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Iowa DMV Test Questions and Answers

These are the questions about Iowa's own rules: permit, license, fines, speed and parking. Signs and rules shared by all states are on separate pages.

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Alcohol and drugs

  1. In Iowa, a driver 21 or older is legally intoxicated starting at what blood alcohol content (BAC)?

    1. 0.04%
    2. 0.05%
    3. 0.08%
    4. 0.10%

    Answer: C. Iowa: 0.08% BAC or higher is the legal limit for drivers 21 and older.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 3.8 OWI

  2. In Iowa, a driver under 21 violates the law starting at what BAC?

    1. 0.00% (any alcohol)
    2. 0.02%
    3. 0.04%
    4. 0.05%

    Answer: B. Iowa: for drivers under 21 the limit is 0.02%.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 3.8 Drivers Under 21

  3. In Iowa, if you refuse a chemical test for alcohol, your license is revoked for:

    1. 9 months
    2. 12 months
    3. 18 months
    4. 24 months

    Answer: B. Iowa: refusing the test means an automatic one-year (12-month) revocation.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 3.8 Test Refusalautomatic one year revocation of your license and a minimum $1,250 fine.

  4. In Iowa, a license is revoked for at least how long after operating while intoxicated (OWI)?

    1. 30 days
    2. 180 days
    3. 5 years
    4. 10 days

    Answer: B. OWI: revocation for a minimum of 180 days; refusing the test: automatic one-year revocation and at least a $1,250 fine.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 3.8 OWI

  5. In Iowa, refusing a chemical test brings a one-year revocation and a minimum fine of:

    1. $100
    2. $250
    3. $500
    4. $1,250

    Answer: D. Refusal: automatic one-year revocation and at least $1,250.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 3.8 Test Refusalautomatic one year revocation of your license and a minimum $1,250 fine.

  6. In Iowa, an open container of alcohol in a vehicle can bring a fine of up to:

    1. $200 for each driver and passenger
    2. $20 for the driver only
    3. $5,000
    4. Nothing if the driver is sober

    Answer: A. Up to $200 for each driver and passenger.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 3.8 Open Container

Parking

  1. In Iowa, when you parallel park, your wheels must be no more than how far from the curb?

    1. 12 inches
    2. 18 inches
    3. 24 inches
    4. 36 inches

    Answer: B. Iowa: park with your wheels within 18 inches of the curb.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 2.25 Parkingpark within 18 inches of the curb or closer.

  2. In Iowa, you may not park within how many feet of a fire station driveway (on the same side of the street)?

    1. 10 feet
    2. 15 feet
    3. 20 feet
    4. 25 feet

    Answer: C. Iowa: do not park within 20 feet of a fire station driveway on the same side of the street.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 2.26 Parking Not AllowedCloser than 20 feet from a fire station entrance

  3. In Iowa, you may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?

    1. 5 feet
    2. 10 feet
    3. 15 feet
    4. 20 feet

    Answer: A. Iowa: do not park within 5 feet of a fire hydrant.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 2.26 Parking Not AllowedCloser than five feet from a fire hydrant

  4. In Iowa, you may not park within how many feet of a railroad crossing?

    1. 30 feet
    2. 40 feet
    3. 50 feet
    4. 75 feet

    Answer: C. Iowa: do not park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 2.26 Parking Not AllowedCloser than 50 feet from a railroad crossing

  5. In Iowa, you may not park within how many feet of a STOP sign?

    1. 5 feet
    2. 10 feet
    3. 15 feet
    4. 20 feet

    Answer: B. Iowa: do not park within 10 feet of a STOP sign.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 2.26 Parking Not AllowedCloser than 10 feet from a stop sign

Rules of the road

  1. In Iowa, unless on official business, you may not follow a fire truck responding to an alarm closer than:

    1. 350 feet
    2. 500 feet
    3. 1,000 feet
    4. 1,500 feet

    Answer: B. Iowa: stay at least 500 feet behind a fire truck responding to an alarm.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 2.23 Emergency VehiclesStay at least 500 feet behind any emergency vehicle using lights and sirens.

  2. In Iowa, the recommended minimum following distance in good conditions is at least:

    1. 1 second
    2. 2 seconds
    3. 3 seconds
    4. 5 seconds

    Answer: C. Iowa: keep at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead; add more in bad weather.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 4.2 Following Distance

  3. In Iowa, you may not pass another vehicle within how many feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel or railroad crossing?

    1. 50 feet
    2. 75 feet
    3. 100 feet
    4. 150 feet

    Answer: C. Iowa: do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel or railroad crossing.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 4.10 PassingDo not pass within 100 feet of an intersection.

  4. In Iowa, drivers younger than what age may not use a cell phone at all while driving, even hands-free?

    1. 17 years old
    2. 17½ years old
    3. 18 years old
    4. 19 years old

    Answer: C. Iowa: drivers under 18 years old may not use any wireless device while driving.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 3.7 Distractions

  5. In Iowa, when you must stop at a railroad crossing, stop no closer to the nearest rail than:

    1. 5 feet
    2. 10 feet
    3. 15 feet
    4. 20 feet

    Answer: C. Iowa: stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 2.10 Railroad Crossingsmust stop within 15 to 50 feet of railroad tracks before crossing.

  6. In Iowa, when a school bus stops with red lights flashing, you must stop at least how far from it?

    1. 5 feet
    2. 10 feet
    3. 15 feet
    4. 20 feet

    Answer: C. Iowa: stop at least 15 feet from a school bus with flashing red lights.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 2.24 School BusesStop no closer than 15 feet from the rear of the bus

  7. In Iowa, where the speed limit is 45 mph or less, you must signal at least how far before a turn?

    1. 50 feet
    2. 75 feet
    3. 100 feet
    4. 150 feet

    Answer: C. Iowa: signal at least 100 feet before a turn where the speed limit is 45 mph or less (300 feet where it is higher).

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 4.8 Turn Signalsat least 100 feet before a turn if the speed limit is 45 mph or less

  8. In Iowa, when you meet a school bus with flashing amber (yellow) lights from the front, you must slow to no more than:

    1. 10 mph
    2. 15 mph
    3. 20 mph
    4. 35 mph

    Answer: C. Amber lights: slow to 20 mph or less and be ready to stop; when it stops, stop no closer than 15 feet.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 2.24 School Buses

  9. In Iowa, a vehicle displaying the orange slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem is traveling at:

    1. 35 mph or less
    2. 45 mph or less
    3. 15 mph or less
    4. 55 mph or less

    Answer: A. The SMV emblem means the vehicle travels 35 mph or less.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 2.5 Slow-Moving Vehicle Signmeans it is traveling 35 mph or less.

  10. In Iowa, if the speed limit is more than 45 mph, you must signal at least how far before a turn?

    1. 50 feet
    2. 100 feet
    3. 200 feet
    4. 300 feet

    Answer: D. 100 feet where the limit is 45 mph or less; at least 300 feet where it is higher.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 4.8 Turn Signals

  11. In Iowa, the seat-belt fine for each unbelted passenger under 18 can be up to:

    1. $10
    2. $50
    3. $100
    4. $500

    Answer: C. Up to $50 per passenger, and $100 per passenger under 18.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 3.5 Seat Belts

  12. In Iowa, your rearview mirror must let you see at least how far behind you?

    1. 50 feet
    2. 200 feet
    3. 500 feet
    4. 1,000 feet

    Answer: B. You must be able to see at least 200 feet behind in the rearview mirror.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 3.1 Mirrorsmust be able to see at least 200 feet behind you in your rearview mirror.

  13. In Iowa, the front side windows and windshield must let through at least what share of light?

    1. 20 percent
    2. 35 percent
    3. 50 percent
    4. 70 percent

    Answer: D. Tinting must let at least 70 percent of the light through.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 3.1 Windows

  14. In Iowa, violating the Move Over or Slow Down law may lead to a license suspension of up to:

    1. One year
    2. One week
    3. 30 days
    4. Ten years

    Answer: A. A violation may result in a suspension of up to one year.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 2.27 Move Over or Slow Down

  15. According to the Iowa manual, being awake for 18 hours straight is as impairing as a BAC of:

    1. 0.02 percent
    2. 0.08 percent
    3. 0.20 percent
    4. 0.00 percent

    Answer: B. 18 hours awake impairs you about as much as a 0.08 BAC.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 3.9 Drowsy DrivingBeing awake for 18 hours straight is as impairing as a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent.

Speed

  1. In Iowa, unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a business district is:

    1. 15 mph
    2. 20 mph
    3. 25 mph
    4. 30 mph

    Answer: B. Iowa: 20 mph in business districts unless posted otherwise.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 4.5 Speed Limits

  2. In Iowa, the maximum speed limit on rural interstate highways is:

    1. 50 mph
    2. 55 mph
    3. 70 mph
    4. 75 mph

    Answer: C. Iowa: up to 70 mph on rural interstates where posted.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 4.5 Speed Limits

  3. In Iowa, unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a residential district is:

    1. 20 mph
    2. 25 mph
    3. 30 mph
    4. 35 mph

    Answer: B. Iowa: 25 mph in residential districts unless a sign shows otherwise.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 4.5 Speed Limits

  4. On Iowa interstates, the minimum speed is:

    1. 30 mph
    2. 40 mph
    3. 45 mph
    4. 55 mph

    Answer: B. Interstates have a 40 mph minimum; rural interstates allow up to 70 mph.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 4.5 Speed Limitsthere is a minimum speed of 40 mph.

  5. In Iowa, unless posted otherwise, the speed limit in suburban districts is:

    1. 45 mph
    2. 35 mph
    3. 55 mph
    4. 25 mph

    Answer: A. Suburban districts: 45 mph (also for vehicles pulling another vehicle).

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (iowadot.gov), 4.5 Speed Limits

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