Free Iowa DOT Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 2 2026
This Practice Test 2 is modeled on the Department of Transportation (DOT) written knowledge exam, whose length the agency does not publish; to pass you need a pass mark the DOT does not publish (our practice tests use 80%). These 25 questions rotate through traffic laws, road signs, and right-of-way - the core topics the DOT tests most heavily. Every question includes an explanation, so you learn the rule behind each answer - not just whether you got it right.
What should you do if your vehicle begins to hydroplane (ride on a film of water)?
What's on the Iowa Practice Test 2
The DOT does not publish how many questions are on the real Iowa knowledge test. Practice Test 2 is a 25-question set drawn from 45 questions, scored against a practice target of 80%.
Topics in this test's question pool
- Road signs 17
- Traffic laws 8
- Safe driving 6
- Right of way 6
- Emergencies 3
- Parking 2
- Speed limits 1
- Alcohol & drugs 1
- Vehicle equipment 1
45 questions in the pool, 9 of them written specifically for Iowa. Each attempt shows 25 in a new order.
Sample questions from this test, with answers
Want to test yourself first? Take the test above before reading these. Every answer below is checked against the source shown.
1. Under Iowa's hands-free law, while driving you may not:
- A. Hold, type, scroll, or enter GPS by hand (correct)
- B. Use voice commands to place a phone call
- C. Keep your phone in a dashboard mount
- D. Listen to the radio or a podcast
Why: Iowa's hands-free law prohibits holding a phone, typing, scrolling, entering GPS, streaming, or calling unless the device is used hands-free.
Source: official Iowa driver handbook, PDF p.36, 'Iowa's Hands-Free Law'
2. How far behind an emergency vehicle using its lights and siren should you stay in Iowa?
- A. At least 500 feet (correct)
- B. At least 100 feet
- C. At least 200 feet
- D. At least 1,000 feet
Why: The Iowa manual tells drivers to stay at least 500 feet behind any emergency vehicle that is using lights and sirens.
Source: official Iowa driver handbook, p.19 (PDF p.19), 2.23 Emergency Vehicles
3. A sign reading 'SPEED LIMIT 55' is what type of sign?
- A. Warning
- B. Regulatory (correct)
- C. Guide
- D. Informational
Why: Speed limit signs are regulatory - they state the maximum legal speed under ideal conditions, which you are legally required to obey.
Source: Federal MUTCD 11th ed. (Dec 2023) 2B.21 Paragraph 13
4. Blue signs along a highway typically indicate:
- A. Parks and recreation areas
- B. Gas, food, and lodging services (correct)
- C. Rules such as speed limits
- D. Exits and distances to nearby cities
Why: Blue signs indicate motorist services - gas stations, food, lodging, hospitals, and rest areas - available at or near an exit.
5. Your gas pedal is stuck and you switch off the engine to slow the car. What should you expect?
- A. The brakes will stop working completely
- B. Steering and braking will take more effort (correct)
- C. The car will speed up for a few seconds
- D. The car will come to a stop almost at once
Why: With the engine off you lose power steering and power brake assist, so the wheel and pedal feel much heavier. They still work - push harder and steer to a safe stop.
Source: official Iowa driver handbook
6. When turning left at a green light (not a green arrow), you must:
- A. Turn immediately - green means go
- B. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians (correct)
- C. Turn first - oncoming traffic must yield to you
- D. Wait for oncoming traffic to stop
Why: A green ball (not arrow) allows a left turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A green arrow means you have a protected turn and oncoming traffic is stopped.
Source: official Iowa driver handbook
More Iowa facts, the full requirements table and the printable PDF are on the Iowa permit practice test page.
Iowa DOT Test Info
- Questions on real test
- Not published by the DOT
- Passing score
- Not published
- Correct needed
- a pass mark the DOT does not publish (our practice tests use 80%)
- Minimum age
- 14 years old
- Testing agency
- Department of Transportation
More Iowa Tests
Study Tip
Don't just aim to pass this Iowa Practice Test 2 once - keep taking it until you score 80% or higher two or three times in a row. Read the explanation after every question, even the ones you get right, to lock in the rule before your DOT exam.