Photo: Paul R. Burley, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Iowa knowledge test checks Iowa traffic laws and the signs that regulate, warn and direct traffic. Iowa DOT’s own practice test has 25 questions with an 80% pass mark, so this page starts with a 25-question mock at that standard, then adds 15 questions on Iowa-specific figures taken straight from the Iowa Code. Everything here is original and unofficial; none of it is an Iowa DOT question.
Iowa permit test basics
- Minimum age: 14. Under 18, a parent, guardian or custodian signs a consent form.
- Content: traffic laws, signs and a vision screening (20/40 in at least one eye without lenses means no vision restriction).
- Iowa DOT’s practice test: 25 questions, 80% to pass. Iowa DOT sets the real test’s passing score, so ask Iowa DOT for the real question count.
- A passing score stays valid for 180 days.
- Teens can test at home online with a parent as proctor, from within 30 days of their 14th birthday.
Home testing and what happens after you pass: the Iowa DOT permit test guide.
Mock test (questions 1 to 25)
1. A sign shaped like an octagon always means:
- A. No passing
- B. Stop
- C. Yield
- D. Railroad
Answer: B. Only STOP signs have eight sides. Manual chapter: Traffic Signs and Rules of the Road.
2. Signs that regulate traffic, such as ONE WAY and speed limits, are mostly:
- A. Yellow diamonds
- B. Orange diamonds
- C. Blue squares
- D. Black and white rectangles
Answer: D. Regulatory signs tell you the law. See US road signs by shape and color.
3. A yellow diamond showing a truck on a slope warns of:
- A. A steep hill
- B. No trucks allowed
- C. A weigh station
- D. A truck stop
Answer: A. Shift to a lower gear and control your speed on the way down.
4. A slow-moving vehicle emblem, an orange triangle with red edges, is common on Iowa roads on:
- A. Farm equipment and other slow vehicles
- B. School buses
- C. Police cars
- D. Ambulances
Answer: A. The emblem marks vehicles that travel far below highway speed. Slow down early and pass only where it is legal and safe. See rural two-lane roads.
5. The round yellow sign with an X and RR is placed:
- A. At train stations
- B. At the crossing itself
- C. Ahead of a railroad crossing, as a warning
- D. Only on abandoned lines
Answer: C. The round sign is the advance warning; the white crossbuck stands at the crossing. See railroad crossings.
6. A flashing yellow light means:
- A. The road is closed
- B. Go faster to clear the intersection
- C. Stop and wait
- D. Slow down and proceed with caution
Answer: D. Flashing yellow is a caution signal. See traffic signals in the US.
7. A solid white line along the right edge of the road marks:
- A. The center of the road
- B. A no-passing zone
- C. A bike lane in every case
- D. The edge of the travel lane
Answer: D. Edge lines help you stay in your lane at night and in bad weather. See US pavement markings.
8. A broken yellow center line with a solid yellow line on the far side means:
- A. You may pass when safe; traffic on the other side may not
- B. Both sides may pass
- C. You must turn left
- D. Neither side may pass
Answer: A. The broken line on your side allows passing when it is safe.
9. You are first to stop at a four-way stop. Another car stops after you. Who goes first?
- A. The other car
- B. You do
- C. The larger vehicle
- D. The car turning left
Answer: B. The first vehicle to stop goes first. See four-way stops explained.
10. You want to turn left from a two-way road. You should start from:
- A. The shoulder
- B. The lane closest to the center line
- C. Any lane
- D. The right lane
Answer: B. Position yourself just right of the center line and yield to oncoming traffic. See left-turn yield rules.
11. You enter a roundabout. Who has the right of way?
- A. Traffic already in the roundabout
- B. Whoever is going fastest
- C. The biggest vehicle
- D. You, because you are entering
Answer: A. Yield on entry and go counterclockwise. See how to drive a roundabout.
12. Iowa’s basic speed rule says you must drive no faster than will let you:
- A. Stop within the assured clear distance ahead
- B. Pass slower vehicles
- C. Keep up with the fastest car
- D. Reach your destination on time
Answer: A. Iowa Code 321.285 requires a careful and prudent speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see is clear. See the basic speed law.
13. An emergency vehicle with a siren and red lights is approaching. Iowa law says to:
- A. Pull into the left lane
- B. Speed up and stay ahead
- C. Stop in your lane
- D. Pull to the right edge of the highway, clear of intersections, and stop until it passes
Answer: D. Iowa Code 321.324. See pulling over for emergency vehicles.
14. You approach a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights on a four-lane highway. You must:
- A. Keep your speed in your lane
- B. Stop behind it
- C. Change to a lane not next to it if safe; otherwise slow below the limit and be ready to stop
- D. Honk as you pass
Answer: C. Iowa Code 321.323A, which also covers tow trucks, utility, highway maintenance and similar vehicles with flashing lights. See move over laws.
15. In Iowa, who must wear a seat belt under the main seat belt law?
- A. Only children under 6
- B. Only the driver
- C. The driver and front seat passengers, and every child under 18 in any seat
- D. No one on rural roads
Answer: C. Iowa Code 321.445 covers the driver and front seat. Section 321.446 requires everyone under 18 to be secured by a child restraint or belt. See seat belt and child seat laws.
16. A child under 1 year old who weighs under 20 pounds must ride in:
- A. A rear-facing child restraint
- B. A forward-facing booster
- C. An adult seat belt
- D. A parent’s lap
Answer: A. Iowa Code 321.446. Children under 6 who are not in that group must still use a child restraint.
17. What is the first thing to do if your rear wheels skid on ice?
- A. Shift into park
- B. Steer hard the other way
- C. Ease off the gas and steer gently where you want to go
- D. Slam the brakes
Answer: C. Smooth, small inputs let the tires grip again. See driving in snow, fog and rain.
18. A deer runs out in front of you on a rural road. The safest general advice is to:
- A. Swerve hard into the oncoming lane
- B. Speed up
- C. Brake firmly and stay in your lane rather than swerve
- D. Turn off your headlights
Answer: C. Swerving often causes worse crashes than hitting the animal. See deer and animal collisions.
19. In Iowa, what blood alcohol concentration is OWI for a driver 21 or older?
- A. 0.02
- B. 0.04
- C. 0.05
- D. 0.08
Answer: D. 0.08 is OWI under Iowa Code 321J.2. Any amount of a controlled substance in blood or urine is also OWI. See implied consent and DUI.
20. An Iowa driver under 21 loses their license at what alcohol concentration?
- A. 0.02 or more
- B. 0.04 or more
- C. 0.05 or more
- D. 0.08 or more
Answer: A. Iowa Code 321J.2A applies at 0.02. See zero tolerance laws.
21. Under Iowa’s hands-free law, which is allowed while driving?
- A. A voice-activated or single-touch hands-free call
- B. A video call with the phone mounted
- C. Reading a text at a stop sign
- D. Holding the phone to check directions
Answer: A. Iowa Code 321.276 bans holding, viewing or manipulating a device. Video calls, streaming and reading messages are banned too. Since January 1, 2026, officers issue citations. See hands-free and texting laws.
22. Before backing out of a driveway, you should:
- A. Back quickly so cars do not wait
- B. Honk and go
- C. Rely on your mirrors only
- D. Walk around or look behind the car, then back slowly while looking over your shoulder
Answer: D. Small children and objects can be hidden behind the car. See backup cameras and the road test.
23. You feel drowsy on a long drive. The best response is to:
- A. Drive faster to get there sooner
- B. Stop somewhere safe and rest
- C. Open the window and keep going
- D. Turn the radio up
Answer: B. Fresh air and music do not fix fatigue. See drowsy driving.
24. Fog is reducing visibility. You should use:
- A. Hazard lights while moving at full speed
- B. No lights
- C. Low beam headlights
- D. High beams
Answer: C. High beams bounce off fog and cut what you can see.
25. A school bus coming toward you on a two-lane road switches on its flashing amber lights. You must:
- A. Stop immediately, wherever you are
- B. Slow to no more than 20 mph and be ready to stop
- C. Speed up to pass before it stops
- D. Ignore it; amber is only for traffic behind
Answer: B. Iowa Code 321.372 requires 20 mph or less when meeting a bus with amber lights, then a full stop once it stops with the stop arm out. See school bus stopping laws.
Mark the mock
| Correct out of 25 | Against the 80% practice standard |
|---|---|
| 23 to 25 | Strong pass |
| 20 to 22 | Pass. Review what you missed. |
| Under 20 | Below 80%. Reread chapter 2 of the Iowa manual, Traffic Signs and Rules of the Road. |
Extra: Iowa Code figures and GDL rules (questions 26 to 40)
26. When a school bus is stopped with its stop arm out, how close may you stop behind it?
- A. No closer than 50 feet
- B. No closer than 15 feet
- C. No closer than 5 feet
- D. No closer than 10 feet
Answer: B. Iowa Code 321.372 says no closer than 15 feet, and stay stopped until the arm retracts and the bus moves.
27. On a highway with two or more lanes in each direction, a school bus stops on the other side. Must you stop?
- A. Only if the bus has amber lights on
- B. Yes, always
- C. No; Iowa law does not require it for traffic going the opposite way on such a highway
- D. Only if children are visible
Answer: C. Iowa Code 321.372(4). Traffic behind the bus must still stop. Passing a stopped bus illegally carries a fine of at least $345 for a first offense.
28. How close to a fire hydrant may you park under Iowa law?
- A. 5 feet
- B. 10 feet
- C. 15 feet
- D. 20 feet
Answer: A. Iowa Code 321.358 bans parking within five feet of a hydrant. Many states use 15 feet, so this is an Iowa number to learn. See US parking rules.
29. How far from a stop sign, flashing beacon or signal at the roadside must you park?
- A. 5 feet
- B. 10 feet
- C. 20 feet
- D. 30 feet
Answer: B. Iowa Code 321.358 sets 10 feet on the approach to a stop sign, beacon or traffic signal.
30. How far from the nearest rail of a railroad crossing must you park?
- A. 15 feet
- B. 25 feet
- C. 50 feet
- D. 100 feet
Answer: C. 50 feet under Iowa Code 321.358, apart from parking parallel to the rail without a red light showing.
31. On a road with a speed limit above 45 mph, how far before turning must you signal?
- A. 100 feet
- B. 200 feet
- C. 300 feet
- D. 500 feet
Answer: C. Iowa Code 321.315: 300 feet above 45 mph, and 100 feet at 45 mph or less.
32. Unless posted otherwise, the Iowa Code speed limit in a residence or school district is:
- A. 20 mph
- B. 25 mph
- C. 35 mph
- D. 45 mph
Answer: B. 25 mph. Business districts are 20 mph and suburban districts 45 mph (Iowa Code 321.285).
33. Iowa law requires you to dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within:
- A. 300 feet
- B. 500 feet
- C. 800 feet
- D. 1,000 feet
Answer: D. Iowa Code 321.415: within 1,000 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and within 400 feet when following one. See night driving.
34. What is the minimum age for an Iowa instruction permit?
- A. 14
- B. 15
- C. 15 and a half
- D. 16
Answer: A. Iowa Code 321.180B allows instruction permits from 14. See the Iowa learner driver guide.
35. Which person may NOT supervise an Iowa permit holder under 18?
- A. A licensed parent or guardian
- B. A licensed person 25 or older with written parent permission
- C. A licensed 19-year-old friend
- D. A licensed immediate family member aged 21 or older
Answer: C. The allowed supervisors are a licensed parent, guardian or custodian; a licensed immediate family member 21 or older; an approved driver education instructor; or a licensed person 25 or older with written parent permission.
36. How many supervised hours must an Iowa teen log before the intermediate license?
- A. 10, with 2 at night
- B. 20, with 2 at night
- C. 40, with 10 at night
- D. 50, with 10 at night
Answer: B. 20 hours, 2 after sunset, confirmed by a parent affidavit. Then 10 more (2 at night) before the full license. See Iowa supervised driving hours.
37. How long must you hold an Iowa instruction permit before the intermediate license?
- A. 6 months
- B. 9 months
- C. 12 months
- D. 18 months
Answer: C. 12 months immediately before you apply, with no crashes or violations in the last 6 months.
38. When must an Iowa intermediate license holder have a qualified adult beside them?
- A. 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- B. 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- C. 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.
- D. 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Answer: C. From 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m., unless driving to or from work or a school activity with the waiver form. See Iowa intermediate license rules.
39. During the first 6 months of an Iowa intermediate license, how many unrelated minor passengers may ride without a qualified supervisor (unless a parent waived the limit)?
- A. 0
- B. 1
- C. 2
- D. 3
Answer: B. One unrelated minor. Siblings, stepsiblings and household members do not count. A parent can waive the limit only when the license is issued.
40. What is Iowa’s special minor’s restricted license (the school license) for?
- A. Driving the most direct route to school, work or farm work, within set limits
- B. Driving only with a parent
- C. Driving anywhere after school hours
- D. Driving farm equipment only
Answer: A. From 14, after 6 months on a permit, for routes to school, work and farm work. See the Iowa school license.
Common questions
Are these the real Iowa DOT test questions?
No. They are original, unofficial practice. Iowa DOT’s own practice test draws from a pool that includes real test questions, so take it as well.
How many questions are on the Iowa permit test?
Iowa DOT’s practice test has 25. Ask Iowa DOT or the service center for the real test’s count.
Can I take the Iowa permit test at home?
Yes, from within 30 days of your 14th birthday until 18, on a computer with a parent as proctor. Allow 7 to 14 days for approval, and use the link within 72 hours.
Which chapters matter most?
Chapter 2 (Traffic Signs and Rules of the Road) and chapter 5 (Applying Your Driving Skills) of the Iowa Driver’s License Manual.
Do I need driver’s ed?
Under 18, yes, for the intermediate license: an approved course or parent-taught driver education. See Iowa parent-taught driver education and when you need an Iowa driving test.
Practice for other states?
See US permit practice tests by state.
Sources
- Iowa Legislature, “Iowa Code 2026”, sections 321.180B, 321.276, 321.285, 321.315, 321.323A, 321.324, 321.358, 321.372, 321.415, 321.445 and 321.446 (legis.iowa.gov)
- Iowa Legislature, “Iowa Code 2026”, sections 321J.2 and 321J.2A (legis.iowa.gov)
- Iowa Administrative Code, “761, chapter 604, Driver’s license examination” (legis.iowa.gov)
- Iowa Department of Transportation, “Iowa Driver’s License Manual” (iowadot.gov)
- Iowa Department of Transportation, “Take a practice test” (iowadot.gov)