Iowa DOT Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 7

1. Question 1 of 25

   Car 1 is behind a school bus on this divided highway. The bus has stopped with its red lights flashing. What must the driver of Car 1 do?

   • AStop and stay stopped until the red lights turn off
   • BPass slowly on the right
   • CHonk and keep going
   • DPass slowly on the left
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop and stay stopped until the red lights turn off

   Drivers behind a stopped school bus must always stop. Rules for drivers on the other side of a divided highway differ by state.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which of these is an illegal place to park?

   • AIn a marked space next to the curb
   • BOn a residential street with no signs
   • CIn an open space in a parking lot
   • DIn a crosswalk
   Show answer

   Answer: D. In a crosswalk

   You may never park in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, because it blocks people who are crossing.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Only one kind of sign has this shape. What is the shape called?

   • ADiamond
   • BOctagon (8 sides)
   • CHexagon (6 sides)
   • DPentagon (5 sides)
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Octagon (8 sides)

   The eight-sided octagon is used only for STOP signs, so you can recognize it even from behind or when it is covered with snow.

4. Question 4 of 25

   You are in the middle of an intersection when you hear a siren behind you. What should you do?

   • ADrive out of the intersection, then pull to the right and stop
   • BBack up out of the intersection
   • CTurn left right away
   • DStop in the middle of the intersection
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Drive out of the intersection, then pull to the right and stop

   Do not stop inside an intersection. Clear it first, then pull over to the right and stop.

5. Question 5 of 25

   The speed limit is 55 mph, but there is thick fog and the road is slippery. How fast should you drive?

   • AExactly 10 mph under the limit
   • BAs fast as the cars around you
   • CSlower than 55 mph, at a speed that is safe for the conditions
   • D55 mph, because that is the limit
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Slower than 55 mph, at a speed that is safe for the conditions

   The posted limit is the top speed for good conditions. You can be ticketed for driving too fast for conditions even below the limit.

6. Question 6 of 25

   You missed your exit on the freeway. What should you do?

   • AGo on to the next exit
   • BBack up on the shoulder
   • CStop and wait for a gap to back up
   • DMake a U-turn across the median
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Go on to the next exit

   If you miss your exit, stay on the freeway until the next exit. Never back up or turn around on a freeway.

7. Question 7 of 25

   In a state where marijuana is legal, may you drive after using it?

   • AYes, if you have a medical card
   • BYes, but only during the day
   • CNo, driving while impaired by any drug is illegal
   • DYes, as long as you feel fine
   Show answer

   Answer: C. No, driving while impaired by any drug is illegal

   Impairment from marijuana is treated like impairment from any other drug. Do not use it before driving.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Must you yield to a pedestrian crossing at an intersection that has no painted crosswalk lines?

   • AOnly if a crossing guard is there
   • BOnly in school zones
   • CYes, most intersections have unmarked crosswalks where pedestrians have the right-of-way
   • DNo, only painted crosswalks count
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Yes, most intersections have unmarked crosswalks where pedestrians have the right-of-way

   Pedestrians have the right-of-way in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe road is closed ahead
   • BA railroad crossing is ahead
   • CA radar speed check is ahead
   • DA rest area is ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A railroad crossing is ahead

   This round yellow sign is placed before a railroad crossing. Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AHeavy vehicles must keep right
    • BThe lane is closed
    • COnly vehicles with two or more people may use this lane
    • DTrucks only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Only vehicles with two or more people may use this lane

    HOV means high-occupancy vehicle. 2+ means at least two people, counting the driver.

11. Question 11 of 25

    At this four-way stop, the numbers show the order in which the cars stopped. Which car may go first?

    • ACar 2
    • BCar 3
    • CCar 1
    • DCar 4
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Car 1

    At an all-way stop, the first vehicle to come to a full stop is the first to go.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Orange signs like this one are used for:

    • AParks and recreation areas
    • BSchool zones
    • CWork zones and other temporary traffic control
    • DMotorist services
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Work zones and other temporary traffic control

    Orange is the color for work zones. Expect lane changes, lower speeds and workers on or near the road.

13. Question 13 of 25

    You see this sign facing you on a ramp. What should you do?

    • AKeep driving in the left lane with your hazard lights on
    • BYou are going the wrong way: pull over safely, turn around and leave the way you came
    • CSpeed up to get off the ramp quickly
    • DKeep going and take the next exit
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You are going the wrong way: pull over safely, turn around and leave the way you came

    WRONG WAY signs face drivers who are going against traffic. Stop safely, turn around and drive in the correct direction.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Car A wants to turn left on a green light. Car B is coming from the other direction, going straight. Which car should go first?

    • ACar B
    • BCar A, if its turn signal is on
    • CCar A
    • DWhichever car is faster
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Car B

    When turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a danger.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You see this orange and red triangle on the back of a farm tractor. What does it mean?

    • AThe vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, so slow down early
    • BThe vehicle is about to turn
    • CThe vehicle is an emergency vehicle
    • DThe vehicle is carrying hazardous materials
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, so slow down early

    The slow-moving vehicle emblem is used on farm equipment, construction equipment and animal-drawn vehicles.

16. Question 16 of 25

    You see this sign while driving in the rain. What should you do?

    • APump your brakes often to dry them
    • BDrive on the shoulder
    • CSpeed up to get past quickly
    • DSlow down and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Slow down and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns

    Wet roads can make your tires lose grip. Slow down, leave more space, and steer and brake gently.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What does it mean to overdrive your headlights?

    • ADriving with only parking lights on
    • BDriving so fast that you cannot stop within the distance your headlights show
    • CUsing high beams near other cars
    • DDriving with one headlight out
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Driving so fast that you cannot stop within the distance your headlights show

    At night, drive at a speed that lets you stop within the area your headlights light up.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What usually happens if you refuse a chemical test after an arrest for impaired driving?

    • AYou get a written warning
    • BNothing happens
    • CYour driver license is suspended or revoked
    • DYou must retake the written test only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Your driver license is suspended or revoked

    Refusing a test brings its own penalties, including losing your license, even if you are not convicted of impaired driving.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AMany curves are ahead
    • BA sharp turn to the right is ahead
    • CTwo-way traffic is ahead
    • DThe road curves right, then left
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The road curves right, then left

    A reverse curve bends one way and then the other. Slow down before the first curve.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AOne sharp curve to the right is ahead
    • BA series of curves is ahead
    • CThe road is slippery ahead
    • DLanes shift ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A series of curves is ahead

    The road has three or more curves in a row. Slow down and stay in your lane.

21. Question 21 of 25

    In almost every state, an adult driver age 21 or older is breaking the law if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is at or above what level?

    • A0.12%
    • B0.15%
    • C0.20%
    • D0.08%
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 0.08%

    It is illegal in every state except Utah to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Utah's limit is 0.05%, and stricter limits apply to younger and commercial drivers.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATurn around here
    • BLeft turns are not allowed here
    • CU-turns are not allowed here
    • DSharp curve ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. U-turns are not allowed here

    A red circle with a slash means the action shown is not allowed. Here you may not make a U-turn.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Car A and Car B stop at this four-way stop at the same time. Which car should go first?

    • ABoth cars may go at once
    • BCar B
    • CWhichever car starts moving first
    • DCar A
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Car B

    When two drivers stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Car B is on Car A's right, so Car B goes first.

24. Question 24 of 25

    You are in a left-turn lane facing a flashing yellow arrow. What may you do?

    • ATurn left, because oncoming traffic must stop for you
    • BTurn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
    • CStay stopped until a green arrow appears
    • DGo straight only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians

    A flashing yellow arrow allows the turn, but you must first yield to oncoming vehicles and to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

25. Question 25 of 25

    As you get close to your exit from a roundabout, what should you do?

    • ATurn on your right turn signal and exit
    • BGo around once more to check traffic
    • CStop inside the roundabout before exiting
    • DTurn on your left turn signal and exit
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Turn on your right turn signal and exit

    Signal right as you approach your exit so others know you are leaving the roundabout.

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