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Iowa DOT permit practice test

25 questions written from the Iowa Driver's License Manual, covering licensing laws and penalties, road signs, speed limits, right of way, sharing the road and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why. The real Iowa DOT test has 25 questions and you need 20 right.

25 questions

  1. Question 1For driver's licensing, how long must you have lived in Iowa continuously to be considered a resident (if no other condition applies)?

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    B: 30 days. Living in Iowa continuously for 30 days is one of the conditions that makes you a resident for licensing. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 1.1 Who Needs an Iowa Driver's License?, page 4.

  2. Question 2What does a red traffic sign generally tell you?

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    A: Stop, yield, or do what is shown on the sign. Red is the color for signs that make you stop, yield or obey the instruction shown. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.1 Traffic Signs — Standard Colors, page 6.

  3. Question 3A minimum speed limit on a high-speed road is too fast for you. What should you do?

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    A: Use another route. If the minimum speed is too fast for you, you should use another route. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.2 Regulatory Signs — Speed Limit Signs, page 8.

  4. Question 4Under Iowa's 2024 crosswalk law, whom must vehicles yield to?

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    A: Pedestrians on foot and those using pedestrian conveyances such as wheelchairs, strollers and skateboards. Vehicles must yield to pedestrians on foot and to those using any human-powered device (pedestrian conveyance). Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.4 Pedestrian Conveyance, page 10.

  5. Question 5Which is an example of a pedestrian conveyance under Iowa law?

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    A: A skateboard. Pedestrian conveyances include wheelchairs, strollers, skateboards, scooters and electric personal assistive mobility devices. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.4 Pedestrian Conveyance, page 10.

  6. Question 6A school crossing guard directs you differently from the traffic signal. What should you do?

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    A: Follow the crossing guard. Police officers, highway workers and school crossing guards can direct traffic, and their directions must be obeyed. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.9 Traffic Signals, page 11.

  7. Question 7As you approach railroad tracks, what does the manual suggest you do?

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    A: Eliminate distractions, put your windows down and turn off your music. As you approach tracks, eliminate distractions, lower your windows and turn off your music. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.10 Railroad Crossings, page 12.

  8. Question 8Your vehicle is stuck at a railroad crossing and there is no ENS sign. Whom should you call?

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    A: 911. Call the number on the blue and white ENS sign; if there is no sign, call 911. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.10 Railroad Crossings, page 12.

  9. Question 9On a two-way road with a solid yellow line beside a dashed yellow line, who may pass?

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    A: Vehicles on the side with the dashed line, when safe. The driver with the broken line on their side may pass when it is safe; the driver with the solid line on their side may not. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.12 Pavement Markings and Other Lane Controls, page 15.

  10. Question 10How are reversible lanes usually marked?

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    A: With double-dashed yellow lines. Reversible lanes are usually marked by double-dashed yellow lines. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.15 Reversible Lanes, page 15.

  11. Question 11Where there are no signs or markings to control turning, which lane should you turn into?

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    A: The lane closest to the one you came from. Without signs or markings, turn from the lane nearest your new direction and finish in the nearest lane of the new road. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.18 General Lane Use, page 16.

  12. Question 12When parking next to a curb, how close must your vehicle be?

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    A: Within 18 inches. When parking at a curb, your wheels must be no more than 18 inches from it. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.25 Parking, page 21.

  13. Question 13How many separate braking systems do cars and trucks need?

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    A: Two: a foot brake and a parking brake. A car or truck must have both a service (foot) brake and a separate parking brake. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.1 Maintaining Your Vehicle — Braking System, page 23.

  14. Question 14At what blood alcohol concentration is an adult driver considered to be operating while intoxicated in Iowa?

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    B: .08 or higher. OWI is defined as a BAC of .08 or higher or any amount of a controlled substance. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.8 Alcohol and Drugs — Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), page 37.

  15. Question 15Within what distance may a person drive farm equipment between the home farm and nearby farmland without a driver's license in Iowa?

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    B: Two miles. No license is needed to drive farm equipment between the home farm and nearby farmland or farm operations within two miles. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 1.1 Who Needs an Iowa Driver's License?, page 4.

  16. Question 16What does a blue traffic sign indicate?

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    A: Services for travelers, such as rest areas, hospitals and fuel. Blue signs direct travelers to services such as rest areas, hospitals, lodging, fuel and restaurants. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.1 Traffic Signs — Standard Colors, page 6.

  17. Question 17What is the total stopping distance at 50 mph, according to the Iowa manual's chart?

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    C: 268 feet. At 50 mph: 110 feet reaction distance plus 158 feet braking distance equals 268 feet. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.4 Braking and Stopping, page 40.

  18. Question 18Must you yield to a pedestrian about to enter a crosswalk?

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    A: Yes. Yield to people who are in a crosswalk or about to step into one, and remember that some crosswalks have no markings. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.14 Crosswalks, Stop Lines, and Directional Arrow Markings, page 15.

  19. Question 19When may a motorist drive in a bicycle lane?

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    A: Only when making turning movements, after checking for bicyclists. Motorists may drive in bike lanes only when turning, after looking carefully for bicyclists. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.19 Bicycle Lanes and Pavement Markings, page 17.

  20. Question 20How should you treat a flashing red traffic light?

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    A: The same as a stop sign. Treat a flashing red light the same as a stop sign. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.9 Traffic Signals, page 11.

  21. Question 21At a passively protected railroad crossing, what traffic controls will you find?

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    A: Only a crossbuck and a stop or yield sign; no lights or gates. Passively protected crossings have no lights or gates, only a crossbuck and a stop or yield sign; always expect a train. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.10 Railroad Crossings, page 12.

  22. Question 22After a crash with no injuries, what does Iowa's Steer It-Clear It law require if your car can be driven?

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    A: Move it out of the traffic lanes. If no one is hurt and the vehicle is operable, Iowa law requires moving it out of the driving lanes. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.28 Steer It-Clear It, page 22.

  23. Question 23May you pass another vehicle on the shoulder?

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    A: Never, whether paved or not. Never pass on the shoulder, paved or not; other drivers will not expect you there. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.18 General Lane Use, page 16.

  24. Question 24Over a reversible lane you see a flashing yellow X. What does it mean?

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    A: The lane is only for turning. A flashing yellow X over a reversible lane means the lane may be used only for turning. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.15 Reversible Lanes, page 15.

  25. Question 25In Iowa, how far before a turn must you signal if the speed limit is 45 mph or less?

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    B: At least 100 feet. Where the speed limit is 45 mph or lower, turn on your signal at least 100 feet ahead of the turn. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.8 Proper Turning Techniques — Turn Signals, page 43.

Answer every question to see your score.

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How to use these tests

Read each explanation, even when you get the question right: it tells you the rule and the handbook section, so you can look it up. Your answers are saved in this browser only, so the weak spots mode can give you more questions on the topics you miss. When you're scoring well, take the exam simulator: it uses the same number of questions and passing score as the real test.

Our own questions, written from the Iowa Driver's License Manual and checked against it. Not affiliated with the Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division. Found a mistake? Tell us.