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Anyone who operates a motor vehicle on public streets and roads in Iowa is required to have a driver’s license or learner’s permit. Iowa requires that you pass a vision screening before you get a driver’s license or learner’s permit. The IA DMV written test covers the contents of the Iowa Driver's Manual including highway signs, road rules, and safe driving techniques. The Iowa DMV knowledge test consists of 35 questions, and you'll need at least 28 correct answers to pass (80%). Practice with this sample test to get ready for the official IA driver's license test.
1.
If the driver ahead of you stops at a crosswalk, you should:
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Cautiously pass the vehicle at 10 MPH or less.
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Change lanes, scan the road ahead, and pass the stopped vehicles.
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Stop, then proceed when all pedestrians have crossed.
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2.
If you are feeling drowsy while driving, the best thing to do is to:
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Pull over and take a break.
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Try to fight it.
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Get some coffee.
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3.
If a vehicle is coming toward you at night with its high beams on, making it hard to see the road ahead, you should:
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Look straight ahead toward the middle of the lane.
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Look ahead toward the right edge of your lane.
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Look ahead toward the left edge of your lane.
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4.
Crossbuck signs are:
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Speed limit signs.
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Yield signs.
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Flashing signals.
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5.
At a 4-way stop:
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The last driver to reach the intersection has the right-of-way.
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The driver on the right must yield to the driver on the left.
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The driver reaching the intersection first has the right-of-way.
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6.
This sign tells drivers that:
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They must not make a right turn.
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U-turns are not allowed.
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They must make a left turn at the intersection.
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7.
This road sign means:
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Left turns are prohibited.
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The road ahead curves right, then left.
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The road ahead curves left, then right.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you are under 18, you must follow the Iowa Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program. Here are the three phases of the program and the corresponding ages:
- Instruction permit? you must be 14 years old. After holding the permit for six months without traffic violation, you can also apply for a minor school license at 14 ½ years old. This special permit is optional and allows you to drive to school or to school activities within a 50-mile distance from your home.
- Intermediate license ? you must be 16 years old and have held an instruction permit for 12 months.
- Full license ? you must be at least 17 and have held an intermediate license for 12 months. Alternatively, you can directly obtain a class C driver's license at 18.
You have two options:
- You can schedule an appointment to take the exam at a service center. Simply locate the nearest Iowa DMV branch and choose your preferred date and time.
- If you are a minor between 14 and 17, you can take the knowledge test at a participating school/agency or at home using an electronic device connected to the internet. Once your parent completes and submits the application to Proctor Knowledge Exam Form, you’ll receive an email with instructions for proceeding. After successfully passing the exam, make an appointment to obtain the permit.
You can schedule an appointment for either option on the Iowa Department of Transportation website.
When applying for a driver’s license for the first time, you must bring the following documents:
- Proof of identity, date of birth, and lawful status (e.g, U.S. passport, birth certificate, certificate of naturalization). If your legal name differs from your identity document, provide proof of the change, such as a certified marriage certificate, court order documents, or ID card.
- Proof of Social Security Number (SSN).
- Two proofs of Iowa residency and current residential address (e.g, Iowa voter registration card, utility bill, credit card statement…). If you are under 18 and unmarried, your parent/guardian must sign the Written Consent form to establish your residence. Additionally, provide a second printed document displaying your current name and current Iowa residential address, such as a report card or medical form.
You can use the online checklist provided by the Iowa DOT to ensure you have all the required documents.
The DMV written test in Iowa is not exclusively provided in English but is offered in various languages, including Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hmong, Italian, Korean, Laotian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. If you need an interpreter for a language not provided, you have to schedule an appointment.
To get ready for the DMV written test, start by reading the Iowa Driver License Manual. This manual has all the info you need to study for the exam: traffic signs, road rules, and safe driving practices. Then, check what you've learned with our free practice tests!
For new drivers in Iowa, various restrictions apply:
Instruction Permit
- You cannot drive alone and you must be accompanied by a driver education instructor, a licensed parent/guardian, a licensed member of your family who is at least 21, or a licensed adult who is at least 25 (with parental permission if you are a minor).
Minor School License
- You can't drive alone, except for school activities between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Intermediate License
- You cannot drive alone between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless a parent/guardian completes a Waiver of Intermediate Driver’s License Hour Restriction form.
- For the first six months, you cannot transport more than one minor without supervision, except for siblings.
The instruction permit is valid for four years. During this period, complete the 20 hours of supervised driving and after holding the permit for 12 months and maintaining a clean driving record for 6 months, you can apply for the intermediate license.
If you fail your DMV written test in Iowa, you have to wait at least one business day before retaking it. Before trying again, focus on the sections of the manual you have overlooked and consider signing up for DMV Premium to access additional practice tests!