Vehicle Registration Refunds & Credits

Selling a Vehicle

If you sell a vehicle and do not replace the vehicle within 30 days you may apply for a refund.

Requirements:

The calculated unused portion of the registration fee must be $10 or more
- Refunds are calculated from the date the vehicle is sold to the expiration date of the registration
The Claim for Refund form [Iowa DOT form 411047] must be completed and submitted to your County Treasurer within six months of the date that your vehicle is sold
The license plates must be turned in and the date of disposal disclosed at any county treasurer’s office through mail or in person (excludes leased vehicles--see Turn-In Leased Vehicle instructions below)

Once processed, the refund is mailed directly to you by the DOT within four weeks.

If you turn-in a leased vehicle, you may apply for a refund on the unused portion of your registration fee.

Requirements:

Submit both of these items to your County Treasurer (must be the county where the vehicle registration first originated) by mail or in person within six months of turning in the leased vehicle:
- License plates
- Notarized Notice of Sale of Vehicle and Delivery of Title (Iowa DOT form 411107)
  - Complete Section 1 (Affidavit of Lease Termination or Expiration) of the form

If you move and register your vehicle in a new state, you are eligible to claim a refund on the unused portion of your registration fee.

Requirements:

Refund request must be made within six months from the date that you registered your vehicle in another state
The calculated unused portion of the registration fee must be $10 or more
- Refunds are calculated from the date the vehicle is registered in your new state of residence to the expiration date of the Iowa registration
Submit following items to the County Treasurer:
- Your Iowa plates
- A copy of the out-of-state registration
- Claim for Refund form (Iowa DOT form 411047)

Questions?