Iowa Car / Permit: Traffic Laws Practice Test

Question 1

When does Iowa law require a driver to have both headlights turned on?

Accepted Answer

Between sunset and sunrise, and whenever you cannot see 500 feet — Headlights are mandatory between sunset and sunrise, and also any time conditions such as fog, heavy rain, or snow cut visibility to 500 feet or less.

Answer

Only after full darkness has fallen

Answer

Only on interstate highways

Answer

Only when it is actively raining

Question 2

Which of these passing maneuvers does the Iowa manual list as illegal?

Accepted Answer

Overtaking as you come up to the crest of a hill — Overtaking as you approach a hilltop is on the manual's list of banned passing situations, because you cannot see what is on the far side.

Answer

Passing on a straight road with a broken center line

Answer

Passing a bicyclist by moving fully into the next lane

Answer

Passing where a broken white line lies in your lane

Question 3

Iowa's Move Over or Slow Down Law applies when you approach which of these?

Accepted Answer

A stopped passenger car that keeps its hazard lights flashing — The law covers any stopped vehicle with flashing lights, including an ordinary passenger car that is continually displaying its hazard lights, not just emergency and service vehicles.

Answer

A parked car with no lights showing

Answer

A school bus loading children

Answer

Any vehicle traveling below the speed limit

Question 4

Where signs and pavement markings do not dictate how to turn, how should an Iowa driver position the vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Begin from the lane nearest the way you are heading and end in the lane closest to the one you left — Start from whichever lane sits nearest the direction you intend to go, and finish the turn in the lane closest to the one you left.

Answer

Always start and finish in the far right lane

Answer

Always finish in the center lane

Answer

Swing wide so you have extra room to complete the turn

Question 5

How much light must a tinted windshield or a front side window let through under Iowa law?

Accepted Answer

70 percent — The windshield and the windows immediately beside the driver must transmit at least 70 percent of the light, and the state grants no medical exemption from that standard.

Answer

35 percent

Answer

50 percent

Answer

90 percent

Question 6

Under Iowa's seat belt law, who has to be buckled up?

Accepted Answer

Everyone in the front seat, plus any rear-seat rider under age 18 — Every occupant of the front seat must wear a belt, and the requirement extends to back-seat riders who have not yet turned 18.

Answer

Only the person behind the wheel

Answer

Only occupants under age 16

Answer

Only people riding on an interstate highway

Question 7

Iowa law lets you write or read a text message only after doing what?

Accepted Answer

Bringing the vehicle to a full stop clear of the traveled part of the road — The vehicle has to be brought to a full stop somewhere off the traveled part of the roadway before you compose, send, or read a message.

Answer

Slowing below the posted limit

Answer

Turning on your hazard lights

Answer

Moving into the right lane

Question 8

Iowa permits one kind of left turn on a red light. Which is it?

Accepted Answer

Turning out of the left lane of one one-way street onto a second one-way street — You may turn left on red only when you leave the left-hand lane of a one-way roadway and enter a second one-way roadway, and only after stopping first.

Answer

From any lane onto a two-way street

Answer

From a divided highway onto a frontage road

Answer

From the center turn lane of a four-lane road

Question 9

On an Iowa road posted at 45 mph or lower, how far in advance of a turn must you signal?

Accepted Answer

100 feet — State law sets a minimum of 100 feet of advance warning for turns where the limit is 45 mph or under.

Answer

25 feet

Answer

50 feet

Answer

75 feet

Question 10

What does the Iowa manual say about using the shoulder of the road to get around slower traffic?

Accepted Answer

It is never allowed, paved shoulder or not — Passing on the shoulder is prohibited whether or not it is paved, because other drivers do not expect anyone to be there and may pull off without checking.

Answer

It is fine as long as the shoulder is paved

Answer

It is permitted whenever traffic is stopped

Answer

It is allowed outside city limits only

Question 11

Under Iowa's hands-free law, which of these is still forbidden while you are driving?

Accepted Answer

Holding your phone in your hand in any way — The statute bars holding the device at all, along with scrolling, typing, entering an address, streaming video, or viewing messages.

Answer

Taking a call through the vehicle's built-in speakers

Answer

Answering by voice command alone

Answer

Listening to directions the phone speaks aloud

Question 12

How close to a railroad crossing does Iowa law prohibit you from passing another vehicle?

Accepted Answer

100 feet — Overtaking is illegal anywhere inside 100 feet of a railroad crossing.

Answer

25 feet

Answer

50 feet

Answer

75 feet

Iowa Car / Permit: Traffic Laws practice test

Study questions with answers

1. When does Iowa law require a driver to have both headlights turned on?

2. Which of these passing maneuvers does the Iowa manual list as illegal?

3. Iowa's Move Over or Slow Down Law applies when you approach which of these?

4. Where signs and pavement markings do not dictate how to turn, how should an Iowa driver position the vehicle?

5. How much light must a tinted windshield or a front side window let through under Iowa law?

6. Under Iowa's seat belt law, who has to be buckled up?

7. Iowa law lets you write or read a text message only after doing what?

8. Iowa permits one kind of left turn on a red light. Which is it?

9. On an Iowa road posted at 45 mph or lower, how far in advance of a turn must you signal?

10. What does the Iowa manual say about using the shoulder of the road to get around slower traffic?

11. Under Iowa's hands-free law, which of these is still forbidden while you are driving?

12. How close to a railroad crossing does Iowa law prohibit you from passing another vehicle?

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