Iowa Permit Test cheat sheet

Iowa provisional license (under 18) requires a learner's permit held at least 12 months, 20 hours of supervised driving (2 at night), and no moving violations or at-fault crashes in the 6 months before the road test.

Instruction permit eligibility begins at age 14; permit holders may drive only with a licensed parent, guardian, or a person at least 25 years old who is approved by the parent or guardian.

Iowa minor school license (MSL) may be issued at age 14 1/2 to drive to and from school and school activities within a 25-mile radius of the school, after completing an approved driver education course.

Iowa's implied consent law: refusing a chemical test after a lawful OWI arrest results in a one-year license revocation (two years if a prior refusal), separate from any criminal penalty.

OWI per se limits for drivers 21 and older are 0.08% BAC; for drivers under 21, any BAC of 0.02% or higher is a violation under Iowa's zero-tolerance rule.

Iowa requires proof of financial liability (minimum 20/40/15 in thousands of dollars) to register a vehicle; driving uninsured can bring a suspension and a reinstatement fee.

A person may not obtain an Iowa license while their license is suspended, revoked, or canceled in Iowa or any other state; the applicant must disclose out-of-state actions.

Iowa law requires safety belts for the driver and front-seat passengers, and for all passengers under 18 regardless of seating position; children under 1 year and under 20 pounds must be in a rear-facing child restraint.

Iowa's basic speed law requires driving at a speed reasonable and prudent for conditions; posted limits are maximums, not targets, and lower speeds are required in rain, snow, ice, fog, or heavy traffic.

Statutory maximum speed limits: 70 mph on rural interstate highways, 65 mph on rural four-lane divided highways, 55 mph on other rural highways, and 25 mph in residential or business districts unless posted otherwise.

Iowa's move-over law: when approaching a stationary authorized emergency or utility vehicle with flashing lights on a road with two or more lanes, move to a lane not adjacent to the vehicle; if unable, slow to a safe speed.

At a steady red traffic signal, a driver may turn right after stopping, and may turn left onto a one-way street, unless a sign prohibits the turn; the driver must yield to pedestrians and other traffic.

A flashing yellow signal means proceed with caution; a flashing red signal requires a full stop and yield, treated like a stop sign.

Iowa uses a solid yellow line on the driver's side to prohibit passing; a broken yellow line permits passing when safe, and double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions.

A driver must stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail of a railroad crossing when a train is approaching, and must not stop on the tracks or within the crossing area.

Iowa requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is reduced; use low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet when following another vehicle.

Iowa's OWI law applies to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug, or a combination, or with a BAC at or above the per se limit; 'operating' can include being in control of a vehicle with the engine running.

First OWI offense is a serious misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum 48 hours in jail or 48 hours of community service, a fine, and license revocation of 180 days to one year.

Implied consent testing: a driver arrested for OWI is deemed to have consented to a breath, blood, or urine test; refusal triggers a one-year revocation, or two years if a prior refusal occurred within the previous 12 years.

Iowa's open container law prohibits possession of an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle; violation is a simple misdemeanor for the driver.

A driver under 21 commits a violation with a BAC of 0.02% or more; the license is revoked, and the driver must complete a substance abuse evaluation before reinstatement.

Iowa's SR-22 requirement: high-risk drivers must file proof of financial responsibility and maintain it for a period set by the DOT, often three years, to keep registration and driving privileges.

Habitual offender status in Iowa follows three or more OWI convictions or other specified serious offenses within a 12-year period; it results in a five-year license revocation.

Iowa's texting law prohibits reading, writing, or sending text messages while driving for all drivers; drivers under 18 are also prohibited from using any hand-held electronic device.

Iowa's point system: convictions for moving violations add points to a driving record; accumulating too many points in a two-year period leads to suspension or a required improvement interview.

A driver may be required to complete a driver improvement program after accumulating points; failure to complete it results in suspension until the requirement is satisfied.

Iowa's GDL restrictions for permit holders include no driving between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, and no use of a hand-held device.

Intermediate (provisional) license holders under 18 may not drive between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless driving to or from work, school, or a religious activity, and may carry only one unrelated minor passenger.

A crash involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,500 must be reported to law enforcement; Iowa law requires the driver to stop, give aid, and exchange information.

Iowa's 'slow down, move over' also applies to tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles displaying flashing amber lights.

When a school bus displays flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, traffic in both directions must stop; on a divided highway, traffic on the opposite side of a median does not need to stop.

Iowa requires a driver to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, and pedestrians must not suddenly leave a curb and walk into the path of a vehicle that cannot stop.

Iowa requires a vision screening at license renewal; corrected visual acuity must meet the DOT standard, and a restriction may be placed requiring corrective lenses while driving.

A driver must notify the Iowa DOT of a change of address within 30 days; failure to do so can result in a citation and may affect registration and insurance records.

Iowa licenses expire on the licensee's birthday, and renewal can be completed online or by mail in some cases if the driver meets eligibility requirements and has no restrictions requiring an in-person visit.

A driver with a medical or physical condition that affects driving ability must report it to the DOT; the DOT may require a medical statement and may issue a restricted license.

Iowa's 'organ donor' designation can be added to a license at no cost and is indicated on the license face; consent is also recorded in the state donor registry.

A driver involved in a crash must stop, provide name, address, and vehicle registration, and render reasonable assistance to injured persons; leaving the scene of an injury crash is a felony.

Iowa's financial responsibility law requires drivers to carry liability insurance or an approved alternative; a lapse can lead to suspension of registration and driving privileges.

Iowa's license reinstatement after suspension typically requires payment of a reinstatement fee, proof of insurance, and completion of any required testing or education.

Iowa's 'Rules of the Road' require drivers to keep right except when passing, to signal turns and lane changes at least 100 feet in advance, and to yield to vehicles already in the intersection.

A driver must not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent; the three-second rule is the standard minimum following distance under good conditions, increased in poor weather.

Iowa law prohibits passing on the right except when the vehicle ahead is making a left turn, when there is a lane of traffic moving in the same direction, or on a one-way street.

When two vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled intersection at approximately the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

A driver must yield to emergency vehicles displaying lights and siren; after they pass, the driver must not follow within 500 feet of an emergency vehicle responding to a call.

Iowa requires a driver to stop for a pedestrian with a guide dog or white cane, and to yield to a pedestrian who is crossing with a walk signal.

A driver must not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, or within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic signal.

Iowa's 'children on the road' rule requires drivers to exercise extra care when passing a school, playground, or a school bus loading or unloading students.

Iowa's 'Good Driver' discount is not a legal requirement, but insurers may offer discounts; the state does require liability coverage for all registered vehicles.

A driver must not use a hand-held mobile telephone or electronic device while driving, except for hands-free or voice-activated functions; texting is prohibited for all drivers.

Iowa's 'Move Over' law requires drivers to change lanes or slow down for any stationary vehicle with flashing lights, including tow trucks, maintenance vehicles, and emergency responders.

Iowa's 'Steer It, Clear It' law requires drivers involved in a minor crash on a freeway to move their vehicles out of traffic lanes if the vehicle can be safely driven.

Iowa's 'No-Zone' rule: large trucks have blind spots on both sides, directly behind, and in front; a driver should avoid lingering in those areas and should pass quickly.

Iowa requires a driver to use headlights when windshield wipers are in use due to rain, snow, or fog, and to use low beams in fog rather than high beams.

Iowa's 'Right Turn on Red' rule requires a full stop before turning, and a driver must yield to pedestrians and cross traffic; some intersections prohibit the turn by sign.

Iowa's 'Work Zone' rule doubles fines for moving violations in a construction zone when workers are present, and requires drivers to obey flaggers and temporary signs.

Iowa's 'Safety Belt' law: the driver and front-seat passengers must wear seat belts, and all passengers under 18 must be restrained regardless of seating position.

Iowa's 'Child Restraint' law: children under 1 year and under 20 pounds must be in a rear-facing child restraint; children under 6 must be in a child restraint or booster seat.

Iowa's 'Motorcycle Helmet' law: riders under 18 must wear a helmet; riders 18 and older may ride without a helmet but must have a valid motorcycle endorsement.

Iowa's 'Bicycle' law: bicyclists have the same rights and duties as motor vehicle drivers, and a driver must leave at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist.

Iowa's 'Pedestrian' law: a driver must yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, and a pedestrian must not cross against a signal or outside a crosswalk when one is available.

Iowa's 'School Bus' law: a driver must stop at least 15 feet from a school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing.

Iowa's 'Railroad Crossing' law: a driver must stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail when a train is approaching, and must not cross until the tracks are clear.

Iowa's 'Emergency Vehicle' law: a driver must yield to an emergency vehicle with lights and siren, and must not follow within 500 feet of an emergency vehicle responding to a call.

Iowa's 'Driving While Suspended' law: driving while license suspended, revoked, or barred is a serious misdemeanor and can result in jail time and an extended suspension.

Iowa's 'Driving Without Insurance' law: operating a vehicle without liability insurance can result in a suspension, a reinstatement fee, and a requirement to file proof of financial responsibility.

Iowa's 'OWI' law: a first offense is a serious misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum 48 hours in jail or community service, a fine, and license revocation of 180 days to one year.

Iowa's 'Implied Consent' law: refusing a chemical test after an OWI arrest results in a one-year revocation, or two years if a prior refusal occurred within the previous 12 years.

Iowa's 'Habitual Offender' law: three or more OWI convictions or other specified serious offenses within a 12-year period results in a five-year license revocation.

Iowa's 'SR-22' requirement: high-risk drivers must file proof of financial responsibility and maintain it for a period set by the DOT, often three years, to keep driving privileges.

Iowa's 'Point System': accumulating too many points in a two-year period leads to suspension or a required driver improvement interview.

Iowa's 'Open Container' law: possession of an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle is a simple misdemeanor for the driver.

Iowa's 'Vision Screening' at renewal: corrected visual acuity must meet the DOT standard, and a restriction may be placed requiring corrective lenses while driving.

Iowa's 'Change of Address' rule: a driver must notify the Iowa DOT within 30 days of a change of address; failure to do so can result in a citation.

Iowa's 'Medical Reporting' rule: a driver with a medical or physical condition that affects driving ability must report it to the DOT, which may require a medical statement and issue a restricted license.

Iowa's 'Organ Donor' designation can be added to a license at no cost and is indicated on the license face; consent is also recorded in the state donor registry.

Iowa's 'Crash Reporting' rule: a crash involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,500 must be reported to law enforcement; the driver must stop, give aid, and exchange information.

Iowa's 'Leaving the Scene' law: leaving the scene of an injury crash is a felony; the driver must stop, provide name, address, and vehicle registration, and render reasonable assistance.

Iowa's 'Financial Responsibility' law: drivers must carry liability insurance or an approved alternative; a lapse can lead to suspension of registration and driving privileges.

Iowa's 'Reinstatement' rule: after suspension, the driver typically must pay a reinstatement fee, provide proof of insurance, and complete any required testing or education.