The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Iowa Senate File 2358 allows distance waivers exceeding 25 miles for student drivers enrolled in nonpublic schools
Last action · February 17, 2026: Committee report, approving bill. S.J. 306 .
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What This Bill Would Do
Senate File 2358 allows holders of a who attend an to drive further than the current 25-mile limit between home and school, provided they obtain a distance waiver from their school's administrator and carry a physical copy while driving.
Students attending nonpublic schools who live more than 25 miles from their school of enrollment gain a legal pathway to drive themselves to school unsupervised, altering travel limitations previously enforced by a strict mileage cap.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Special minor's restricted driver's license holders
Holders of a special minor's restricted driver's license enrolled at an accredited nonpublic school are permitted to drive distances greater than 25 miles to and from school if they obtain and carry a waiver.
Chief school administrators and superintendents
Administrators of accredited nonpublic schools are authorized to review, approve, and issue tangible copies of distance waivers to qualifying student drivers.
Key Facts
- A special minor's restricted driver's license holder enrolled at an accredited nonpublic school may exceed the 25-mile driving distance limit between their residence and school if they receive a distance waiver.
- The parent or guardian of a licensee may apply for a distance waiver by submitting an application to the chief school administrator or superintendent of the accredited nonpublic school.
- The chief school administrator or superintendent of the licensee's accredited nonpublic school may approve the distance waiver application and must provide a tangible copy of the waiver to the licensee.
- The licensee must carry a copy of the waiver while operating a motor vehicle.
Show all 6 facts
- Under current law, a licensee is normally restricted to a driving distance of no more than twenty-five miles between the point of origin and destination.
- A licensee who violates the restrictions of a special minor's restricted license commits a simple misdemeanor classified as a moving violation, punishable by a $70 scheduled fine and a three-month license suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for a distance waiver under this bill?
Who has the authority to approve a distance waiver application?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
7 actions- Feb 17, 2026SenateCommittee report, approving bill. S.J. 306 .
- Feb 17, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced, placed on calendar. S.J. 302 .
- Feb 16, 2026Iowa LegislatureCommittee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 2358 .
- Feb 11, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee recommends passage.
- Feb 10, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee Meeting: 02/11/2026 8:30AM Room 315.
- Feb 3, 2026Iowa LegislatureSubcommittee: Evans, Donahue, and Green.
Show 1 earlier action
- Feb 3, 2026Iowa LegislatureIntroducedIntroduced, referred to Education.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legis.iowa.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance35How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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