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Iowa Permit Test: Safe Driving Practice Questions
Following distance, headlights, seat belts and distractions.
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Every Iowa topic, mock exams and your progress, right here or in the app.
Question 1
What is the Iowa seat belt fine per unbelted passenger under 18?
Up to $500
Up to $25
Up to $100
Up to $10
Correct answer: Up to $100
Not wearing a belt is a primary offense punishable by up to $50 per passenger and $100 per passenger under 18.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.5 Seat Belts and Child Restraints
Question 2
Can an Iowa officer stop you only because someone isn't wearing a seat belt?
Yes, it is a primary offense
Only on interstates
Only at night
No, only with another violation
Correct answer: Yes, it is a primary offense
Not wearing a seat belt is a primary offense, so you can be stopped solely for non-compliance.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.5 Seat Belts and Child Restraints
Question 3
Under Iowa law, how must a child under one year and under 20 pounds ride?
In a rear-facing child restraint
Buckled in with an adult seat belt
On a parent's lap
In a booster seat
Correct answer: In a rear-facing child restraint
A child under one year old and weighing less than 20 pounds must be in a rear-facing child restraint system.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.5 Seat Belts and Child Restraints
Question 4
Under Iowa law, a child under six must ride in what?
A safety seat or booster seat
A seat belt alone
The front seat only
Any seat, as long as an adult is nearby
Correct answer: A safety seat or booster seat
A child under six must be in a child restraint system (safety seat or booster), not just a seat belt.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.5 Seat Belts and Child Restraints
Question 5
Which passengers must wear a belt in the back seat under Iowa law?
Passengers under 18
Only passengers in vans
No back-seat passengers
Only passengers over 65
Correct answer: Passengers under 18
Iowa requires all front-seat passengers to wear belts, and the law also covers back-seat passengers under 18.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.5 Seat Belts and Child Restraints
Question 6
May a 16-year-old ride in the bed of a moving pickup truck in Iowa?
No
Yes, with a parent
Yes, on gravel roads
Yes, if seated
Correct answer: No
A child under 18 cannot ride in the rear of a moving pickup truck.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.5 Seat Belts and Child Restraints
Question 7
How much space should be between your chest and the steering wheel?
About 5 inches
At least 10 inches
About 2 inches
At least 3 feet
Correct answer: At least 10 inches
There should be at least 10 inches between the steering wheel and your chest, with the air bag pointing at your chest.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.2 Adjusting Seats and Mirrors
Question 8
How far behind you must you be able to see in your rearview mirror under Iowa law?
At least 1,000 feet
At least 20 feet
At least 50 feet
At least 200 feet
Correct answer: At least 200 feet
You must see at least 200 feet behind you in the rearview mirror; if a load blocks it, you need an outside mirror.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.2 Adjusting Seats and Mirrors
Question 9
How much light must Iowa windshields and front side windows let through?
At least 35 percent
At least 50 percent of light
At least 20 percent
At least 70 percent
Correct answer: At least 70 percent
Iowa requires the windshield and windows beside the driver to allow at least 70% of light through; there's no medical exemption.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.1 Maintaining Your Vehicle
Question 10
How do you check tire tread with a penny, per the Iowa manual?
If tread doesn't reach the top of Lincoln's head, replace the tire
Tap the tire with it to listen
Measure air pressure with it
If you can see Lincoln's chin, the tread is still fine
Correct answer: If tread doesn't reach the top of Lincoln's head, replace the tire
Insert a penny head first; if the tread doesn't come at least to the top of Lincoln's head, the tire is unsafe.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.1 Maintaining Your Vehicle
Question 11
How much can dirt on your vehicle's light lenses reduce their effectiveness?
By 5 percent
By 50 percent
Not at all
By 90 percent
Correct answer: By 50 percent
Dirt on the lenses can cut a light's effectiveness by 50 percent; keep lights clean.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.1 Maintaining Your Vehicle
Question 12
At 60 mph, how much force can a loose 20-pound object exert in a sudden stop?
About 20 pounds
About 300 pounds
Well over 1,000 pounds
About 100 pounds
Correct answer: Well over 1,000 pounds
At 60 mph, a 20-pound object can exert well over 1,000 pounds of force in a sudden stop; secure loose items.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.6 Securing Loose Objects
Question 13
Under Iowa's hands-free law, what is allowed while driving?
Holding the phone to your ear to talk
Typing an address into GPS
Scrolling social media
Calling with voice activation
Correct answer: Calling with voice activation
You may not hold, type on or scroll your phone, enter GPS addresses or stream video; calls must be hands-free or voice-activated.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.7 Eliminating Distractions
Question 14
Can you make a video call while driving in Iowa if you use voice commands?
Only at stop lights
Only on rural roads
Yes
No
Correct answer: No
You can't stream videos or make video calls while driving, even with voice commands.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.7 Eliminating Distractions
Question 15
Where must you be before reading or sending a text in Iowa?
In slow traffic
Stopped at a red light in your lane
On a straight road
Stopped off the traveled roadway
Correct answer: Stopped off the traveled roadway
Before writing, sending or reading a message, the vehicle must be completely stopped off the traveled portion of the roadway.
Source: Chapter 3: Preparing to Drive β 3.7 Eliminating Distractions
All Iowa practice
Other topics
Road Signs
Signals & Pavement Markings
Right-of-Way
Speed Limits
Turning
Lanes & Passing
Parking
Alcohol & Drugs
Emergencies
Sharing the Road
Licensing
Insurance & Collisions
Teen & Provisional Drivers
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Practice questions are written from official driver handbooks. Always check your state DMV for current rules.
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