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Iowa DOT permit practice test 4

25 questions written from the Iowa Driver's License Manual, covering signals and pavement markings, hazards, weather and night driving, emergencies, following and passing, lanes, highways and freeways 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 1When you have a steady green arrow, what is true?

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    A: You may turn in the arrow's direction; oncoming traffic must stop. Drivers may make the turn; oncoming traffic must stop. Do not go straight; still yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.9 Traffic Signals, page 11.

  2. Question 2Why should you never leave your engine running in a closed garage?

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    A: Exhaust fumes can cause death in a very short time. A leaking exhaust can fill an enclosed space with deadly fumes very quickly. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.1 Maintaining Your Vehicle — Exhaust System, page 25.

  3. Question 3If your vehicle breaks down and you cannot get off the road, where should you try to stop?

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    A: Where others have a clear view, not just over a hill or around a curve. Stop where approaching drivers can see you from far away, never just past a hilltop or around a curve. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.13 Communicating — Hazard Lights, page 49.

  4. Question 4Roads are slippery or the vehicle ahead blocks your view. What following distance is recommended?

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    D: Six or more seconds. Slippery roads, or a vehicle ahead that blocks your view, call for a gap of at least six seconds. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.4 Braking and Stopping — Safe Following Distance, page 41.

  5. Question 5On a road with three or more lanes in your direction, where should you drive?

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    A: In the right or center lane except to pass. With three or more lanes in your direction, use the right or center lane and keep the left lane for passing. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.18 General Lane Use, page 16.

  6. Question 6In Iowa, when may you turn left on a red light?

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    A: From the left lane of a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping. After a full stop, you may turn left on red only from the left lane of a one-way street into another one-way street. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.8 Proper Turning Techniques — Turns on Red, After a Stop, page 43.

  7. Question 7Where is parking on a bridge prohibited in Iowa?

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    A: On any bridge outside city limits. Outside city limits, parking on any bridge is not allowed; parking in highway tunnels is also banned. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.26 Parking Not Allowed, page 21.

  8. Question 8Using the penny test, when is a tire unsafe?

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    A: When the tread does not reach at least the top of Lincoln's head. Insert a penny head-first into the tread; if part of Lincoln's head stays visible above the tread, the tire is too worn and must be replaced. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.1 Maintaining Your Vehicle — Tires, page 24.

  9. Question 9Where may an open container of alcohol be legally transported in a vehicle in Iowa?

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    A: In the trunk. Open containers may be transported in the trunk; otherwise transporting them is illegal. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.8 Alcohol and Drugs — Open Container Law, page 37.

  10. Question 10May automatic parallel parking be used during an Iowa driving test?

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    A: No. Automatic parallel parking is a convenience technology and is not permitted during the driving test. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.3 Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems, page 26.

  11. Question 11Which shape is reserved for the stop sign only?

    red and white octagon road sign
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    A: Octagon. The octagon shape is reserved for stop signs only. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.1 Traffic Signs — Standard Shapes, page 7.

  12. Question 12What is Iowa's speed limit in a suburban district when no limit is posted?

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    C: 45 mph. The unposted limit in any suburban district is 45 mph. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.5 Appropriate Speed, page 42.

  13. Question 13At an all-way stop, two vehicles arrive at the same time. Which goes first?

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    A: The vehicle to the right. For vehicles arriving at the same time at an all-way stop, the vehicle to the right goes first. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.22 Intersections — Controlled Intersections, page 19.

  14. Question 14May you drive on a sidewalk in Iowa?

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    A: Only to cross it. Driving along a sidewalk is illegal; you may only drive across one, for example to use a driveway. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.22 Intersections — Controlled Intersections, page 19.

  15. Question 15What does a steady red arrow mean?

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    A: Drivers turning in that direction must stop. A steady red arrow means drivers turning left or right must stop. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.9 Traffic Signals, page 11.

  16. Question 16Should you use adaptive cruise control in bad weather?

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    A: No, avoid all cruise control in bad weather. The manual advises against any cruise control, adaptive or not, in bad weather or other unsafe conditions. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.3 Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems — Adaptive Cruise Control, page 33.

  17. Question 17In Iowa, may you break a vehicle's window to help a person or animal trapped inside on a hot day?

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    A: Yes, to provide medical attention. Iowa law allows you to break a car window to give medical help to a person or animal trapped inside. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 5.12 Closed Vehicles on a Hot Day, page 59.

  18. Question 18After passing, when should you move back into the original lane?

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    A: When you see the front of the passed car in your rearview mirror and are well clear. Return to your lane only after the passed car's front appears in your rearview mirror and you have plenty of room; signal first. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.10 Passing, page 45.

  19. Question 19How many lanes should you change at a time?

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    A: One. Only change lanes one lane at a time. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.9 Changing Lanes, page 44.

  20. Question 20What does the Iowa manual say about three-point turns?

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    A: They are generally not safe; it is better to go to the nearest intersection. Three-point turns are generally not safe; it is better to proceed to the nearest intersection. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 4.8 Proper Turning Techniques — Turning Maneuvers, page 43.

  21. Question 21Where is parking prohibited in Iowa?

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    A: Alongside another stopped or parked car (double parking). Do not double park alongside another stopped or parked car. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.26 Parking Not Allowed, page 21.

  22. Question 22When should you check tire air pressure?

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    A: When the tires are cold. Check tire pressure with a gauge when the tires are cold. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.1 Maintaining Your Vehicle — Tires, page 24.

  23. Question 23How is BAC normally tested in Iowa?

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    A: Breathalyzer, urine sample or blood test. Police usually measure BAC with a breath test, a urine sample or a blood test. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 3.8 Alcohol and Drugs — Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), page 37.

  24. Question 24What indicators may Iowa drivers choose to have printed on their license to help officers during a stop?

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    A: Autism spectrum and deaf or hard of hearing indicators. Drivers with autism and/or who are deaf or hard of hearing may add an indicator visible to law enforcement. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 5.16 Law Enforcement Interactions, page 64.

  25. Question 25On which side of the road is the pennant-shaped no-passing sign placed?

    yellow and black pennant road sign
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    A: The left side. The pennant sign is on the left side of the road and warns of a no-passing zone. Iowa Driver's License Manual: 2.1 Traffic Signs — Standard Shapes, page 7.

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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.