PermitPracticeTest
Menu

Iowa DOT permit practice test 3

25 questions written from the Iowa Driver's License Manual, covering following and passing, lanes, highways and freeways, turns and intersections, parking, safe and defensive driving 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 1What minimum following distance should a beginning driver keep in normal conditions?

    Show answer

    B: Three seconds. An inexperienced or beginning driver should keep at least a three-second following distance. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.4 Braking and Stopping — Safe Following Distance, page 41.

  2. Question 2What may a shared left-turn lane NOT be used for?

    Show answer

    A: Passing. Vehicles may enter and stop in the lane before turning left, but it cannot be used for passing. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.16 Shared Left-Turn Lane, page 16.

  3. Question 3There is a driveway between you and the street where you plan to turn. When should you signal?

    Show answer

    A: After you pass the driveway. If there are driveways or entrances before your turn, wait until you have passed them to signal so no one misreads it. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.8 Proper Turning Techniques — Turn Signals, page 43.

  4. Question 4How close to a fire station entrance may you park in Iowa?

    Show answer

    C: No closer than 20 feet. Do not park closer than 20 feet from a fire station entrance. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.26 Parking Not Allowed, page 21.

  5. Question 5Iowa law requires the windshield and the windows to the driver's immediate left and right to let through at least what percentage of light?

    Show answer

    C: 70 percent. Tinted windshields and front side windows must allow at least 70 percent of light through. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.1 Maintaining Your Vehicle — Windshield, Windshield Wipers, and Glass Surfaces, page 24.

  6. Question 6At what BAC is a driver under 21 considered to be operating while intoxicated in Iowa?

    Show answer

    B: .02. An underage driver is considered OWI with a BAC of .02 or more. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.8 Alcohol and Drugs — Drivers Under 21, page 37.

  7. Question 7Which technology may NOT be used during an Iowa driving test?

    Show answer

    A: Adaptive cruise control. Convenience technologies such as adaptive cruise control and automatic parallel parking are not permitted during the test. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.3 Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, page 26.

  8. Question 8What does an orange sign indicate?

    Show answer

    A: Road work, temporary traffic control or maintenance. Orange signs warn of road work, temporary traffic control and maintenance; watch for changing speed limits and workers. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.1 Traffic Signs — Standard Colors, page 6.

  9. Question 9What is Iowa's speed limit in a business district when no limit is posted?

    Show answer

    B: 20 mph. The unposted limit in any business district is 20 mph. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.5 Appropriate Speed, page 42.

  10. Question 10You stopped at a red light and want to turn right. What must you do?

    Show answer

    A: Yield before turning, unless a sign prohibits the turn. Right turns on red are permitted unless a sign prohibits them, but you must yield. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.22 Intersections — Controlled Intersections, page 19.

  11. Question 11A person walking with a white cane, or a white cane with a red tip, is likely what?

    Show answer

    A: Visually impaired. A person led by a harnessed service animal or using a white or red-tipped white cane is likely visually impaired. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.21 Sight-Impaired Pedestrians, page 18.

  12. Question 12What does a flashing yellow arrow mean for a left turn?

    Show answer

    A: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn with caution; oncoming traffic has a green light. A flashing yellow arrow permits the turn only after you yield, because oncoming drivers have a green light and pedestrians may be crossing. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.9 Traffic Signals, page 11.

  13. Question 13When stopped at a railroad crossing, how much space should you leave between your vehicle and the nearest rail?

    Show answer

    C: At least 15 feet. Leave at least 15 feet between your vehicle and the nearest rail. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.10 Railroad Crossings, page 12.

  14. Question 14Your vehicle stalls in a traveled lane. What should you and your passengers do?

    Show answer

    A: Exit quickly and stand in a safe area away from moving traffic. If stalled in a traveled lane, exit quickly and stand in a safe area, away from the shoulder and moving vehicles. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.13 Communicating — Hazard Lights, page 49.

  15. Question 15What following distance is recommended at 40 mph?

    Show answer

    C: Four to five seconds. At around 40 mph the manual recommends leaving four to five seconds behind the vehicle ahead. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.4 Braking and Stopping — Safe Following Distance, page 41.

  16. Question 16What symbol often marks a reserved lane, such as an HOV lane?

    Show answer

    A: A white diamond. Reserved lanes often have a white diamond posted beside the road and/or painted on the road surface. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.17 Reserved Lanes, page 16.

  17. Question 17As a rule of thumb, when should you signal relative to slowing down?

    Show answer

    A: Before you slow down. As a rule of thumb, signal before slowing down. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.8 Proper Turning Techniques — Turn Signals, page 43.

  18. Question 18How close to a railroad crossing may you park in Iowa?

    Show answer

    C: No closer than 50 feet. Do not park closer than 50 feet from a railroad crossing. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.26 Parking Not Allowed, page 21.

  19. Question 19Does Iowa have a medical exemption for tinted windows?

    Show answer

    A: No. Iowa makes no medical exception to its window tint limits. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.1 Maintaining Your Vehicle — Windshield, Windshield Wipers, and Glass Surfaces, page 24.

  20. Question 20What is the minimum revocation for a driver under 21 with a BAC of .02 but under .08?

    Show answer

    B: 60 days. An underage driver's privileges are revoked for at least 60 days, or 180 days if the BAC is .08 or more. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.8 Alcohol and Drugs — Drivers Under 21, page 37.

  21. Question 21May you use a back-up camera during an Iowa driving test?

    Show answer

    A: Yes, safety technologies are permitted. You may be assisted by safety technologies such as back-up cameras, but not convenience technologies. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.3 Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, page 26.

  22. Question 22What do brown signs show?

    Show answer

    A: Recreation and cultural points of interest. Brown signs direct you to historical sites, parks and recreational areas. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.1 Traffic Signs — Standard Colors, page 6.

  23. Question 23What is Iowa's speed limit in a residential or school district when no limit is posted?

    Show answer

    B: 25 mph. The unposted limit in a residential or school district is 25 mph. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.5 Appropriate Speed, page 42.

  24. Question 24You are turning left at an intersection. Whom must you yield to?

    Show answer

    A: Oncoming cars going straight ahead. Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming cars going straight ahead. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.22 Intersections — Controlled Intersections, page 19.

  25. Question 25What does the Iowa manual say about yielding to bicyclists?

    Show answer

    A: Be ready to yield even when the bicyclist should yield to you. Bicyclists are very vulnerable, so be ready to yield the right-of-way even when they should yield to you. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.22 Intersections, page 18.

Answer every question to see your score.

Next: practice test 4

More Iowa practice tests

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.