Iowa motorcycle permit practice test
It's based on Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual. Practise Iowa's own motorcycle rules below, then the full motorcycle manual tests.
Iowa motorcycle rules
| Permit | Motorcycle instruction permit: pass the motorcycle knowledge exam and vision screening; issued for one four-year term with no renewal ($2/year when added to a license, $14 permit-only). Ages 14-17: ride with a licensed parent/guardian with a motorcycle endorsement, an immediate family member 21+ with an endorsement, or another endorsed adult 25+ with written parental permission. 18+: same, or any endorsed licensed adult 25+. The supervisor must stay within sight and hearing on or in a different vehicle; one learner per supervisor. |
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| Skills test or course | Iowa Motorcycle Skills Test (MSF-recommended maneuvers: sharp left turn, normal stop, right U-turn, cone weave, obstacle swerve, quick stop); more than 10 points or stalling four times fails; helmet, long pants and sturdy shoes required to test. Waived after an Iowa-approved motorcycle education course. Autocycles can't be used for the skills test. |
| Helmet law | Not required by Iowa law for motorcycles or autocycles (Iowa DOT motorcycle page); recommended. A helmet is required to take the skills test. |
| Passengers | Only if the motorcycle is designed for more than one person, on a two-person seat or a seat firmly attached behind the operator, with passenger footrests (unless sidecar/enclosed cab); sit astride facing forward; no position that interferes with control or view (Iowa Code 321.275(2),(3)). Motorized bicycles may not carry passengers. |
| Lane splitting or filtering | Illegal: no riding between lanes or rows of vehicles; no passing in the same lane unless passing another motorcycle or motorized bicycle; no more than two abreast (Iowa Code 321.275(4)). |
Iowa motorcycle law questions
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Question 1A 16-year-old with an Iowa motorcycle instruction permit may ride with which of these supervisors?
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D: A licensed parent or guardian with a motorcycle endorsement. Riders 14-17 may ride with a licensed parent/guardian with a motorcycle endorsement, an endorsed immediate family member 21+, or an endorsed adult 25+ with parental permission. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Getting Your Motorcycle Permit: Motorcycle Instruction Permit, page 1.
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Question 2What is the youngest age group covered by Iowa's motorcycle instruction permit rules?
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D: 14 through 17. The manual gives supervision rules for permit holders ages 14 through 17 and for those 18 and older. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Getting Your Motorcycle Permit: Motorcycle Instruction Permit, page 1.
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Question 3An Iowa permit holder under 18 rides with an endorsed adult who is not a family member. How old must that adult be?
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B: At least 25, with written permission from the parent or guardian. Under-18 learners may ride with another endorsed licensed adult who is at least 25 and has the parent's or guardian's written permission. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Getting Your Motorcycle Permit: Motorcycle Instruction Permit, page 1.
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Question 4How old must an immediate family member be to supervise an Iowa motorcycle permit holder?
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A: At least 21, licensed with a motorcycle endorsement. An immediate family member who supervises must be licensed with a motorcycle endorsement and at least 21. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Getting Your Motorcycle Permit: Motorcycle Instruction Permit, page 1.
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Question 5Where must the supervising rider be when an Iowa motorcycle permit holder rides?
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A: Within sight and hearing, on or in a different motor vehicle. The accompanying person must stay within sight and hearing distance and be on or in a different motor vehicle. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Getting Your Motorcycle Permit: Motorcycle Instruction Permit, page 1.
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Question 6How many motorcycle learners may one licensed supervisor watch at a time in Iowa?
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D: One. Only one learner may be supervised by any one licensed driver. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Getting Your Motorcycle Permit: Motorcycle Instruction Permit, page 1.
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Question 7How long is an Iowa motorcycle instruction permit issued for, and can it be renewed?
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C: One four-year term, with no renewal. You pay $2 per year the license is valid, up to four years, with no renewal permitted. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Getting Your Motorcycle Permit: Motorcycle Instruction Permit, page 1.
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Question 8How many points on the Iowa Motorcycle Skills Test is unsatisfactory?
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A: More than 10. Points are given for a foot down, touching a cone or line, or stalling; more than 10 points is unsatisfactory and ends the test. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Iowa Motorcycle Skill Test, page 43.
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Question 9How many engine stalls during the Iowa Motorcycle Skills Test is an automatic failure?
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D: Four. Points are assessed for each stall, and stalling the engine four times is an automatic failure. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Iowa Motorcycle Skill Test, page 43.
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Question 10Which safety gear is required to take the Iowa Motorcycle Skills Test?
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D: A helmet, long pants and sturdy shoes. You must wear a helmet, long pants and sturdy shoes; full-fingered gloves and a long-sleeve shirt are recommended but not required. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Iowa Motorcycle Skill Test, page 43.
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Question 11Which of these causes an immediate failure on the Iowa Motorcycle Skills Test?
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B: Dropping the motorcycle. Dropping the motorcycle, lifting the front wheel, running off course out of control, any unsafe act or a crash all fail the test. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Iowa Motorcycle Skill Test, page 43.
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Question 12Which maneuver is part of the Iowa Motorcycle Skills Test?
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A: A right U-turn. The test includes a sharp left turn, normal stop, right U-turn, cone weave, obstacle swerve and quick stop. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Iowa Motorcycle Skill Test, page 43.
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Question 13When may an Iowa motorcycle carry a passenger?
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D: Only if it is designed for more than one person and has passenger footrests. A passenger may ride only on a motorcycle designed for more than one person, on a proper seat, with footrests (unless in a sidecar or enclosed cab). Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Iowa Code § 321.275(2).
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Question 14May a motorized bicycle (moped) carry a passenger in Iowa?
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D: No. A person operating a motorized bicycle on the highways shall not carry any other person. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Iowa Code § 321.275(2).
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Question 15Is lane splitting legal in Iowa?
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C: No; motorcycles may not ride between lanes or rows of vehicles. A motorcycle shall not be operated between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Iowa Code § 321.275(4).
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Question 16In Iowa, which vehicle may a motorcyclist pass while staying in the same lane?
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B: Another motorcycle or motorized bicycle. A motorcyclist may not pass in the same lane as the vehicle being overtaken unless that vehicle is a motorcycle or motorized bicycle. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Iowa Code § 321.275(4).
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Question 17How many motorcycles may ride abreast in one Iowa lane?
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D: No more than two. Motorcycles or motorized bicycles may not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Iowa Code § 321.275(4).
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Question 18Which Iowa motorcycles must ride with at least one headlamp lit?
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D: 1977 and later model year motorcycles. A 1977 or later model motorcycle (and any motorized bicycle) must display at least one lighted headlamp on the highway. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Iowa Code § 321.275(5).
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Question 19What height must a motorized bicycle's safety flag reach on an Iowa highway?
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B: At least five feet above the ground. A motorized bicycle on a highway must have a triangular Day-Glo safety flag extending at least five feet above the ground. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Iowa Code § 321.275(8).
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Question 20An Iowa motorcycle permit holder is 20. Which of these may supervise them?
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A: Any licensed adult 25 or older with a motorcycle endorsement. Permit holders 18 and older may ride with an endorsed parent/guardian, an endorsed immediate family member 21+, or another licensed adult 25+ with a motorcycle endorsement. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Getting Your Motorcycle Permit: Motorcycle Instruction Permit, page 1.
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Question 21What does it cost to add an Iowa motorcycle instruction permit to an existing license?
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D: $2 for each year the license is valid, up to 4 years. Adding the motorcycle instruction permit to an existing class costs $2 for each year the license is valid, not to exceed 4 years. Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual: Getting Your Motorcycle Permit: Motorcycle Instruction Permit, page 1.
Answer every question to see your score.
Full motorcycle practice tests
300 questions on riding skills and safety from the Motorcycle Operator Manual, which most states use.
Manual: Iowa Motorcycle Operator's Manual. Source: Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division, checked 2026-10-27.