Practice lights, arrows and pedestrian signals, with questions based on the Iowa Driver's License Manual.
Stop, then go if the crosswalk is clear
Solid red means stop for pedestrians. Flashing red lets you continue with caution once the crosswalk is clear.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 2, 2.20 Bicycle and Pedestrian Signals, p. 18
Stop and follow the guard's direction
Officers, highway workers and school crossing guards can direct traffic, and you must obey them.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 2, 2.9 Traffic Signals, p. 11
Yes, after a full stop, unless a sign forbids it
You must yield to all other traffic and pedestrians before turning.
Source: Iowa Code 2026, §321.257, §321.257(2)(a); Manual Chapter 4, Turns on Red, p. 43
Stay stopped until the gates go up
Lowered gates or flashing lights mean a train is approaching.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 2, 2.10 Railroad Crossings, p. 12; Iowa Code 2026, §321.341, §321.341(1)-(2)
Before the crosswalk
If there is a stop line, stop before the line.
Source: Iowa Code 2026, §321.257, §321.257(1); Manual Chapter 2, 2.14, p. 15
Between 15 and 50 feet
Do not go on until it is safe, and stay stopped while a gate is down.
A rideshare driver carrying a paying passenger
School buses, vehicles carrying passengers for hire and placarded hazardous material vehicles must stop 15 to 50 feet from the rail.
Source: Iowa Code 2026, §321.343, §321.343(1) and (3); Manual p. 12
Turn after yielding, since oncoming traffic has a green light
Yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians before you turn.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 2, 2.9 Traffic Signals, p. 11
Like a stop sign
Stop completely, then go when it is safe.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 2, 2.9 Traffic Signals, p. 11
The lane may be used only for turning
A red X means do not use the lane, and a steady yellow X means move out of it.
Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 2, 2.15 Reversible Lanes, p. 15
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.