Free Iowa DMV permit practice test online
Free Iowa permit practice for road signs, right-of-way, safe driving, and more—with explanations that point back to the official Iowa Department of Transportation handbook.
The Iowa permit knowledge test has 35 questions; you need 28 correct (80%) to pass. That is above the median of 30 questions across the 51 states QuizLane tracks, so budget more study time than a shorter state would need.
Also preparing for a commercial license? Iowa CDL practice · Study guides
Official Iowa permit test
Iowa DMV permit test facts
These figures reflect the standard Iowa Class D permit knowledge test and can change. Always confirm current requirements with Iowa Department of Transportation (official source).
What you will practice
Build coverage topic by topic.
Each question carries a topic, difficulty, explanation, and source section so your review has context.
Sample questions
5 Iowa DMV permit practice questions
Try these Iowa sample questions now — each shows the correct answer with a plain-language explanation and a source section. The full 171-question bank is in the practice run, including 10 items that test Iowa law specifically.
1. Iowa defines Operating While Intoxicated as having a BAC of:
- AAny measurable alcohol only
- B0.05% or higher
- 0.08% or higher (or any amount of a controlled substance in your system)
- D0.10% or higher
Answer: 0.08% or higher (or any amount of a controlled substance in your system). The Iowa Driver’s License Manual defines Operating While Intoxicated as having a BAC of .08 or higher or operating with any amount of controlled substance in your system.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)
2. In Iowa, an underage driver is considered to be operating while intoxicated with a BAC of:
- 0.02% or more
- B0.10% or more
- C0.08% or more only
- D0.05% or more
Answer: 0.02% or more. The Iowa Driver’s License Manual states an underage driver is considered to be operating while intoxicated with a BAC of .02 or more (with a longer revocation if BAC is .08 or more).
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Drivers Under 21
3. Under Iowa law, a child under six years old must generally be secured in:
- A child restraint system (safety seat or booster seat, not a seat belt alone)
- BNo restraint if in the back seat
- CA lap belt only
- DA seat belt alone
Answer: A child restraint system (safety seat or booster seat, not a seat belt alone). The Iowa Driver’s License Manual states a child under six years old must be secured in a child restraint system (a safety seat or booster seat, not a seat belt).
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Seat Belts and Iowa Law
4. Iowa seat-belt law requires all passengers in the front seats to wear seat belts, and also applies to back-seat passengers who are:
- Under age 18
- BAny age
- CUnder age 6 only
- DUnder age 12 only
Answer: Under age 18. The Iowa Driver’s License Manual states Iowa requires all passengers in the front seats to wear seat belts, and the law also applies to passengers in the back seats who are under age 18.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Seat Belts and Child Restraints
5. Iowa drivers under 18 with an instruction permit, intermediate license, or special minor restricted license may talk on the phone while driving only if:
- ADriving under 25 mph
- BUsing speakerphone
- The vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway
- DA parent is in the car
Answer: The vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway. The Iowa Driver’s License Manual states drivers under 18 with an instruction permit, intermediate license, or special minor restricted license are prohibited from making and receiving calls and talking on the phone while driving unless their vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual — Talking on the Phone
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