US driving theory test practice

Iowa DMV Cheat Sheet

A condensed study guide for the Iowa DOT written knowledge test — test logistics, plus the Iowa-specific rules most likely to differ from what you already know. This isn't a substitute for the official Iowa driver's manual, or for practicing the real questions. Looking for the core rules and signs that apply everywhere, not just Iowa? Check the general driving theory cheat sheet instead.

35Questions
80%To Pass
Varies by license type -- see iowadot.gov for current feesFee

Iowa-Specific Rules

Minor & Provisional Licensing

  • An instruction permit can be issued at 14 and stays valid up to four years from the holder's birthday anniversary, with a signed parent/guardian consent affidavit.
  • A permit holder under 18 must be supervised by a parent/guardian, a family member 21+, an approved instructor, or a person 25+ with written parental permission.
  • An intermediate license (16-17) needs the instruction permit held at least 12 months, with the final six months free of accidents and violations.
  • Intermediate license applicants need 20 hours of supervised driving, at least 2 of them after sunset and before sunrise.
  • A new intermediate license holder can carry only one unrelated minor passenger for the first six months -- unless a parent signs a waiver removing the restriction.
  • An intermediate license holder needs a licensed adult along to drive 12:30 a.m.-5 a.m., unless traveling to/from school or work with a waiver.
  • The special minor's restricted license ("school license") is available at 14 with driver's ed completed and six months holding a permit violation-free.
  • Permit, intermediate, and special minor license holders under 18 can't make or receive any phone call while driving -- even hands-free -- unless fully stopped off the roadway.

Licensing Procedure & Documents

  • You're an Iowa resident for licensing if you register to vote, enroll a child in school, take a permanent job, live here continuously for 30 days, file a homestead/military exemption, or get public assistance.
  • You don't need an Iowa license while on-duty in a military vehicle, driving farm equipment within two miles of the home farm, or visiting/studying with a valid out-of-state license.
  • Licensing requires a vision screening, the knowledge test, driver's ed if under 18, and a driving test (unless driver's ed already satisfies it).
  • Drivers must carry their license/permit, proof of registration, and an insurance card (printed or electronic) while driving.
  • Online renewal is only real through mymvd.iowadot.gov, for eligible drivers 18+ -- other sites offering this aren't state-affiliated.

DUI Laws & Penalties

  • OWI is 0.08%+ BAC or any controlled substance in your system -- driving privileges revoke at least 180 days even without a criminal conviction.
  • Under-21 drivers are OWI at just 0.02% BAC (60-day minimum revocation); 0.08%+ gets the same 180-day minimum as adults, with no temporary restricted license available.
  • Refusing a breathalyzer means an automatic one-year revocation plus a $1,250 minimum fine, and doesn't prevent an OWI conviction.
  • Every Iowa license holder (and non-residents driving here) contractually consents to a field sobriety test on an officer's demand.
  • Transporting an open, unsealed alcohol container in the passenger area is a simple misdemeanor, up to a $200 fine per person -- the trunk is fine.

Cell Phones & Distracted Driving

  • The hands-free law bans holding a phone, manually scrolling/typing, entering a GPS address, or streaming/viewing video and social media while driving.
  • Distracted driving is a primary offense -- an officer can stop you for it alone; causing a death while distracted adds over $1,000 in fines and possible vehicular homicide charges.
  • Texting requires coming to a complete stop off the roadway first, with narrow exceptions for public safety and emergencies.

Rules of the Road

  • The Move Over or Slow Down Law requires changing lanes for a stopped vehicle with flashing/hazard lights, or slowing and preparing to stop if a lane change isn't safe.
  • Violating the Move Over law can suspend your license up to 1 year.
  • The Steer It-Clear It law requires moving an operable vehicle out of traffic lanes after a no-injury crash -- each minute blocked raises secondary-crash risk about 2.8 percent.
  • Approaching an emergency vehicle with siren/lights, pull right and stay 500 feet back -- but clear an intersection first if you're already in one.
  • Meeting a school bus from the front (amber lights): slow to 20 mph and be ready to stop. Approaching from the rear (red/amber lights): stop no closer than 15 feet, wait for the arm to retract.
  • Violating the school bus stop law can suspend your license up to 180 days.
  • A reflective orange triangle on a vehicle's rear means it's traveling 35 mph or less -- seen on farm equipment, maintenance vehicles, and horse-drawn wagons.

Crashes & Insurance

  • Report a crash to police (911) if it involves injury, death, or over $1,500 in property damage -- within 72 hours, or you lose your driving privileges.
  • After a reportable crash, be ready to give police your insurance information, registration, and license.
  • Minimum liability coverage: $20,000 for one person's injury/death, $40,000 for two or more, $15,000 for property damage.

Child Passenger Safety

  • Seat belt violations are a primary offense: up to $50 per unbelted passenger ($100 if under 18). Front-seat occupants of any age and back-seat occupants under 18 must be belted.
  • Under age 1 and under 20 pounds needs a rear-facing restraint; under 6 needs a child restraint system (not just a belt); 6 up to 18 needs a restraint or belt in any seat.
  • No one under 18 may ride in the bed of a moving pickup truck.
Want the core rules and road signs that apply everywhere, not just Iowa?General cheat sheet →

Rules and fees change — always confirm current details with Iowa DOT before your exam. Cheat sheet v1.0, last checked 2026-08-02.