Iowa Minor in Possession Laws

Online Alcohol Class offers the most comprehensive MIP instruction available in Iowa. We offer Level 1 (8 hour), Level 2 (16 hour), and Level 3 (24 hour) online Minor in Possession and Minor in Consumption Classes.

Often students and parents call our offices to inquire about the MIP laws in Iowa. As a courtesy, we've compiled the laws from every state and listed them below.

Please note that the Iowa minor in possession laws displayed below are intended to help help you to learn about your local Iowa laws. While we have tried to show the most up-to-date version of Iowa minor in possession laws, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy. This web page is not a replacement for legal advice from an attorney. It is in your best interest that you find an appropriate attorney for more information about Iowa MIP laws.

Iowa Minor In Possession Laws

Iowa Underage Possession of Alcohol

Possession is prohibited WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION(S):

• Private residence
• AND parent/guardian

Iowa Underage Consumption of Alcohol

Consumption is not explicitly prohibited.

Notes: Iowa law does not specifically prohibit consumption of alcohol by persons under 21. Iowa does, however, have a general statute prohibiting the use or consumption of alcohol by any person in a public place. In addition, Iowa law provides that if a child, defined as a person under 18 years of age, is found to have violated the general prohibition against consumption of alcohol in a public place, the child's driver's license or operating privilege may be suspended or revoked for a period of one year. For more information, see Loss of Driving Privileges for Alcohol Violations by Minors ("Use/Lose" Laws).

Iowa Internal Possession by Minors

Internal possession is not explicitly prohibited.

Iowa Underage Purchase of Alcohol

Purchase is prohibited and there is NO ALLOWANCE for youth purchase for law enforcement purposes.

Furnishing Alcohol to Minors in Iowa

Furnishing is prohibited WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION(S):

• Private residence
• AND parent/guardian

Minimum Ages for On-Premises Servers and Bartenders in Iowa

Beer: 18 for both servers and bartenders

Wine: 18 for both servers and bartenders

Spirits: 18 for both servers and bartenders

Minimum Ages for Off-Premises Alcoholic Beverage Sellers in Iowa

Beer: 16

Wine: 16

Spirits: 18

False Identification for Obtaining Alcohol in Iowa

Provision(s) targeting minors:

• Use of a false ID to obtain alcohol is a criminal offense
• Penalty may include driver's license suspension through a judicial or administrative procedure

Provision(s) targeting retailers:

• Licenses for drivers under age 21 are easily distinguishable from those for drivers age 21 and older
• Retailers are permitted to seize apparently false IDs
• General affirmative defense - the retailer came to a good faith or reasonable decision that the purchaser was 21 years or older; inspection of an identification card not required

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits and Underage Operators of Noncommercial Motor Vehicles in Iowa

BAC limit: 0.02 - a BAC level above the limit is per se (conclusive) evidence of a violation

Applies to drivers under age 21

Iowa Retail Sales: Keg Registration

Keg definition:

Prohibited:

• Destroying the label on a keg - max. fine/jail: $625 or 30 days

Purchaser information collected:

• Purchaser's name and address
• Verified by a government-issued ID

Warning information to purchaser: passive – no purchaser action required

Deposit required: $

Provisions specifically address disposable kegs

Iowa Underage Driving Privileges: Use/Lose

Type(s) of violation leading to driver's license suspension, revocation, or denial:

• Underage purchase
• Underage consumption

Use/lose penalties apply to minors under age 18

Authority to impose driver's license sanction

• Discretionary

Length of suspension/revocation: 365 days

Prohibitions Against Hosting Underage Drinking Parties in Iowa

No State-imposed liability for hosting underage drinking parties

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