Iowa DOT Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 8

1. Question 1 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AA passing lane is ahead
   • BTraffic ahead travels in both directions on the same road
   • CTwo lanes go your way
   • DA divided highway begins
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Traffic ahead travels in both directions on the same road

   You are leaving a one-way road or divided highway. Oncoming traffic will be beside you, so keep right.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe bridge ahead is narrower than the road
   • BThe bridge ahead is closed
   • CA drawbridge is ahead
   • DThe road ends at a river
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   Answer: A. The bridge ahead is narrower than the road

   There is less room on the bridge. Slow down, keep right and watch for oncoming traffic.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which drinks contain about the same amount of alcohol?

   • A1.5 ounces of liquor and 12 ounces of wine
   • B12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of liquor
   • C5 ounces of beer and 12 ounces of liquor
   • D12 ounces of beer and 12 ounces of wine
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   Answer: B. 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of liquor

   A regular beer, a glass of wine and a shot of liquor each have about the same amount of alcohol. A drink is a drink.

4. Question 4 of 25

   You reach this sign. You cannot see a train, but you hear a train horn. What should you do?

   • ADrive onto the tracks to get a better look
   • BStop before the tracks and wait until the train has passed
   • CHonk your horn and keep going
   • DCross quickly before the train arrives
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   Answer: B. Stop before the tracks and wait until the train has passed

   Never try to beat a train. Trains cannot stop quickly. Stop before the tracks and cross only when you are sure it is safe.

5. Question 5 of 25

   You stopped for a school bus with flashing red lights. When may you drive on?

   • AAfter waiting about 30 seconds
   • BWhen the bus driver honks
   • CAs soon as you see the children on the sidewalk
   • DOnly after the red lights stop flashing
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   Answer: D. Only after the red lights stop flashing

   Stay stopped for as long as the red lights are flashing. Then watch for children before you move.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • APedestrians are not allowed on this road
   • BThe sidewalk ends ahead
   • CPedestrians must yield to cars here
   • DPeople may be crossing; slow down and yield to pedestrians
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   Answer: D. People may be crossing; slow down and yield to pedestrians

   Watch for people crossing the road. Be ready to stop and yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Two cars meet on a steep, narrow mountain road where neither can pass. Which car has the right-of-way?

   • AThe car that is larger
   • BThe car with more passengers
   • CThe car facing uphill
   • DThe car facing downhill
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   Answer: C. The car facing uphill

   The vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The vehicle facing downhill should back up until the other car can pass.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe no-passing area has ended; you may pass when it is safe
   • BYou must pass slow vehicles
   • CYou may pass only on the right
   • DPassing is not allowed
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The no-passing area has ended; you may pass when it is safe

   This sign marks the end of a no-passing area. Pass only when the road ahead is clear and it is safe.

9. Question 9 of 25

   While you wait to turn left, why should you keep your front wheels pointed straight ahead?

   • ATo keep your tires from wearing out
   • BSo your turn signal keeps working
   • CSo you can turn faster when the way is clear
   • DSo you are not pushed into oncoming traffic if you are hit from behind
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   Answer: D. So you are not pushed into oncoming traffic if you are hit from behind

   Keep your wheels straight until it is safe to turn. If your wheels are turned and someone hits you from behind, you could be pushed into oncoming cars.

10. Question 10 of 25

    At a T-intersection with no signs or signals, who has the right-of-way?

    • AThe vehicle turning left
    • BTraffic on the through road
    • CThe largest vehicle
    • DTraffic on the road that ends
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    Answer: B. Traffic on the through road

    Drivers on the road that continues straight through have the right-of-way. Drivers on the road that ends must yield.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS). How should you brake in an emergency?

    • APull the parking brake
    • BPress the brake pedal firmly and keep pressing
    • CTap the brake lightly
    • DPump the brake pedal quickly
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Press the brake pedal firmly and keep pressing

    With ABS, press hard and hold steady pressure. The system pumps the brakes for you and lets you steer.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What is the center lane shown here used for?

    • ADriving for long distances in heavy traffic
    • BLeft turns by drivers from both directions
    • CPassing slower vehicles
    • DParking and loading
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    Answer: B. Left turns by drivers from both directions

    A two-way left-turn lane is shared by drivers from both directions to make left turns. It is not a travel lane or passing lane.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ARoad work is ahead; slow down and watch for workers and equipment
    • BWorkers have finished for the day
    • CTake the detour ahead
    • DThe road is closed ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Road work is ahead; slow down and watch for workers and equipment

    Slow down, stay alert, and follow work zone signs and flaggers.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Total stopping distance, as shown, is made up of which two parts?

    • AThe distance you travel while reacting, plus the braking distance
    • BThe braking distance, counted twice
    • CThe reaction distance plus the length of your car
    • DThe distance to the car ahead plus the braking distance
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    Answer: A. The distance you travel while reacting, plus the braking distance

    Part 1 is how far you travel while you see the danger and move your foot to the brake. Part 2 is how far you travel after braking until you stop.

15. Question 15 of 25

    A truck signaling a right turn swings left first. What should you do?

    • APass it on the right
    • BPull up beside the cab
    • CHonk and pass it quickly
    • DStay back and do not try to squeeze between the truck and the curb
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Stay back and do not try to squeeze between the truck and the curb

    Trucks swing wide to make right turns. Never try to get between a turning truck and the curb.

16. Question 16 of 25

    A school bus has stopped on this two-lane road with its red lights flashing and its stop arm out. Which cars must stop?

    • ABoth Car 1 and Car 2
    • BOnly Car 2, facing the bus
    • CNeither car, if no child is in the road
    • DOnly Car 1, behind the bus
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Both Car 1 and Car 2

    On a two-lane road, traffic from both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What does the red circle with a slash on this sign mean?

    • AThe action shown inside it is not allowed
    • BThe rule applies only at night
    • CThere is danger ahead
    • DThe action shown is allowed
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The action shown inside it is not allowed

    On US regulatory signs, red is used for STOP, YIELD and the circle and slash that ban an action.

18. Question 18 of 25

    A driver holds the left arm out the window, bent downward. What does this hand signal mean?

    • ALeft turn
    • BRight turn
    • CSlowing down or stopping
    • DGo ahead and pass
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slowing down or stopping

    The left arm bent downward means the driver is slowing down or stopping.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ASlow down before you reach the curve
    • BBrake hard in the middle of the curve
    • CMove to the left lane
    • DSpeed up to get through the curve
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Slow down before you reach the curve

    Slow down before the curve, not in it. Braking hard in a curve can make you skid.

20. Question 20 of 25

    At a stop sign with a white stop line painted across your lane, where should you stop?

    • ABefore the stop line
    • BInside the crosswalk
    • CWith your front wheels past the line
    • DPast the line, at the edge of the cross street
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Before the stop line

    A stop line shows where you must stop. If there is no stop line, stop before the crosswalk.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which road users are especially hard to see at night?

    • ATrucks with clearance lights
    • BPolice cars with lights flashing
    • CBuses with interior lights on
    • DPedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists

    People walking, cycling or riding motorcycles are much harder to see in the dark. Slow down and look carefully.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Which of these places is unsafe for passing on a two-lane road?

    • AA flat, open road in daylight with a clear view
    • BA straight road with a broken yellow line and no oncoming traffic
    • CA marked passing zone with good visibility
    • DNear the top of a hill or on a curve where you cannot see ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Near the top of a hill or on a curve where you cannot see ahead

    Do not pass near hills or curves where you cannot see oncoming traffic, or near intersections and railroad crossings.

23. Question 23 of 25

    A pedestrian is crossing in the crosswalk ahead of you, as shown. What must you do?

    • AStop and wait until the pedestrian has safely crossed
    • BHonk so the pedestrian moves faster
    • CFlash your lights so the pedestrian stops
    • DDrive slowly around the pedestrian
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop and wait until the pedestrian has safely crossed

    Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and wait until they can finish crossing safely.

24. Question 24 of 25

    An emergency vehicle (1) is stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing. What should you do in Car 2?

    • AKeep your speed and lane
    • BStop behind the police car
    • CSpeed up to get past quickly
    • DMove over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Move over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down

    Move Over laws require you to change to a lane away from a stopped emergency vehicle when safe, or slow down if you cannot.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Your car starts to hydroplane. What should you do?

    • ATurn sharply toward the shoulder
    • BBrake hard right away
    • CSpeed up to get through the water
    • DEase off the gas and keep the wheel straight without braking hard
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Ease off the gas and keep the wheel straight without braking hard

    Slowly take your foot off the gas and hold the wheel steady until the tires grip again. Do not use the brakes hard.

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