Iowa Permit Test (Iowa DOT Knowledge Test) — All Questions

A red, eight-sided (octagonal) sign requires you to:

• a.Slow down and yield to the right
• b.Make a complete stop, then go when it is safe✓
• c.Stop only if a vehicle is approaching
• d.Merge into the next lane

A red octagon is always a STOP sign; you must come to a full stop at the stop line or crosswalk and proceed only when it is safe. (Iowa Driver's Manual, traffic signs)

A yellow diamond-shaped sign is used to:

• a.Set the legal speed limit
• b.Mark a rest area
• c.Warn of a hazard or change in the road ahead✓
• d.Show a mandatory turn

Yellow diamond signs are warning signs that alert you to hazards or changes in the road ahead so you can slow down and prepare. (Iowa Driver's Manual)

A flashing red traffic signal means:

• a.Stop completely, then proceed when it is safe, as at a STOP sign✓
• b.Speed up to clear the intersection
• c.The signal is out of service, so ignore it
• d.Turn left only

A flashing red light has the same meaning as a STOP sign: stop fully, then continue when the way is clear. (Iowa Driver's Manual, traffic signals)

A five-sided (pentagon) sign marks:

• a.A hospital zone
• b.A no-passing area
• c.A freeway exit
• d.A school zone or school crossing✓

The pentagon (five-sided) shape identifies school zones and school crossings; slow down and watch for children. (Iowa Driver's Manual)

A solid white line along the road usually means:

• a.You may cross freely at any time
• b.It marks the edge of the road or a lane where changes are discouraged✓
• c.Passing is required
• d.The lane is for turning only

A solid white line marks the road edge or separates same-direction lanes where lane changes are discouraged. (Iowa Driver's Manual, pavement markings)

At an intersection with no signs or signals where two cars arrive at about the same time, you should yield to:

• a.The car that is going faster
• b.The larger vehicle
• c.The vehicle on your right✓
• d.No one; go first

At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to the vehicle that reaches it first; if you arrive together, yield to the driver on your right. (Iowa Driver's Manual)

When you want to turn left across oncoming traffic, you must:

• a.Yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians before turning✓
• b.Turn quickly before oncoming cars arrive
• c.Expect oncoming traffic to stop for you
• d.Sound your horn and proceed

A left-turning driver must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians in the crosswalk. (Iowa Driver's Manual, right-of-way)

When an emergency vehicle approaches with flashing lights and a siren, you should:

• a.Speed up to get out of the area
• b.Stop where you are in the lane
• c.Continue at the same speed
• d.Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes✓

Pull over to the right, stop, and stay until the emergency vehicle has passed. (Iowa Driver's Manual)

At a four-way stop, the right-of-way goes to:

• a.The vehicle that honks first
• b.The vehicle that stopped first✓
• c.The vehicle turning left
• d.The vehicle on the left

At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to stop goes first; if two stop together, the one on the right goes first. (Iowa Driver's Manual)

Iowa's Move Over law requires that, when you approach a stopped emergency, police, or tow vehicle displaying flashing lights, you:

• a.Stop in your lane until it leaves
• b.Move over a lane if safe, or slow down when you cannot✓
• c.Keep your speed and hold your lane
• d.Sound your horn to warn the workers

Iowa's Move Over law requires drivers to change lanes away from a stopped emergency or service vehicle when safe, or slow down if moving over is not possible. (Iowa Driver's Manual, Move Over law)

When following another vehicle in good conditions, a safe following distance is at least:

• a.Half a car length
• b.One second
• c.Three to four seconds✓
• d.As close as possible to save fuel

Use a three-to-four-second following gap in good conditions, and more when the road is wet, icy, or visibility is poor. (Iowa Driver's Manual, following distance)

When sharing the road with a motorcycle, you should:

• a.Give it a full lane width and extra following room✓
• b.Share the lane beside it
• c.Pass closely to move ahead quickly
• d.Follow more closely because it is small

Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane; never share it, and allow extra following distance because bikes can stop quickly. (Iowa Driver's Manual)

Large trucks have big blind spots ('No-Zones'). To stay safe you should:

• a.Drive directly behind the trailer
• b.Stay beside the truck's rear wheels
• c.Assume the driver can always see you
• d.Avoid lingering alongside and pass promptly on the left✓

Trucks have wide blind spots on all sides; if you cannot see the driver's mirrors, they cannot see you, so do not linger beside them and pass on the left. (Iowa Driver's Manual, sharing the road with trucks)

When you meet a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing on an undivided two-way road, you must:

• a.Pass slowly on the left
• b.Stop in both directions until the lights stop flashing✓
• c.Continue if no children are visible
• d.Sound your horn and pass

On an undivided road, traffic in both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and remain stopped until the lights go off. (Iowa Driver's Manual, school buses)

The 'basic speed law' means you must:

• a.Always drive the posted maximum
• b.Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions✓
• c.Match the speed of the fastest car
• d.Drive at least 10 mph under the limit

The basic speed law requires you to drive no faster than is reasonable and prudent for traffic, weather, and road conditions, even below the posted limit. (Iowa Driver's Manual, speed)

On a wet road, to reduce the chance of hydroplaning you should:

• a.Brake hard often
• b.Increase your speed
• c.Slow down and avoid sudden steering or braking✓
• d.Follow closely behind another car

Reduce speed on wet roads; hydroplaning happens when tires ride on a film of water, so avoid hard braking and sudden steering and ease off the gas if it occurs. (Iowa Driver's Manual, adverse conditions)

In fog, the safest choice is to:

• a.Slow down and use low-beam headlights✓
• b.Use high beams for more light
• c.Speed up to leave the fog
• d.Turn off all lights

In fog, slow down and use low beams; high beams reflect off the fog and reduce visibility further. (Iowa Driver's Manual)

When driving through a work zone you should:

• a.Keep your normal speed
• b.Change lanes frequently
• c.Follow the car ahead closely
• d.Obey posted work-zone limits and merge early✓

Slow to the posted work-zone speed, merge early, and watch for workers and equipment; fines are often higher in work zones. (Iowa Driver's Manual, work zones)

In Iowa, the minimum age to get an instruction permit is:

• a.16
• b.15
• c.14✓
• d.18

Iowa issues an instruction permit beginning at age 14. (Iowa Driver's Manual, GDL)

An Iowa intermediate license holder generally may not drive between:

• a.11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• b.12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m.✓
• c.midnight and 6 a.m.
• d.10 p.m. and 4 a.m.

An Iowa intermediate driver may not drive between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a qualifying licensed adult or driving to/from work or a school event. (Iowa Driver's Manual, GDL)

During the first six months of an Iowa intermediate license, the driver may carry no more than:

• a.One unrelated minor passenger, unless supervised by a licensed adult 25+✓
• b.Four passengers
• c.Two adult passengers
• d.No passengers at all, ever

For the first six months of an Iowa intermediate license, the driver may carry only one unrelated passenger under 18 unless a parent, guardian, or licensed driver 25 or older is supervising. (Iowa Driver's Manual, GDL)

For an Iowa driver under 21, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of:

• a.0.08 or higher
• b.0.05 or higher
• c.0.10 or higher
• d.0.02 or higher (zero-tolerance)✓

Iowa applies a 0.02 zero-tolerance BAC limit to drivers under 21; the adult limit is 0.08. (Iowa Driver's Manual, operating while intoxicated)

An Iowa intermediate license holder may drive to and from school on an otherwise restricted schedule only if:

• a.They drive faster than posted
• b.They carry the required documentation and follow its terms✓
• c.They have no passengers ever
• d.They avoid all highways

Iowa lets an intermediate driver drive unsupervised to and from school-related activities under specific documented conditions (such as a school authorization); otherwise the nighttime and supervision rules apply. (Iowa Driver's Manual, GDL)

Under Iowa's implied-consent law, refusing a chemical test after a lawful DUI arrest results in:

• a.No penalty
• b.A warning only
• c.Revocation or suspension of your driving privilege✓
• d.A lower fine

Driving in Iowa means you consent to chemical testing when lawfully requested; refusal results in revocation of your driving privileges. (Iowa Driver's Manual, implied consent)