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Iowa permit practice: 20 free questions

Choose an answer, then check the explanation and its handbook source. These are Steerlet practice questions, not the official test or its exact format.

Written from Iowa Driver’s License Manual. Independently checked October 27, 2026.

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Question 1 of 20

A traffic signal flashes red. How should you respond?

AStop fully, then proceed when the way is clear.BContinue without stopping if you see no traffic.CWait until the signal changes to green.

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Correct answer: A. Stop fully, then proceed when the way is clear.

A flashing red signal requires the same stop and yielding procedure as a stop sign.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.9 Traffic signals, PDF page 11. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 2 of 20

What does a flashing yellow left arrow require?

ATurn immediately because opposing traffic must stop.BWait for the arrow to become solid red.CLet opposing traffic and pedestrians pass before turning safely.

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Correct answer: C. Let opposing traffic and pedestrians pass before turning safely.

Opposing vehicles have a green signal. A flashing yellow arrow allows a left turn only after yielding.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.9 Traffic signals, PDF page 11. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 3 of 20

A solid yellow line is beside your lane, with a broken yellow line on the other side. May you cross it to pass?

AYes, whenever the opposing lane looks empty.BNo; passing is prohibited from your side.CYes, but only during daylight.

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Correct answer: B. No; passing is prohibited from your side.

The solid line places the passing restriction on your side. The broken-line side may pass when conditions permit.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.12 Pavement markings and other lane controls, PDF page 15. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 4 of 20

A steady yellow X appears above your reversible lane. What should you do?

ALeave that lane when you can safely move over.BStay in that lane until a red arrow appears.CUse that lane only to pass.

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Correct answer: A. Leave that lane when you can safely move over.

A steady yellow X warns that the lane direction is changing. Move into an available lane safely.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.15 Reversible lanes, PDF page 15. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 5 of 20

May you use a shared center left-turn lane to overtake a slow vehicle?

AYes, if you return before an intersection.BNo; that lane is for left turns.CYes, if the slow vehicle is a bicycle.

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Correct answer: B. No; that lane is for left turns.

The shared center lane serves left-turning traffic from either direction. Passing there is prohibited.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.16 Shared left-turn lane, PDF page 16. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 6 of 20

When may a motorist drive into a bicycle lane?

ATo avoid waiting behind slower traffic.BTo park while making a short delivery.CFor a turn, after checking for cyclists beside and behind the vehicle.

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Correct answer: C. For a turn, after checking for cyclists beside and behind the vehicle.

A bicycle lane may be crossed for a turning movement. Check carefully for riders before doing so.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.19 Bicycle lanes and pavement markings, PDF page 17. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 7 of 20

You and a driver on your right reach an all-way stop together. Who should proceed first after stopping?

AThe driver on your right.BYou, because you are on the left.CWhoever signals with headlights first.

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Correct answer: A. The driver on your right.

At a simultaneous arrival, yield to the vehicle on the right.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.22 Intersections — controlled intersections, PDF page 19. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 8 of 20

You are leaving a driveway to enter a road. Who has priority?

AYou, once your front wheels reach the roadway.BVehicles already traveling on that road.CWhichever driver is moving faster.

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Correct answer: B. Vehicles already traveling on that road.

Traffic entering from a driveway must wait for road traffic to clear.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.22 Intersections — controlled intersections, PDF page 19. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 9 of 20

An ambulance using emergency lights approaches while you are in an intersection. What should you do?

AStop immediately in the intersection.BTurn left to clear the ambulance’s path.CClear the intersection, then pull toward the right and stop.

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Correct answer: C. Clear the intersection, then pull toward the right and stop.

First get out of the intersection. Then yield near the right edge so the emergency vehicle can pass.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.23 Emergency vehicles, PDF page 19. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 10 of 20

What is the minimum distance to stop behind a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended?

A15 feet.B5 feet.C10 feet.

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Correct answer: A. 15 feet.

Leave 15 feet or more behind the bus. Wait for both the arm to retract and the bus to begin moving before proceeding.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.24 School buses — approaching from the rear, PDF page 20. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 11 of 20

On a two-lane road, you approach an oncoming school bus displaying flashing amber lights. What is the maximum speed allowed as you prepare to stop?

A30 mph.B20 mph.C25 mph.

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Correct answer: B. 20 mph.

Slow to 20 mph or less and be ready to stop. The bus’s extended stop arm requires you to remain stopped until it retracts.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.24 School buses — meeting from the front, PDF page 20. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 12 of 20

What is the maximum permitted gap between your parked vehicle and a curb?

A24 inches.B30 inches.C18 inches.

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Correct answer: C. 18 inches.

Keep the vehicle within 18 inches of the curb when parking alongside one.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.25 Parking, PDF page 21. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 13 of 20

Outside a designated hydrant red zone, what is the minimum distance you must leave from a fire hydrant when parking?

A5 feet.B3 feet.C2 feet.

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Correct answer: A. 5 feet.

Leave at least five feet from a hydrant. A designated red zone is also off limits.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.26 Parking not allowed, PDF page 21. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 14 of 20

You approach a stopped car continuously flashing its hazard lights. Changing lanes is unsafe. What must you do?

AMaintain your speed because it is not an emergency vehicle.BReduce speed for conditions and be ready to stop.CStop alongside it in your travel lane.

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Correct answer: B. Reduce speed for conditions and be ready to stop.

The move-over rule also covers passenger cars using hazard lights. When you cannot safely change lanes, slow down and prepare to stop.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 2.27 Approaching stopped vehicles — Move Over or Slow Down, PDF page 22. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 15 of 20

An eight-month-old child weighs 18 pounds. Which restraint is required?

AAn adult seat belt in the rear seat.BA forward-facing booster seat.CA rear-facing child safety seat.

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Correct answer: C. A rear-facing child safety seat.

A baby younger than one and below 20 pounds must ride in a rear-facing restraint.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 3.5 Seat belts and child restraints — Iowa law, PDF page 35. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 16 of 20

A 16-year-old instruction-permit holder wants to make a phone call while driving. What is required first?

APark completely off the traveled road and stop.BSwitch the call to speakerphone while moving.CWait at a red light while remaining in the traffic lane.

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Correct answer: A. Park completely off the traveled road and stop.

Young drivers with an instruction permit may not make or receive calls while driving. They must first stop off the traveled roadway.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 3.7 Eliminating distractions — Talking on the phone, PDF page 36. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 17 of 20

Where may an open alcoholic beverage container be transported in a car with a trunk?

AUnder the front passenger seat.BIn the trunk.CIn an occupied rear-seat cup holder.

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Correct answer: B. In the trunk.

Open containers belong in the trunk, rather than the area occupied by drivers or passengers.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 3.8 Alcohol and drugs — Open container law, PDF page 37. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 18 of 20

Before moving into another lane, how should you check the blind spot?

AUse only the inside mirror.BRely on the turn signal to clear the lane.CGlance over the shoulder toward the lane you plan to enter.

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Correct answer: C. Glance over the shoulder toward the lane you plan to enter.

A shoulder check helps reveal vehicles near your rear corners that mirrors may miss.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 4.9 Changing lanes, PDF page 44. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 19 of 20

You want to pull out, and an approaching driver signals a turn before reaching you. What is the safest response?

AWait for the vehicle to begin turning, then check that entry is safe.BEnter immediately because the signal guarantees a turn.CPull halfway out to make the driver slow down.

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Correct answer: A. Wait for the vehicle to begin turning, then check that entry is safe.

A signal can be left on accidentally or refer to a later turn. Wait for actual turning movement before judging your gap.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 5.1 Intersections, PDF page 50. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 20 of 20

Which headlights should you use in fog?

AHigh beams to illuminate farther ahead.BLow beams, or fog lights if equipped.CParking lights alone.

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Correct answer: B. Low beams, or fog lights if equipped.

High beams reflect back from fog and make the view worse. Use low beams or suitable fog lights.

Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual — 5.13 Inclement weather driving — Fog, PDF page 60. Checked October 26, 2026.

Your practice score

This score describes these 20 practice questions. It does not predict a result on the official test.

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