Iowa DMV is administered by the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), headquartered in Des Moines. The official Iowa written knowledge exam has 35 questions, and drivers must answer 28 correctly (80%) to pass. Our practice tests match the exact format, topics, and difficulty of the real Iowa DMV test.
What makes the Iowa DMV test unique?
Iowa's exam emphasizes rural two-lane passing, blizzard snow-emergency protocols, and agricultural vehicle right-of-way.
Slow-moving vehicle (SMV) triangles are required on any vehicle traveling 35 mph or less on public roads — common in rural Iowa.
Iowa issues Intermediate Licenses at 16 with nighttime and passenger restrictions — questions on these restrictions are common.
Browse all Iowa questions
282 indexed questions with full answers, explanations, and law citations.
What does this sign indicate?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does this sign indicate?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does this sign indicate?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does a Wrong Way sign indicate?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does a ONE WAY sign indicate?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does this sign means?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does a Speed Limit sign indicate?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does this sign mean?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does a lane-use control sign indicate?
Alabama Driver Manual
What does a railroad crossbuck sign indicate?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does a DIVIDED HIGHWAY ENDS sign indicate?
Alabama Driver Manual
What does a LOW CLEARANCE sign indicate?
Alabama Driver Manual
Children should ride in ____.
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Which statement about drinking and driving is NOT correct?
Alabama Driver Manual
Which option is NOT a good way to reduce distraction?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Strong emotions such as anger can ____ your ability to drive safely.
Alabama Driver Manual
What should you do before driving after taking medicine?
Alabama Driver Manual
What should you do if an oncoming vehicle's headlights are bright?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
In fog you should generally use ____.
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What should you do if you encounter a flooded roadway and cannot judge its depth?
Alabama Driver Manual
What should you do if you have a tire blowout?
Alabama Driver Manual
If your brakes fail, you should first ____.
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What is an appropriate response after a crash?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What should you do if road or weather conditions are poor?
Alabama Driver Manual
A safe following distance should be ____ in bad weather than in dry conditions.
Alabama Driver Manual
Why is tailgating dangerous?
Alabama Driver Manual
Stopping distance is affected by ____.
Alabama Driver Manual
The faster you drive, the ____ it generally takes to stop.
Alabama Driver Manual
What should you do when driving in or near a school zone?
Alabama Driver Manual
What should you do when approaching a stopped emergency or service vehicle with flashing lights?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Which statement about roadside emergency scenes is NOT correct?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Before changing lanes or merging you should check ____.
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Good steering control begins with ____.
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What is the purpose of a speed limit?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Why is following distance important?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
When two vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled intersection at about the same time, who should usually go first?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
At a four-way stop, the vehicle that should go first is usually the one that ____.
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
When entering a roadway from a driveway or private road, you must yield to ____.
Alabama Driver Manual
Drivers must yield to pedestrians ____.
Alabama Driver Manual
What should you do if you see a blind pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What should you do when an emergency vehicle approaches with siren or flashing lights?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What should you do when entering a roundabout?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What should you do when entering a freeway from an acceleration lane?
Alabama Driver Manual
Which statement about pedestrians is NOT correct?
Alabama Driver Manual
When a stopped school bus is using red warning signals and a stop arm, what is the correct response?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Which statement about a school bus stopped with red warning signals is NOT correct?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What should you do if warning lights are flashing at a railroad crossing?
Alabama Driver Manual
What should you do before backing your vehicle?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What should you do when parking on a hill?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Which option is NOT a safe step when parking on a hill?
Alabama Driver Manual
What should you do before getting out of a parked vehicle on the traffic side?
Alabama Driver Manual
Backing is safest when you ____.
Alabama Driver Manual
What does 'parallel parking' mean?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does a red curb indicate?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does a yellow curb indicate?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What is the purpose of handicap parking spaces?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does it mean to 'double park'?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What should you do when signal before?
Alaska Driver Manual
What should you do when make a U-turn only?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Why should you watch carefully for motorcycles?
Alabama Driver Manual
Large trucks have ____.
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What should you do when avoid cutting in front of a large truck because?
Alabama Driver Manual
Bicyclists generally have ____.
Alabama Driver Manual
Before opening a door next to traffic you should check for ____.
Alabama Driver Manual
What should you do when waiting behind another vehicle at railroad tracks?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does 'sharing the road' mean for drivers?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What is a 'bike lane' and what does it mean for drivers?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does 'vulnerable road user' mean?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What is the meaning of a 'no-zone' around large trucks?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
What does it mean to 'share the road with motorcycles'?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Which of the following is true about sharing the road with cyclists?
US DMV standard (applies in all states)
Real-format questions with the reasoning behind every answer.
Explanation: In Iowa it is illegal for drivers 21 and older to drive with a BAC of .08% or more. The offense is called Operating While Intoxicated (OWI).
Explanation: Crashes causing death, injury, or $1,500 or more in total property damage must be reported. If police do not investigate, a written Accident Report is due within 72 hours.
Explanation: Opening a door into traffic can injure bicyclists, pedestrians, or other road users.
Answers to the questions Iowa test-takers ask most.
Driving laws vary by state — compare requirements.
35 questions · 80% to pass. Start practicing free.