Practice breakdowns, emergency vehicles and railroad crossings, with questions based on the Iowa Driver's License Manual.
Get out and stand away from traffic
When possible, wait away from the shoulder and far from moving vehicles.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 4, Hazard Lights, p. 49
Toward the side with the flat
Hold the wheel tightly, do not overcorrect and slow down gradually.
The headlight switch a few times
Then try the high beams, and use flashers or fog lights while you pull off the road.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 5, 5.14, Lights, p. 62
Shift to neutral and pull off when safe
Turn the engine off once you have stopped.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 5, 5.14, Stuck Gas Pedal, p. 62
They work, but you must push very hard
The steering also becomes harder to turn, but it still works.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 5, 5.14, Engine Stalls, p. 62
Turn off the vehicle and keep your hands on the wheel
Pull over to a clear area out of the travel lane first.
The number on the blue ENS sign
If there is no ENS sign, call 911.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 2, 2.10 Railroad Crossings, p. 12; Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 2, 2.2 Regulatory Signs, ENS Sign, p. 8; 2.10 Railroad Crossings, p. 12
At an angle toward the approaching train
Get everyone out right away, even if you do not see a train yet.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 2, 2.10 Railroad Crossings, p. 12
Once the car has filled with water
Stay calm, hold your breath and swim to the surface.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 5, Flooded Roadways, p. 60
When a pedestrian is moving into your lane
The horn is a warning device to help prevent crashes.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 4, 4.13 Horn, p. 49
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Iowa Driver's License Manual (Iowa Driver's License Manual, form MM1170 dated 07/23/2026 on the back page (68 PDF pages), downloaded 2026-11-10 from https://iowadot.gov/media/7308/download?inline, linked from the Iowa DOT Driver's Manual page (https://iowadot.gov/drivers-licenses-ids/driver-education/manuals-practice-tests/drivers-manual). Page numbers cited are the printed page numbers, which equal PDF pages. The manual does not cover the graduated license steps, insurance minimums or the exam format; those come from Iowa DOT pages (Instruction Permit for Under Age 18, Intermediate License, Passenger Restriction, Full License, Special Minor's Restricted License, Practice Test; read 2026-11-10), Iowa Code 2026 (chapters 321, 321A, 321J and section 805.8A on legis.iowa.gov; the Code 2026 text includes 2025 session laws; 2026 session laws were not reviewed in full) and Iowa Administrative Code 761, chapter 604 (as of IAB 10/1/25). Manual statements that differ from the current Iowa Code, and how they were handled: (1) Section 3.7 (p. 36) still describes the old texting-only rule and says drivers under 18 with a permit, intermediate license or special minor's restricted license may not talk on the phone; 2025 Iowa Acts ch. 14 (SF 22) replaced §321.276 with a hands-free rule for all drivers and struck the teen device bans in former §321.180B(6), §321.194(5)(d) and §321.178(2)(a)(2). The Iowa DOT permit, intermediate and SMRL pages also still list a device ban for teens. Questions follow §321.276 as amended; no teen-only phone question is included, and common-phone-0007 and common-phone-0009 are excluded. (2) Section 4.5 (p. 42) lists unposted limits of 60 mph on primary roads, urban interstates and secondary roads and 45 mph for a vehicle towing another; §321.285 sets 55 mph generally, 65 mph on fully controlled-access divided multilane highways and 70 mph on interstates, and no towing limit was found; questions use §321.285 only. (3) Implied consent (p. 37) is described as consent to a field sobriety test; §321J.6 deems consent to a chemical test of blood, breath or urine; questions follow the statute. (4) Test refusal (p. 37) is said to bring a minimum $1,250 fine; §321J.9 sets only a one-year revocation (two years after an earlier revocation), and $1,250 is the first-offense OWI fine in §321J.2(3)(c); the refusal fine is not tested. (5) Seat belt fines (p. 34: up to $50, $100 per passenger under 18) and the open container fine (p. 37: up to $200) differ from the scheduled fines in §805.8A(14)(c) and (e) ($70 belt, $135 child restraint, $260 open container); questions use §805.8A. (6) The move-over section (p. 22) says no speed is specified; §321.323A requires a speed below the posted limit when a lane change is not possible; questions follow the statute. (7) The 500-foot rule for following any emergency vehicle with lights and sirens (p. 19) is narrower in §321.367 (fire apparatus answering an alarm); questions use the statute wording. (8) The manual (p. 63) says a crash with injury or damage over $1,500 must be reported to police within 72 hours; §321.266 requires immediate notice of an injury crash to law enforcement and a written report to the DOT within 72 hours for injury, death or damage of $1,500 or more unless a law enforcement agency investigated; questions follow the statute. Also noted: the at-home knowledge test age differs between DOT pages (Skip the Trip page: within 30 days of the 14th birthday; permit page: at least 14), so no question tests it. edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Division, and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.