IA Permit Practice Test 10

All 20 questions in test 10

Every question below comes from the Iowa question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. You have stopped at a red light in Iowa and want to turn right. No sign prohibits the turn. What must you do before turning?

   1. Nothing more; the stop alone lets you go ahead of other traffic
   2. Wait for the light to turn green
   3. Sound your horn to warn pedestrians, then turn
   4. Yield to all other traffic, then turn when it is safe
   Show answer

   Yield to all other traffic, then turn when it is safe. Iowa allows a right turn on a red light unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted, but only after a complete stop and only while yielding to all other traffic. People in the crosswalk and vehicles coming through on green keep the right-of-way. Waiting for green is not required when no sign forbids the turn. Using the horn does not replace yielding; Iowa says the horn should only be used as a warning to others. Look left, check the crosswalk, and go only when the way is clear.

   Study this in the handbook: Turns, Lane Changes, Passing and Tailgaters

2. 2. When is an Iowa driving test not required according to the manual?

   1. Whenever the applicant owns a vehicle
   2. When the applicant satisfies the driver education course requirement
   3. When the applicant passes the vision screening only
   4. Whenever the applicant has driven on private property
   Show answer

   When the applicant satisfies the driver education course requirement. The manual says a driving test is not required when the applicant satisfies the driver education course requirement. Owning a vehicle does not demonstrate the course completion Iowa identifies. A vision screening addresses eyesight, not driving skill, and private-property practice is not given as an exemption. Keep the distinction clear: the course requirement can affect whether the road test is needed, while the vision and knowledge steps remain separate parts of applying for a license.

   Study this in the handbook: Who Needs a License and What to Carry

3. 3. When passing a large truck, when should the passing driver move back into the original lane?

   1. Immediately after pulling alongside the truck
   2. As soon as the passing vehicle's front bumper reaches the truck's cab
   3. Before the truck appears in the side mirror
   4. After seeing the front of the truck being passed in the rearview mirror and clearing it well
   Show answer

   After seeing the front of the truck being passed in the rearview mirror and clearing it well. The manual gives a visibility check for returning after a pass: see the front of the passed vehicle in the rearview mirror and make sure your vehicle is well clear. That view indicates useful separation rather than merely being beside the truck. Moving over when the truck is still alongside can cut into its path, and an early return reduces the margin needed if the larger vehicle must brake. Finish the pass, confirm the truck's front is visible behind you, then signal and ease over.

   Study this in the handbook: Trucks, Motorcycles, Bicyclists and Pedestrians

4. 4. What does the shape of a route sign tell you?

   1. The speed limit on that road
   2. The type of road, such as interstate, U.S. highway, Iowa route, or county road
   3. How many miles to the next exit
   4. Whether the road is a toll road
   Show answer

   The type of road, such as interstate, U.S. highway, Iowa route, or county road. Route signs use shape to show what kind of road you are on: interstate, U.S. highway, Iowa route, county road, and so on. During a trip, following these signs keeps you on your route. Distance to an exit is a job for guide signs and mile markers, not the route sign's shape. Speed limits come from speed limit signs, which are white regulatory signs. Recognizing each shape lets you tell road types apart at a glance.

   Study this in the handbook: Warning, Guide and Service Signs

5. 5. When all lights on a pedestrian hybrid beacon are dark, what may motorists do?

   1. Ignore pedestrians because the beacon is off
   2. Stop until a police officer waves them through
   3. Accelerate through the crosswalk
   4. Proceed with caution
   Show answer

   Proceed with caution. A pedestrian hybrid beacon with a dark display allows motorists to proceed with caution. That does not mean the crossing is free of people, so the driver still needs to watch for pedestrians and be ready to yield. Waiting for a police officer adds a condition the beacon does not require, and accelerating or ignoring pedestrians turns a permission to proceed into unsafe driving. Scan the crosswalk before entering it, then follow the beacon as it changes. The dark display is the cue to continue carefully, not a signal to stop watching the road.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic Signals and Pedestrian Beacons

6. 6. You are driving in fog in Iowa. How much following distance does the manual recommend?

   1. Two seconds
   2. Three seconds
   3. Five or six seconds
   4. Ten seconds
   Show answer

   Five or six seconds. Fog cuts how far ahead you can see, so Iowa tells you to drive slower than normal and increase your following distance to five or six seconds. Two or three seconds is the kind of gap used in normal conditions, which leaves too little time to react when the vehicle ahead appears out of the fog. Ten seconds is not the figure given. Also use low beams or fog lights, not high beams, because high beams reflect off the fog and reduce visibility. If needed, get off the road and park somewhere safe.

   Study this in the handbook: Night Driving, Bad Weather and Floods

7. 7. What does a steady red arrow mean for a driver who wants to turn in the arrow's direction?

   1. Turn after yielding, as with a flashing yellow arrow
   2. Stop; drivers turning that way must stop
   3. Turn freely if no pedestrians are present
   4. Speed up to finish the turn before the arrow changes
   Show answer

   Stop; drivers turning that way must stop. A steady red arrow controls the turning movement it points to. Iowa says drivers turning left or right in that direction must stop. It is not the same as a flashing yellow arrow, which lets you turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Having no pedestrians in sight does not cancel the stop, and rushing the turn before the arrow changes is never allowed. Iowa's solid red circle works the same way for all traffic: come to a complete stop. Wait for a signal that permits the turn.

   Study this in the handbook: Warning, Guide and Service Signs

8. 8. You have parked on an Iowa roadway. What should you do before opening your door?

   1. Open it quickly so drivers notice you
   2. Turn on your hazard lights and open it
   3. Honk to warn traffic, then open it
   4. Check traffic, and get out on the curb side if necessary
   Show answer

   Check traffic, and get out on the curb side if necessary. Iowa makes drivers responsible for keeping a parked vehicle from becoming a hazard, and that includes the moment you open the door. Check traffic first, and if traffic is close, leave the vehicle on the curb side instead. Opening the door quickly or relying on hazard lights or the horn does not clear the travel lane. When you must park on a roadway, Iowa also says to park as far from traffic as possible and far enough from any travel lane to avoid interfering with traffic.

   Study this in the handbook: Railroad Crossings and Rural Roads

9. 9. Your headlights suddenly go out while you are driving at night. What should you try first?

   1. Pull over and wait for help without trying anything
   2. Turn on the interior dome light
   3. Try the headlight switch a few times
   4. Keep driving using only your parking lights
   Show answer

   Try the headlight switch a few times. Iowa lists a short sequence for sudden headlight failure. First, try the headlight switch a few times. Next, try turning on the high beams. If the headlights still do not come back on, turn on the emergency flashers, turn signals, or fog lights so others can see you, and pull off the road as soon as possible. Giving up without trying the switch skips the quick fixes, while continuing to drive without proper lights leaves you hard to see and unable to see the road.

   Study this in the handbook: Equipment Failures and Crashes

10. 10. Where must an Iowa driver yield or stop for pedestrians?

    1. On roads with a speed limit under 25 mph
    2. Where a pedestrian has waited at least five seconds
    3. Only when a crossing guard is present
    4. In marked or unmarked crosswalks
    Show answer

    In marked or unmarked crosswalks. Iowa requires drivers to yield or stop for pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. The duty follows the pedestrian's crossing location, not the posted speed limit or how long someone has waited, and it does not depend on a crossing guard being present. Approach every intersection with enough control to stop, look for people on foot and pedestrian conveyances, and let them clear the path. A useful visual cue is that the absence of white paint does not mean the crossing is absent.

    Study this in the handbook: Intersections and Right of Way

11. 11. For an underage Iowa driver with a BAC from .02 through .079, what minimum revocation applies?

    1. 60 days
    2. 30 days
    3. 90 days
    4. 180 days
    Show answer

    60 days. An underage driver with a BAC at .02 or above but below .08 faces a minimum 60-day revocation under the manual. The 180-day figure applies when the underage BAC reaches .08 or more, so it should not be substituted for the lower range. Thirty and 90 days are not the stated minimums. Read the range carefully, including its upper boundary: .079 remains below .08. A good memory cue is lower underage range, 60 days; higher range beginning at .08, 180 days.

    Study this in the handbook: Underage Drinking, Refusal and Open Containers

12. 12. When may an Iowa driver transport an open container of alcohol in a vehicle?

    1. When it is stored in the trunk
    2. When it is held by a passenger
    3. When the vehicle is on an interstate
    4. When the driver has not been drinking
    Show answer

    When it is stored in the trunk. Iowa permits an open alcohol container to be transported in the trunk of a vehicle, while the manual says transporting an open, unsealed container by a driver or passenger is otherwise illegal. A passenger holding it does not create the permitted location, and neither the road type nor the driver's sobriety changes the container rule. Place the container in the trunk before travel rather than in the passenger area. The concrete cue is location: trunk storage is the stated exception, not a person's role or the kind of road.

    Study this in the handbook: Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)

13. 13. An Iowa baby is 10 months old and weighs 18 pounds. How must the baby ride?

    1. In a forward-facing seat
    2. In a rear-facing child restraint system
    3. In a booster seat
    4. On a parent's lap with a seat belt
    Show answer

    In a rear-facing child restraint system. A child under one year old and weighing less than 20 pounds must be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system. A 10 month old at 18 pounds meets both conditions. A forward-facing seat or booster is not allowed for this child, and holding a baby on a lap, even with a belt, does not meet the law. Children under six must be in a child restraint system, not a seat belt alone.

    Study this in the handbook: Vehicle Checks, Seat Belts and Child Restraints

14. 14. Before turning across a bicycle lane, what must a motorist do?

    
    1. Check carefully beside and behind the vehicle for bicyclists
    2. Stop in the bicycle lane and wait for a driver to wave through
    3. Use the lane as a passing lane before turning
    4. Turn without checking because bicycles must yield at driveways
    Show answer

    Check carefully beside and behind the vehicle for bicyclists. A motorist may enter a bicycle lane for a turning movement, but the lane is not a shortcut or passing lane. Before crossing it, check beside and behind the vehicle because a bicyclist may be traveling through the space. The choice “Stop in the bicycle lane and wait for a driver to wave through” creates a blockage, and the choice “Use the lane as a passing lane before turning” treats a lane reserved for bicycles as a place to overtake. A right turn should be made only after the cyclist's path is understood and the crossing can be completed carefully. The practical cue is mirror, shoulder, bicycle lane, then turn.

    Study this in the handbook: Trucks, Motorcycles, Bicyclists and Pedestrians

15. 15. What is one leading cause of crashes on Iowa roadways?

    1. Wildlife, typically deer
    2. Only parked delivery trucks
    3. Exclusively wet pavement
    4. Animals only inside city limits
    Show answer

    Wildlife, typically deer. Iowa identifies wildlife, especially deer, as one of the leading causes of roadway crashes. Deer can appear at any time, although October, November, and May are peak months for collisions. The choice limiting the risk to parked trucks changes the hazard entirely, while wet pavement and city limits are not the rule stated here. When driving near dawn, dusk, or through areas where animals are common, reduce speed and scan both shoulders. If an animal enters the roadway and there is not enough time to stop, avoid swerving, because a sudden veer can create a more severe crash.

    Study this in the handbook: Trucks, Motorcycles, Bicyclists and Pedestrians

16. 16. What is the safest response when water on the road causes your vehicle to hydroplane?

    1. Accelerate until the tires cut through the water
    2. Brake hard and turn sharply
    3. Slow down by easing off the accelerator
    4. Swerve onto the shoulder immediately
    Show answer

    Slow down by easing off the accelerator. Hydroplaning occurs when water deeper than the tire tread reduces friction and can cause loss of control. The manual's immediate instruction is to slow down, which supports easing off the accelerator while keeping steering smooth. Hard braking, a sharp turn, or an abrupt shoulder swerve can worsen the loss of grip. Accelerating adds speed without restoring traction. Watch for deep water, reflections on pavement, or a car ahead leaving no tracks. Those clues mean reduce speed early and avoid sudden inputs until the tires regain contact with the road.

    Study this in the handbook: Night Driving, Bad Weather and Floods

17. 17. What does an orange traffic sign normally warn drivers about?

    1. Traveler services such as fuel and lodging
    2. Road work, temporary traffic control, or maintenance
    3. Directions to a city or airport
    4. A recreation area or historical site
    Show answer

    Road work, temporary traffic control, or maintenance. Orange signs identify road work, temporary traffic control, and maintenance warnings. The service category uses blue, destinations and distances use green, and recreation or cultural points of interest use brown. Work zones can change speed limits, lane paths, and the location of workers, so an orange sign calls for active attention rather than routine travel. Reduce speed as directed, watch for cones or shifting lanes, and expect conditions to change after the first sign.

    Study this in the handbook: Sign Colors and Shapes

18. 18. What should a driver anticipate after seeing an advance railroad warning?

    
    1. A hospital entrance
    2. A bicycle lane beginning immediately
    3. Railroad tracks crossing the road ahead
    4. A mandatory U-turn
    Show answer

    Railroad tracks crossing the road ahead. The round railroad symbol gives advance notice that tracks cross the roadway ahead. It is not a bicycle, hospital, or turning instruction. Begin preparing early by reducing distractions, checking the crossing signals, and looking for a train before proceeding. The manual adds that trains cannot stop quickly and that you should never stop your vehicle on the tracks. Treat the sign as time to plan a safe approach, not as permission to accelerate through the tracks.

    Study this in the handbook: Railroad Crossings and Rural Roads

19. 19. Two opposing arrows on a warning sign indicate that the driver is:

    
    1. Leaving a one-way road and entering a two-way road
    2. Entering a divided highway with no opposing traffic
    3. Approaching a road closed to all vehicles
    4. Allowed to pass on either shoulder
    Show answer

    Leaving a one-way road and entering a two-way road. The opposing arrows mark the transition from one-way travel to a two-way road. Keep to the right because vehicles may now approach from the opposite direction. The symbol does not describe a divided highway, a road closure, or permission to use a shoulder for passing. Recheck your lane position as the roadway changes and watch out for oncoming vehicles, since traffic no longer moves in only one direction.

    Study this in the handbook: Warning, Guide and Service Signs

20. 20. What do white lines on the roadway separate?

    1. Only vehicles traveling above the speed limit
    2. Traffic moving in opposite directions
    3. Traffic moving in the same direction
    4. Roads that are closed to all traffic
    Show answer

    Traffic moving in the same direction. Iowa uses white lines to separate traffic moving in the same direction, while yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. That color distinction helps a driver interpret the roadway before changing position. The opposite-direction option describes yellow markings, and the speed and closure choices are unrelated to pavement-line color. Do not infer passing permission from white alone: inspect whether the line is broken or solid and follow any nearby signs. Identify the direction of traffic first, then make lane decisions from the complete marking pattern.

    Study this in the handbook: Pavement Markings and Lane Use