Free DMV Practice Test for Iowa 2026

This free Iowa practice test covers essential road rules and safety regulations found in the official Driver’s Manual. You will face 30 random questions drawn from a bank of 50, requiring 23 correct answers to pass. It is a great starting point to check your knowledge of basic traffic laws.

/30

1. Before backing up, you should:

a. Flash your headlights.

b. Turn your head and look through the rear window.

c. Rely on your mirrors to see if it is clear to proceed.

d. Get off the car to see if it is clear to proceed.

2. When approaching someone using a white cane, you should proceed with caution because:

a. The pedestrian might be blind.

b. The pedestrian is deaf.

c. The pedestrian might be using a guide dog.

d. The pedestrian is blind.

3. Alcohol:

a. Makes it difficult for drivers to judge their condition.

b. Makes drivers more prone to take chances.

c. All of the above.

d. Increases reaction time.

4. When driving on slick roads, drivers should:

a. Take turns more slowly.

b. Accelerate quickly.

c. Drive as they would on dry roads.

d. Use alternate routes.

5. A vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway. The driver of the vehicle approaching from the rear should:

a. Not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

b. Sound the horn.

c. Overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

d. None of the above.

6. When a 'Road Closed' sign is displayed, drivers must:

a. Look for a detour or another route.

b. Remove the sign and move forward.

c. Come to a complete stop and wait for the lights to turn green.

d. Make a U-turn.

7. Before a school bus stops to load passengers, the driver will usually flash:

a. Red lights.

b. Green lights.

c. Yellow warning lights.

d. Red warning lights.

8. When preparing to exit an expressway, drivers should start reducing their speed:

a. Immediately upon entering the deceleration lane.

b. At least 100 feet before entering the deceleration lane.

c. About halfway through the deceleration lane.

9. Air bags are meant to _________ seat belts.

a. Replace

b. Work with

c. Protect

d. Fix

10. Your license can be suspended if you are under 21 and drive with a BAC of:

a. 0.15% or more.

b. 0.08% or more.

c. 0.02% Or more.

11. Traffic lights are normally ____________ from top to bottom or left to right.

a. Green, red and yellow

b. Red, yellow and green

c. Red, green and yellow

d. Green, yellow and red

12. Headlights are required, day or night, when visibility is less than ____ feet.

a. 100

b. 300

c. 500

13. Road signs that point out scenic areas and parks are:

a. Green and white.

b. Black and white.

c. Black and orange.

d. Brown and white.

14. Excessive speed:

a. Saves time so you can get to your destination more quickly.

b. Helps you to maneuver around obstacles.

c. Increases the likelihood of serious bodily injuries and death.

15. You are stopped at a stop sign and you are going to go straight through the intersection. A car on the cross road has stopped at the same time at a stop sign on your right and is going to go straight. Who has the right-of-way??

a. The car on your right.

b. You.

c. No one.

d. Whoever enters the intersection first.

16. Drivers may cross solid yellow lines:

a. Only to pass traffic moving in the same direction.

b. When making turns.

c. During daylight hours only.

d. At any time.

17. When the driver behind you wants to pass, you should:

a. Speed up.

b. Change lanes.

c. Slow down to allow room for the other driver to complete the pass safely.

d. Use your brake lights.

18. You face a green light, but traffic on the other side of the intersection does not allow you to travel all the way through the intersection. What must you do?

a. Enter the intersection and wait until traffic ahead clears.

b. Wait for the next green light.

c. Wait until traffic ahead clears, so you do not block the intersection.

d. Enter the intersection with caution.

19. To avoid the risk of being involved in an alcohol-related crash, you should:

a. Call a taxi if you've been drinking.

b. Decide before you start drinking that you are not going to drive.

c. Say "No, thanks

d. All of the above.

20. If you approach a flashing red traffic light, you should treat it the same as:

a. A stop sign.

b. A warning sign.

c. A yield sign.

21. When a hazard is seen ahead, reaction distance:

a. Is the sum of perception distance and braking distance.

b. Is how far a vehicle will continue to travel, in ideal conditions, before the driver hits the brakes.

c. None of the above.

d. Equals total stopping distance minus perception distance.

22. Are bicyclists required to obey traffic laws and signs?

a. Yes, but only if they are riding in a bicycle lane.

b. Yes.

c. Yes, but only if they are licensed bicyclists.

d. No, bicyclists are considered pedestrians when it comes to the rules of the road.

23. Double solid lines on the roadway mean:

a. All of the above.

b. You cannot pass.

c. You cannot go across the lines except to turn left to enter or leave the highway.

d. You cannot change lanes.

24. What shape is a stop sign?

a. Pennant

b. Octagon

c. Upside-down triangle

d. Diamond

25. As your speed increases it is most important to:

a. Look farther ahead.

b. Keep your foot on the brake pedal.

c. Drive with one hand on steering wheel.

26. You are driving in the left lane and want to change to the right lane. Before changing lanes, you should check your mirrors, signal and:

a. Look over your right shoulder.

b. Accelerate slightly before looking around your vehicle.

c. Look over both shoulders for vehicles in front of you.

d. Look over your left shoulder.

27. This road sign means:

a. One-way traffic

b. Sharp curves ahead

c. Intersection ahead

d. Merging traffic from the right

28. Does a vehicle prepared to enter a traffic circle or rotary have the right-of-way over the vehicles in the circle?

a. Only if the light is green.

b. Yes, but only if they are entering the rotary from the right lane.

c. No. Vehicles already in the circle have the right-of-way.

d. Yes.

29. This is:

a. A right curve sign.

b. A side road sign.

c. A merging traffic sign.

30. Drivers may continue carefully through a yellow light if:

a. They already are within the intersection.

b. An emergency vehicle is crossing your lane.

c. There are no pedestrians crossing.

d. They are turning right.

Your score is

Obtaining an Iowa Driver License

In Iowa, anyone operating a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or moped on public roads is required to have a valid permit or license. You are considered an Iowa resident for licensing purposes if you have registered to vote, enrolled a child in public school, or lived in the state continuously for 30 days. However, exemptions exist for those driving military vehicles while on duty or operating farm equipment between nearby farmlands.

To obtain a license, applicants must pass a vision screening, a knowledge test, and a driving test to demonstrate their ability to operate a vehicle safely. Drivers under the age of 18 must successfully complete an Iowa-approved driver’s education course as part of the Graduated Driver’s License Program.

Once licensed, you must always carry your driver’s license or permit with you whenever you drive. Additionally, drivers of vehicles registered in Iowa must carry current proof of registration and a liability insurance card, which can be in printed or electronic format. Failure to produce these documents during a traffic stop can result in fines and the possible impoundment of your vehicle.

Short, focused summaries of Iowa driving rules — easy to review before your test.

View Iowa Cheat Sheets →

Iowa Free Test 1

Obtaining an Iowa Driver License

Leave a Comment Cancel reply