with that. Maybe I'll try getting ahold of the state office again to see if I can get a proper answer this time. But it would be nice to be able to register it as a stupidly heavy pickup truck.

Alav...Not being rude but #$ck the state office! More questions you ask, the murkier it gets. If you get a vehicle with a current title and reg use that. My brother in law and I both have titled Iowa HUMVEES. We have seen the stupidity believe us. Start with your county office. If they jack you around contact your bordering county offices. Even with the state code in my hands Linn County would not help me. I ended up getting a bonded title from a Missouri bonding company. Cost me a hundred bucks based on what I paid for the vehicle. Had title in hand next day. I then went to Linn county and said gimme my plates. Brother in law vehicle was a titled Michigan PD vehicle. They jacked him a bit but he stood his ground and they issued title and plates. 99 counties and 99 chances for a screw up. You get what you pay for. Welcome to the forum BTW!

 

[Karl kostman]

I dont know if Iowa offers this option but I have my 5 ton registered as a farm truck in North Dakota its a non-commercial private use designation and the only stipulation is that I am not supposed to use the truck more than 400 miles from my farm address, which I never do anyway. Iowa is a farming state just like ND so they may have that option?

 

[porkysplace]

I bought my 1083 from OR with OR plates. It was very easily transferred and registered in Wisconsin. I was told by the seller that it really depends in the DMV office. He was denied in Portland OR but was able to register and titled in some rural area. Mine is registered as a Private Truck, and since its under the length limits, I don’t need a CDL. Just go to the DMV office and find someone nice there. If troubles, try another DMV.

Wisconsin had a rather lengthy legal battle 12 years or so ago is why it was easy for you . It has set precedent for all the MV laws in other states fighting bans on MV's . Every state has different MV laws . He is asking about Iowa .

 

[ALAV]

Alav...Not being rude but #$ck the state office! More questions you ask, the murkier it gets. If you get a vehicle with a current title and reg use that. My brother in law and I both have titled Iowa HUMVEES. We have seen the stupidity believe us. Start with your county office. If they jack you around contact your bordering county offices. Even with the state code in my hands Linn County would not help me. I ended up getting a bonded title from a Missouri bonding company. Cost me a hundred bucks based on what I paid for the vehicle. Had title in hand next day. I then went to Linn county and said gimme my plates. Brother in law vehicle was a titled Michigan PD vehicle. They jacked him a bit but he stood his ground and they issued title and plates. 99 counties and 99 chances for a screw up. You get what you pay for. Welcome to the forum BTW!

Yeah, from what I've been able to find it seems like getting one already titled and registered is going to be the best way. Only problem then is if they're going to let me have a standard registration with the GVWR being ~35,000lbs, or if I'm going to have to go DOT office shopping. I know they issue 10 ton plates, so here's hoping they'll issue 18 ton plates.

 

[ALAV]

I dont know if Iowa offers this option but I have my 5 ton registered as a farm truck in North Dakota its a non-commercial private use designation and the only stipulation is that I am not supposed to use the truck more than 400 miles from my farm address, which I never do anyway. Iowa is a farming state just like ND so they may have that option?

We do have farm truck registration, but I don't have a farm. They're real sticklers about that these days.