Iowa Permit Test flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Iowa permit age

A person may apply for an Iowa instruction permit at age 14; the permit allows driving only when accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, or approved adult at least 25 years old.

Provisional license requirements

An Iowa provisional license for drivers under 18 requires holding a permit at least 12 months, 20 hours of supervised driving including 2 at night, and a clean record for 6 months.

Minor school license

Iowa may issue a minor school license at age 14 1/2 for driving to and from school and school activities within 25 miles of the school after completing approved driver education.

Implied consent refusal

Under Iowa's implied consent law, refusing a chemical test after a lawful OWI arrest brings a one-year license revocation, or two years if a prior refusal occurred within the previous 12 years.

OWI per se limits

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

Iowa basic speed law

Iowa requires driving at a speed reasonable and prudent for conditions; posted limits are maximums, and lower speeds are required in rain, snow, ice, fog, or heavy traffic.

Rural interstate limit

Iowa's statutory maximum speed on rural interstate highways is 70 mph; on rural four-lane divided highways it is 65 mph, and on other rural highways it is 55 mph.

Move-over law

On a road with two or more lanes, Iowa drivers approaching a stationary emergency or utility vehicle with flashing lights must move to a non-adjacent lane or slow to a safe speed.

Right turn on red

In Iowa, a driver may turn right at a steady red signal after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it, yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic; a left turn onto a one-way street is also allowed.

Railroad crossing stop distance

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.

Headlight following distance

Iowa requires low-beam headlights within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet when following another vehicle; headlights are required from sunset to sunrise and in reduced visibility.

First OWI offense

A first OWI offense in Iowa 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.

Habitual offender revocation

Three or more OWI convictions or other specified serious offenses within a 12-year period makes a driver a habitual offender in Iowa, resulting in a five-year license revocation.

Open container law

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

Iowa point system

Convictions for moving violations add points to an Iowa driving record; accumulating too many points in a two-year period leads to suspension or a required driver improvement interview.

Provisional night restriction

Iowa 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.

School bus stop rule

When a school bus displays flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, Iowa traffic in both directions must stop at least 15 feet away; on a divided highway, opposite-side traffic need not stop.

Crash reporting threshold

An Iowa 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.

Vision screening at renewal

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.

Address change deadline

An Iowa 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.

Organ donor designation

An Iowa driver may add an organ donor designation to a license at no cost; the designation appears on the license face and consent is also recorded in the state donor registry.

Leaving an injury crash

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

Following distance rule

Iowa requires a driver not to follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent; the three-second rule is the standard minimum under good conditions, increased in poor weather.

Uncontrolled intersection yield

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

Passing on the right

Iowa 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.

Parking near hydrant

Iowa prohibits parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, and within 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic signal.

Texting while driving

Iowa 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.

Steer It, Clear It

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.

Work zone fines

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

Safety belt law

Iowa requires the driver and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts, and all passengers under 18 must be restrained regardless of seating position.

Child restraint rule

Iowa requires children under 1 year and under 20 pounds to be in a rear-facing child restraint; children under 6 must be in a child restraint or booster seat.

Bicycle passing clearance

Iowa 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.