The Iowa road test

By the end of this topic you can

• You can work out whether you need a DMV drive test.
• You can book the test and bring the right documents.
• You can prepare a vehicle that will pass the pre-test inspection.
• You can say which driver assistance features are allowed during the test.
• You can show the driving habits the examiner is looking for.

What you need to know and understand

• Under 18, you need a DMV drive test if your driver education instructor requests one or if you completed parent-taught driver education.
• Adults need one if they have never been licensed in any US state or territory, or if their license has been expired or invalid for a year or longer.
• A test may also be required because of a medical condition, a court order or a license restriction.
• The test vehicle must pass a safety and paperwork check before you drive.
• Back-up cameras, blind spot warnings and automatic emergency braking may be used; adaptive cruise control and automatic parallel parking may not.
• Iowa does not currently require parallel parking on the drive test.
• Drive tests are booked by appointment at Iowa DOT DMV locations.

Getting ready on test day

1. Schedule your drive test online or by contacting a DMV location.
2. Bring your valid instruction permit, proof of insurance for the test vehicle and, if your parent is not with you, a signed parental consent form.
3. Parent-taught students also need Iowa DOT's letter of completion before booking.
4. Arrive early with a vehicle that is clean, fueled and in good working order, and bring money for the license fee.

The vehicle check

Before you leave the lot, Iowa DOT staff inspect the car. If it fails, the test does not go ahead. They check for:

• Front and rear license plates attached (a single out-of-state or temporary plate is accepted).
• Current registration and insurance.
• A working horn, turn signals front and back, brake lights and seat belts.
• At least one rearview mirror.
• Driver and front passenger doors that open normally and a driver window that opens.
• Working wipers, headlights and taillights as the weather and time of day require.

What the examiner is watching

The examiner is not there to trick you. They note how well you obey signs, signals and traffic laws and how safely you handle normal traffic. Car technology can help you, but you must show you can drive without it, so keep doing head checks even with a camera or blind spot monitor.

• Full stops at the correct place, with no rolling through stop signs or red lights.
• Mirror checks and over-the-shoulder looks before lane changes and merges.
• Signaling about 100 feet before turns or lane changes.
• Smooth steering, acceleration and braking.
• Speed that suits the limit and the conditions, and a safe following distance.
• Correct lane choice when turning.

Common mistakes

• Bringing a car with a burned-out brake light or expired registration, which ends the test before it starts.
• Leaving adaptive cruise control or self-parking switched on. Convenience features are not allowed during the test.
• Relying on the back-up camera without turning to look over your shoulder.
• Rolling a right turn on red without a full stop.
• Forgetting the parental consent form when a parent cannot attend.

Test yourself: The Iowa road test

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Iowa Permit Test
• Iowa Driving Test
• Iowa Intermediate License Rules