Iowa: Minor & Provisional Licensing Questions
8 real, verified Iowa driving-test questions on minor & provisional licensing, each with the correct answer and a full explanation below. Want to practice these interactively instead? Start a Minor & Provisional Licensing practice round.
1. At what minimum age can an Iowa instruction permit be issued, and how long is it valid?
Why: An Iowa instruction permit can be issued starting at age 14 and is valid for up to four years from the holder's birthday anniversary, requiring a signed parent/guardian consent affidavit.
2. Who can supervise an Iowa instruction permit holder under 18 while driving?
Why: An Iowa instruction permit holder under 18 must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is a parent/guardian, a family member 21 or older, an approved instructor, or a person 25 or older with written parental permission.
3. How long must a 16- or 17-year-old have held an Iowa instruction permit before applying for an intermediate license?
Why: An Iowa intermediate license applicant must have held an instruction permit for at least 12 months immediately before applying, with the final six months free of accidents and violations.
4. How many hours of supervised driving must an Iowa intermediate license applicant complete, and how many at night?
Why: An Iowa intermediate license applicant must complete 20 hours of street or highway driving, at least 2 of them after sunset and before sunrise, confirmed by a parent/guardian affidavit.
5. What is the unrelated-minor-passenger limit for a new Iowa intermediate license holder, and can it be changed?
Why: For the first six months of an intermediate license, an Iowa driver may carry no more than one unrelated minor passenger -- unless a parent or guardian signs a waiver removing this restriction entirely.
6. When does an Iowa intermediate license holder need an accompanying licensed adult to drive?
Why: An Iowa intermediate license holder needs an accompanying licensed adult to drive between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless traveling to or from a school activity or a job with an applicable waiver.
7. What does an Iowa applicant need to qualify for the special minor's restricted license ("school license") at age 14?
Why: Iowa's special minor's restricted license is available starting at age 14 to an applicant who has completed a driver's education course and held an instruction permit at least six months without a violation.
8. Can a 17-year-old with an Iowa intermediate license make a hands-free phone call while driving?
Why: A driver under 18 with an instruction permit, intermediate license, or special minor restricted license may not make or receive any phone call while driving -- even hands-free -- unless the vehicle is completely stopped off the traveled roadway.
More Iowa Topics
- Cell Phones & Distracted Driving (3)
- Child Passenger Safety (3)
- Crashes & Insurance (3)
- DUI Laws & Penalties (5)
- Licensing Procedure & Documents (5)
- Rules of the Road (7)
- Other Topics (2)
Rules and requirements change — always confirm current details with Iowa DOTbefore your exam. Take the full Iowa practice test or check the Iowa cheat sheet.