Iowa Motorcycle: Right-of-Way Practice Test

Question 1

How far back must you stay from an emergency vehicle that is running its lights and siren?

Accepted Answer

At least 500 feet — Iowa sets a minimum of 500 feet behind any emergency vehicle using its lights and siren.

Answer

At least 200 feet

Answer

At least 100 feet

Answer

No specific distance is set

Question 2

An ambulance is approaching with lights and siren. What does Iowa require of you?

Accepted Answer

Move over toward the right-hand edge of the roadway, or as close to it as you can get — You must yield to any emergency vehicle running a siren or air horn or red or blue lights by moving to the right-hand edge of the roadway, whichever direction it comes from.

Answer

Stop immediately wherever you are, including inside an intersection

Answer

Move to the left shoulder

Answer

Speed up until you reach the next side street

Question 3

You are turning left at an intersection and a car is coming straight toward you. Who yields?

Accepted Answer

You, because you are turning left across its path — Iowa's rules put the burden on the driver turning left: you must yield to oncoming traffic going straight ahead.

Answer

The oncoming car, because you signaled first

Answer

Neither — both should stop and wave the other through

Answer

Whichever driver arrived at the intersection first

Question 4

You are already inside an intersection when an emergency vehicle approaches. What does the manual tell you to do?

Accepted Answer

Drive on through the intersection, then pull over — The manual says to clear the intersection first and pull over on the far side; it also notes you need not stop for a vehicle on the other side of a median.

Answer

Stop where you are and wait

Answer

Reverse out of the intersection

Answer

Turn right at once, regardless of your intended route

Question 5

You are crossing a sidewalk on your way out of a parking lot. Who has priority?

Accepted Answer

Pedestrians on the sidewalk — A driver crossing a sidewalk, or moving into or out of a driveway, an alley or a parking lot, owes the right of way to pedestrians, and riding on a sidewalk is illegal except to cross it.

Answer

You, because you are on a vehicle

Answer

Whoever is moving faster

Answer

Neither, since sidewalks are not crossings

Question 6

You have a stop sign at a blind intersection. What two-stage procedure does the motorcycle manual describe?

Accepted Answer

Stop at the line, then creep forward and stop again just short of the cross-traffic lane, keeping your front wheel out of it while you look — Stop first where the line or sign requires, then edge up and stop a second time short of the cross lane, leaning forward to see past buildings, parked cars or bushes while your front wheel stays clear.

Answer

Stop once at the sign, then accelerate briskly across

Answer

Slow without stopping, then look both ways from the middle of the intersection

Answer

Stop only if you can see a vehicle approaching

Question 7

How does the Iowa manual describe what right-of-way law actually does?

Accepted Answer

It says who must yield; it does not hand anyone the right-of-way — The rules assign the duty to yield rather than conferring a right, and the manual adds that whoever must yield, you should still do everything you can to avoid striking anyone.

Answer

It grants the right-of-way to the larger vehicle

Answer

It gives the right-of-way to whoever signals first

Answer

It applies only at signalized intersections

Question 8

A rectangular rapid flashing beacon at a mid-block crosswalk starts flashing amber. What must you do?

Accepted Answer

Stop for anyone in the crosswalk and watch for anyone about to step into it — When a pedestrian activates the beacon, drivers must stop for anyone already in the crosswalk and stay alert for anyone about to enter it.

Answer

Proceed, since amber only means caution

Answer

Stop only if a pedestrian raises a hand

Answer

Sound your horn to warn pedestrians

Question 9

According to the motorcycle manual, what causes more than half of crashes between motorcycles and cars?

Accepted Answer

Drivers violating the rider's right-of-way — The manual reports that over half of motorcycle-car collisions come from drivers taking a rider's right-of-way, with left-turning cars and cars pulling out of side streets the biggest threats.

Answer

Riders exceeding the speed limit

Answer

Riders following too closely

Answer

Mechanical failure on the motorcycle

Question 10

Two vehicles reach an all-way stop at the same instant. Who goes first?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle on the right — At an all-way stop the first to arrive goes first, and when two arrive together the one on the right has the first move.

Answer

The vehicle on the left

Answer

The vehicle going straight

Answer

The heavier vehicle

Question 11

Iowa updated its crosswalk law in 2024. Who must a driver now yield to?

Accepted Answer

Pedestrians on foot and people using any human-powered device, such as a wheelchair, stroller, skateboard or scooter — The updated law extends the duty to yield to pedestrian conveyances — any human-powered device a person moves on, or moves another person with — as well as to people on foot.

Answer

Only pedestrians on foot in a marked crosswalk

Answer

Only children and people over 65

Answer

Only people crossing at a signal

Question 12

Does Iowa's crosswalk duty apply only where the crossing is painted?

Accepted Answer

No — the duty to yield or stop covers pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks — The manual says not every crosswalk is marked and that drivers must yield or stop for people in marked or unmarked crossings, staying alert at intersections without painted lines.

Answer

Yes — unmarked crossings carry no duty

Answer

Only inside city limits

Answer

Only at intersections with signals

Iowa Motorcycle: Right-of-Way practice test

Study questions with answers

1. How far back must you stay from an emergency vehicle that is running its lights and siren?

2. An ambulance is approaching with lights and siren. What does Iowa require of you?

3. You are turning left at an intersection and a car is coming straight toward you. Who yields?

4. You are already inside an intersection when an emergency vehicle approaches. What does the manual tell you to do?

5. You are crossing a sidewalk on your way out of a parking lot. Who has priority?

6. You have a stop sign at a blind intersection. What two-stage procedure does the motorcycle manual describe?

7. How does the Iowa manual describe what right-of-way law actually does?

8. A rectangular rapid flashing beacon at a mid-block crosswalk starts flashing amber. What must you do?

9. According to the motorcycle manual, what causes more than half of crashes between motorcycles and cars?

10. Two vehicles reach an all-way stop at the same instant. Who goes first?

11. Iowa updated its crosswalk law in 2024. Who must a driver now yield to?

12. Does Iowa's crosswalk duty apply only where the crossing is painted?

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