Iowa DOT Permit Practice Test 1: 50 Questions
Practice Test 1 has 50 multiple-choice questions on Iowa driving rules, including Iowa move over law, turn signal timing, cell phone without Hands-Free and diamond warning sign. Each answer is explained as soon as you pick it, and every question is listed with its answer in the study guide below.
More Iowa Practice Tests
What Practice Test 1 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- Iowa Move Over Law
- Turn Signal Timing
- Cell Phone Without Hands-Free
- Diamond Warning Sign
- Yield Sign
- Red and White Triangular Sign
- Regulatory Sign Color
- Roundabout Entry
- Construction Zone Compliance
- Skid Recovery
- Right on Red
- Green Arrow
- No Passing Zone
- Headlights at Night
- Mirror Checking
Try 5 Questions from This Test
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The move over law in Iowa requires drivers to:
Show answer
B. Move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles
Drivers must move over or slow down when approaching stopped emergency vehicles.
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When the speed limit is 45 mph or less, you must signal a turn at least:
Show answer
C. 100 feet before
Iowa law requires a turn signal at least 100 feet before turning when the speed limit is 45 mph or less, and at least 300 feet when the speed limit is over 45 mph.
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When sharing the road with bicyclists, you should:
Show answer
A. Give them space and share the lane safely
Drivers must share the road and give space to bicyclists.
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When is it permissible to use a cell phone without hands-free?
Show answer
B. Only in emergencies
Hand-held cellphone use while driving is restricted except in emergencies.
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What should you do in a construction zone?
Show answer
A. Slow down and be alert
Construction zones require slower speeds and caution.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 1, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
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Q1. What must you do when you see a STOP sign at an intersection?
Correct answer: Stop completely before the stop line or crosswalk
Why: You must come to a complete stop at a STOP sign before continuing.
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Q2. Before changing lanes, you should:
Correct answer: Signal and check blind spots
Why: Signaling and checking blind spots helps prevent collisions.
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Q3. What does a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line mean?
Correct answer: Passing permitted only on the side with the broken line
Why: Vehicles next to the broken line may pass when safe.
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Q4. When approaching a school bus with flashing red lights, drivers must:
Correct answer: Stop until the lights stop flashing
Why: All drivers must stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing.
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Q5. A flashing red traffic signal means:
Correct answer: Stop and then proceed when safe
Why: A flashing red signal requires a full stop, similar to a stop sign.
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Q6. If you are towing a trailer, you must use turn signals to:
Correct answer: Indicate lane changes and turns
Why: Turn signals must be used to indicate all lane changes and turns.
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Q7. What is the purpose of traffic signs with diamond shapes?
Correct answer: Warnings about hazards ahead
Why: Diamond-shaped signs warn drivers about conditions ahead.
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Q8. When you see a yield sign, you must:
Correct answer: Slow down and give right-of-way
Why: Yield signs require you to slow and allow others to proceed.
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Q9. Before entering a roundabout, drivers must:
Correct answer: Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Why: Drivers must yield to vehicles already circulating in the roundabout.
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Q10. At night, headlights must be used:
Correct answer: From sunset to sunrise
Why: Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise for visibility.
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Q11. What does a broken white line on the road indicate?
Correct answer: Traffic moves in the same direction
Why: Broken white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction.
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Q12. When backing up, you should:
Correct answer: Look over your shoulder and proceed slowly
Why: Looking over your shoulder helps you see behind the vehicle.
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Q13. The move over law in Iowa requires drivers to:
Correct answer: Move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles
Why: Drivers must move over or slow down when approaching stopped emergency vehicles.
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Q14. What is the shape of a STOP sign?
Correct answer: Octagon
Why: STOP signs are octagonal in shape.
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Q15. Double solid yellow lines mean:
Correct answer: No passing in either direction
Why: Double solid yellow lines indicate no passing from either direction.
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Q16. You want to park on an Iowa street near a fire hydrant. What is the closest you may park to it?
Correct answer: 5 feet
Why: Iowa does not allow parking closer than five feet from a fire hydrant, or in a designated hydrant red zone.
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Q17. What does a red and white triangular sign indicate?
Correct answer: Yield
Why: A red and white triangle indicates a yield sign.
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Q18. Drivers must wear seat belts:
Correct answer: At all times while driving
Why: Seat belts are required for safety at all times while driving.
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Q19. When a traffic light is green, you should:
Correct answer: Proceed if the intersection is clear
Why: On green, you may go if the intersection is clear and safe.
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Q20. What should you do if an emergency vehicle with lights and siren approaches?
Correct answer: Pull to the right and stop
Why: You must pull over to the right and stop for emergency vehicles.
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Q21. If a traffic signal is not working, you must treat the intersection as:
Correct answer: A four-way stop
Why: A nonworking signal is treated as a four-way stop.
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Q22. A steady yellow traffic light means:
Correct answer: Caution — light is about to turn red
Why: Yellow warns the light is about to turn red.
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Q23. When the speed limit is 45 mph or less, you must signal a turn at least:
Correct answer: 100 feet before
Why: Iowa law requires a turn signal at least 100 feet before turning when the speed limit is 45 mph or less, and at least 300 feet when the speed limit is over 45 mph.
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Q24. When sharing the road with bicyclists, you should:
Correct answer: Give them space and share the lane safely
Why: Drivers must share the road and give space to bicyclists.
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Q25. What does a steady red traffic light require?
Correct answer: Full stop before proceeding
Why: A steady red light requires a complete stop before continuing.
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Q26. You must yield to pedestrians:
Correct answer: At all crosswalks and intersections
Why: Pedestrians always have right-of-way at crosswalks and intersections.
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Q27. A warning sign is typically:
Correct answer: Diamond-shaped
Why: Warning signs are usually diamond-shaped to alert drivers.
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Q28. When entering a highway from a driveway, you must:
Correct answer: Yield to all traffic
Why: You must yield to oncoming traffic when entering a highway.
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Q29. What color are regulatory signs that show laws you must obey?
Correct answer: Red and white
Why: Regulatory signs use red and white to show rules.
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Q30. When should you check your mirrors?
Correct answer: Regularly while driving
Why: Regular mirror checks help you stay aware of traffic.
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Q31. What does a no passing zone sign indicate?
Correct answer: Passing is prohibited
Why: No passing zone signs prohibit overtaking other vehicles.
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Q32. When approaching a pedestrian with a guide dog, you must:
Correct answer: Stop and let them cross
Why: You must stop and yield to pedestrians with guide dogs.
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Q33. A school zone sign warns drivers to:
Correct answer: Slow down and watch for children
Why: School zone signs warn to slow down and watch for children.
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Q34. What is the main purpose of traffic signs?
Correct answer: To guide and regulate traffic
Why: Traffic signs are meant to guide and regulate traffic safely.
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Q35. What should you do if your car starts to skid?
Correct answer: Steer in the direction you want to go
Why: Steering into the skid helps regain control.
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Q36. A right-on-red turn is allowed when:
Correct answer: There is no sign prohibiting it
Why: You may turn right on red unless a sign says otherwise.
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Q37. An advisory speed sign indicates:
Correct answer: A suggested safe speed
Why: Advisory signs suggest a safe speed for conditions.
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Q38. Before passing another vehicle, you must:
Correct answer: Check mirrors and blind spots
Why: Always check mirrors and blind spots before passing.
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Q39. What should you do in a construction zone?
Correct answer: Slow down and be alert
Why: Construction zones require slower speeds and caution.
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Q40. What does a green traffic light mean?
Correct answer: Go if safe
Why: A green light means go if the intersection is clear.
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Q41. What must you do when an emergency vehicle approaches?
Correct answer: Pull over and yield
Why: You must pull over and let emergency vehicles pass.
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Q42. When is it permissible to use a cell phone without hands-free?
Correct answer: Only in emergencies
Why: Hand-held cellphone use while driving is restricted except in emergencies.
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Q43. What is the meaning of a yield sign shape?
Correct answer: Upside-down triangle
Why: Yield signs are shaped as upside-down triangles.
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Q44. What should you do when you see a merge sign?
Correct answer: Be prepared to enter traffic safely
Why: Merge signs alert you to safely enter traffic.
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Q45. What must you do at a railroad crossing with no signals?
Correct answer: Slow down and look both ways
Why: At unprotected railroad crossings, you must slow and look.
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Q46. What does a steady green arrow mean?
Correct answer: Turn in arrow direction
Why: A green arrow means you may turn in that direction.
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Q47. When is a U-turn prohibited?
Correct answer: Where signs say no U-turn
Why: U-turns are prohibited where signs indicate.
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Q48. When the speed limit is 45 mph or less, you must signal a change of direction for at least:
Correct answer: 100 feet
Why: Iowa law requires a turn signal at least 100 feet before turning when the speed limit is 45 mph or less, and at least 300 feet when the speed limit is over 45 mph.
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Q49. What does a STOP ahead sign warn you of?
Correct answer: A stop sign ahead
Why: STOP ahead signs warn you that a stop sign is coming.
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Q50. When approaching a red light with a green arrow, you should:
Correct answer: Turn in arrow direction
Why: A green arrow lets you turn in that direction even when the main light is red.