Iowa Work Zone Laws

How Iowa handles work zones

Iowa runs a stiff work-zone fine schedule: $195 for up to 10 over, $390 for 10 to 20 over, $645 for 20 to 25 over, and $1,285 past 25 over (Iowa Code §805.8A(14)(i)). Every other moving violation in the zone doubles. The posted limit holds whenever the orange signs stand, worker in sight or not. A flagger's paddle is a traffic-control device you must obey (§321.256). Iowa's hands-free law took effect July 1, 2025, so keep the phone down in the zone (§321.276).

Speed, fines, phone, and the flagger

• Speed rule: Obey the posted work-zone limit whenever the signs are up, workers present or not. Iowa runs a separate, higher fine schedule for work-zone speeding and doubles other moving violations in the zone.
• Fine multiplier: Work-zone speeding fine schedule of $195 / $390 / $645 / $1,285 by mph over; all other moving violations doubled in the zone (Iowa Code §805.8A(14)(i)). Applies while the zone is signed, not worker-gated.
• Phone in a work zone: Restricted — put it down
• Flagger authority: A flagger's STOP/SLOW paddle is an official traffic-control device you must obey; disobeying is a scheduled violation (Iowa Code §321.256).
• Base fine: Work-zone speeding: $195 (up to 10 over), $390 (10-20 over), $645 (20-25 over), $1,285 (more than 25 over). All other moving violations doubled in the zone.

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