Iowa DOT Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   The headlights of an oncoming car are blinding you. Where should you look?

   • AStraight into the headlights
   • BDown at your dashboard
   • CAt the center line
   • DToward the right edge of your lane
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   Answer: D. Toward the right edge of your lane

   Look toward the right edge of the road until the car passes. Do not stare into the lights.

2. Question 2 of 25

   You are driving out of a driveway or parking lot onto a street. Who must you yield to?

   • AOnly pedestrians
   • BNo one, if you use your turn signal
   • CPedestrians on the sidewalk and all traffic on the street
   • DOnly cars coming from your left
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   Answer: C. Pedestrians on the sidewalk and all traffic on the street

   A driver entering a road from a driveway or private road must stop and yield to pedestrians and to traffic on the road.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AAn Interstate highway
   • BA US highway (US route) number
   • CA county road
   • DAn exit number
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A US highway (US route) number

   The black and white shield marks a numbered US route. These routes often cross several states.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Car 1 turns left from a two-way street onto another two-way street. Where should it finish the turn?

   • AIn the far right lane
   • BOn the left side of the center line
   • CIn the lane just to the right of the center line
   • DIn whatever lane has the least traffic
   Show answer

   Answer: C. In the lane just to the right of the center line

   Start from the lane closest to the center and end in the lane just to the right of the new road's center line.

5. Question 5 of 25

   At a four-way stop, you and a car facing you stop at the same time. You want to turn left and the other driver is going straight. Who should go first?

   • AYou, because you signaled first
   • BYou, because left turns go first at stop signs
   • CThe driver going straight
   • DWhoever starts moving first
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The driver going straight

   A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic that is going straight or turning right.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Reading or sending a text takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds. At 55 mph, how far do you travel in that time?

   • AAbout 10 feet
   • BAbout one car length
   • CAbout one mile
   • DAbout the length of a football field
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   Answer: D. About the length of a football field

   At 55 mph, 5 seconds of looking at a phone is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AA school crossing guard is ahead
   • BA flagger is ahead; slow down and follow the flagger's signals
   • CA pedestrian crossing is ahead
   • DA parade is ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A flagger is ahead; slow down and follow the flagger's signals

   A flagger controls traffic in a work zone with a STOP/SLOW paddle or a flag. Obey the flagger's directions.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You park facing downhill next to a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

   • AToward the curb
   • BAway from the curb
   • CIt does not matter if the parking brake is set
   • DStraight ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Toward the curb

   When parking downhill, turn your wheels into the curb so the car rolls into it, not into the street.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Which of these makes your stopping distance longer?

   • AA wet or icy road
   • BDriving more slowly
   • CTires with deep tread
   • DPaying full attention
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A wet or icy road

   Wet, snowy and icy roads give your tires less grip, so it takes longer to stop. Slow down and leave more space.

10. Question 10 of 25

    How can you check that you are not following another vehicle too closely?

    • AWatch for the brake lights of the vehicle ahead
    • BLook at your speedometer
    • CCount how many car lengths you see
    • DWhen the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it
    Show answer

    Answer: D. When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it

    Pick a fixed object such as a sign. Start counting when the car ahead passes it; if you reach it before you finish the count, you are too close.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Another car is passing you on a two-lane road. What should you do?

    • AStay centered in your lane and slow down slightly if needed
    • BMove toward the center line
    • CSpeed up so the other car cannot pass
    • DBrake hard
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stay centered in your lane and slow down slightly if needed

    When someone passes you, keep to your lane and ease off slightly so they can get back in safely. Never speed up.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Can cold or allergy medicine you buy without a prescription affect your driving?

    • ANo, only prescription drugs affect driving
    • BOnly if you take it with food
    • CNo, these medicines are always safe
    • DYes, some can make you drowsy, so read the label
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    Answer: D. Yes, some can make you drowsy, so read the label

    Many over-the-counter medicines cause drowsiness. Read the warning label and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • A55 mph is the suggested speed for a curve
    • BOnly trucks must keep to 55 mph
    • CYou must drive at least 55 mph
    • D55 mph is the fastest you may legally drive here in good conditions
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    Answer: D. 55 mph is the fastest you may legally drive here in good conditions

    A white speed limit sign shows the maximum legal speed. In bad weather or heavy traffic you must drive slower.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Where is this pennant-shaped sign placed?

    • AOn the right side of the road
    • BOnly on freeway on-ramps
    • COver the middle of the road
    • DOn the left side of the road
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    Answer: D. On the left side of the road

    The yellow pennant is posted on the left side of two-lane roads, where you look before passing. It marks the start of a no-passing zone.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ASpeed up to cross the intersection
    • BKeep going straight
    • CGet ready to stop or turn; your road ends and you must turn left or right
    • DMake a U-turn
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Get ready to stop or turn; your road ends and you must turn left or right

    The T shape shows that your road ends at a cross street. Slow down and be ready to yield or stop before you turn.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA hospital zone begins
    • BA school is near; slow down and watch for children
    • CA playground is ahead
    • DAn adults-only crosswalk is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A school is near; slow down and watch for children

    The five-sided school sign warns that you are near a school. Slow down, watch for children and obey any school speed limit.

17. Question 17 of 25

    You are passing a car. When is it safe to return to your lane?

    • AAs soon as your rear bumper passes its front bumper
    • BWhen the two cars are side by side
    • CWhen the other driver flashes the headlights
    • DWhen you can see the front of the car you passed in your rearview mirror
    Show answer

    Answer: D. When you can see the front of the car you passed in your rearview mirror

    Return to your lane only when you can see the whole front of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Marking 4 is a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line. When may you pass?

    • AOnly when the broken line is on your side
    • BWhenever the road ahead looks clear
    • CNever, from either side
    • DOnly when the solid line is on your side
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    Answer: A. Only when the broken line is on your side

    With a solid and a broken line together, drivers on the broken-line side may pass when safe. Drivers on the solid side may not.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Your car starts to skid on a slippery road. What should you do?

    • ASteer hard the opposite way
    • BSpeed up
    • CSlam on the brakes
    • DEase off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go

    Take your foot off the gas, do not brake hard, and steer smoothly where you want to go.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThe center lane is only for left turns by traffic from both directions
    • BThe center lane is a passing lane
    • CThe left lane must turn left
    • DTwo lanes may turn left
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The center lane is only for left turns by traffic from both directions

    Use the shared center lane only to slow down and turn left. Never use it to pass or to travel a long way.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Someone is hurt in a crash. When should you move the injured person?

    • AAlways, to make them comfortable
    • BOnly if there is a danger such as fire
    • CRight away, to check for injuries
    • DOnly to drive them to the hospital yourself
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Only if there is a danger such as fire

    Moving an injured person can make injuries worse. Move them only if they face a life-threatening danger, and call for help.

22. Question 22 of 25

    The lights are flashing at a railroad crossing. Where should you stop?

    • ARight next to the rail
    • BAt least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet from the nearest rail
    • CAt least 200 feet before the tracks
    • DOn the tracks, so you can see better
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet from the nearest rail

    Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail, and wait until the train has passed and it is safe.

23. Question 23 of 25

    You cannot see the truck driver's face in the truck's side mirror. What does that mean?

    • AYou are a safe distance away
    • BThe truck is about to stop
    • CThe truck driver probably cannot see you
    • DThe truck driver can see you clearly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The truck driver probably cannot see you

    If you can't see the driver in the truck's side mirror, assume the driver can't see you.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Your gas pedal sticks while you are driving. What should you do?

    • AReach down with your hand while driving fast
    • BPump the gas pedal hard
    • CShift to neutral, brake, and pull off the road when it is safe
    • DTurn the key off right away
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Shift to neutral, brake, and pull off the road when it is safe

    Shifting to neutral cuts power to the wheels. Turning off the ignition could lock the steering.

25. Question 25 of 25

    A front tire blows out while you are driving on the highway. What should you do?

    • AHold the wheel tightly and slowly ease off the gas
    • BBrake hard right away
    • CSpeed up to keep control
    • DSteer sharply onto the shoulder
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hold the wheel tightly and slowly ease off the gas

    Grip the wheel firmly, keep the car straight, and let it slow down before you brake gently and pull off.

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