The Sixty-fifth General Assembly created the department as of July 1,1974, and transferred to it the duties and responsibilities formerly administered by the state highway commission; the Iowa aeronautics commission; the Iowa reciprocity board; the department of public safety relating to motor vehicle registration, motor vehicle dealer licensing, and operator and chauffeur licensing; and the Iowa state commerce commission relating to the regulation of railroads and motor carrier transportation. Certain duties and responsibilities relating to river transportation and public transit were also assigned to the department.
Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-1.5