Iowa Code » Chapter 321 — MOTOR VEHICLES AND LAW OF THE ROAD
Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 321.17 (2026)

Misdemeanor to violate registration provisions

✓ current as of July 2026
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It is a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.8A, subsection 2, for any person to drive or move or for an owner knowingly to permit to be driven or moved upon the highway a vehicle of a type required to be registered under this chapter which is not registered, or for which the appropriate fees have not been paid, except as provided in section 321.109, subsection 3. [C24, 27, 31, 35, §5085; C39, §5001.01; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.17] 96 Acts, ch 1152, §1; 2001 Acts, ch 176, §49, 59; 2008 Acts, ch 1113, §48; 2010 Acts, ch 1190, §32 Referred to in §331.557, 805.8A(2)(a)

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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases, 1948–2019 · leading case: United States v. Tereall Green, 946 F.3d 433 (8th Cir. 2019).
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United States v. Tereall Green, 946 F.3d 433 (8th Cir. 2019). “See Iowa Code § 321.17 (providing, in relevant part, that it is “a simple misdemeanor .”
State v. Aderholdt, 545 N.W.2d 559 (Iowa 1996). · cites it 2× “Although it appeal’s Trooper Smith believed the Aderholdt vehicle was illegally unregistered, not “wrongfully possessed,” he was confronted with a dilemma that would be identical in either case. Just as a trooper could not permit the driving of a stolen vehicle, so also the…”
Beganovic v. Muxfeldt, 775 N.W.2d 313 (Iowa 2009). · cites it 2× “127 (codified as amended at Iowa Code §§ 321.17 -.44A). This legislation was part of a national movement for laws governing certificate of title to motor vehicles.”
State v. Bishop, 132 N.W.2d 455 (Iowa 1965). · cites it 2× “Defendant was convicted of driving, an unregistered motor truck upon the highway in viqlation of section 321.17. He contended in the .trial-court -and urges here he comes within, the exception in section 321:18, subparagraph 3, excepting “any implement of husbandry.”
Merchants Motor Freight, Inc. v. State High. Comm'n, 32 N.W.2d 773 (Iowa 1948). · cites it 3× “Sections 321.17 to 321.56, inclusive, contain the regulations relative to license, registration and permits for both resident and nonresident owned vehicles.”
State of Iowa v. Lorraine Ann Messer, 822 N.W.2d 116 (Iowa 2012). “§ 321.17. *120 The same is true here. A person violates Iowa Code section 453A.”
State of Iowa v. Walter Baylor (Iowa Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 4× “The officer issued the driver and passenger citations for the seat-belt violations but was suspicious the vehicle was transporting narcotics 4 Iowa Code section 321.17 provides, It is a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation under section 805.”
In the Interest of A.G. & R.G., Minor Child., 919 N.W.2d 768 (Iowa Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “(6)-Operating a Non-Registered Vehicle, in violation of section 321.17.”
State v. De Dios, 540 N.W.2d 293 (Iowa Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 2× “Iowa Code § 321.17 (1993). 1 Every motor vehicle is subject to Iowa’s registration laws unless exempted by statute.”
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